Points to Cover With Dental Hygienist Schools<\/strong><\/h3>\nNow that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Gastonia NC, you can start the process of comparing schools and programs. As we covered at the start of this article, a number of students start by checking out the location and the cost of the colleges. Perhaps they search for some online options as well. Even though these may be important initial considerations, there are a few additional questions that you need to ask of the colleges you are reviewing in order to reach an informed decision. To start that process, we have included a list of questions to assist you with your due diligence and ultimate selection of the right dental hygienist program for you.<\/p>\n
Is the Dental School Accredited?<\/strong> There are several good reasons why you should only enroll in an accredited dental hygienist college. If you are going to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a prerequisite in nearly all states. To qualify to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam, your dental school must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps establish that the education you receive is comprehensive and of the highest quality. Gastonia NC employers often prefer or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited colleges. And finally, if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, frequently they are not obtainable for non-accredited schools.<\/p>\nIs Adequate Practical Training Provided?<\/strong> Practical or clinical training is an essential portion of any dental training program. This applies for the online college options as well. Many dental hygienist schools have relationships with area dental offices and clinics that furnish practical training for their students. It’s not only imperative that the college you enroll in offers adequate clinical hours but also provides them in the type of practice that you subsequently want to work in. For example, if you have an interest in a career in pediatric dentistry, confirm that the school you select offers clinical rotation in a local Gastonia NC dental practice that specializes in dental treatment for children.<\/p>\nIs There an Internship Program?<\/strong> Verify if the dental colleges you are looking at sponsor an internship program. Internships are undoubtedly the ideal means to obtain hands-on, practical 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 establish working relationships in the professional dental community. And they are attractive on resumes as well.<\/p>\nIs Job Placement Support Furnished?<\/strong> Most students that have graduated from dental hygienist programs need help landing their first job. Find out if the colleges you are researching have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Schools with higher job placement rates are likely to have good reputations within the Gastonia NC dental community as well as large networks of contacts where they can place their students for internships or employment.<\/p>\nAre the Classes Small?<\/strong> Check with the colleges you are looking at how large typically their classes are. The smaller classes tend to offer a more personal environment for learning where students have increased access to the teachers. On the other hand, 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 Gastonia NC dental hygienist college that you are most interested in so that you can experience first hand the degree of interaction between teachers and students before enrolling.<\/p>\n <\/strong>What is the Overall Expense of the Program?<\/strong> Dental hygiene colleges can vary in cost dependent on the duration of the program and the volume of clinical training provided. Other variables, such as 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 substantial expenses which can add up. They can include costs for such things as commuting and textbooks as well as school materials, equipment and supplies. So when comparing the cost of programs, remember to include all of the costs associated with your education. Most schools have financial aid offices, so make sure to check out what is offered as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Gastonia NC area.<\/p>\nAre the Classes Convenient?<\/strong> Before enrolling in a dental hygienist school, you need to confirm that the assistant or hygienist program provides classes that accommodate your schedule. This is particularly true if you will be working while acquiring your education and have to go to classes near Gastonia NC in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you choose an online college, 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 have to miss any classes due to illness, work or family responsibilities.<\/p>\nAttending Dental Hygienist School near Gastonia NC?<\/h3>\nGastonia, North Carolina<\/h3>
Gastonia is the largest city and county seat of Gaston County, North Carolina, United States. It is also the second largest satellite city of the Charlotte area, behind Concord. The population was 71,741 at the 2010 Census.[2] In 2016, the population had increased to 75,536.[1] Gastonia is the 13th largest city in North Carolina. It is part of the Charlotte metropolitan area, officially designated the Charlotte Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). Gastonia has experienced steady growth, with a population increase between 2000 and 2010 of nearly 8.2%, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.<\/p>
The City Hospital-Gaston Memorial Hospital, Craig Farmstead, Downtown Gastonia Historic District, First National Bank Building, Gaston County Courthouse, Gastonia High School, David Jenkins House, Loray Mill Historic District, Robinson-Gardner Building, Third National Bank Building, and William J. Wilson House are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[5][6]<\/p>
The Loray Mill strike of 1929 in Gastonia, was one of the most notable strikes in the labor history of the United States. Though largely unsuccessful in attaining its goals of better working conditions and wages, the strike was considered very successful in a lasting way; it caused an immense controversy which gave the labor movement momentum, propelling the movement in its national development.[7]<\/p>
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 50.7 square miles (131.4\u00a0km2), of which 50.5 square miles (130.8\u00a0km2) is land and 0.23 square miles (0.6\u00a0km2), or 0.45%, is water.[8] Gastonia occupies 14% of the total area of Gaston County.<\/p><\/div>\n