Become a Dental Hygienist in North Carolina
If you are interested in becoming a dental hygienist in North Carolina (NC) 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 North Carolina, as well as licensing requirements and salary and employment data for the state.
Take the first step and request information from your preferred dental hygiene courses today.
Top Dental Hygienist Schools NC
| School | Area | More Information |
|---|---|---|
| Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College | Asheville | Learn More |
| University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill | Chapel Hill | Learn More |
| Central Piedmont Community College | Charlotte | Learn More |
| Fayetteville Technical Community College | Fayetteville | Learn More |
| Wayne Community College | Goldsboro | Learn More |
| Catawba Valley Community College | Hickory | Learn More |
| Coastal Carolina Community College | Jacksonville | Learn More |
| Guilford Technical Community College | Jamestown | Learn More |
| Wake Technical Community College | Raleigh | Learn More |
| Central Carolina Community College | Sanford | Learn More |
| Halifax Community College | Weldon | Learn More |
| Cape Fear Community College | Wilmington | Learn More |
| Forsyth Technical Community College | Winston-Salem | Learn More |
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 programs in North Carolina.
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.
North Carolina 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 North Carolina law that you obtain a license to work as a dental hygienist there.
The North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners governs the licensing of dental hygienists in North Carolina. You can contact the Board directly using the contact details below:
State Board: North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners
Phone: (919) 678-8223
Website: http://www.ncdentalboard.org
Dental Hygienist Salary NC
| Salary | $69,120 |
| Hourly Wage | $33.23 |
| Bottom 10% of Earners | $52,960 |
| Top 10% of Earners | $85,160 |
| # Employed | 6,260 |
The average dental hygienist salary in North Carolina is $69,120 – 7% below the national average of $74,680.
This equals an hourly wage of $33.23.
There are currently 6,260 persons employed as dental hygienists in the state.
North Carolina Dental Hygienist Employment and Salaries by Metro Area
It is a great time to train to become a dental hygienist in North Carolina 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 North Carolina;
| Area | Number Employed | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Asheville, NC | 360 | $54,860.00 |
| Burlington, NC | 130 | $73,400.00 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 1320 | $69,800.00 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | 300 | $73,540.00 |
| Fayetteville, NC | 210 | $63,290.00 |
| Goldsboro, NC | 80 | $63,990.00 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | 610 | $62,850.00 |
| Greenville, NC | 90 | $64,850.00 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | 180 | $65,590.00 |
| Jacksonville, NC | 80 | $58,120.00 |
| New Bern, NC | 80 | $63,850.00 |
| Raleigh, NC | 870 | $68,830.00 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | (8)- | $60,190.00 |
| Wilmington, NC | (8)- | $71,650.00 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | 440 | $70,490.00 |
| Southeast Coastal North Carolina nonmetropolitan area | 280 | $65,480.00 |
| Northeast Coastal North Carolina nonmetropolitan area | (8)- | $59,190.00 |
| Piedmont North Carolina nonmetropolitan area | 360 | $61,260.00 |
| Mountain North Carolina nonmetropolitan area | 190 | $61,090.00 |
Related Healthcare Career Comparisons in North Carolina
The table below provides a comparison between the income and employment of dental hygienists and related healthcare careers in North Carolina;
| Career | Number Employed | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Hygienists | 5670 | $66,910.00 |
| Respiratory Therapists | 3890 | $53,300.00 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographers | 1900 | $65,030.00 |
| Pharmacy Technicians | 13070 | $29,120.00 |
| Surgical Technologists | 2760 | $40,120.00 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | 3210 | $30,860.00 |
| Dental Assistants | 8910 | $38,720.00 |
| Medical Assistants | 14810 | $30,500.00 |
| Phlebotomists | 5120 | $28,950.00 |