Becoming a Dental Hygienist in North Dakota
Working as a dental hygienist involves educating patients on their dental health and assisting dentists with their work by operating equipment during procedures, cleaning teeth and performing other tasks. In North Dakota, dental hygienists must be licensed as Registered Dental Hygienists before they can begin working.
For information on dental assistant schools in North Dakota, see this page.
Dental Hygienist Prerequisites in North Dakota
Before becoming licensed dental hygienists in North Dakota, applicants must attend a dental hygiene education program that has been accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). Successful completion of these programs qualifies students to take the national dental hygiene exam, which they must pass to receive their license and start working.
Dental Hygiene Programs in North Dakota
Dental hygienist programs, which are offered at community colleges and technical schools, typically take the form of two-year associate’s degrees. The following programs are available to students in North Dakota:
- North Dakota State College of Sciences. This college offers a two-year associate’s degree program in dental hygiene, which includes classroom and clinical instruction. The course emphasizes hands-on training.
- Minnesota State Community and Technical College. Offered in nearby Minnesota, this program emphasizes learning about communication with patients and fellow healthcare providers as well as ethics, dental technology and occupational safety.
Dental Hygiene Licensure in North Dakota
Dental hygienists must pass the National Board Examination as well as a state exam accredited by one of the following:
- 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)
Dental Hygienist Salary in North Dakota
Dental hygiene jobs are expected to increase by 10 percent in North Dakota within the 10 years from 2018 to 2028, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The average annual salary of a dental hygienist in North Dakota for 2020 is $75,510.
Working as a Dental Hygienist in North Dakota
Those working as dental hygienists in North Dakota will have the opportunity to meet new people daily and work in the medical field with fewer years of schooling than other professions in the field. The job provides the chance to work with one’s hands and help people feel their best. Salaries are typically highest in larger cities, such as Fargo, North Dakota, though work can be found in dental offices and clinics across the state.