How to become a Dental Hygienist in Oregon
If you are interested in becoming a dental hygienist in Oregon 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 Oregon, as well as licensing requirements and salary and employment data for the state.
Top Accredited Dental Hygienist Schools Oregon
| School | Area | More Information |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Community College | Eugene | Learn More |
| Mt Hood Community College | Gresham | Learn More |
| Pacific University, Forest Grove | Hillsboro | Learn More |
| Oregon Institute of Technology - Online School | Klamath Falls | Learn More |
| Portland Community College | Portland | 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 Oregon.
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.
Oregon 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 Oregon law that you obtain a license to work as a dental hygienist there.
The Oregon Board of Dentistry governs the licensing of dental hygienists in Oregon. You can contact the Board directly using the contact details below:
State Board: Oregon Board of Dentistry
Phone: (971) 673-3200
Website: http://www.oregon.gov/dentistry
Dental Hygienist Salary in Oregon
| Salary | $82,850 |
| Hourly Wage | $39.83 |
| Bottom 10% of Earners | $67,420 |
| Top 10% of Earners | $101,220 |
| # Employed | 3,900 |
The average dental hygienist salary in Oregon is $82,850 – 11% above the national average salary of $74,680.
This equals an hourly wage of $39.83.
There are currently 3,900 persons employed as dental hygienists in the state.
Oregon Dental Hygienist Employment and Salaries by Metro Area
It is a great time to train to become a dental hygienist in Oregon 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 Oregon;
Area Number Employed Salary
Albany, OR 120 $74,980
Bend-Redmond, OR 230 $79,240
Corvallis, OR 110 $91,260
Eugene, OR 390 $80,790
Grants Pass, OR 80 $85,460
Medford, OR 280 $85,050
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA 2,480 $74,690
Salem, OR 320 $75,340
North Coast Oregon nonmetropolitan area 80 $79,470
South Coast Oregon nonmetropolitan area 140 $76,440
Central Oregon nonmetropolitan area 160 $75,290
Eastern Oregon nonmetropolitan area 100 $77,910
Related Healthcare Career Comparisons in Oregon
The table below provides a comparison between income and employment of dental hygienists and related healthcare careers in Oregon;
| Career | Number Employed | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Hygienists | 4030 | $77,010.00 |
| Dental Assistants | 4910 | $41,680.00 |
| Surgical Technologists | 1300 | $49,000.00 |
| Medical Assistants | 9520 | $34,730.00 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | 1460 | $33,330.00 |
| Nursing Assistants | 11890 | $30,140.00 |
| Phlebotomists | 1780 | $35,590.00 |