Missouri Dental Hygienist Requirements

A career in dental hygiene in Missouri offers you a path filled with opportunities for professional growth and personal development. This page will help give you a comprehensive overview of the requirements for becoming a licensed dental hygienist in Missouri.

1. Complete educational requirements: To become a dental hygienist in Missouri, you have to complete a Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) dental program. Some programs in Missouri include St. Louis Community College and Missouri Southern State University.
2. Pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE): After graduating from a CODA-accredited program, you must take and pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam (NBDHE). The NBDHE evaluates your knowledge and proficiency in practicing dental hygiene.
3. Complete Clinical Board Examinations: In addition to passing the NBDHE, you have to pass a clinical board exam to demonstrate your practice skills. Missouri accepts a variety of testing agencies including the Central Regional Dental Testing Service (CRDTS) and the Western Regional Examining Board (WREB).
4. Apply for a dental hygienist license: Once the previous steps have been completed, you can now apply for your license through the Missouri Dental Board. You’ll need to gather and submit all documentation including proof of education and exam scores to the application on the Missouri Dental Board’s official website.
5. Keep an active license with continuing education courses: Missouri dental hygienists must renew their license every two years and complete 30 hours of continuing education courses before every renewal period.