The smallest state in the United States is Rhode Island. While it is the eight least populous, it also happens to be the second most densely populated, following right behind New Jersey. It is bordered by Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean.
Indeed, Rhode Island’s nickname is “The Ocean State.” This name refers to the inlets and bays which account for around 14% of its area. As such, there are plenty of beach destinations for those who enjoy the sun and surf.
As to the other sights for which this tiny state is famous, they are many and varied. The Roger Williams Park is extremely popular, offering a zoo, nature museum, and festival grounds. Those who enjoy historical architecture can tour quite a few opulent mansions, including The Breakers, Marble House, The Elms, and Rosecliff.
Rhode Island’s capital city is also its most highly populated one, and that is Providence. Providence is not only home to the previously mentioned Roger Williams Park, but also to such sites as Waterplace Park and Riverwalk, Prospect Terrace Park, the Old State House (the city’s historic former capitol building), the Rhode Island School of Design Museum, and a couple of historic libraries.
Schools
Ready to start out on the path to becoming a Rhode Island dental hygienist? If so, you will need to begin by picking a school. Below you can view a list of Rhode Island universities and colleges which are offering accredited programs in dental hygiene.
| Institute | Address | Website | Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| Community College of Rhode Island | 1762 Louisquisset Pike Lincoln, RI 02865 | www.ccri.edu | AAS |
License Requirements
- Attach a recent photograph to your application.
- Pay the relevant fees for dental hygienist, local anesthesia, and/or nitrous oxide permit.
- Complete and mail the Reciprocity Release Forms for license verification.
- Graduate from an accredited dental hygiene program and provide an official copy of your transcript (it should be sent directly to the Board).
- Take and pass the National Board exam and have your official scores sent directly to the state Board.
- Take and pass a relevant clinical exam and have the administering agency submit your scores to the Board.
- If applicable, have your results for the NERB sent over.
- Get your CPR certification up-to-date and provide proof that it is current. This needs to be at both the Basic Life and Health Care Provider levels.
- If you graduated from a program in nitrous oxide or local anesthesia, provide your official transcripts. Have these sent to the Board directly by the administering agency.
Dental Hygienist Salary in Rhode Island
If you feel drawn to this tiny, bustling, lively state, you probably want to know if it is possible to make a good living as a dental hygienist in Rhode Island. To find out, we can take a look at the salary and employment data offered by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
The mean annual wage which the BLS has recorded for Rhode Island is $73,890. That is very close to the mean annual wage that the BLS reports that dental hygienists are earning throughout the country, which is $73,440. The cost of living in Rhode Island does tend to be high, so the slight increase in salary can help to offset it.
As to the growth rate for this career, it is 20%. This is faster than the nationwide average for all professions combined, so you are looking at a field with lots of opportunities in the next few years.
| Area Name | Employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence, Warwick | 1290 | $36.00 | $74,880 |