Dental Hygienist License in Arkansas

Arkansas defines dental hygiene practice as providing preventive and therapeutic treatment under the supervision of a licensed dentist. The Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners regulates dental hygienist licensing. Applicants must graduate from a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program and pass the NBDHE plus a regional clinical examination. Arkansas permits dental hygienists to perform scaling, root planing, polishing, fluoride application, sealants, and patient education under direct or general supervision depending on the procedure. CE is required for annual renewal. The state has expanded the scope of practice in recent years to improve oral health access in underserved areas, including provisions for preventive services in public health settings. Arkansas has dental hygiene programs at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and several community colleges including Pulaski Technical College. Rural communities in the Delta and Ozark regions experience persistent shortages of dental professionals, driving demand for dental hygienists throughout the state. The Arkansas Department of Health has partnered with dental hygiene programs to place graduates in community health centers serving low-income populations. Arkansas also participates in regional clinical examination reciprocity, accepting results from multiple testing agencies for licensure.