Questions to Ask Dental Hygienist Colleges<\/strong><\/h3>\nNow that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Shepherd MT, you can start the procedure of comparing schools and programs. As we discussed at the opening of this article, a number of students start by looking at the location and the cost of the schools. Possibly they look for several online alternatives as well. Although these may be important initial considerations, there are several additional questions that you need to address to the schools you are looking at in order to reach an informed decision. Toward that end, we have included a list of questions to help you with your evaluation and ultimate selection of the best dental hygienist program for you.<\/p>\n
Is the Dental Program Accredited?<\/strong> There are a number of good reasons why you should only enroll in an accredited dental hygienist school. If you are intending to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a prerequisite in virtually 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 establish that the instruction you get is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Shepherd MT employers typically prefer or require that new hires are graduates of accredited colleges. And last, if you are applying for financial aid or a student loan, frequently they are not available for non-accredited programs.<\/p>\nIs Adequate Practical Training Provided?<\/strong> Practical or clinical training is a necessary portion of every dental training program. This is true for the online school options as well. Many dental hygienist colleges have partnerships with regional dental practices and clinics that provide clinical training for their students. It’s not only imperative that the program you enroll in offers enough clinical hours but also provides them in the kind 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 program you select offers clinical rotation in a local Shepherd MT dental office that specializes in dental services for children.<\/p>\nIs There an Internship Program?<\/strong> Find out if the dental schools you are evaluating have an internship program. Internships are undoubtedly the best method to obtain hands-on, practical experience in a real 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 too.<\/p>\nIs Job Placement Assistance Provided?<\/strong> Most students that have graduated from dental hygienist programs need help obtaining their first job. Check if the colleges you are researching have job placement programs, and what their job placement rates are. Colleges with high job placement rates are likely to have good reputations within the Shepherd MT dental community in addition to large networks of contacts where they can place their students for internships or employment.<\/p>\nAre the Classes Smaller?<\/strong> Ask the schools you are looking at how big typically their classrooms are. The smaller classes usually offer a more intimate setting for learning where students have increased access to the instructors. On the other hand, larger classes often are impersonal and offer little one-on-one instruction. If practical, find out if you can attend a couple of classes at the Shepherd MT dental hygienist college that you are leaning toward in order to experience first hand the degree of interaction between teachers and students before making a commitment.<\/p>\n <\/strong>What is the Total Cost of the Program?<\/strong> Dental hygiene colleges can fluctuate in cost based on the duration of the program and the amount of clinical training provided. Other factors, for instance the reputations of the colleges and if they are public or private also come into play. But in addition to the tuition there are other significant costs which can add up. They can include costs for such things as textbooks and commuting as well as school equipment, materials and supplies. So when comparing the cost of schools, don’t forget to add all of the costs associated with your education. Most schools have financial assistance offices, so make sure to find out what is available as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the Shepherd MT area.<\/p>\nAre the Classes Accessible?<\/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 attend classes near Shepherd MT at nights or on weekends. And even if you choose an online program, you will still have 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 work, illness or family issues.<\/p>\nAttending Dental Hygienist School near Shepherd MT?<\/h3>\nShepherd, Montana<\/h3>
Shepherd is a census-designated place (CDP) in Yellowstone County, Montana, United States. The population was 193 at the 2000 census. Shepherd is a Billings suburb located to the northeast. The unincorporated town was named after R.E. Shepherd, a prominent early settler and owner of the Billings Land and Irrigation Company and the Merchants National Bank.<\/p>
As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 193 people, 71 households, and 51 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 181.0 people per square mile (69.6\/km\u00b2). There were 79 housing units at an average density of 74.1 per square mile (28.5\/km\u00b2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 94.30% White, 4.15% Native American, and 1.55% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.52% of the population.<\/p>
There were 71 households out of which 39.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.9% were married couples living together, 15.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.8% were non-families. 23.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.23.<\/p>
In the CDP, the population was spread out with 33.7% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 8.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 112.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.9 males.<\/p><\/div>\n