Available Dental Hygiene Programs in Knoxville TN
East Tennessee State University (ETSU) offers a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene through its College of Public Health, with a competitive admissions process based on prerequisite GPA, TEAS scores, and healthcare experience. The program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) and prepares graduates for the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) and regional clinical licensing exams. For current tuition and credit-hour requirements, refer to the official ETSU dental hygiene program page East Tennessee State University Dental Hygiene Program.
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) in Memphis, TN, operates a regional extension campus that serves Knoxville-area students for advanced dental hygiene coursework and continuing education. UTHSC is a public academic health center with CODA-accredited programs and partnerships with Tennessee community colleges for prerequisite coursework. Students can complete lower-division prerequisites at nearby institutions before transferring into upper-division clinical training University of Tennessee Health Science Center.
Costs, Financial Aid, and Enrollment Data
In-state tuition for Tennessee residents at public universities typically ranges from $10,000 to $15,000 per academic year for dental hygiene programs, while out-of-state tuition can exceed $30,000 annually. Additional costs include clinical supplies, uniforms, background checks, immunizations, and licensure exam fees, which can total $2,000 to $4,000 per year. Students should verify current fee schedules directly with the admissions office ETSU Financial Aid Office.
Financial aid options include federal Pell Grants, Tennessee Lottery Scholarships such as the HOPE Scholarship and Tennessee Promise, and institutional scholarships specific to health sciences. The U.S. Department of Education reports that dental hygiene graduates typically enter the workforce with manageable student debt compared to other health professions. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 9 percent growth rate for dental hygienists nationally from 2023 to 2033, with Tennessee clinics and private practices showing consistent demand for licensed hygienists Bureau of Labor Statistics Dental Hygienist Outlook.
Licensure Requirements and Career Outcomes
Tennessee requires dental hygienists to graduate from a CODA-accredited program and pass the NBDHE, a regional or state clinical exam, and a jurisprudence examination on Tennessee dental practice law. The Tennessee Board of Dentistry issues the license and mandates continuing education for renewal, including courses on infection control and ethics. Graduates must submit official transcripts, background checks, and application fees to the board before practicing Tennessee Board of Dentistry.
Employment Settings and Salary Data
Licensed dental hygienists in Knoxville work in private dental offices, community health clinics, hospital-based dental departments, and public health programs. The median annual wage for dental hygienists in Tennessee is below the national median, but cost-of-living adjustments make Knoxville positions competitive for regional residents. Employers increasingly value candidates with bachelor's degrees, digital radiography certification, and local anesthesia permits Forbes Advisor Dental Hygienist Salary Guide.