Wouldn’t it be magical if you could be whisked away to Delaware? Okay, Delaware may not be the first state you think of when you consider locations where you could live and work as a dental hygienist. But maybe it should be. As the second smallest state in the country and the sixth least populous, Delaware is easy to overlook. But it is also the sixth most densely populated state in the US. Known as “The Small Wonder,” its many charms make it a delightful place to live.
Delaware is also referred to as “The First State,” a nickname which references its status as the original state to ratify the Constitution. Indeed, you will find many sites of historical interest to explore throughout the state, including the impressive 18th century colonial buildings located at First State Heritage Park in Dover. Meanwhile, if you live in Wilmington, you can visit the Riverfront, where you can enjoy an eclectic collection of restaurants and shops along the waterfront.
In terms of outdoor activities, you can walk among the lovely sand dunes along the Atlantic, or you can go camping or hiking in Delaware Seashore State Park or Cape Henlopen State Park. You can even watch whales as they breach the surface of the sea.
Delaware Hygiene Programs
Excited to move to the lovely little state of Delaware and start out on your career as a dental hygienist? Below you can view a list of colleges which offer Delaware dental hygiene programs.
| Institute | Address | Website | Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware Technical and Community College | 333 Shipley St. Wilmington, DE 19801 | www.dtcc.edu | AAS |
License Requirements
How can you become a Delaware dental hygienist? Here is everything you need to get your license.
- Complete and sign the Application for Dental Hygienist Licensure and get it notarized.
- Pay the $74 processing fee and the $100 dental hygienist exam fee. There is also a late fee you may have to pay in some situations, and there are renewal fees on an ongoing basis.
- Get certified in CPR.
- Have a high school transcript or GED sent directly to the Board.
- Complete a Board-approved dental hygiene program, and have the transcript sent directly to the Board. The degree and date of graduation both must be displayed on the transcript. If you have yet to graduate, you can have the school provide the Board with a letter explaining your standing and your expected graduation date. Later, you will have to send your transcript.
- Take and pass the National dental Hygiene Board Examination and have the Board sent the score report directly.
- Provide a letter of reference.
- If you have ever been licensed elsewhere, have verification letters sent from each jurisdiction.
- Pass the Jurisprudence Examination for Dental Hygienist Candidates, sign it, and get it notarized. Submit it to the Board.
- Fill out and submit the Criminal History Record Check Authorization. You will need to get fingerprinted.
- You must have a valid SSN.
Dental Hygienist Salary in Delaware
You now can see the appeal of living in “The Small Wonder,” but is Delaware a profitable state to move to as a dental hygienist? Let’s find out by taking a look at statistics provided by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
First of all, the BLS reports that the dental hygiene profession is growing at a rate of 20%. This is significantly faster than the average for all other jobs in the workforce. Secondly, the median pay for 2018 was $77,820 per year, which comes out to $37.41 per hour. The mean annual wage came in at $73,440.
As to Delaware, there are 650 dental hygienists working in state borders according to the BLS. These hygienists are bringing in an annual mean salary of $78,550. While this is slightly less than the national average, it is likely a reflection of differences in cost of living. Dental hygienists in surrounding states like Maryland, Virginia, and New Jersey make more, but this is because they also have very high costs of living.
| Area Name | Employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dover | 140 | $35.00 | $72,790 |
Neighboring States
If Delaware is too small for your taste, you can find more schools with great dental hygiene programs in neighboring states. Delaware is bordered by Pennsylvania in the north; the Delaware River, the Delaware Bay, New Jersey, and Atlantic Ocean in the east; and Maryland in the south and west.