How to become a Dental Hygienist in Virginia
If you are interested in training to become a dental hygienist in Virginia (VA) 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 Virginia, as well as licensing requirements and salary and employment data for the state.
Top 6 Accredited Dental Hygienist Schools VA
| School | Area | More Information |
|---|---|---|
| Thomas Nelson Community College | Hampton | Learn More |
| Old Dominion University | Norfolk | Learn More |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | Richmond | Learn More |
| Virginia Western Community College | Roanoke | Learn More |
| Northern Virginia Community College | Springfield | Learn More |
| Wytheville Community College | Wytheville | 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 6 CODA accredited programs in Virginia.
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.
Virginia 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 Virginia law that you obtain a license to work as a dental hygienist there.
The Virginia Board of Dentistry governs the licensing of dental hygienists in Virginia. You can contact the Board directly using the contact details below:
State Board: Virginia Board of Dentistry
Phone: (804) 367-4538
Website: http://www.dhp.virginia.gov/dentistry/default.htm
Dental Hygienist Salary in Virginia
| Salary | $81,300 |
| Hourly Wage | $39.09 |
| Bottom 10% of Earners | $51,090 |
| Top 10% of Earners | $110,000 |
| # Employed | 5,430 |
The average dental hygienist salary in Virginia is $81,300 – 9% more than the national average of $74,680.
This represents an hourly wage of $39.09.
There are currently 5,430 persons employed as dental hygienists in the state.
Virginia Dental Hygienist Employment and Salaries by Metro Area
It is a great time to train to become a dental hygienist in Virginia 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 Virginia;
Area Number Employed Salary
Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA 80 $82,640
Charlottesville, VA 160 $77,770
Harrisonburg, VA Not Avalable $74,220
Lynchburg, VA 100 $73,300
Richmond, VA 670 $82,770
Roanoke, VA 140 $69,390
Staunton-Waynesboro, VA 60 $87,170
Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC 1,030 $70,620
Winchester, VA-WV 60 $69,880
Southwest Virginia nonmetropolitan area 130 $62,190
Southside Virginia nonmetropolitan area 80 $66,790
Northeast Virginia nonmetropolitan area 40 $79,010
Northwest Virginia nonmetropolitan area 90 $69,020
Related Healthcare Career Comparisons in Virginia
The table below provides a comparison between income and employment of dental hygienists and related healthcare careers in Virginia;
| Career | Number Employed | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Hygienists | 4,480 | $80,430 |
| Surgical Technologists | 2,570 | $48,380 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | 1,480 | $35,840 |
| Nursing Assistants | 35,790 | $25,100 |
| Dental Assistants | 8,460 | $38,340 |
| Medical Assistants | 11,230 | $31,510 |
| Phlebotomists | 3,650 | $31,960 |