Subjects to Ask Dental Hygienist Colleges<\/strong><\/h3>\nNow that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Athens ME, you can start the process of comparing programs and schools. As we discussed at the start of this article, many prospective students start by looking at the location and the cost of the colleges. Perhaps they look for some online options as well. Although these are important initial points to consider, there are several additional questions that you need to ask of the schools you are looking at in order to make an informed decision. Toward that end, we have supplied a list of questions to help you with your due diligence and final selection of the right dental hygienist school for you.<\/p>\n
Is the Dental Program Accredited?<\/strong> There are several valid reasons why you should only pick an accredited dental hygienist program. If you are planning to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a condition in nearly all states. To qualify to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam, your dental program must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps establish that the instruction you get is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Athens ME employers often prefer or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited schools. And finally, if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, frequently they are not obtainable for non-accredited schools.<\/p>\nIs Enough Practical Training Provided?<\/strong> Clinical or practical training is a vital part of every dental training program. This is true for the online school options also. Most dental hygienist colleges have associations with regional dental practices and clinics that furnish practical training for their students. It’s not only important that the program you choose provides adequate clinical hours but also provides them in the kind of practice that you ultimately would like to work in. As an example, if you are interested in a career in pediatric dentistry, check that the school you enroll in offers clinical rotation in a local Athens ME dental practice that focuses on dental care for children.<\/p>\nAre Internships Available?<\/strong> Find out if the dental programs you are considering have an internship program. Internships are probably the ideal means to obtain hands-on, clinical experience in a real dental practice. They help students to transition from the theoretical to the practical. They can also help students establish working relationships in the professional dental community. And they look good on resumes too.<\/p>\nIs Job Placement Support Provided?<\/strong> Many students that have graduated from dental hygienist colleges require help obtaining their first job. Find out if the schools you are looking at have job placement programs, and what their job placement rates are. Schools with high job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Athens ME dental community in addition to extensive networks of contacts where they can refer their students for employment or internships.<\/p>\nAre Classrooms Smaller?<\/strong> Check with the schools you are interested in how big on average their classrooms are. The smaller classes tend to offer a more personal setting for learning where students have greater access to the instructors. Conversely, larger classes can be impersonal and offer little one-on-one instruction. If feasible, ask if you can sit in on a couple of classes at the Athens ME dental hygienist school that you are leaning toward in order to witness first hand the amount of interaction between students and teachers before enrolling.<\/p>\n <\/strong>What is the Total Cost of the Program?<\/strong> Dental hygiene programs can differ in cost based on the duration of the program and the volume of practical training provided. Other factors, for example the reputations of the schools and whether they are private or public 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 costs related to your education. Most colleges have financial assistance departments, so make sure to check out what is available as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the Athens ME area.<\/p>\nAre the Classes Accessible?<\/strong> Before enrolling in a dental hygienist school, you must confirm that the assistant or hygienist program offers classes that fit your schedule. This is particularly true if you continue working while receiving your education and have to go to classes near Athens ME at nights or on weekends. And even if you choose an online college, you will still be required to schedule your practical training classes. Also, while making your inquiries, ask what the make-up procedure is if you should need to miss any classes because of illness, work or family issues.<\/p>\nAttending Dental Hygienist School near Athens ME?<\/h3>\nAthens, Maine<\/h3>
As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 1,019 people, 391 households, and 270 families residing in the town. The population density was 23.4 inhabitants per square mile (9.0\/km2). There were 577 housing units at an average density of 13.2 per square mile (5.1\/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 97.4% White, 0.2% African American, 0.9% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 0.1% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.6% of the population.<\/p>
There were 391 households of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.6% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 8.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 30.9% were non-families. 22.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 2.99.<\/p>
The median age in the town was 40.4 years. 24.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.7% were from 25 to 44; 29.9% were from 45 to 64; and 12.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 50.7% male and 49.3% female.<\/p>
As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 847 people, 327 households, and 225 families residing in the town. The population density was 19.5 people per square mile (7.5\/km\u00b2). There were 484 housing units at an average density of 11.1 per square mile (4.3\/km\u00b2). The racial makeup of the town was 99.53% White, 0.12% African American, 0.24% Native American, and 0.12% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.71% of the population.<\/p><\/div>\n