What to Ask Dental Hygienist Programs<\/strong><\/h3>\nNow that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Ottumwa IA, you can begin the procedure of comparing programs and schools. As we discussed at the start of this article, many students begin by checking out the location and the cost of the schools. Possibly they search for some online alternatives as well. Although these may be important initial considerations, there are several additional questions that you should ask of the colleges you are looking at in order to make an informed decision. To start that process, we have included a list of questions to assist you with your due diligence and final selection of the ideal dental hygienist college for you.<\/p>\n
Is the Dental Program Accredited?<\/strong> There are a number of valid reasons why you should only select an accredited dental hygienist school. If you are planning to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a prerequisite in virtually all states. In order to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam, your dental program must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps guarantee that the training you get is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Ottumwa IA employers often desire or require that new hires are graduates of accredited colleges. And finally, if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, frequently they are not offered for non-accredited programs.<\/p>\nIs Adequate Practical Training Included?<\/strong> Practical or clinical training is a vital part of every dental training program. This holds true for the online school options as well. Most dental hygienist schools have associations with local dental practices and clinics that provide clinical training for their students. It’s not only imperative that the college you choose provides sufficient clinical hours but also provides them in the kind of practice that you ultimately want to work in. As an example, if you are interested in a career in pediatric dentistry, make sure that the school you enroll in offers clinical rotation in a local Ottumwa IA dental practice that focuses on dental services for children.<\/p>\nIs There an Internship Program?<\/strong> Ask if the dental programs you are considering sponsor internship programs. Internships are probably the best means to obtain hands-on, clinical experience in a professional dental practice. They make it easier for students to transition from the theoretical to the practical. They can also help students build working relationships in the professional dental community. And they are attractive on resumes also.<\/p>\nIs Job Placement Support Provided?<\/strong> Many students that have graduated from dental hygienist programs require help obtaining their first job. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Programs with higher job placement rates are likely to have good reputations within the Ottumwa IA dental community in addition to large networks of contacts where they can refer their students for internships or employment.<\/p>\nAre Classrooms Smaller?<\/strong> Find out from the schools you are evaluating how big on average their classes are. The smaller classes generally offer a more intimate environment for learning where students have greater access to the instructors. On the other hand, larger classes can be impersonal and offer little individualized instruction. If practical, find out if you can attend a couple of classes at the Ottumwa IA dental hygienist college that you are most interested in so that you can experience first hand the degree of interaction between students and teachers before making a commitment.<\/p>\n <\/strong>What is the Entire Expense of the Program?<\/strong> Dental hygiene colleges can vary in cost based on the length of the program and the amount of clinical training provided. Other variables, for instance the reputations of the schools and whether they are public or private also have an impact. But in addition to the tuition there are other significant costs which can add up. They can include expenses for such things as commuting and textbooks as well as school materials, equipment and supplies. So when comparing the cost of schools, don’t forget to include all of the expenses related to your education. The majority of colleges have financial assistance departments, so be sure to ask what is offered as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the Ottumwa IA area.<\/p>\nAre the Classes Convenient?<\/strong> Before selecting a dental hygienist school, you must make sure that the hygienist or assistant program offers classes that accommodate your schedule. This is especially true if you will be working while acquiring your education and have to go to classes near Ottumwa IA at nights or on weekends. And even if you select an online school, you will still need to schedule your clinical training classes. Also, while making your inquiries, ask what the make-up protocol is if you should need to miss any classes because of illness, work or family issues.<\/p>\nAttending Dental Hygienist School near Ottumwa IA?<\/h3>\nOttumwa, Iowa<\/h3>
Ottumwa (\/\u0259\u02c8t\u028cmw\u0259\/ \u0259-TUM-w\u0259) is a city in and the county seat of Wapello County, Iowa, United States.[5] The population was 25,023 at the 2010 census. Located in southeastern Iowa, the city is split into northern and southern halves by the Des Moines River.<\/p>
In 1857, coal was being mined from the McCready bank, a site along Bear Creek four miles west of Ottumwa. In 1868, Brown and Godfrey opened a drift mine four miles northwest of town. By 1872, Brown and Godfrey employed 300 men and had an annual production of 77,000\u00a0tons. In 1880, the Phillips Coal and Mining Company opened a mine two miles northwest of town. In subsequent years, they opened 5 more shafts in the Phillips and Rutledge neighborhoods, just north of Ottumwa.[7] The Phillips number 5 shaft was 140\u00a0feet deep, with a 375 horse power steam hoist.[8] By 1889, the state mine inspector\u2019s report listed 15 mine shafts in Ottumwa.[9] In 1914, the Phillips Fuel Company produced over 100,000\u00a0tons of coal, ranking among the top 24 coal producers in the state.[10]<\/p>
John Morrell & Company played a significant role in the development of the City of Ottumwa from 1877 to 1973. The complex typified meat packing as it developed in the midwest during the last quarter of the nineteenth century and the first half of the twentieth century.[11]<\/p>
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 16.53 square miles (42.81\u00a0km2), of which, 15.86 square miles (41.08\u00a0km2) is land and 0.67 square miles (1.74\u00a0km2) is water.[2]<\/p><\/div>\n