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Do you want to work as a dental hygienist in Virginia?
In that case, read on for the info we have compiled in the article below.
Article Table of Contents
Education Requirements for Licensing
The first step in starting your career is attending a dental hygiene program.
This program must be at least 2 years long and accredited by the American Dental Association’s (ADA) Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
At the end of the program, you will be awarded an associate’s degree.
If you want to get better credentials, you can also opt for a bachelor’s degree.
The topics you will study during your program include:
- Microbiology
- Human anatomy and physiology
- Intermediate mathematics
- Psychology and sociology
- Nutrition
- English and communication
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Lord Fairfax Community College | 6480 College St, Warrenton, VA 20187 |
| Northern Virginia Community College | 4001 Wakefield Chapel Rd, Annandale, Virginia 22003-3796 |
| Old Dominion University | 5115 Hampton Blvd, Norfolk, Virginia 23529 |
| Thomas Nelson Community College | 99 Thomas Nelson Drive, Hampton, Virginia 23666 |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | 910 W Franklin St, Richmond, Virginia 23284-2512 |
| Virginia Western Community College | 3093 Colonial Ave, Roanoke, Virginia 24015 |
Additional Qualifications
For the following extra certifications, you will need to finish a CODA-accredited course.
Local Anesthesia and Nitrous Oxide
To get either of these permits, you need 35 hours of class on:
- Patient psychological and physical assessment
- Record keeping and medical history evaluation
- Anatomical issues regarding the administration of local anesthesia
- Pharmacology of vasoconstrictors and local anesthetics
- Local and systematic complications arising from anesthesia
- Management of medical emergencies
- Mandibular infiltration techniques
- Pharmacology of nitrous oxide
After you finish the class, you will also have to pass an exam.
General Anesthesia Monitoring
In order to care for a patient who is under general anesthesia, you need to take a course on the below topics:
- EKG readings
- Baseline vital signs
- Temperature
- Blood pressure
- Oxygen saturation
- Pulse
- Respiration
Take the Licensing Exams
The first exam you need to take and pass is The National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE).
The test has 350 questions related to dental hygiene and costs $400.
Before you can apply for a license, you must also pass one of the following clinical exams:
- Southern Regional Testing Agency (SRTA)
- Central Regional Dental Testing Service (CRDTS)
- Western Regional Examining Board (WREB)
- Commission on Dental Competency Assessments
- Council of Interstate Testing Agencies (CITA)
- American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX)
Applying for a Dental Hygiene License
To apply, make sure to submit the following paperwork:
- Proof of completing a CODA-accredited program
- Original transcripts from your school
- Complete résumé of your activities since you graduated from your approved dental hygienist school
- NBDHE score results
- Clinical exam scores
- Up to date self-queried report from the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB)
- $175 application fee
Licensing by Credentials
If you already have a license in another state, you will have to submit the below documents:
- $275 fee
- License verification
- Score reports from school
- Proof of having worked as a dental hygienist for 2 out of the 4 past years
- Proof of holding a license in another state
- Legalized statements from your out of state employers in the last 4 years
Salary
Location and extra credentials will increase how much a dental hygienist from Virginia will earn.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Virginia Beach | $71,605 |
| Norfolk | $70,526 |
| Chesapeake | $70,436 |
| Arlington | $82,892 |
| Richmond | $75,067 |
| Newport News | $70,167 |
| Alexandria | $82,892 |
| Hampton | $70,167 |
| Roanoke | $69,176 |
| Portsmouth | $70,526 |
Regional Salary in Virginia
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | 90 | $82,930 | $39.87 | $97,130 | $67,190 |
| Charlottesville, VA | 170 | $89,090 | $42.83 | $102,790 | $73,490 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | 90 | $85,520 | $41.12 | $97,390 | $69,840 |
| Richmond, VA | 1,020 | $88,410 | $42.5 | $99,230 | $79,200 |
| Roanoke, VA | 220 | $79,390 | $38.17 | $94,850 | $63,970 |
| Staunton-Waynesboro, VA | 60 | $103,300 | $49.66 | $148,550 | $74,000 |
| Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC | 1,040 | $89,220 | $42.9 | $99,740 | $78,350 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | 100 | $85,960 | $41.33 | $99,520 | $63,680 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Renewing your License
In Virginia, dental hygiene licenses need annual renewal.
To be able to do this, you have to take 15 extra education hours.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Dental Hygienist
Dental Hygiene by State