How to become a Dental Hygienist in Louisiana
If you are interested in training to become a dental hygienist in Louisiana 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 Louisiana, as well as licensing requirements and salary and employment data for the state.
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Listed below are some of the top dental hygiene schools and related programs near you.
Top 3 Accredited Dental Hygienist Schools Louisiana
| School | Area | More Information |
|---|---|---|
| University of Louisiana, Monroe | Monroe | Learn More |
| Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans | New Orleans | Learn More |
| Southern University at Shreveport | Shreveport | 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 3 CODA-accredited programs in Louisiana.
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.
Louisiana 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 Louisiana law that you obtain a license to work as a dental hygienist there.
The Louisiana State Board of Dentistry governs the licensing of dental hygienists in Louisiana. You can contact the Board directly using the contact details below:
State Board: Louisiana State Board of Dentistry
Phone: (504) 568-8574
Website: http://www.lsbd.org
Dental Hygienist Salary in Louisiana
| Average Salary | $57,450 |
| Hourly Wage | $27.62 |
| Bottom 10% of Earners | $39,910 |
| Top 10% of Earners | $78,620 |
| # Employed | 1,930 |
The average dental hygienist salary in Louisiana is $57,450 – 23% below the national average of $74,680.
This represents an hourly wage of $27.62.
There are currently 1,930 persons employed as dental hygienists in the state.
Louisiana Dental Hygienist Employment and Salaries by Metro Area
It is a great time to train to become a dental hygienist in Louisiana 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 Louisiana;
Area Number Employed Salary
Alexandria, LA (8)- $66,180.00
Baton Rouge, LA 360 $61,520.00
Houma-Thibodaux, LA 130 $63,940.00
Lafayette, LA 260 $48,940.00
Lake Charles, LA 80 $46,960.00
Monroe, LA 130 $48,570.00
New Orleans-Metairie, LA 620 $57,950.00
Shreveport-Bossier City, LA 140 $48,790.00
Northeast Louisiana nonmetropolitan area 90 $54,950.00
Southwest Louisiana nonmetropolitan area 40 $78,340.00
Related Healthcare Career Comparisons in Louisiana
The table below provides a comparison between income and employment of dental hygienists and related healthcare careers in Louisiana;
| Career | Number Employed | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Hygienists | 1260 | $63,200.00 |
| Physician Assistants | 940 | $102,550.00 |
| Respiratory Therapists | 430 | $56,580.00 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographers | 290 | $77,050.00 |
| Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics | 1640 | $33,090.00 |
| Pharmacy Technicians | 1810 | $30,140.00 |
| Surgical Technologists | 460 | $43,470.00 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | 740 | $33,390.00 |
| Home Health Aides | 3060 | $23,930.00 |
| Nursing Assistants | 8330 | $25,210.00 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistants | 120 | $48,500.00 |
| Physical Therapist Assistants | 210 | $50,410.00 |
| Massage Therapists | 280 | $39,420.00 |
| Dental Assistants | 3210 | $31,900.00 |
| Medical Assistants | 350 | $33,040.00 |
| Medical Transcriptionists | 540 | $29,840.00 |
***Page Updated October 2018***