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Research ArticleResearch

State Licensing Board Requirements for Entry into the Dental Hygiene Profession

Kristen Johnson, JoAnn Gurenlian, Kandis Garland and Jacqueline Freudenthal
American Dental Hygienists' Association April 2020, 94 (2) 54-65;
Kristen Johnson
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  • For correspondence: kjohnsonrdhap@gmail.com
JoAnn Gurenlian
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Kandis Garland
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Jacqueline Freudenthal
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Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify current requirements for initial licensure and entry into the dental hygiene profession across state dental and dental hygiene licensing boards in the United States.

Methods: A non-experimental study design was used to study dental and dental hygiene board licensing requirements in the United States, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Each regulatory board website was searched for requirements for entry-level dental hygiene licensure. Requirements were recorded on an Excel spreadsheet. State dental practice acts were reviewed to gather further information and 20 regulatory bodies were contacted to verify accuracy. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze data.

Results: Information from a total of 52 dental boards (n=52) was examined for this study. Nearly all boards (n=51, 98.1%), with the exception of Alabama, required completion of entry-level education from a CODA accredited dental hygiene program and successful completion of the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination. Most states (n=51, 98.1%), except Delaware, also required a live-patient, a clinical board examination. Application fees ranged from $47.70 to $600. States varied considerably in terms of requirements for background checks, age, military status, and infection control training.

Conclusion: Although the majority of regulatory bodies require completion of entry-level dental hygiene education from a CODA accredited program and successful completion of national board and a live-patient, clinical examination, there is considerable variation in other additional requirements for initial dental hygiene licensure.

  • dental hygiene workforce models
  • dental hygiene education
  • licensure
  • accreditation standards
  • scope of practice

Footnotes

  • Kristen Johnson, RDH, MS is a graduate of the Idaho State University Master of Science in dental hygiene program; JoAnn Gurenlian, RDH, MS, PhD, AFAAOM is a professor and graduate program director in the Department of Dental Hygiene; Kandis Garland, RDH, MS is an associate professor in the Department of Dental Hygiene; Jacqueline Freudenthal, RDH, MHE is a professor and Dental Hygiene Department Chair; all at Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID.

  • This manuscript supports the NDHRA priority area, Professional development: Regulation (scope of practice).

  • Disclosure: This study was supported through a grant from the American Dental Hygienists' Association, Institute for Oral Health.

  • Received June 10, 2019.
  • Accepted October 17, 2019.
  • Copyright © 2020 The American Dental Hygienists’ Association
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American Dental Hygienists' Association: 94 (2)
American Dental Hygienists' Association
Vol. 94, Issue 2
April 2020
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State Licensing Board Requirements for Entry into the Dental Hygiene Profession
Kristen Johnson, JoAnn Gurenlian, Kandis Garland, Jacqueline Freudenthal
American Dental Hygienists' Association Apr 2020, 94 (2) 54-65;

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State Licensing Board Requirements for Entry into the Dental Hygiene Profession
Kristen Johnson, JoAnn Gurenlian, Kandis Garland, Jacqueline Freudenthal
American Dental Hygienists' Association Apr 2020, 94 (2) 54-65;
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  • accreditation standards
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