Find Dental Hygienist Programs in Texas
As a result of the boom in health care jobs across the US, oral health professionals, including, qualified dental hygienists, will find themselves in great demand in the state of Texas. As busy dentists become more specialized, there are more openings for hygienists with the right qualifications. [Seguir leyendo en español]
The US Department of Labor anticipates a 35% growth in the number of dental hygienists the ten years to 2028 in the state of Texas.
Opportunities abound for the right person with the right education. On these pages, we’ll help you find it. Alternatively, see information on dental assistant programs in Texas. For more information on the role of a dental hygienist, check out the careers page.
Requirements for Dental Hygienist Licensing in Texas
To obtain a dental hygienist license in Texas, you must have graduated from an ADA accredited dental hygiene program, have passed the National Board Exam, a clinical exam with one of the regional exam agencies (Western Regional Examining Board, Central Regional Dental Testing Service, North East Regional Board, Southern Regional Testing Agency or Council of Interstate Testing Agencies), hold a current CPR card and pass the Board Jurisprudence Assessment.
The Texas State Board of Dental Examiners also offers the possibility of obtaining a license by credentials. Requirements include proof of completion of 12 hours of Continuing Education (CE) taken within the preceding 12 months to your application.
Dental Hygienist Salaries
Dental Hygienists in Texas were reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to earn in 2020 an average annual salary of $78,080, which is equivalent to $37.54 per hour. Around a third of Texas’s 14,180 Dental Hygienists have jobs in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, while around 20% are found in the greater Houston area. Salaries also tend to be higher in Dallas.
| Area | Total Employed | Mean Hourly Wage | Mean Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abilene, TX | 120 | $37.98 | $78,990 |
| Amarillo, TX | 90 | $35.68 | $74,210 |
| Austin-Round Rock, TX | 1,180 | $37.44 | $77,880 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | ** | $31.49 | $65,500 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen, TX | 100 | $25.90 | $53,870 |
| College Station-Bryan, TX | 120 | $36.08 | $75,040 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 270 | $33.10 | $68,840 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 4,120 | $36.74 | $76,420 |
| El Paso, TX | 280 | $29.37 | $61,080 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | 2,540 | $34.61 | $71,990 |
| Killeen-Temple, TX | 70 | $35.17 | $73,150 |
| Laredo, TX | ** | $37.52 | $78,050 |
| Longview, TX | 170 | $34.11 | $70,940 |
| Lubbock, TX | 120 | $34.23 | $71,200 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | 380 | $31.32 | $65,140 |
| Midland, TX | 140 | $35.69 | $74,240 |
| San Angelo, TX | ** | $30.20 | $62,810 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | 1,020 | $35.72 | $74,290 |
| Sherman-Denison, TX | 70 | $39.93 | $83,060 |
| Tyler, TX | 180 | $31.98 | $66,520 |
| Victoria, TX | ** | $30.88 | $64,230 |
| Waco, TX | 100 | $34.54 | $71,840 |
| Wichita Falls, TX | 70 | $29.28 | $60,910 |
Dental Hygienist Programs
Dental Hygiene programs in Texas typically last two years. As training involves many hours of clinical experience, there are no online programs. According to the US Department of Education, there are 26 programs in the State of Texas. Of these, 23 are public (including five 4-year universities) and the rest are private institutions. Almost all are accredited by the American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation. However, you should confirm with the college before making any application. For reviews of these schools, CollegeTimes.co and SchoolsReview.com represent the most independent opinions.
Dallas-Fort Worth
The Northeast Campus of Tarrant County College offers a 2-year Associate of Applied Science Degree program that includes classroom instruction and clinical rotations. The college has a Dental Hygiene Clinic, where students gain practical experience with real patients. Prerequisites include the requirement to complete the Texas Success Initiative Assessment (TSI) components to be college-ready in math, reading and writing.
The Caruth School of Dental Hygiene located in the Baylor Medical Center at Dallas forms part of the School of Dentistry at Texas A&M University. It offers a Bachelor’s Degree in Dental Hygiene. Students can take their studies to postgraduate level with the Master of Science in Education for Healthcare Professionals (MS-EDHP) program.
Concorde Career College is a private college that offers an Associate in Applied Science degree program in Dallas.
Houston
Houston Community College offers a CODA-accredited AAS program in Dental Hygiene. Prerequisite courses for admission include introductions to Chemistry, Anatomy and Physiology, Sociology and English. Didactic and clinical practice taking place at Coleman College for Health Sciences.
The Dental Hygiene Program at The University of Texas School of Dentistry at Houston forms part of the Department of Periodontics and Dental Hygiene, and is the only school in the Houston area offering a Bachelor’s program. Prerequisites include a minimum grade “C” in required courses and minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5. The School also offers a distance-learning program that allows those who already hold a DH certificate to progress to a Bachelor’s degree.
Austin
The Eastview Campus of Austin Community College offers an AAS degree. To apply you are required to complete the prerequisite courses (including Effective Learning, Anatomy and Physiology, Microbiology for Health Sciences, Human Nutrition and English Composition – confirm with College) with a minimum grade “C”.
San Antonio
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio offers a Bachelor of Science degree. The program can be completed in the final two years of your undergraduate studies. Applicants must complete specific general education prerequisite courses before entering the dental hygiene major.
Working as a Dental Hygienist in Texas
Section 262.002 of the States Occupations Code states that a person practices dental hygiene if the person
- removes accumulated matter, tartar, deposits, accretions, or stains, other than mottled enamel stains, from the natural and restored surface of exposed teeth and restorations in the mouth;
- smoothes roughened root surfaces;
- polishes exposed teeth, restorations in the mouth, or roughened root surfaces;
- topically applies drugs to the surface tissues and gums of the human or the exposed surface of teeth;
- makes dental x-rays; and,
- performs any other service, task, or procedure prescribed by board rule.
College Listings
FAQs
How Much Money Does a Dental Hygienist Make in Texas?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), dental hygienists in Texas made an average wage of $77,590 in 2020. In fact, Texas is the second highest paying state in the United States for dental hygienists.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Dental Hygienist in Texas?
To become a licensed dental hygienist in Texas, you must complete an accredited college program in dental hygiene. These typically include 60 to 90 credits of coursework and take two to three years to complete.
How Do I Become a Dental Hygienist in Texas?
To qualify for licensing in Texas, you must first be at least 18 and have a GED or high school diploma. The next steps are to complete an accredited college program in dental hygiene and pass the Dental Hygiene National Board Examination and your Texas regional board’s exam.
Related Links
How to Become a Dentist in Texas