Steps to become a Dental Hygienist in Pennsylvania
If you are interested in training to become a dental hygienist in Pennsylvania (PA) you will need to graduate from an accredited dental hygiene program.
Requirements for entry into accredited programs include a high school diploma or equivalent and, depending on the school, you may need to pass entrance exams and complete an entry interview. Medical and legal clearances may also be required.
Below we provide details of the top accredited dental hygienist programs in Pennsylvania, as well as licensing requirements and salary and employment data for the state.
Top 13 Accredited Dental Hygienist Schools PA
| School | Area | More Information |
|---|---|---|
| Northampton Community College | Bethlehem | Program Page |
| Montgomery County Community College | Blue Bell | Program Page |
| Harcum College | Bryn Mawr | Program Page |
| All-State Career School | Essington | Program Page |
| Harrisburg Area Community College | Harrisburg | Program Page |
| Manor College | Jenkintown | Program Page |
| Luzerne County Community College | Nanticoke | Program Page |
| Community College of Philadelphia | Philadelphia | Program Page |
| University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine | Pittsburgh | Program Page |
| Fortis Institute | Scranton | Program Page |
| Pennsylvania College of Technology | Williamsport | Program Page |
| Lancaster County Career and Technology Center | Lancaster | Program Page |
| Westmoreland County Community College | Youngwood | Program Page |
Schools offering dental hygiene programs which have been accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) are recognized to maintain a high standard of education by the American Dental Association (ADA).
There are currently 13 CODA-accredited dental hygiene schools in Pennsylvania.
Once you have graduated from an accredited program you will be required to sit some additional state and/or national certification exams before you are eligible to apply for your dental hygienist license.
PA Dental Hygienist License Requirements
Once you have successfully graduated from an accredited program and have passed all additional certification exams it is a requirement of Pennsylvania law that you obtain a license to work as a dental hygienist there.
The Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry governs the licensing of dental hygienists in Pennsylvania. You can contact the Board directly using the contact details below:
State Board: Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry
Phone: (717) 783-7162
Website: http://www.dos.state.pa.us/dent
Dental Hygienist Salary PA
| Salary | $66,270 |
| Hourly Wage | $31.86 |
| Bottom 10% of Earners | $50,410 |
| Top 10% of Earners | $85,990 |
| # Employed | 9,480 |
The average dental hygienist salary in Pennsylvania is $66,270 – 11% below the national average of $74,680.
This represents an hourly wage of $31.86.
There are currently 9,480 persons employed as dental hygienists in the state.
Pennsylvania Dental Hygienist Employment and Salaries by Metro Area
It is a great time to train to become a dental hygienist in Pennsylvania given the strong salary levels and jobs growth for the career.
Dental hygiene salaries are among some of the highest in the healthcare industry and it is projected that an additional 30,000 positions will be created in the sector between 2016 and 2024 representing an almost 15% increase in employment.
The table below provides a breakdown of salaries and employment of dental hygienists across the main towns, cities and non-metro areas in Pennsylvania;
Area Number Employed Salary
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ 800 $67,530
Altoona, PA 60 $57,910
Chambersburg-Waynesboro, PA 100 $64,440
East Stroudsburg, PA Not Avalable $63,350
Erie, PA 230 $54,670
Gettysburg, PA 60 $60,480
Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA 420 $62,050
Johnstown, PA 80 $47,750
Lancaster, PA 570 $68,140
Lebanon, PA 60 $54,550
Montgomery County-Bucks County-Chester County, PA Metropolitan Division 2,120 $65,200
Philadelphia, PA Metropolitan Division 1,180 $78,450
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 4,680 $72,470
Pittsburgh, PA 2,170 $55,940
Reading, PA 260 $67,350
Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA 320 $52,010
State College, PA 160 $60,090
Williamsport, PA 50 $63,140
York-Hanover, PA 300 $61,610
Western Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area 190 $54,170
Northern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area 240 $54,450
Southern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area 220 $56,420
Related Healthcare Career Comparisons in Pennsylvania
The table below provides a comparison between the income and employment of dental hygienists and related healthcare careers in Pennsylvania;
| Career | Number Employed | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Hygienists | 9,650 | $62,830 |
| Dental Assistants | 11,640 | $34,890 |
| Surgical Technologists | 3,560 | $42,180 |
| Medical Assistants | 26,490 | $30,590 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | 4,720 | $34,050 |
| Nursing Assistants | 72,680 | $28,460 |
| Phlebotomists | 5,330 | $32,470 |