Points to Cover With Dental Hygienist Colleges<\/strong><\/h3>\nNow that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in West Friendship MD, you can begin the procedure of comparing programs and schools. As we covered at the start of this article, a number of prospective students start by checking out the cost and the location of the schools. Perhaps they search for several online options also. Although these may be important initial considerations, there are a few additional questions that you need to address to the schools you are comparing in order to make an informed decision. To start that process, we have included a list of questions to help you with your evaluation and ultimate selection of the best dental hygienist school for you.<\/p>\n
Is the Dental College Accredited?<\/strong> There are a number of valid reasons why you should only choose an accredited dental hygienist school. If you are intending to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a requirement in nearly all states. To qualify to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, your dental program must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps guarantee that the instruction you get is comprehensive and of the highest quality. West Friendship MD employers often desire or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited colleges. And last, if you are requesting financial aid or a student loan, frequently they are not offered for non-accredited schools.<\/p>\nIs Enough Clinical Training Provided?<\/strong> Practical or clinical training is a vital part of every dental training program. This is true for the online college options as well. Most dental hygienist schools have relationships with local dental practices and clinics that provide clinical training for their students. It’s not only imperative that the college you choose offers adequate clinical hours but also provides them in the type of practice that you subsequently want to work in. As an example, if you have an interest in a career in pediatric dentistry, make sure that the college you enroll in offers clinical rotation in a local West Friendship MD dental practice that focuses on dental treatment for children.<\/p>\nIs There an Internship Program?<\/strong> Verify if the dental programs you are exploring have internship programs. Internships are undoubtedly the best means to receive 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 develop professional relationships in the West Friendship MD dentistry community. And they look good on resumes too.<\/p>\nIs Job Placement Support Offered?<\/strong> Most students that have graduated from dental hygienist colleges require assistance obtaining their first job. Ask if the schools you are considering have job placement programs, and what their job placement rates are. Schools with higher job placement rates are likely to have good reputations within the West Friendship MD dental community as well as extensive networks of contacts where they can position their students for employment or internships.<\/p>\nAre the Classes Small?<\/strong> Check with the colleges you are evaluating how big typically their classes are. The smaller classes usually provide a more intimate atmosphere for training where students have increased access to the instructors. On the other hand, larger classes often are impersonal and offer little individualized instruction. If feasible, find out if you can attend a couple of classes at the West Friendship MD dental hygienist school that you are most interested in so that you can experience first hand the level of interaction between instructors and students before making a commitment.<\/p>\n <\/strong>What is the Total Cost of the Program?<\/strong> Dental hygiene training can differ in cost depending on the length of the program and the volume of practical training provided. Other variables, for instance the reputations of the colleges and if they are private or public also come into play. But besides the tuition there are other substantial expenses which can add up. They can include costs for such things as commuting and textbooks as well as school equipment, materials and supplies. So when analyzing the cost of programs, remember to add all of the costs associated with your education. The majority of schools have financial aid offices, so be sure to check out what is offered as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the West Friendship MD area.<\/p>\nAre the Classes Convenient?<\/strong> Before selecting a dental hygienist school, you must make sure that the assistant or hygienist program furnishes classes that accommodate your schedule. This is especially true if you will be working while getting your education and must attend classes near West Friendship MD at nights or on weekends. And even if you choose an online school, you will still need 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 due to illness, work or family responsibilities.<\/p>\nAttending Dental Hygienist School near West Friendship MD?<\/h3>\nWest Friendship, Maryland<\/h3>
West Friendship is an affluent semi-rural unincorporated community in western Howard County, Maryland. West Friendship is located at the junction of Interstate 70 and Maryland Route 32. Frederick Road (Maryland Route 144) is a main thoroughfare.<\/p>
Like many small communities in Howard County, West Friendship developed slowly as settlers moved west. As adventurers set out to survey the area, they established land tracts in the 1700s, many before the Revolutionary War. Stein's history (1972) lists land grants given to families whose descendants live in the area today. The families of Warfield, Ridgely, Selby, Hobbs, Cross, and Cissel helped create what is now West Friendship.[3]<\/p>
In the 19th century, the main road through West Friendship was filled with travelers who could find comfort at mile houses along the route. The population of West Friendship totaled fifty by 1887.[4] Some came to settle; others, like the circuit rider ministers, rode on horseback from church to church, making it more convenient for residents to attend the nearest service. Early travel was rough, but most residents were adept at horseback riding. Many traveled over the Frederick Turnpike built in the 1790s. Empty land soon gave way to Thomas S. Cross's general store and post office in West Friendship.[3][5]<\/p>
In the 20th Century, paved roads and the automobile replaced country roads and the horse and buggy. The paving of the West Friendship-Sykesville Road (MD 32) by the state in 1910 was an important development for the community. Social gatherings continued to center around farming in the 1940s. Before then, the Howard County Grange Competitions were held at Brendel Manor Park and in one resident's front yard. After moving to Freestate Raceway and Ellicott City High, residents set up the groundwork for the present Howard County Fair in 1953 to be held annually in West Friendship.[3][6]<\/p><\/div>\n