Here are some tips for selecting schools, based on an analysis comparing each school to all others across dozens of factors:
Schools Concentrating On Dental Assistants
- Focus: For schools with a focus on this career area, look at NorthWest Arkansas Community College and Pulaski Technical College.
Fastest Response From Schools
- Request Info: For the fastest information for prospective students, look at the Spotlight schools on this page.
Student Body
- Diverse: For a diverse student body, consider Pulaski Technical College.
- Adult Learners: For lots of adult learners, consider Arkansas Northeastern.
School Setting
- Out of State: For geographic diversity, take note of Arkansas Northeastern.
Excellence
- Class Size: For small class sizes, look at Arkansas Northeastern.
Spotlight Schools Search
Student/Alumnus Reviews of Schools for This Career and State
University Of Arkansas-Fort Smith • Fort Smith, AR
Studying Public Health (completion in 2006)
• 11/23/2011
"It taught me life lessons on how to take information I know and put it to work. Take each patient and make them happy each visit."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | I would advise anyone wanting to become a dental assistant to shadow or get into a mentor program, to see what hardships there are and the "dirty jobs" you have to perform; you will also see how rewarding the career can be. |
| Program Reputation | 9 | I would say it is among top-rated schools that will not break your wallet. I chose Fort Smith instead of Fayetteville, due to outrageous prices at Fayetteville. |
| Program Quality | 5 | The experience was good for life lessons. I think there could have been better preparation on how the lessons needed to be laid out, instead of our instructors telling us to read 5 chapters and text tomorrow. You get what you put in it, though. |
| Instruction | 5 | Was too much of a classroom experience. I feel they need to incorporate the real work atmosphere in the classroom more, to prepare us for that. |
| How Difficult | 8 | It was hard. It was our job to read 5 chapters at a time and then test. It was like we were given a book and told, "Good luck at your career." |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Hands-on learning was limited, which was my only complaint with the program. However, we did get to take X-rays, fabricate temporary crowns, and assist at chairside. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | Program options were available, but summer and weekend classes had limited time window availability. |
| Academic Facilities | It would be unfair for me to answer this question, because I had a full-time job and never used the resources that were available, other than the mentorship program. | |
| Social Life | 8 | Arkansas prides itself on school spirit. We Lions feed on the support from the community and students with fundraisers, support groups, and general donations. |
| Placement Services | 9 | Through the alumni program, I had many leads on where I could apply, and they even offered to help me prepare. |
| Alumni Network | 9 | I actually signed up for the mentorship program and had the opportunity to work with a mentor in the field. My mentor taught me so much; not only about her industry, but about the struggles and perks of having a full-time job right after college. |
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