Have you been looking to invest in general dentistry or orthodontics training? There’s only so far that online orthodontic courses can take you; as such, ensuring you’ve chosen the right dental school that equips you with the full orthodontics training and education you need is vital. Luckily, we’ve summarized some of the key things you need to look for to find the perfect dental school for general dentistry and orthodontic education.
How to Choose the Right Dental School
When looking for a dental school that offers general dentistry and orthodontic classes, the following factors are crucial to keep in mind:
1) Costs: There are a lot of costs associated with dentistry and orthodontics training. These include room, board, supplies, equipment, and the like.
a. Make sure you’ve asked for the total cost over the four-year period; contacting other students to see what sort of financial support and costs are associated can also help.
2) Graduation percentage: You don’t want to be retaking courses or giving up on your degree part-way through. So, always check the percentage of students who graduate successfully (first time) within four years for national and state boards. Look for a less than 10% fail rate at most.
a. Don’t go to a school that doesn’t have good stats here; otherwise, you could end up staying (and paying) for even longer.
3) What states are covered? Not every state will be covered by your training and licensure necessarily. Always check the states your course training can cover and ensure these align with your working goals. Not having the correct licensure can cause a lot of problems long-term.
4) Is there guaranteed reciprocity? It’s important to check whether the course offers guaranteed reciprocity.
Always check when procedures should be completed by when making your decision, too. Other key factors to consider include the facilities and whether the school is likely to continue operating or if it’s at risk of closure.