Dental Hygiene Schools and Careers Oklahoma

Steps to Become a Dental Hygienist in Oklahoma

If you are interested in training to become a dental hygienist in Oklahoma (OK)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 Oklahoma, as well as licensing requirements and salary and employment data for the state.

Top 3 Accredited Dental Hygiene Schools Oklahoma

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 fully accredited programs in Oklahoma.

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.

Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma law that you obtain a license to work as a dental hygienist there.

The Oklahoma Board of Dentistry governs the licensing of dental hygienists in Oklahoma. You can contact the Board directly using the contact details below:

State Board: Oklahoma Board of Dentistry
Phone: (405) 522-4844
Website: http://www.ok.gov/dentistry/

Dental Hygienist Salary in Oklahoma

The average dental hygienist salary in Oklahoma is $71,130  –  5% below the national average of $74,680.

This  represents an hourly wage of $34.20.

There are currently 2,370 persons employed as dental hygienists in the state.

Oklahoma Dental Hygienist Employment and Salaries by Metro Area

It is a great time to train to become a dental hygienist in Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma;