<p>Dental Hygienists provide educational, clinical, and therapeutic services supporting total health through the promotion of optimal oral health. Responsible for providing treatment that helps to prevent oral disease, including cavities and periodontal disease. This professional is especially knowledgeable about the preventive aspects of dental disease and helps educate patients to improve oral health. They may work in settings such as private dental offices and clinics, public health agencies, hospitals, nursing homes, private industry, or serve as civilian employees of the military.</p> <p><strong>Legislation:</strong> NH RSA 317-A:7 and 317-A:21-e; Administrative Rules Chapter Den 100-500</p> <p><strong>Licensure Requirements:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Dental Hygienist</li> <ul> <li>Must at least 18 years of age</li> <li>Must be of good professional character</li> <li>High school graduate</li> <li>Complete an educational dental hygiene program of at least two years that is recognized by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)</li> </ul> </ul> <ul> <li>Certified Public Health Dental Hygienist</li> <ul> <li>Must have education and training of:</li> <ul> <li>A bachelor's degree in dental hygiene, with a minimum of six hours in community health; or</li> <li>Have obtained a master's degree in public health; or</li> <li>Be a registered Dental Hygienst who has successfully copmleted courses in caries stabilization, evidence-based dentistry, infection control in public health settings, medical management in public health dental settings, and management of medical records. (See Den 302.07 for specific requirements.)</li> </ul> <li>Must have 3,200 hours in practice as a dental hygienst, 1,600 hours of which shall be within the two years prior to certification</li> <li>Must have qualified in dental sealants pursuan to Den 302.05 if similar training was not recieved as part of the dental hygiene school curriculum</li> </ul> </ul> <p><strong>Examination:</strong>&nbs
