Tennessee Dental Hygiene Programs
Ready to take the next step and become a dental hygienist in Tennessee? This is an exciting field, the perfect time to get into it, and a beautiful state to live and work in. To get started, you’ll need to choose an accredited program. Below, you can find a full list of dental hygiene programs in Tennessee, along with the contact information for the departments. Look into the programs, enroll, and you will be on your way to an exciting future.
| Institute | Address | Website | Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga State Community College | 4501 Amnicola Hwy. Chattanooga, TN 37406 | www.chattanoogastate.edu | AAS |
| Concorde Career College-Memphis | 5100 Poplar Avenue – Suite 132 Memphis, TN 38137 | www.concorde.edu | AAS |
| East Tennessee State University | ETSU P.O.Box 70690 Johnson City, TN 37614 | www.etsu.edu | BS-DH |
| Hiwassee College | 225 Hiwassee College Drive Madisonville, TN 37354 | www.hiwassee.edu | BS-DH |
| Remington College | 441 Donelson Pike – Suite 150 Nashville, TN 37214 | www.remingtoncollege.edu | AAS |
| Roane State Community College | 701 Briarcliff Avenue Oak Ridge, TN 37830 | www.roanestate.edu | AAS |
| South College – Nashville Campus | 616 Marriott Drive, Nashville, TN 37214 | www.south.edu | AS |
| Tennessee State University | 3500 John A. Merritt Boulevard Nashville, TN 37209 | www.tnstate.edu | AAS |
| University of Tennessee Health Science Center | 875 Union Avenue; 5th Floor Memphis, TN 38163 | www.uthsc.edu | BS-DH |
License Requirements
How do you actually become a dental hygienist in the state of Tennessee? Here are the requirements you will need to meet.
- You will need to take and pass an accredited program in the field of dental hygiene in the state.
- You will also need to pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination.
- There were some clinical exams you’ll need to pass as well before you can be licensed. These include the SRTA and the WREB.
- There is no requirement for CPR certification; however you may still wish to consider it in order to make yourself a more competitive job candidate.
- There is no temporary license available; however there is a teacher license, as well as retired/inactive license.
- You will need to be able to provide your high school and college transcripts as well as two letters of reference.
- You will need to submit to a background check as well. If it is found that you have committed a felony or a serious misdemeanor, you may be denied licensure by the board.
Dental Hygienist Salary in Tennessee
You’re probably wondering how much money you can earn living in Tennessee and working as a dental hygienist. Before we talk about the pay in Tennessee, let’s talk about the national pay. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that on average, dental hygienist throughout the US make around $70,210 per year. This amounts to $33.75 per hour.
In Tennessee you can expect to make slightly less than that. The median annual salary for a dental hygienist in the state is $67,610. This amounts to $32.51 an hour. While this might be slightly discouraging, it really is only marginally less than the national average. Also, Tennessee does not have the highest standard of living compared to a lot more expensive states which may pay a dental hygienist more money.
What about demand? The BLS reports that the field of dental hygiene is growing swiftly at a rate of 20%. This is significantly faster than the nationwide average for all other occupations. As Tennessee is a populous state, plenty of demand is there.
| Area Name,Employment,Hourly mean wage,Annual mean wage | |
|---|---|
| Chattanooga,"340",$26 | 36","$54,820" |
| Clarksville,"$190,$2"$34 | 22","$71,170" |
| Cleveland,"70",$33 | 30","$69,270" |
| East Tennessee nonmetropolitan area,"150",$31 | 73","$66,010" |
| Jackson,"110",$32 | 01","$66,570" |
| Johnson City,"180",$29 | 76","$61,900" |
| Kingsport, Bristol, Bristol","180",$29 | 26","$60,870" |
| Knoxville,"580",$38 | 07","$79,190" |
| Memphis,"640",$30 | 47","$63,380" |
| Morristown,"60",$26 | 30","$54,700" |
| Nashville, Davidson, Murfreesboro, Franklin","1040",$30 | 94","$64,360" |
| North Central Tennessee nonmetropolitan area,"$33 | 53","$69,730" |
| South Central Tennessee nonmetropolitan area,"130",$32 | 25","$67,090" |
| West Tennessee nonmetropolitan area,"180",$31 | 94","$66,440" |
Programs in Neighboring States
If you did not find your ideal program in Tennessee, you might consider one of the neighboring states. Eight states border Tennessee. The state borders with North Carolina in the east to the Mississippi River, and with Missouri and Arkansas in the west. Tennessee’s narrow width, separates its northern neighbors, Kentucky and Virginia, from Georgia, Alabama, and Missouri.
Living in Tennessee
If you are looking for an Appalachian state where you can become a dental hygienist, you may want to consider living and working in Tennessee. Tennessee is the 17th most populous state in the US, and offers plenty of opportunity in the field of dental hygiene.
If you are thinking about moving to Tennessee, you probably want to know more about what it is like to live there. Tennessee is bordered on the west by the Mississippi River, while the Appalachian Mountains take up most of the eastern part of the state. The largest city is Memphis, but it is Nashville, the second-largest city, which is the state capital.
What is there to see and do in the state of Tennessee? If you enjoy the great outdoors, you will want to venture to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Also popular is the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. If you are looking for museums to visit, try the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis at the Lorraine Motel, or the Titanic Museum Attraction at Pigeon Forge. Sports fans can cheer for the Tennessee Titans or the Memphis Grizzlies.