If a career as a Dental Hygienist strongly appeals and you are looking for a dental hygiene school in Montana (MT) then you will be happy to know that dental hygienists are among some of the highest earners in the healthcare industry. There also continues to be strong job growth in the sector with an additional 30,000 positions projected to be created between 2016 and 2024 representing an almost 15% increase in employment.
How to become a Dental Hygienist in Montana
If you are interested in training to become a dental hygienist in Montana 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 Montana, as well as licensing requirements and salary and employment data for the state.
Accredited Dental Hygienist School Montana
| School | Area | More Information |
|---|---|---|
| Great Falls College Montana State University | Great Falls | 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 is currently only 1 CODA accredited programs in Montana.
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.
Montana 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 Montana law that you obtain a license to work as a dental hygienist there.
The Montana Board of Dentistry governs the licensing of dental hygienists in Montana. You can contact the Board directly using the contact details below:
State Board: Montana Board of Dentistry
Phone: (406) 841-2390
Website: http://www.dentistry.mt.gov
Dental Hygienist Salary in Montana
| Salary | $72,850 |
| Hourly Wage | $35.03 |
| Bottom 10% of Earners | $54,460 |
| Top 10% of Earners | $93,910 |
| # Employed | 720 |
The average dental hygienist salary in Montana is $72,850 – 2% below the national average of $74,680.
This represents an hourly wage of $35.03.
There are currently 720 persons employed as dental hygienists in the state.
Montana Dental Hygienist Employment and Salaries by Metro Area
The table below provides a breakdown of salaries and employment of dental hygienists across the main towns, cities and non metro areas in Montana;
| Area | Number Employed | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT | 180 | $67,730.00 |
| Great Falls, MT | 80 | $68,060.00 |
| Missoula, MT | 140 | $70,130.00 |
| East Montana nonmetropolitan area | 50 | $61,910.00 |
| Central Montana nonmetropolitan area | 30 | $70,730.00 |
| Southwest Montana nonmetropolitan area | 170 | $65,860.00 |
| West Montana nonmetropolitan area | 140 | $73,000.00 |
Related Healthcare Career Comparisons in Montana
The table below provides a comparison between income and employment of dental hygienists and related healthcare careers in Montana;
| Career | Number Employed | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Hygienists | 1150 | $64,980.00 |
| Physician Assistants | 780 | $95,340.00 |
| Respiratory Therapists | 1010 | $51,300.00 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographers | 460 | $64,380.00 |
| Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics | (8)- | $33,690.00 |
| Pharmacy Technicians | 2320 | $29,480.00 |
| Surgical Technologists | 790 | $41,860.00 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | 510 | $29,950.00 |
| Home Health Aides | 1460 | $24,320.00 |
| Nursing Assistants | 13020 | $25,330.00 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistants | 150 | $50,900.00 |
| Physical Therapist Assistants | 630 | $49,750.00 |
| Massage Therapists | 420 | $32,960.00 |
| Dental Assistants | 2000 | $34,200.00 |
| Medical Assistants | 3320 | $30,690.00 |
| Medical Transcriptionists | 640 | $35,350.00 |
| Phlebotomists | 600 | $30,500.00 |
***Page Updated October 2018***