Becoming a Dental Hygienist in South Carolina
Becoming a dental hygienist is a great career choice for anyone interested in healthcare and in working with people. As a hygienist, you will be responsible for removing tartar and plaque for patients, educating them about oral health and hygiene, taking X-rays and communicating with the dentist about patient health. Working as a hygienist requires at least two years of education and state licensing, but the job growth and salaries in South Carolina are both strong and well worth the effort to qualify.
Requirements for Dental Hygienist in South Carolina
The South Carolina Board of Dentistry is responsible for licensing all dental professionals in the state, including hygienists. In order to work as a dental hygienist in South Carolina, you will first need to complete an accredited, post-secondary educational program and then take the appropriate exams and meet all the requirements set by the state. An application with a fee is required along with proof of passing scores and other qualifying factors.
Dental Hygienist Schools in South Carolina
The Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) of the American Dental Association approves dental hygiene programs throughout the country. To become licensed as a hygienist in South Carolina, your first step will be to enroll in and complete one of these. A few examples of CODA-accredited programs in the state are:
- Greenville Technical College, Greenville. Greenville’s associate’s degree program in dental hygiene includes two phases. You must first complete phase I general education courses, before applying for phase II, the dental hygiene courses. The program culminates in actual real-world experience at the school’s dental hygiene clinic, working with patients with oversight from instructors.
- York Technical College, Rock Hill. York also offers students a two-year associate’s degree program in dental health. Admission is selective and many students are wait-listed to get into the program with an average wait time of two years, so it is important to plan ahead and to be sure you meet admissions requirements.
- Midlands Technical College, Columbia. At Midlands, students can choose to complete the associate’s degree program in dental hygiene, which includes a first phase, pre-dental hygiene program and a second phase with career-related courses. Coursework includes clinical work experience.
See this page for information on dental assistant schools in South Carolina.
How Do I Get My Dental Hygiene License in SC?
After successfully completing an accredited dental hygiene program you should be prepared to meet the rest of the criteria for licensing in South Carolina. The Board of Dentistry lists several requirements, proof of which must be submitted with the application for a license:
- Graduation from an accredited dental hygiene program
- A passing score on the National Board Examination
- Either a passing score on a clinical exam approved by the Board, an active license and three years of practice in another state, or a license from no more than two years ago in a state with exam requirements that are similar to South Carolina’s
- Explanations for any issues that arise from a personal history questionnaire, with the goal of proving good moral character
- Three letters of recommendation from licensed dentists
Once the application has been sent in with the fee, you will have to take the state’s jurisprudence examination. A passing score of 70 or better is required. Once licensed you must complete seven credit hours of continuing education per year, although you will be exempt from this requirement in the period before your first renewal.
Dental Hygienist Salary in South Carolina
Job growth and salaries for licensed dental hygienists are strong in all states. With the demand for qualified professionals, finding a job should not be difficult. According to U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics data, published by the Projections Managing Partnership (PMP), in South Carolina, job growth in the field from 2018 to 2028 is projected to be more than 13 percent, which is much faster than average growth for all jobs.
Salaries are also strong in the state and reflect the education and licensing requirements. In 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, dental hygienists in South Carolina earned on average $29.56 per hour and $61,490per year. The highest-paid hygienists in the state made more than $81,180 annually. Conditions in your area may vary.
Work as Dental Hygienist in South Carolina
Most dental hygienists in South Carolina, 99 percent, work in dental offices. They work directly with patients and along with and under the indirect supervision of licensed dentists. Wherever there are dental offices, including big cities, suburbs and rural areas, you should be able to find a position. The greatest number of opportunities will be in and around Columbia, Charleston, Mount Pleasant and Rock Hill, the state’s largest cities. Consider joining the South Carolina Dental Hygienists’ Association for networking and job opportunities and continuing education.