Dental Hygienist License in Missouri

Missouri requires dental hygienist applicants to graduate from a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program and pass the NBDHE plus a clinical examination. The Missouri Dental Board oversees dental hygienist licensing under the Division of Professional Registration. CE is required for biennial renewal, typically 16 hours per renewal cycle. Missouri permits dental hygienists to provide services in public health settings, including schools and nursing homes, under general supervision of a dentist through an oral health collaborative practice agreement. This arrangement has significantly improved access to preventive dental services in underserved communities. Missouri has dental hygiene programs at Missouri Southern State University, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Ozarks Technical Community College, and several other institutions. The state also permits hygienists to administer local anesthesia with additional training and certification. Missouri's diverse geography means dental hygienists are needed in both urban centers like Kansas City and St. Louis and in rural Ozark and Bootheel communities where dental access remains a significant public health challenge. The state has approximately 4,000 licensed dental hygienists contributing to the oral health workforce.