When you think of the Midwest, what state do you think of first? There’s a pretty good chance that it’s Indiana. Indiana is the 16th most populous state in America, and it’s an exciting place to live and work if you’re thinking about becoming a dental hygienist.
If you decide to live and work in Indiana, what are some of the activities that you can enjoy? Indiana has a lot of famous landmarks. Popular activities for visitors and locals include a trip to the Indianapolis Museum of Art, the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, or the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Hall of Fame Museum where the Indianapolis 500 takes place. Sports fans can also keep up with the Indiana Pacers and the Indianapolis Colts.
Indiana Dental Hygiene Programs
If you have decided that a career in dental hygiene in the state of Indiana is the right path for you, the next step will be to research different programs offered by schools in the state. To help you out, we have provided a comprehensive list of all accredited programs below. Once you choose one of these schools and enroll, you’ll have taken the first steps in your journey toward a profitable and fulfilling future as a dental hygienist in Indiana.
Institute | Address | Website | Program |
---|---|---|---|
Indiana University Northwest | 3400 Broadway St. Gary, IN 46408 | www.iun.edu | BS-DH |
Indiana University School of Dentistry | 1121 West Michigan Street Indianapolis, IN 46202 | www.iusd.iupui.edu | AS |
Indiana University South Bend | 1700 Mishawaka Ave, P.0. Box 7111 South Bend, IN 46634 | www.iusb.edu | BS-DH |
Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne | 2101 E. Coliseum Blvd Fort Wayne, IN 46805 | new.ipfw.edu | BS |
Ivy Tech Community College | 220 Dean Johnson Blvd. South Bend, IN 46601 | www.ivytech.edu | AS |
Ivy Tech Community College – Anderson Campus | 104 West 53rd Street Anderson, IN 46013 | www.ivytech.edu | AAS |
University of Southern Indiana | 8600 University Blvd. Evansville, IN 47712 | www.usi.edu | BS-DH |
License Requirements
If you have decided that the idea of working as a dental hygienist in Indiana is one which appeals to you, then you will need to meet the following requirements to earn a license:
- As with all other states, you will need to begin by graduating from an accredited program in dental hygiene. This program will need to be in the state.
- Once you have completed your education, you’ll need to take and pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination.
- The national exam is not the only one you will need to pass to earn your license in Indiana. You also need to take the following clinical exams: CRDTS, SRTA, CDCA, and WREB.
- Additionally, you’ll need CPR certification.
- Indiana requires that you have practiced two out of the last five years. An additional special requirement is that you must have completed 14 hours of continuing education during the most recent two years to retain your license.
- Indiana does not offer a temporary license, a teacher license, or retired/an active license.
- When you apply for your license, you will need to present your board scores along with your transcripts from high school and college as well as letters of recommendation from professionals in your field. Then you also have to pass a background check. If you have been convicted of any felonies or serious misdemeanors, the Indiana board may deny you licensure.
Dental Hygienist Salary in Indiana
Should you decide to become a dental hygienist in the state Indiana, you will be making a salary which is comparable to the national average for all dental hygienists. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for dental hygienists throughout the United States is $69,700 per year, or $33.51 per hour.
If you work in Indiana as a dental hygienist, you can expect to make just a little bit less than that. The BLS reports that you can make around $68,000 a year, or around $32.69 per hour.
Next you are probably wondering whether there is a lot of demand for dental hygienists in Indiana, and whether this is an occupation which will offer you a secure future with steady work in the years to come. Thankfully, you are in luck. This is a time when dental hygienists are needed everywhere. The BLS reports that this field is growing rapidly at a rate of 20%. That is a much faster rate than most occupations these days. As Indiana is a highly populous state, there are many patients in need of your services.
Area Name | Employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
---|---|---|---|
Bloomington | 80 | $28.97 | $60,260 |
Central Indiana non metropolitan area | - | $33.59 | $69,860 |
Columbus | - | $27.10 | $56,360 |
Elkhart, Goshen | 180 | $32.18 | $66,930 |
Evansville | - | $30.35 | $63,120 |
Fort Wayne | 310 | $31.78 | $66,090 |
Indianapolis, Carmel, Anderson | 1810 | $33.04 | $68,720 |
Kokomo | 110 | $31.24 | $64,990 |
Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN(0029200) | 150 | $32.20 | $66,980 |
Michigan City, La Porte | 90 | $29.85 | $62,080 |
States in the Neighborhood
Indiana is a great place to live and study, especially dental hygiene with its great schools. However, in the neighboring states you find reputable programs as well. Indiana borders Lake Michigan and the state of Michigan to the north, Ohio to the east, Kentucky to the south, and Illinois to the west, making it an integral part of the American Midwest.