If you love the deep south, one state where you might consider living and working as a dental hygienist is Mississippi. This state has two nicknames: “The Magnolia State” and “The Hospitality State.” Indeed, Mississippi is renowned for its classic southern hospitality. Here you will find a warm welcome as you practice your trade.
The largest city in Mississippi is Jackson, which is also its capital. Called “The City with Soul,” it is known for its jazz, blues, gospel and folk music. There are many museums and historical points of interest throughout the city, including the Eudora Welty House Museum, the King Edward Hotel, the Old Capitol Museum of Mississippi History, and the Mississippi Governor’s Mansion, among others.
As for other things to do outside of Jackson, those who are interested in military history can visit the Vicksburg National Military Park, which features a ship museum as well as a historical battleground. If you want to relax in nature, consider the Buccaneer State Park or the Gulf Islands National Seashore.
Mississippi Dental Hygiene Programs
Now you are ready to search for a school and apply for a program to become a dental hygienist! Below, you can view accredited dental hygiene programs at colleges in Mississippi. Once you have applied successfully, you will be on your way to the career of your dreams.
| Institute | Address | Website | Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meridian Community College | 910 Highway 19 N. Meridian, MS 39307 | www.meridiancc.edu | AAS |
| Mississippi Delta Community College | Highway 3 & Cherry Street South - P. O. Box 668 Moorhead, MS 38761 | www.msdelta.edu | AAS |
| Northeast Mississippi Community College | 101 Cunningham Blvd. Booneville, MS 38829 | www.nemcc.edu | AS |
| Pearl River Community College | 5448 US. Hwy 49 South Hattiesburg, MS 39401 | www.prcc.edu | AAS |
| University of Mississippi Medical Center | 2500 North State St. - SHRP Jackson, MS 39216 | shrp.umc.edu | BS-DH |
License Requirements
If you want to become a dental hygienist in Mississippi, you must meet these requirements:
- Complete the application in full and submit it through certified mail.
- Pay the non-refundable $150 fee for licensing via check or money order.
- Summarize all of your professional activities within the past ten years.
- Have any and all dental hygiene schools and colleges or universities you have attended mail certified transcripts to the Board.
- If you graduated earlier than the start of the year you are applying, submit a self-query to the National Practitioner Data Bank and provide the results through the original form. Do the same with the Healthcare Integrity and Protection Data Bank (HIPDB).
- Every dental hygiene board that has ever worked with you must mail certifications of your status to the Board along with any relevant information on disciplinary actions taken against you.
- Provide proof of professional liability insurance.
- Provide proof you are presently certified in CPR.
- Pass the Jurisprudence Exam. This must be done within 90 days.
- Provide relevant grade cards from SRTA, CITA or ADEX/NERB.
- Provide Testimonials of Moral Character.
- Successfully complete the National Board exam and provide your scores. They must be sent directly via certified mail.
Dental Hygienist Salary in Mississippi
While the southern charm of Mississippi may appeal to you, you probably have a few practical questions about career opportunities before you move there. Is this really the right place to become a dental hygienist?
We can answer that question easily enough simply by consulting the data provided by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). According to the BLS in 2018, dental hygienists in Mississippi are making a mean annual salary of $57,860, while those nationwide are making a mean yearly salary of $73,440.
What do dental hygienists make in surrounding states? In Arkansas, the mean salary is $65,450, while in Louisiana, it is $55,110. In Tennessee, it is $65,390, and in Alabama, it is a mere $44,760 (one of the lowest salaries in the entire country).
Why do dental hygienists make so much less in this part of the country than they do in many other states? It all comes down to cost of living, which in this region is significantly lower than it is elsewhere around the country. As a result, dental hygienists earn less money. This means that even though the Mississippi salary may appear low, it is actually still competitive when you consider how much less money you will have to spend just to get by every month.
| Area Name | Employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gulfport, Biloxi, Pascagoula | 160 | $30.55 | $63,540 |
| Hattiesburg | 70 | $27.08 | $56,320 |
| Jackson | 330 | $29.89 | $62,170 |
| Northeast Mississippi nonmetropolitan area | 360 | $26.55 | $55,220 |
| Northwest Mississippi nonmetropolitan area | 110 | $27.47 | $57,130 |
| Southeast Mississippi nonmetropolitan area | 150 | $26.13 | $54,350 |
| Southwest Mississippi nonmetropolitan area | 100 | $25.84 | $53,750 |