Dental Hygiene Schools Washington State

How to become a Dental Hygienist in WA

If you are interested in training to become a dental hygienist in Washington (WA) 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 10 accredited dental hygiene programs in Washington State, as well as licensing requirements and salary and employment data for the state.

Accredited Dental Hygiene Schools in Washington WA

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 10 CODA accredited dental hygiene schools in Washington State including Seattle (2), Spokane (1) and Bellingham (1).

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.

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

The Washington State Department of Health and Dental Quality Assurance Commission governs the licensing of dental hygienists in Washington. You can contact the Board directly using the contact details below:

State Board: Washington State Department of Health and Dental Quality Assurance Commission
Phone: (360) 236-4700
Website: http://www.doh.wa.gov/LicensesPermitsandCertificates/Professions-NewReneworUpdate/Dentist.aspx

Dental Hygienist Salary in Washington

The average dental hygienist salary in Washington is $91,070  –  22% more than the national average of $74,680.

This represents an hourly wage of $43.78.

There are currently 6,160 persons employed as dental hygienists in the state.

Washington Dental Hygienist Employment and Salaries by Metro Area

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