Nebraska Dental Assisting and Hygiene Training Options
Around 2,180 people are employed as dental assistants in the state of Nebraska, and about 1,240 as dental hygienists. [Seguir leyendo en español]
As with the health care area in general across the US, strong growth is expected in Nebraska in these two professions in the ten years to 2024. There are expected to around 70 job openings in each role every year, with total employment in dental assistants growing by 11.1% and in dental hygiene by 10.7%.
Requirements
Nebraska’s dental practice act defines the duties that a dental assistant may or may not perform. For those procedures understood to be basic, there are no specific educational requirements. Assistants must, however, be at least 18 years of age, and, if they are involved in the administration of inhalation analgesia, general anesthesia or parenteral sedation, be certified in BLS (basic life support skills).
In order to become a dental assistant qualified in coronal polishing you must either complete one year of clinical work experience (minimum 1500 hours) and a Board-approved course, or graduate from a CODA-accredited program which includes coronal polishing training.
Dental Hygienists in Nebraska need to pass (with a score of 75 or higher) a clinical practice exam administered by the Central Regional Dental Testing Service (CRDTS) or the Western Regional Examining Board (WREB), as well as the National Board Exam and a jurisprudence exam.
Salaries in Nebraska
Dental Assistant Salaries by Area
In 2016, Dental Assistants in the state of Nebraska were reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to earn an average annual salary of $35,220, which is equivalent to $16.93 per hour.
| Area | Total Employed | Mean Hourly Wage | Mean Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Island, NE | 100 | $18.28 | $38,010 |
| Lincoln, NE | 420 | $18.57 | $38,630 |
| Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA | 990 | $16.27 | $33,850 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | 180 | $17.22 | $35,810 |
Dental Hygienist Salaries by Area
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2016, Dental Hygienists in the state of Nebraska earned an average of $66,490 annually or $31.97 per hour.
| Area | Total Employed | Mean Hourly Wage | Mean Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Island, NE | 70 | $29.83 | $62,050 |
| Lincoln, NE | 340 | $31.43 | $65,380 |
| Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA | 450 | $33.28 | $69,230 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | 160 | $34.30 | $71,340 |
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Grand Island, NE
North Platte, NE
Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA
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Grand Island, NE
Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA
Scottsbluff, NE
Dental Assisting
Grand Island, NE
Central Community College
3134 West Hwy 34, Grand Island, Nebraska 68802-4903(308) 398-4222
https://www.cccneb.edu/dent
The Associate’s program at Central Community College is offered at their campus in the city of Grand Island. This public college has around 7,283 students in total, with most students on 2-year programs. In-state tuition fees are approximately $2,700 per year. The fees for students from outside the state of Nebraska are $3,900.
Central Community College
3134 West Hwy 34, Grand Island, Nebraska 68802-4903(308) 398-4222
https://www.cccneb.edu/dent
The Certificate program at Central Community College is offered at their campus in the city of Grand Island. The majority of the school’s 7,283 students are on 2-year programs. In-state tuition is approximately $2,700 per year. Fees for out-of-state students are $3,900.
North Platte, NE
Mid-Plains Community College
1101 Halligan Drive, North Platte, Nebraska 69101(800) 658-4308
http://www.mpcc.edu/health-and-medical-occupations/dental-assisting
The Associate’s program at Mid-Plains Community College is offered at their campus in the town of North Platte. Most of the school’s 2,591 students are on 2-year programs. In-state tuition fees are approximately $2,760 per year. The fees for students from outside Nebraska are $3,450. This is an 11 month program leading to a diploma in dental assisting. Additional program costs include uniforms, lab fees, name tag, radiation badge fee, CPR/BLS class, and hepatitis immunizations.
Read more: http://www.mpcc.edu/health-and-medical-occupations/dental-assisting
Mid-Plains Community College
1101 Halligan Drive, North Platte, Nebraska 69101(800) 658-4308
http://www.mpcc.edu/health-and-medical-occupations/dental-assisting
The Certificate program at Mid-Plains Community College is taught at their North Platte campus. This public college has about 2,591 students in total, with most students on 2-year programs. In-state tuition is approximately $2,760 per year, while the fees for students from other states are $3,450. This program is available as an option to those having completed the 11 month diploma program.
Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA
Metropolitan Community College Area
30 & Fort Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68111-1610(402) 457-2400
https://www.mccneb.edu/Academics/Programs-of-Study/Health-Sciences-and-Health-Technology/Dental-Assistant.aspx
Metropolitan Community College Area’s diploma program is offered at their campus in the city of Omaha, NE. The program is accredited by the American Dental Association. Most of the school’s 17,376 students are on 2-year programs. Typical in-state tuition is approximately $2,610 per year. Tuition for out-of-state students is $3,803.
Dental Hygiene
Grand Island, NE
Central Community College
3134 West Hwy 34, Grand Island, Nebraska 68802-4903(308) 398-4222
https://www.cccneb.edu/denh
The Associate’s program at Central Community College is offered at their campus in the city of Grand Island. This private, not-for-profit college has approximately 7,283 students in total, with most students on 2-year programs. In-state tuition is approximately $2,700 per year. Tuition for students from outside Nebraska is $3,900.
Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA
Creighton University
2500 California Plaza, Omaha, Nebraska 68178(402) 280-2700
https://www.creighton.edu/program/dental-hygiene-major-bs
The Bachelor’s degree program is imparted at the college’s Omaha campus. Of the 7,736 students, about 48% are postgraduates. The retention rate of full-time students at this college is over 80%. Tuition fees at this school are around $34,330 per year. Fees for students from other states are $34,330.
University of Nebraska Medical Center
987815 Nebraska Medical Ctr, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-7815(402) 559-4000
https://www.unmc.edu/dentistry/programs/hygiene/index.html
The University of Nebraska Medical Center at Omaha offers a Bachelor program in Dental Hygiene. This is a full, 4-year private college with 3,655 students, of which 23% are undergraduates. This four-year program leads to a Bachelor of Science degree in Dental Hygiene. For admission to the Dental Hygiene Program students are required to have completed approximately two academic years of study at any accredited college.
Scottsbluff, NE
Western Nebraska Community College
1601 East 27th Street, Scottsbluff, Nebraska 69361-1899(308) 635-3606
https://my.wncc.edu/programs/programinserts/AS.5106.html
The Associate’s degree program is imparted at the college’s Scottsbluff campus. The majority of the school’s 2,230 students are on 2-year programs. Typical in-state tuition fees are approximately $2,388 per year, while fees for out-of-state students are $2,724.
