How to become a Dental Hygienist in Rhode Island
If you are interested in training to become a dental hygienist in Rhode Island (RI) 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 Rhode Island, as well as licensing requirements and salary and employment data for the state.
Accredited Dental Hygienist Schools Rhode Island
| State | School | Area | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | Community College of Rhode Island | Lincoln | 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 just 1 CODA-accredited program in Rhode Island.
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.
Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island law that you obtain a license to work as a dental hygienist there.
The Rhode Island State Board of Examiners in Dentistry governs the licensing of dental hygienists in Rhode Island. You can contact the Board directly using the contact details below:
State Board: Rhode Island State Board of Examiners in Dentistry
Phone: (401) 222-2837
Website: http://www.sos.ri.gov/govdirectory/?page=DetailDeptAgency&eid=114
Dental Hygienist Salary in Rhode Island
| Salary | $74,780 |
| Hourly Wage | $35.95 |
| Bottom 10% of Earners | $64,020 |
| Top 10% of Earners | $93,310 |
| # Employed | 1,290 |
The average dental hygienist salary in Rhode Island is $74,780 – slightly above the national average of $74,680.
This represents an hourly wage of $35.95.
There are currently 1,290 persons employed as dental hygienists in the state.
Rhode Island Dental Hygienist Employment and Salaries by Metro Area
It is a great time to train to become a dental hygienist in Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island;
Area Number Employed Salary
Providence-Warwick, RI-MA 1,180 $74,580
Related Healthcare Career Comparisons in Rhode Island
The table below provides a comparison between the income and employment of dental hygienists and related healthcare careers in Rhode Island;
| Career | Number Employed | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Hygienists | 530 | $57,350 |
| Dental Assistants | 850 | $34,310 |
| Surgical Technologists | 460 | $39,170 |
| Medical Assistants | 1,030 | $28,550 |
| Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics | 860 | $28,920 |
| Pharmacy Technicians | 1,180 | $30,910 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | 260 | $29,300 |
| Nursing Assistants | 6,200 | $24,290 |