The NBDHE Test 2025 – The Standard Test For Dental Hygiene Licensing

Dental hygiene training programs can both be demanding. Both vocations have educational requirements that must equip applicants to work in highly specialized healthcare positions; these requirements include classes that some students may find challenging.

Maintaining a healthy, disease-free mouth is known as oral hygiene. It entails frequent dental checkups, including cleanings, exams, X-rays, tooth brushing, and flossing.

Yes, a career in dental hygiene is excellent. Dental technologists and technicians typically make more money than the national average.

It takes 2-year for a hygiene bachelor’s degree program that offers a broad education in the social, behavioral, and biological sciences and trains students for leadership positions in oral healthcare in the future.

If you are an in-state resident attending school, the average cost of tuition for an associate’s degree in dental hygiene is $22,692.

To be licensed, candidates must finish a recognized postsecondary dental hygiene associate’s or bachelor’s degree program.

Maintaining good oral and dental health will help keep your teeth as you age and can also help you avoid bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease. It has been demonstrated that developing healthy eating and dental hygiene practices are crucial for reaching and sustaining long-term physical and mental well-being.

Join a community outreach program. Find non-profit dental clinics in your area and inquire with your neighborhood dentists, hygienists, and orthodontists about supporting their community outreach initiatives. You can plan your neighborhood events.

Dental hygienists major in dental hygiene and hold an associate’s degree.

Without a doubt, dental hygiene. While only a few seats are available at hygiene schools, many more slots are available at nursing schools.

Dental Hygienist Appreciation Week is held during the second week of April.

85% of dental hygienists major in dental assisting. Additionally, biology, health sciences, and services are popular majors for dental hygienists.

Most schools need you to pass the Dental Admission Test and required courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and English before you can apply. If you don’t already have a bachelor’s, you can complete a program to get one in 15 to 18 months.

A dental assistant assists dentists directly during regular treatments and may be permitted to take x-rays or do minor procedures with close supervision. While under little or no maintenance, a dental hygienist works directly with patients for oral exams and teeth cleanings.

Community colleges, universities, and technical schools offer several campus-based and online programs. An online dental hygiene bachelor’s degree can be finished in two to four years, just like traditional degrees.

Please get familiar with the general licensing policies before applying for a license. The following criteria must be satisfied by applicants seeking licensure: Graduating from a dental hygiene program that the Commission has granted accreditation on Dental Accreditation (CODA); passing the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination; and giving one of the following clinical performance exams (offered by the Commission on Dental Competency Assessments, the Council of Interstate Testing Agencies, the Southern Regional Testing Agency, the Central Regional Dental Testing Service, or the Western Regional Examining Board).

A dental hygienist who holds a dental hygiene bachelor’s degree can practice in a clinical setting. They can, however, also serve in managerial capacities. They have the skills necessary to oversee medical services for a dental practice or personnel. They can quit their clinical jobs and look for teaching jobs instead.

Dental hygienists offer preventive care, such as oral hygiene, and check patients for indications of oral conditions like gingivitis. They also give patients oral health education.

Every October, dental hygienists worldwide celebrate National Dental Hygiene Month to honor their work and spread the word about the value of maintaining good oral health.

• Augusta University
• Creighton University
• East Tennessee State University | ETSU
• Eastern Washington University | EWU
• Hodges University
• Indiana University Northwest | IU Northwest
• Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences | MCPHS
• New York University | NYU
• Northern Arizona University | NAU
• Ohio State University | OSU
• Old Dominion University | ODU
• Oregon Institute of Technology | Oregon Tech
• Pacific University
• Pennsylvania College of Technology | Penn Tech
• Rhode Island College | RIC
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale | SIU
• Tennessee State University | TSU
• Texas A&M University
• Texas Woman’s University | TWU
• University of Hawaii at Manoa | UH Manoa
• University of Louisiana at Monroe | ULM
• University of Louisville
• University of Michigan
• University of Minnesota, Twin Cities | Minnesota
• University of Mississippi | Ole Miss
• University of Missouri-Kansas City | UMKC
• University of New Haven | UNH
• University of New Mexico | UNM
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | UNC
• University of Pittsburgh | Pitt
• University of South Dakota | USD
• University of Southern California | USC
• University of Southern Indiana | USI
• University of the Pacific
• University of Washington
• University of Wyoming
• Virginia Commonwealth University | VCU
• West Virginia University | WVU
• Wichita State University | WSU
• Youngstown State University

The first dental hygienists were employed in Bridgeport, Connecticut, in 1906.

Most people are aware that failing to brush their teeth every day can result in tooth decay, cavities, and foul breath. Recent research has discovered, however, that poor oral hygiene can also have unanticipated health effects, such as elevated risks for heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease.

Applicants must submit proof of several things, including their passing score on the national board test, out-of-state certification paperwork, fingerprinting data, and evidence that they have finished the ADA radiation safety training. 

• Brush your teeth for two minutes each time, at least twice a day. Fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled brush should be used.
• Daily floss.
• Use mouthwash to remove any remaining food fragments after flossing and brushing.
• Consume a balanced diet and avoid sugary foods and beverages.
• If the bristles on your toothbrush are spread or worn, replace them sooner than every three to four months.
• Arrange routine dental examinations and cleanings.
• Abstain from smoking.

Yes. One of the accrediting organizations listed below has granted institutional accreditation to each of our colleges and vocational schools: Bureau of Health Education Schools Accreditation (ABHES)

There will be an increase in demand for dental hygienists of 11% between 2020 and 2030, with an average of 15,600 positions becoming available.

A state college called Farmingdale State College (FSC) offers an online Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene program (Degree Completion). Transfer students who already hold an Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene must complete 62 credits of courses to graduate. If they enroll full-time, this may take two years.

It frequently results in skin irritation and sporadically acne. Additionally, acne can develop when harmful bacteria from infected teeth come in contact with your skin. More often than not, pimples on the lips, chin, and lower cheeks are caused by cavities, gingivitis, or bad oral hygiene.

A person’s susceptibility to oral viruses that cause specific types of cancer, such as mouth and throat malignancies, may increase if their teeth and gums are in bad shape.

Researchers concluded that poor dental hygiene should be regarded as a personal risk factor for hypertension.

Yes. However, to pursue a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine, hygienists must first earn a Bachelor of Science in dental hygiene before applying to a four-year doctorate program (DMD).

Unfortunately, you will have to apply for an out-of-state dental license if you are a dental practitioner moving to a different state. If this applies to you, you should begin the process of obtaining out-of-state dental license months in advance of your transfer.

Fortunately, gum disease is treatable, preventive, and even reversible if caught early enough.

Strong evidence suggests that oral problems may be a source of headaches. Tension headaches, which are brought on by muscular tension between the mouth and jaw, are most frequently associated with dental issues.

Poor dental health has been linked to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, preterm birth, and osteoporosis, according to research.

The bacteria that cause gum disease may spread throughout the body, causing inflammation in the heart’s blood vessels and infection in the heart valves, according to research.

Poor oral hygiene isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when coping with a sore throat, but it can be one of the causes.

Increased levels of dangerous oral bacteria are brought on by gum disease. When harmful germs accumulate, they might be swallowed and go to the stomach. According to the research team, once there, the bacteria may cause the stomach to become inflamed.

When dental problems are the cause of swollen lymph nodes, a gum or tooth infection is standard. Conditions can be caused by poorly done dental work, bad hygiene in general, and tooth destruction. Diseases that might result in enlarged lymph nodes are linked to abscessed teeth and untreated cavities.

Dental hygienists are not required to attend dental school, but dentists are.

A two-year program leading to a master’s degree in dental hygiene is available, preparing students for administrative and teaching positions in the industry.

The associate degree in dental hygiene program can be completed online and earned in two years or less. In order to acquire an associate degree, students must undergo practical training in their chosen field.

Arizona State University (ASU) does not have a recognized dental hygiene program. It does accept dental hygiene graduates from other colleges that meet the requirements for transfer articulation into its bachelor’s degrees.

As long as they also pass the prerequisite courses for admission to a dental hygiene school, students can choose any major (either as a transfer student or as a post- Baccalaureate).

Their academic programs include pre-doctoral programs leading to a doctor of dental medicine degree (DMD) and post-doctoral programs in pediatric dentistry, general practice residency, and advanced education in general dentistry.

There are various financial aid options for dental hygiene students, including scholarships, grants, loans, and payment plans. Learn how to apply for financial aid from private institutions, state or federal government programs providing financial assistance for education, and colleges.

The Commission on Dental Accreditation of FSU has granted the dental hygiene program accreditation status of “approval without reporting obligations.”

Although Grand Canyon University does not offer a dental hygiene program, it does offer a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with an Emphasis on Pre-Medicine, which prepares students to take the Dental Admission Test (DAT).

Ivy Tech provides a Dental Hygiene degree with a stringent admissions process, which implies that not all students who apply will be accepted.

The Associate of Applied Science Degree in Dental Hygiene has a joint degree program with Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. Only two spots are available each year at RVCC for the dental hygiene program.

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, offers a combined degree program for the Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene in the dental hygiene program at RVCC, which only has two openings per year.

At the University of Alabama in Birmingham, dental hygiene teaching sessions are part of the ADHP.

The University of Central Florida (UFC) College of Dental Medicine is a future academic college of the university situated in Orlando, Florida, in the United States.

The UCLA School of Dentistry provides undergraduate and recent college graduates with various interesting educational opportunities.

University of Illinois Chicago offers top-notch academic programs to train the “next generation” of oral health practitioners.

Chemistry is currently a requirement for university-level dentistry education because it provides the foundation of so much dental science.

It may seem like math is optional for dentistry, but like with other things, arithmetic is crucial to patients’ health and provides dentists with the greatest equipment.

The dental hygiene program has a very tough admissions process, and there are consistently more candidates than openings.

Bacteria are often checked by the body’s natural defenses and proper oral hygiene practices like daily brushing and flossing. But without good dental hygiene, bacteria may build up to the point where they cause oral infections, including tooth decay and gum disease.

Florida doesn’t have reciprocity agreements with other states and doesn’t grant licenses based on credentials or endorsements.

Dentists may identify and address problems before they become significant or pricey. Digital scanning and screening tools enable dentists to remember even the smallest cavities, signs of gum disease, or oral cancer and to develop a customized treatment plan.

The development of efficient painkillers, the invention of more durable filling materials, and improved tooth repair and replacement methods have all been made possible by advances in chemistry.

Dental hygienists must know how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide. Creating paperwork, such as patient bills or insurance claims, is a common task for hygienists. Based on the classic combination, they must also be able to determine the quantity of material required for a particular job.

The NBDHE is graded using a scale score, and the minimum passing score is 75. The scale score range for the NBDHE is 49 to 99.

Becoming a dental hygienist for someone starting right out of high school could take as little as 2.5 years or as much as five years or more. Everything relies on the dental hygienist’s educational path and the type of dental hygienist work they wish to conduct.

You can see the results three to four weeks after taking the test.

The biggest and scariest exam for dental hygiene students is the NBDHE. It has 350 questions and lasts the entire day (8 hrs).

A total of nine 10-week terms make up the 90-week Concorde dental hygiene curriculum.

Every three years, dental hygienists must complete 36 credits.

112 universities in the USA offer programs and degrees in dental hygiene.

There are 350 multiple-choice questions in the NBDHE. These are divided into two categories: case-based questions and discipline-based questions. The following areas are contained in 200 discipline-based items: 60 entries in Scientific Basis for Dental Hygiene Practice.

A normal score of requires that you get between 203 and 214 of the questions right.

After 90 days, candidates who failed the NBDHE can request to retake it. Candidates who have taken the exam three times and still have yet to pass must wait a full year before reapplying.

Dental hygiene instructors in the United States earn an estimated $81,341 in total compensation annually, with an average wage of $69,256.

Dental hygienists average $38 per hour, with hourly rates ranging from $33 to $44.

In the US, a dental hygiene professor receives an average salary of $102,141. The highest average salary for dental hygiene professors is $102,141 in Los Angeles, California, which is 0% more than the national average.

The cost varies: The typical range for routine professional cleaning is $75–200, with an average price of $125.

The Concorde Dental Hygiene Program will cost you $67,430 in total.

Various states have different dental malpractice insurance premiums. A dental graduate should budget between $350 and $1,500 annually for a dental malpractice insurance policy. The kind of policy coverage you’ve chosen will determine this.

Here are the current license renewal costs:

• Biennial $300 fee for dental hygiene active renewal
• Biennial $50 fee for dental hygiene inactive renewals
• $50.00 biannual dental hygiene retired/disabled renewal fee
• Annual fee of $200.00 for a limited dental or limited dental hygiene license.

The lifespan of an immunity steel scaler or curette is typically six to twelve months as opposed to the 15 to 18 months expected for an instrument manufactured with new metal technologies.

• Get your bachelor’s degree. While a dental hygienist can work after earning an associate’s degree, you’ll need higher education if you want to teach.
• Obtain a license.
• Acquire clinical knowledge.
• Think about getting a master’s.
• Apply for teaching positions.

For the application to be eligible for certification as a Public Health Dental Hygiene Practitioner, the Board will need a certification statement from a licensed dentist attesting that the applicant has 3,600 hours of practice as a certified dental hygienist under the dentist’s supervision.

• Make a post on neighborhood Facebook groups describing the test and your need for a patient.
• Prepare your prescreening interview questions.
• Request recommendations from other students, former pupils, or you’re senior who graduated the year before you.
• Speak with nearby offices.

Make sure to floss every day after brushing and flossing, and use mouthwash to eliminate food particles in your mouth. Eat healthily and avoid sugary foods and beverages. If the bristles are worn or spread, you should replace your toothbrush every three to four months or sooner.

Most schools need you to pass the Dental Admission Test and required courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and English before you can apply. If you don’t already have a bachelor’s, you can complete a program to get one in 15 to 18 months.

• Be a Dental Hygiene program graduate that has received board approval and accreditation.
• Complete the WREB dental hygiene clinical assessment with success.
• Completing approved training in the use of nitrous oxide, soft tissue cautery, and local anesthesia
• Pass the written portion of the national test.

The Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations, an independent organization of the American Dental Association, oversees the National Board of Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE). The NBDHE supports state boards in assessing dental hygienist candidates’ eligibility for licensing.

It is curved, and the weights of the questions vary—some are worth more than others.