How to become a Dental Hygienist in Kentucky
If you are interested in training to become a dental hygienist in Kentucky 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 Kentucky, as well as licensing requirements and salary and employment data for the state. Get started by requesting enrollment information from your preferred dental hygiene schools and related courses.
Top 5 Accredited Dental Hygienist Schools Kentucky
| School | Area | More Information |
|---|---|---|
| Western Kentucky University | Bowling Green | Learn More |
| Henderson Community College | Henderson | Learn More |
| Bluegrass Community and Technical College, Cooper | Lexington | Learn More |
| University of Louisville | Louisville | Learn More |
| Big Sandy Community and Technical College, Prestonsburg | Prestonsburg | 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 5 CODA-accredited programs in Kentucky.
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.
Kentucky 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 Kentucky law that you obtain a license to work as a dental hygienist there.
The Kentucky Board of Dentistry governs the licensing of dental hygienists in Kentucky. You can contact the Board directly using the contact details below:
State Board: Kentucky Board of Dentistry
Phone: (502) 429-7280
Website: http://dentistry.ky.gov
Dental Hygienist Salary in Kentucky
| Salary | $59,500 |
| Hourly Wage | $28.60 |
| Bottom 10% of Earners | $45,180 |
| Top 10% of Earners | $76,100 |
| # Employed | 2,460 |
The average dental hygienist salary in Kentucky is $59,500 – 20% below the national average of $74,680.
This represents an hourly wage of $28.60.
There are currently 2,460 persons employed as dental hygienists in the state.
Kentucky Dental Hygienist Employment and Salaries by Metro Area
It is a great time to train to become a dental hygienist in Kentucky 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 Kentucky;
Area Number Employed Salary
Bowling Green, KY Not Avalable $54,910.00
Elizabethtown-Fort Knox, KY 50 $56,210.00
Lexington-Fayette, KY 210 $60,370.00
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN 760 $63,730.00
Owensboro, KY 100 $54,270.00
West Kentucky nonmetropolitan area 170 $58,180.00
South Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area 170 $44,840.00
Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area 250 $57,160.00
East Kentucky nonmetropolitan area 130 $47,530.00
Related Healthcare Career Comparisons in Kentucky
The table below provides a comparison between income and employment of dental hygienists and related healthcare careers in Kentucky;
| Career | Number Employed | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Hygienists | 1960 | $56,340.00 |
| Respiratory Therapists | 2150 | $52,120.00 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographers | 670 | $59,480.00 |
| Pharmacy Technicians | 5640 | $30,070.00 |
| Surgical Technologists | 1870 | $38,910.00 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | 1370 | $27,270.00 |
| Dental Assistants | 4110 | $29,190.00 |
| Medical Assistants | 5950 | $26,980.00 |
| Phlebotomists | 1920 | $29,490.00 |
***Page Updated October 2018***