DENTAL HYGIENE License in District of Columbia

Washington DC did not return a match for dental hygienist in the COS database, so licensing details are based on general knowledge of DC dental regulations. The DC Department of Health, Board of Dentistry regulates dental hygienists within the District. Applicants are generally required to graduate from a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program and pass the NBDHE plus a clinical examination accepted by the Board. DC's compact urban environment and high concentration of federal employees, diplomatic personnel, and government contractors create steady demand for dental services and a robust private practice market. The District has a limited number of dental hygiene educational programs, meaning most applicants are educated in nearby Virginia or Maryland and commute into the city for employment. CE is required for license renewal on a biennial cycle. DC's licensing requirements tend to align with Mid-Atlantic standards, and the Board periodically updates its accepted clinical examinations to reflect changes in regional testing agencies. Despite its small geographic footprint, DC has notable dental access disparities between affluent Northwest neighborhoods and underserved communities in Southeast and Northeast wards, where community health centers employ dental hygienists to provide essential preventive care to vulnerable populations.