Other licensed professionals include nurses, physical therapists, dentists, physicians, and dieticians. Licensure is the strongest form of regulation used today. In accordance with state law, licensed individuals are the only persons who meet the minimum qualifications necessary to practice their profession. Licensure is a means of protecting the public from unqualified individuals and unsafe practice. In fact, in addition to initial graduation and testing, many states require dental hygienists to complete continuing education courses to renew their license.
Dental hygienists practice in accordance with requirements of individual state dental practice acts.
Once these steps have been completed, you must then contact the state licensing authority in the state where you wish to practice. As licensing requirements vary from state to state, it is necessary to contact each licensing authority for its specific application requirements and procedures.