ArkansasDental Hygienist License Requirements

Program Details

Notes

Practice of dental hygiene includes assessment, prevention, and treatment of oral diseases under supervision of a licensed dentist, including removal of supergingival and subgingival deposits. Local anesthesia and nitrous oxide are prohibited under Collaborative Care Permits even if the hygienist holds the certification. Scaling and root planing are also prohibited under collaborative care permits.

Notes

Standard practice requires dentist supervision. Collaborative Care Permit holders can treat certain populations in public settings without a dentist present, but with significant scope limitations (no local anesthesia, no nitrous oxide, no scaling and root planing). Arkansas is considered a limited direct access state through the Collaborative Care Permit program.

CE Topics

Regulatory Board

Dental hygienist licenses must be renewed on schedule. Most states require continuing education covering infection control, CPR/BLS, ethics, and clinical topics relevant to dental hygiene practice.

Additional Requirements for Transfer

• •Official license verification from every state where ever licensed (sent directly from each board)
• •Complete criminal background check
• •Pass Arkansas Jurisprudence Examination (open-book)
• •Application with photograph taken within 6 months

Dental hygienist license reciprocity varies by state. Many states offer licensure by credentials or endorsement for hygienists with active licenses in other states, though additional exams or documentation may be required.