How to become a Dental Hygienist in South Dakota
If you are interested in training to become a dental hygienist in South Dakota 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 South Dakota, as well as licensing requirements and salary and employment data for the state.
Accredited Dental Hygienist Schools South Dakota
| State | School | Area | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Dakota | University of South Dakota | Vermillion | 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 1 CODA-accredited program in South Dakota.
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.
South Dakota 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 South Dakota law that you obtain a license to work as a dental hygienist there.
The South Dakota State Board of Dentistry governs the licensing of dental hygienists in South Dakota. You can contact the Board directly using the contact details below:
State Board: South Dakota State Board of Dentistry
Phone: (605) 224-1282
Website: http://www.sdboardofdentistry.com
Dental Hygienist Salary in South Dakota
| Salary | $62,560 |
| Hourly Wage | $30.08 |
| Bottom 10% of Earners | $46,110 |
| Top 10% of Earners | $78,400 |
| # Employed | 680 |
The average dental hygienist salary in South Dakota is $62,560 – 16% less than the national average of $74,680.
This represents an hourly wage of $30.08.
There are currently 680 persons employed as dental hygienists in the state.
South Dakota Dental Hygienist Employment and Salaries by Metro Area
It is a great time to train to become a dental hygienist in South Dakota 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 South Dakota;
Area Number Employed Salary
Rapid City, SD 100 $56,280
Sioux Falls, SD 190 $53,630
East South Dakota nonmetropolitan area 150 $61,210
West South Dakota nonmetropolitan area 60 $59,750
Related Healthcare Career Comparisons in South Dakota
The table below provides a comparison between the income and employment of dental hygienists and related healthcare careers in South Dakota;
| Career | Number Employed | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Hygienists | 3,880 | $66,160 |
| Surgical Technologists | 2,780 | $39,460 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | 1,420 | $32,120 |
| Dental Assistants | 5,720 | $34,970 |
| Medical Assistants | 14,380 | $29,920 |
| Phlebotomists | 2,670 | $27,320 |