How to become a Dental Hygienist in South Carolina
If you are interested in training to become a dental hygienist in South Carolina (SC) you will need to graduate from an accredited dental hygiene program.
Requirements for entry into accredited programs include a high school diploma or equivalent and, depending on the school, you may need to pass entrance exams and complete an entry interview. Medical and legal clearances may also be required.
Below we provide details of the top accredited dental hygienist programs in South Carolina, as well as licensing requirements and salary and employment data for the state.
Accredited Dental Hygienist Schools South Carolina
| School | Area | More Information |
|---|---|---|
| Trident Technical College | Charleston | Request Info |
| Midlands Technical College | Columbia | Request Info |
| Florence-Darlington Technical College | Florence | Request Info |
| Greenville Technical College | Greenville | Request Info |
| Horry-Georgetown Technical College | Myrtle Beach | Request Info |
| York Technical College, Rock Hill | Rock Hill | Request Info |
Schools offering dental hygiene programs which have been accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) are recognized to maintain a high standard of education by the American Dental Association (ADA).
There are currently 6 CODA accredited programs in South Carolina.
Once you have graduated from an accredited program you will be required to sit some additional state and/or national certification exams before you are eligible to apply for your dental hygienist license.
South Carolina Dental Hygienist License Requirements
Once you have successfully graduated from an accredited program and have passed all additional certification exams it is a requirement of South Carolina law that you obtain a license to work as a dental hygienist there.
The South Carolina State Board of Dentistry governs the licensing of dental hygienists in South Carolina. You can contact the Board directly using the contact details below:
State Board: South Carolina State Board of Dentistry
Phone: (803) 896-4599
Website: http://www.llr.state.sc.us/POL/Dentistry
Dental Hygienist Salary in South Carolina
| Salary | $64,040 |
| Hourly Wage | $30.79 |
| Bottom 10% of Earners | $45,050 |
| Top 10% of Earners | $83,250 |
| # Employed | 2,670 |
The average dental hygienist salary in South Carolina is $64,040 – 14% below the national average of $74,680.
This represents an hourly wage of $30.79.
There are currently 2,670 persons employed as dental hygienists in the state.
South Carolina Dental Hygienist Employment and Salaries by Metro Area
It is a great time to train to become a dental hygienist in South Carolina given the strong salary levels and jobs growth for the career.
Dental hygiene salaries are among some of the highest in the healthcare industry and it is projected that an additional 30,000 positions will be created in the sector between 2016 and 2024 representing an almost 15% increase in employment.
The table below provides a breakdown of salaries and employment of dental hygienists across the main towns, cities and non metro areas in South Carolina;
Area Number Employed Salary
Charleston-North Charleston, SC 500 $70,290
Columbia, SC 510 $55,950
Florence, SC Not Avalable $49,210
Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin, SC 450 $57,920
Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort, SC 90 $58,030
Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC 160 $56,480
Spartanburg, SC 230 $59,970
Sumter, SC 40 $50,460
Low Country South Carolina nonmetropolitan area 40 $54,840
Upper Savannah South Carolina nonmetropolitan area 120 $64,230
Pee Dee South Carolina nonmetropolitan area 30 $49,700
Lower Savannah South Carolina nonmetropolitan area 70 $49,410
Related Healthcare Career Comparisons in South Carolina
The table below provides a comparison between the income and employment of dental hygienists and related healthcare careers in South Carolina;
| Career | Number Employed | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Hygienists | 2,680 | $59,230 |
| Dental Assistants | 3,570 | $35,120 |
| Medical Assistants | 8,960 | $29,320 |
| Surgical Technologists | 1,760 | $38,210 |
| Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics | 5,130 | $31,800 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | 1,490 | $29,940 |
| Nursing Assistants | 18,400 | $24,100 |
| Phlebotomists | 1,530 | $26,910 |