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In Utah, dental hygiene careers are becoming more popular.
If you are considering working in the field, we have brought you some info on getting licensed.
Article Table of Contents
Education Requirements
In Utah, dental hygiene licenses are handled by The Utah Occupational Report for Dental Hygienists.
You will first need to enroll in a program that is accredited by the American Dental Association’s (ADA) Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
Candidates need to finish at least a 2-year program, after which they are awarded an associate’s degree.
Schools in Utah also offer bachelor’s degrees, if you want to get more career opportunities.
If you want to be able to perform local anesthesia, you should take a course on it during your program.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Careers Unlimited – Utah College of Dental Hygiene | 1176 South 1480 West, Orem, Utah 84058 |
| Dixie State University | 225 S 700 E, Saint George, Utah 84770-3876 |
| Fortis College | 3949 S 700 E Ste 150, Salt Lake City, Utah 84107 |
| Salt Lake Community College | 4600 S Redwood Rd, Salt Lake City, Utah 84123 |
| Utah Valley University | 800 W University Parkway, Orem, Utah 84058-5999 |
Take the Required Exams
There are 2 exams you need to pass before getting licensed.
The first one is the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), offered by the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE).
You can only take the National Board exam if you finished a dental hygiene program approved by the Board.
The exam is comprised of 350 questions on topics like:
- Professional ethics and responsibility
- Obtaining and interpreting radiographs
- Supportive care and treatment
- Preventative care and agents
- Performance of periodontal procedures
- Patient intake and assessment
- Supportive treatment procedures
- Community health and research principles
The Clinical Exam
The second exam is clinical and will test your job performing skills.
You can choose to take any of the following exams:
- Western Regional Examining Board (WREB)
- Central Regional Dental Testing Service (CRDTS)
- Commission on Dental Competency Assessments (CDCA)
- Southern Regional Testing Agency (SRTA)
Performing Local Anesthesia
In order to get this certification, you will need to take and pass a test.
If you already have the permit in another state, you have to send in proof of holding this permit.
Applying for a Dental Hygiene License
To get the license, make sure to submit the following documents:
- Application for Licensure
- Application fee – $60
- Copy of up to date CPR certification
- NBDHE exam scores
- Regional clinical exam scores
- Official transcripts from your dental hygiene program
- A legalized letter from your school stating you have finished a local anesthesia course, if applicable
If you are already licensed in another state, you also need to submit:
- Proof of local anesthesia permit
- Proof you have a work experience of 2,000 hours in the past 24 months
- Proof you have a dental hygiene license in another state
Salary Details
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Salt Lake City | $71,179 |
| Provo | $68,571 |
| West Jordan | $70,919 |
| Orem | $68,571 |
| Sandy | $70,984 |
| Ogden | $69,388 |
| St. George | $76,511 |
| Layton | $69,128 |
| South Jordan | $70,853 |
| Lehi | $68,247 |
Regional Salary in Utah
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Logan, UT-ID | 140 | $83,830 | $40.3 | $86,260 | $77,560 |
| Ogden-Clearfield, UT | 790 | $74,440 | $35.79 | $80,890 | $62,050 |
| Provo-Orem, UT | 630 | $82,280 | $39.56 | $88,920 | $78,750 |
| St. George, UT | 200 | $77,060 | $37.05 | $80,040 | $75,670 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | 1,010 | $80,200 | $38.56 | $89,930 | $76,550 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Renewing Your Dental Hygienist License
In order to maintain your dental hygiene license, you need to renew it every 24 months.
For this, you have to first complete 30 extra hours of education related to dental hygiene.
Additionally, you also have to keep your CPR certification updated.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Dental Hygienist
Dental Hygiene by State