When you picture the Deep South, what is one of the first states you think of? There’s a good chance it’s Georgia! Georgia is the 8th most populous state in the US, and 14 of its counties ranked among the 100 fastest-growing in the country in 2007 and 2008. That’s a lot of people who need their teeth cleaned!
We’re going to tell you all about the salary and work opportunities in Georgia as well as the licensing requirements to become a dental hygienist in the state. But first, here are a few facts about Georgia you may not know.
Georgia was the last of the original Thirteen Colonies and the fourth state to ratify the US Constitution. It was one of the first Confederate states, and also the last to rejoin the Union. As such, Georgia is a state which is rich with Civil War history. The state’s nicknames include the Peach State and the Empire State of the South.
The most populous city in Georgia is the capital, Atlanta. Other major cities include Columbus, Augusta, Macon, Savannah, Athens, and Sandy Springs. Famous landmarks to visit in Savannah include the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist and the Savannah Historic District. In Atlanta you can visit the majestic Fox Theater or get some fresh air in the idyllic Piedmont Park.
In Georgia, you can also visit museums like the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center, and the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force. Zoos and aquariums include the Georgia Aquarium, Zoo Atlanta, and Okefenokee Swamp Park. If you enjoy outdoor activities, there is plenty of parkland throughout the state where you can enjoy hiking, rafting, zip-lines, and more. Sports fans can keep up with the Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Hawks, and Atlanta Falcons.
Georgia Dental Hygiene Programs
Ready to pick a program? We have scoured the web to find all the dental hygiene programs in the state of Georgia. Below, you can find the program names, schools, addresses, and contact information. Good luck on your goal of becoming a dental hygienist!
| Institute | Address | Website | Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athens Technical College | 800 U.S. Highway 29 North Athens, GA 30601 | www.athenstech.edu | AAS |
| Atlanta Technical College | 1560 Metropolitan Parkway, SW, Room BWJAHB H-106G Atlanta, GA 30310 | atlantatech.edu | AAS |
| Augusta University | 1120 15th Street, GC-4354 Augusta, GA 30912 | www.augusta.edu | BS-DH |
| Central Georgia Technical College | 80 Cohen Walker Dr Warner Robins, GA 31088 | www.centralgatech.edu | AAS |
| Clayton State University | 2000 Clayton State Blvd. Morrow, GA 30260 | www.clayton.edu | BS-DH |
| Columbus Technical College | 928 Manchester Expressway Columbus, GA 31904 | www.columbustech.edu | AAS |
| Albany State College | 2400 Gillionville Rd. Albany, GA 31707 | www.asurams.edu | AS |
| Fortis College | 2108 Cobb Parkway Smyrna, GA 30080 | www.fortis.edu | AS-DH |
| Georgia Highlands College | 415 East Third Avenue Rome, GA 30161 | www.highlands.edu | AS |
| Lanier Technical College | 2990 Landrum Education Dr. Oakwood, GA 30566 | www.laniertech.edu | AAS |
| Perimeter College of Georgia State University | 2101 Womack Road Dunwoody, GA 30338 | perimeter.gsu.edu | AS |
| Savannah Technical College | 5717 White Bluff Road Savannah, GA 31405 | www.savannahtech.edu | AS-DH |
| Southeastern Technical College | 3001 East 1st Street Vidalia, GA 30474 | www.southeasterntech.edu | AS |
| West Georgia Technical College | 4600 Timber Ridge Dr. Douglasville, GA 30135 | www.westgatech.edu | AAS |
| Wiregrass Georgia Technical College | 4089 Val Tech Road Valdosta, GA 31602 | www.wiregrass.edu | AAS |
License Requirements
How can you become a dental hygienist in Georgia? You will need to meet the following requirements:
- If you wish to become a dental hygienist in the state of GA, you will first need to graduate from an accredited program in dental hygiene.
- After you graduate, you will be required to pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination.
- The state of Georgia also requires that you pass the exam offered by the Central Regional Dental Testing Service, Inc. (CRDTS).
- You must acquire a CPR license in order to obtain a license to practice dental hygiene.
- You need two years of active practice before you obtain your license.
- Georgia offers a temporary license.
- Within two years of obtaining your license, you must start practicing in the state.
- You will need to acquire official transcripts from your high school and the college that you attended.
- You also will need to acquire official letters from the boards of dentistry and letters of recommendation from dentists practicing in Georgia.
- You will need to complete a jurisprudence exam.
- You will have to submit to a background check. If you have been convinced of a misdemeanor or felony, state boards have the right to refuse you licensure.
Dental Hygienist Salary in Georgia
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), this is a great time to become a dental hygienist, because demand is increasing swiftly at a rate of 20%. That’s much faster than the average for all other professions. The median salary across the country was $66,300 per year in 2012, which comes out to $31.89 per hour.
But what can you expect if you decide to become a dental hygienist in the state of Georgia? The BLS provides detailed information on all occupations for the state. As of 2018, there were 6,910 dental hygienists employed in Georgia. The mean annual wage was $65,650, and the mean hourly wage was $31.56. As you can see, this is closely in line with the wages reported for the entire country. With a large and growing population and many opportunities to earn a high wage, Georgia is a great state to become a dental hygienist.
| Area Name | Employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | 110 | $28.30 | $58,860 |
| Athens, Clarke County | 140 | $29.18 | $60,700 |
| Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Roswell | 4220 | $32.37 | $67,340 |
| Augusta, Richmond County | 340 | $29.71 | $61,800 |
| Brunswick | 40 | $28.36 | $58,990 |
| Columbus | 220 | $28.89 | $60,090 |
| Dalton | - | $33.96 | $70,630 |
| East Georgia nonmetropolitan area | 130 | $31.67 | $65,860 |
| Gainesville | 130 | $31.98 | $66,520 |
Schools in Neighboring States
Studying dental hygiene in Georgia may not be for you. There are attractive school in states near by. Georgia is bordered by Tennessee in the north, South Carolina and the Atlantic Ocean in the east, Florida in the south, and Alabama in the west.