How to become a Dental Hygienist in Delaware
If you are interested in training to become a dental hygienist in Delaware 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 Delaware, as well as licensing requirements and salary and employment data for the state.
Get started by requesting information on course structure, admissions, tuition and financial assistance etc. from dental hygiene schools and related dental programs close to you in Delaware.
Top 1 Accredited Dental Hygienist Schools Delaware
| State | School | Area | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware | Delaware Technical and Community College, Wilmington/ Stanton | Wilmington | 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 1 CODA accredited programs in Delaware.
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.
Delaware 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 Delaware law that you obtain a license to work as a dental hygienist there.
The Delaware State Board of Dentistry and Dental Hygiene governs the licensing of dental hygienists in Delaware. You can contact the Board directly using the contact details below:
State Board: Delaware State Board of Dentistry and Dental Hygiene
Phone: (302) 744-4500
Website: http://dpr.delaware.gov/boards/dental/index.shtml
Dental Hygienist Salary in Delaware
| Salary | $77,160 |
| Hourly Wage | $37.10 |
| Bottom 10% of Earners | $63,820 |
| Top 10% of Earners | $98,200 |
| # Employed | 640 |
The average dental hygienist salary in Delaware is $77,160 – 3% above the national average of $74,680.
This represents an hourly wage of $37.10.
There are currently 640 persons employed as dental hygienists in the state.
Delaware Dental Hygienist Employment and Salaries by Metro Area
It is a great time to train to become a dental hygienist in Delaware 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 Delaware;
Area Number Employed Salary
Dover, DE 110 $64,880.00
Wilmington, DE-MD-NJ Metropolitan Division 540 $74,440.00
Related Healthcare Career Comparisons in Delaware
The table below provides a comparison between income and employment of dental hygienists and related healthcare careers in Delaware;
| Career | Number Employed | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Hygienists | 10510 | $63,370.00 |
| Physician Assistants | 5090 | $101,480.00 |
| Respiratory Therapists | 7800 | $54,700.00 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographers | 4780 | $62,160.00 |
| Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics | 9610 | $31,080.00 |
| Pharmacy Technicians | 26200 | $29,690.00 |
| Surgical Technologists | 6680 | $41,040.00 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | 8360 | $30,930.00 |
| Home Health Aides | 25720 | $22,920.00 |
| Nursing Assistants | 88110 | $24,510.00 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistants | 1750 | $62,240.00 |
| Physical Therapist Assistants | 4570 | $61,610.00 |
| Massage Therapists | 7410 | $42,240.00 |
| Dental Assistants | 17350 | $35,780.00 |
| Medical Assistants | 46320 | $30,170.00 |
| Medical Transcriptionists | 5220 | $32,840.00 |
| Phlebotomists | 7410 | $29,510.00 |
***Page Updated October 2018***