Kansas Dental Hygienist Requirements
If you’re looking to become a dental hygienist in Kansas, you’re in the right place. Whether you’re exploring a new career path or just looking to refresh your knowledge, we’ve got everything you need to know about becoming a licensed dental hygienist in Kansas.
1. Graduate from an Accredited Dental Hygiene Program
Your first step towards becoming a dental hygienist involves completing your educational requirements. In Kansas, you must graduate from a dental hygiene program that’s accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
Many dental hygiene programs take around 2-3 years to complete and include a mix of classroom instruction and hands-on clinical experience. There are plenty of programs for you to choose from in Kansas, including:
- Wichita State University
- Johnson County Community College
- Colby Community College
- Flint Hills Technical College
- University of Missouri
- Concorde Career College
2. Pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination
Once you’ve graduated from a CODA-accredited program, next up is passing the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination. All Kansas dental hygienists must pass a written exam that evaluates their understanding of dental hygiene, clinical practices, and community health.
This exam is administered by the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations and is a crucial step in getting licensed.
3. Successfully Complete a Clinical Examination
Now that you’ve passed the written examination, you’ll have to pass a clinical exam to show off your skills in a hands-on situation. Kansas accepts several different regional clinical exams, including the CRDTS, ADEX, SRTA, and WREB.
4. Apply for Licensure with the Kansas Dental Board
Once you’ve graduated and passed both examinations, you’re on the final step! All that’s left is to apply for licensure with the Kansas Dental Board. When applying for licensure, you’ll need to submit the following:
- Proof of graduation from a CODA program
- National board and clinical exam scores
- Completed application
- Background check
- Application fee
Once submitted and approved, you’ll officially be a registered dental hygienist in Kansas!
Once you’re licensed, GoTu makes it easy to find flexible dental hygiene shifts across Kansas. Whether you’re looking to work full-time, part-time, or just pick up a few shifts here and there, you’ve got options.