Idaho is one of those states which tends to get unfairly overlooked. Bordered by Wyoming, Montana, Nevada, Utah, and British Columbia, it is squarely in the middle of some of the most beautiful country in the US. It is regarded as part of the Pacific Northwest, and has several climate zones with very distinctive landscapes and ecologies.
For outdoor lovers, Idaho offers an abundance of amazing parks to explore, including Bear Lake, Shoshone Falls, and Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve. Most famously, Idaho includes a small section of Yellowstone National Park, located at the corner of the state and encompassing sections of Wyoming and Montana as well. Here you can behold colourful pools and breathtaking geysers while watching bison, wolves, elk, and other wildlife in one of the most unique landscapes on the planet.
What else is there to see and do in Idaho? The largest city in the state by far is Boise, home to a population of more than 218,000. Boise has an extensive network of trails for cycling and hiking, and also features the Bogus Basin ski area. If you live in Boise, you also will want to pay regular visits to Zoo Boise and the Idaho Aquarium. Also be sure to catch some Boise Hawks and Idaho Steelheads games, and check out the Treasure Valley Rollergirls, a roller derby league.
Idaho Dental Hygiene Programs
Excited to get started on your path to becoming a dental hygienist in Idaho? Below you can view a list of accredited dental hygiene programs at colleges in Idaho.
| Institute | Address | Website | Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carrington College of Boise | 1122 North Liberty Street Boise, ID 83704 | www.carrington.edu | AS |
| College of Southern Idaho | 315 Falls Ave. Twin Falls, ID 83303 | hshs.csi.edu | AAS/AS |
| Idaho State University | 921 S. 8th, Stop 8048 Pocatello, ID 83209 | www.isu.edu | BS-DH |
| North Idaho College | 1000 W. Garden Ave. | www.nic.edu | AAS |
License Requirements
If you want to become a dental hygienist in Idaho, you need to fulfill these requirements:
- Complete your application and pay the non-refundable fee of $150.
- Get certified in CPR and provide a copy of your certification.
- Take and pass the National Board Examination, and have an original or notarized copy of your scores submitted.
- Take and pass one of the following clinical examinations: Western Regional Examining Board (WREB), Central Regional Dental Testing Service (CRDTS), or ADEX. Submit an original or notarized copy of your exam results to the Board.
- Take and pass the WREB Local Anesthesia Exam. Provide original or notarized results to the Board.
- Take and pass an accredited program in dental hygiene and have your official transcripts sent in a sealed envelope to the Board.
- If you have been licensed elsewhere, provide verification.
- Take and pass the Jurisprudence Exam.
Dental Hygienist Salary in Idaho
Now you can see the draw of Idaho—but can you afford to live and work there? Let’s take a look at the salary information on this career and consider the possibilities for growth.
$74,430 is the mean annual wage that dental hygienists make in Idaho. As you can see, this is almost exactly equivalent. Those in Nevada, Oregon, and Washington make more, but the cost of living in these states also tends to be significantly higher (at least in the cities). Also consider that dental hygienists in Wyoming and Montana tend to make significantly less on average, even though there are some very expensive places to live in those states as well.
As of 2018, the BLS recorded around 1700 dental hygienists employed in Idaho. As the field is expanding at a rate of 20%, there should be quite a few more openings in the years ahead. So you can make good money in Idaho as a dental hygienist, and you should find all the opportunity you need.
| Area Name | Employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise City, ID(0014260) | 740 | $36.26 | $75,420 |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID(0017660) | 160 | $36.52 | $75,970 |
| Idaho Falls, ID(0026820) | 170 | $33.29 | $69,250 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA(0030300) | 60 | $36.48 | $75,870 |
| Northwestern Idaho nonmetropolitan area(1600006) | 150 | $36.92 | $76,800 |
| Pocatello, ID(0038540) | 110 | $27.02 | $56,190 |
| Southeast-Central Idaho nonmetropolitan area(1600007) | 320 | $37.73 | $78,480 |
Schools in neighboring States
Many love Idaho as a place to live and have a career. However, the neighboring states also have great schools to study dental hygiene. The state of Idaho borders five other states: Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Montana, Wyoming, and Utah.