Points to Cover With Dental Hygienist Programs<\/strong><\/h3>\nNow that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Annapolis Junction MD, you can begin the process of comparing schools and programs. As we discussed at the beginning of this article, many prospective students begin by looking at the location and the cost of the schools. Perhaps they search for some online alternatives also. Even though these may be significant initial points to consider, there are several additional questions that you need to address to the programs you are looking at in order to reach an informed decision. Toward that end, we have furnished a list of questions to help you with your due diligence and ultimate selection of the best dental hygienist school for you.<\/p>\n
Is the Dental Program Accredited?<\/strong> There are a number of important reasons why you should only choose an accredited dental hygienist college. If you are intending to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a prerequisite in almost all states. In order to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam, your dental school must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps ensure that the instruction you get is comprehensive and of the highest quality. Annapolis Junction MD employers frequently prefer or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited programs. And last, if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, usually they are not obtainable for non-accredited schools.<\/p>\nIs Adequate Clinical Training Included?<\/strong> Clinical or practical training is an important part of every dental training program. This applies for the online school options as well. Many dental hygienist schools have relationships with area dental practices and clinics that furnish clinical training for their students. It’s not only important that the college you enroll in provides enough clinical hours but also provides them in the type of practice that you ultimately would like to work in. For example, if you are interested in a career in pediatric dentistry, verify that the college you enroll in offers clinical rotation in a local Annapolis Junction MD dental practice that focuses on dental services for children.<\/p>\nAre Internships Available?<\/strong> Verify if the dental colleges you are looking at sponsor an internship program. Internships are undoubtedly the most effective means to get hands-on, practical experience in a professional dental practice. They help students to transition from the theoretical to the practical. They can also help students create working relationships in the professional dental community. And they look good on resumes too.<\/p>\nIs Job Placement Assistance Offered?<\/strong> Many students that have graduated from dental hygienist colleges need assistance landing their first job. Find out if the schools you are considering have job placement programs, and what their job placement rates are. Colleges with high job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Annapolis Junction MD dental profession as well as extensive networks of contacts where they can position their students for employment or internships.<\/p>\nAre the Classrooms Smaller?<\/strong> Ask the schools you are reviewing how big on average their classrooms are. The smaller classes generally provide a more personal atmosphere for learning where students have increased access to the teachers. Conversely, bigger classes tend to be impersonal and provide little one-on-one instruction. If feasible, ask if you can sit in on a few classes at the Annapolis Junction MD dental hygienist college that you are most interested in in order to experience first hand the level of interaction between students and teachers before making a commitment.<\/p>\n <\/strong>What is the Total Cost of the Program?<\/strong> Dental hygiene schools can fluctuate in cost dependent on the length of the program and the volume of clinical training provided. Other factors, for instance the reputations of the schools and if they are public or private also have an impact. But besides the tuition there are other substantial expenses 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 programs, remember to add all of the expenses associated with your education. The majority of colleges have financial assistance offices, so make sure to check out what is available as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Annapolis Junction MD area.<\/p>\nAre the Classes Accessible?<\/strong> Before selecting a dental hygienist school, you need to confirm that the assistant or hygienist program offers classes that fit your schedule. This is particularly true if you will be working while receiving your education and must go to classes near Annapolis Junction MD at nights or on weekends. And even if you enroll in an online college, you will still have 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 responsibilities.<\/p>\nAttending Dental Hygienist School near Annapolis Junction MD?<\/h3>\nAnnapolis Junction, Maryland<\/h3>
The lands of Annapolis Junction were first settled around 1650. Provincial Assembly of Maryland member and Anne Arundel County Justice Colonel Henry Ridgely (1645-1710) surveyed the land around Annapolis Junction and nearby Savage Mill in 1685 naming the tract \"Ridgely's Forrest\".[3][4]<\/p>
Annapolis Junction was established as a rail junction on the north-south mainline of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O) when the tracks of the Annapolis and Elk Ridge Railroad terminated here in 1840. Since this provided a rail route to Annapolis from Washington and Baltimore via the B&O, it was, therefore, a junction to Annapolis. On August 26, 1844 the Annapolis Junction post office opened.[5][6]<\/p>
On May 1, 1844, in a small wooden building along the railroad tracks, the first practical news telegram was sent from Annapolis Junction. The message, from Alfred Vail to Samuel F. B. Morse, announced that the Whig Party candidate would be Henry Clay, and his running mate would be Theodore Frelinghuysen. The candidates left Annapolis Junction by train, and arrived in Washington to find the news was already being announced in the city by the local papers.[7]<\/p>
General Butler recounts: \"In route to Washington D.C. we could not sail into the Potomac, and the rail line from Annapolis to Annapolis Junction was the only route in. Troops were unwelcome in Annapolis, finding reluctance to provide provisions, and locomotives disabled to prevent their travel.\"[8]<\/p><\/div>\n