Becoming a Dental Hygienist in Kansas
Working as a dental hygienist immerses people in the dental field. It allows them to help dentists serve patients by cleaning teeth, applying bandages, assisting during procedures and more. Dental hygienists must pass a licensure exam to become a Registered Dental Hygienist before working in Kansas.
Requirements for Dental Hygienist in Kansas
A prospective dental hygienist must attend an educational program for dental hygiene, most of which last for two years. Only those programs that are accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) will qualify students to take the national licensure exam. They must pass this exam in order to become licensed dental hygienists.
Dental Hygiene Programs in Kansas
A dental hygienist typically attends two-year associate’s degree programs prior to receiving their license. These programs are available at community colleges and technical schools across the state. The following programs are popular choices in Kansas:
- Flint Hills Technical College. Flint Hills offers a two-year associate’s degree program. The school partners with Wichita State University, allowing students to transfer credits and pursue a Bachelor of Science degree if desired.
- Johnson County Community College. This 80-credit-hour program gives students the opportunity to work in a state-of-the-art clinic during their education. Applicants are required to complete eight hours of clinical observation before being admitted.
See this page for information on dental assistant programs in Kansas.
Entry level programs typically offer an Associate’s degree, which provides the technical skills and knowledge necessary to work as a dental hygienist. Some schools also offer Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in dental hygiene.
Pre Clinical
Pre clinical training focuses on the delivery of dental hygiene care through didactic instruction and laboratory simulations. Students are introduced to periodontal charting, oral cancer screenings, radiography, and other dental hygiene procedures. Patients are not seen during pre clinical training.
Clinical training is completed in a dental office setting under the supervision of a licensed dentist. Students work with patients to provide various dental hygiene procedures.
Kansas Dental Hygiene License
The type of license a dental hygienist holds will determine their scope of practice. A Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) is able to perform all aspects of dental hygiene including:
· Administering local anesthesia
· Taking x-rays
· Placing and carving pit and fissure sealants
· Administering fluoride treatments
To become licensed as an RDH, dental hygienists must graduate from an accredited dental hygiene program and pass a written and clinical examination.
The Kansas Board of Dentistry also offers a Dental Hygiene Therapist license. To be eligible for this license, individuals must complete an accredited dental hygiene program and pass a written and clinical examination. Dental hygiene therapists are able to perform all aspects of dental hygiene except for administering local anesthesia.
Both RDHs and Dental Hygiene Therapists must complete continuing education requirements to maintain their licenses. In Kansas, this includes 12 hours of CE every year.
Dental hygienists in Kansas must pass the National Board Examination and a regional exam accredited by one of the following organizations:
- Commission on Dental Competency Assessments (CDCA)
- The Council of Interstate Testing Agencies, Inc. (CITA)
- Central Regional Dental Testing Service, Inc. (CRDTS)
- The Southern Regional Testing Agency (SRTA)
- The Western Regional Examining Board, Inc. (WREB)
Commission on Dental Competency Assessments (CDCA)
The CDCA is an independent, non-profit organization that provides dental hygiene examinations for licensure and certification in the United States. The organization offers two types of exams:
- The National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE)
- The Clinical Simulation Exam (CSE)
The National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE)
This is a written exam that assesses a candidate’s knowledge of the science of dental hygiene.
The Clinical Simulation Exam (CSE)
This is a hands-on exam that assesses a candidate’s clinical skills.
Both exams are administered at testing centers around the country. The NBDHE is offered year-round, while the CSE is offered four times per year.
To register for either exam, candidates must create an account on the CDCA website and submit an application.
Central Regional Dental Testing Service, Inc. (CRDTS) and Western Regional Examining Board (WREB)
These are the two dental hygiene exams offered in Kansas. The CRDTS is a clinical skills exam that assesses a variety of abilities, including oral anatomy, periodontology, and radiography. The WREB is a written exam that covers topics such as infection control, anesthesiology, and pain management.
The Southern Regional Testing Agency (SRTA)
SRTA offers the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) and the Kansas jurisprudence exam. The NBDHE is a computer-based exam that tests your knowledge of dental hygiene. The Kansas jurisprudence exam tests your knowledge of state dental laws and regulations. A dental hygienist must pass both exams to be licensed in Kansas.
Once you’re licensed, you can begin practicing dental hygiene in Kansas. You might work in a private dental office, or you could find employment in a public health clinic or hospital. You could also work for a corporate dental chain or start your own private practice.
No matter where you work, you’ll need to complete continuing education credits to renew your license every two years. The Kansas Dental Board requires that you complete at least 20 hours of continuing education every two years. You can fulfill this requirement by taking courses at a local community college or online.
The Council of Interstate Testing Agencies, Inc. (CITA)
This is an organization that offers dental hygiene examinations for licensure in multiple states. A dental hygienist can take the CITA examination in Kansas to become licensed in the state.
The Kansas Board of Examiners in Dentistry (KBED) regulates dental practice in the state of Kansas. The KBED licenses dentists and dental hygienists who have met all educational and examination requirements.
A Dental hygienist must complete a dental hygiene program that has been accredited by either the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) or an equivalent organization. Programs typically take two years to complete, and they include both classroom and clinical instruction.
After completing a dental hygiene program, graduates must pass both a written and clinical examination to become licensed in Kansas.
The written examination is administered by the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA). The clinical examination is administered by CITA.
A dental hygienist must renew his license every two years. To be eligible for renewal, the dental hygienist must complete at least 30 hours of continuing education during each renewal period. A dental hygienist who wish to work in Kansas must be licensed by the KBED.
The state may offer licenses to dental hygienists who are already licensed in another state without requiring them to take an additional exam. These applicants must demonstrate continuing education after receiving their license and evidence that it has never been revoked.
What Are the Prerequisites for Studying Dental Hygiene in Utah?
Six dental hygiene schools in Utah offer the accredited programs students need to become licensed in the state. With limited options, admissions are highly competitive. Know the prerequisites for each school you apply to for a better chance of admittance.
Prerequisites vary depending on the program. Some dental hygiene programs confer bachelor’s degrees, so expect to complete two years of study before entering the professional program. Schools with two-year degree programs might have fewer prerequisites, but you’ll still have to complete some courses before applying.
One example is the Utah Valley University Associate in Applied Science degree. Prerequisite coursework includes:
· English
· Chemistry
· Human anatomy
· Human physiology
· Math
· Public Speaking
· Introduction to Sociology
· General psychology
Applicants to this program must also pass a health science reasoning test, show proof of at least 20 hours of observation with a practicing dental hygienist, submit two letters of reference, and submit a two-page essay.
The Utah College of Dental Hygiene offers an accelerated bachelor’s degree, but you must first complete 33 credits of prerequisite courses. Other application requirements for the program include three references, 40 hours of job shadowing in a dental practice and an ACT or SAT score.
Some schools set a minimum GPA for prerequisite courses. The Utah College of Dental Hygiene, for example, requires that you have at least a 2.5. Keep in mind that admissions are very competitive, so it’s best to go above and beyond the minimum requirement.
Dental Hygienist Salary in Kansas
Jobs in dental hygiene are increasing nationwide, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts -3 percent in Kansas within the decade from 2018 to 2028. A dental hygienist in Kansas enjoys an average annual salary of $70,270.
| Area | Total Employed | Mean Hourly Wage | Mean Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | 1,600 | $33.42 | $69,510 |
| Lawrence, KS | 120 | $38.57 | $80,220 |
| Manhattan, KS | 70 | $35.09 | $72,990 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | 50 | $36.19 | $75,280 |
| Topeka, KS | ** | $31.24 | $64,970 |
| Wichita, KS | 660 | $29.65 | $61,680 |
Working as a Dental Hygienist in Kansas
When working as a dental hygienist, people will interact with patients on a daily basis. They will educate patients on their dental health and help them understand various aspects of dental procedures.
A Dental hygienist can begin working in the medical field without extensive training, allowing them to create a fast-paced career right away. Salaries are typically highest in major cities, such as Topeka, Kansas, though work is available in dental offices throughout the state.