How to Get Your Dental Hygienist License in South Dakota (2026)

How to Become a Registered Dental Hygienist in South Dakota

South Dakota's dental hygiene landscape is shaped by two contrasting realities: a modest but growing private practice market in Sioux Falls and Rapid City, and an extensive tribal health system serving one of the largest per-capita Native American populations of any U.S. state. The state also holds the distinction of having one of the lowest dental hygienist license application fees in the country. Licensure is administered by the South Dakota Board of Dentistry.

Step 1: Complete an Accredited Dental Hygiene Program

South Dakota requires graduation from a dental hygiene program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). The primary in-state program is at the University of South Dakota (USD) in Vermillion, which offers a bachelor's degree completion track as well as the associate-level clinical program. Many South Dakota candidates also complete programs in neighboring Iowa, Minnesota, or Nebraska before returning to practice. Out-of-state CODA graduates are fully eligible for SD licensure.

Step 2: Pass the NBDHE

The National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), administered by the JCNDE, is required as part of the South Dakota licensure application. Register through the JCNDE portal, sit for the exam during or after your graduating year, and arrange for official score forwarding to the SD Board of Dentistry. The NBDHE tests the full scope of dental hygiene knowledge including sciences, pathology, radiology, and community health.

Step 3: Pass a Clinical Examination

South Dakota accepts two clinical board examinations:

• CRDTS (Central Regional Dental Testing Service) — live-patient clinical exam with extensive testing-site availability across the Midwest and Plains states, including sites convenient to South Dakota candidates
• ADEX (American Board of Dental Examiners) — standardized live-patient exam accepted in most U.S. states; testing sites available nationwide with flexible scheduling

Both exams evaluate patient assessment, periodontal instrumentation, radiography, and clinical documentation. Score reports must be submitted directly from the testing agency to the SD Board of Dentistry.

Step 4: Apply for Your State License

After clearing both board exams, submit your application to the South Dakota Board of Dentistry. Required materials include:

• Completed SD Board application
• Official CODA-accredited program transcripts
• Official NBDHE and clinical board score reports
• Current CPR/BLS certification
• Application fee — approximately $25–$50, among the lowest in the nation
• Background check

Contact the South Dakota Board of Dentistry directly for the current application packet and fee schedule. The low fee reflects South Dakota's general approach to professional licensing overhead.

Continuing Education Requirements

Despite the low entry fee, South Dakota maintains a relatively robust continuing education requirement: 30 CE hours per two-year renewal cycle. The SD Board does not mandate specific subject categories for most of these hours, though infection control updates are strongly recommended. CE providers should be ADA CERP-recognized or AGMD-recognized. Retain all documentation for a minimum of three years.

South Dakota Dental Hygienist Salary Ranges

South Dakota's lower cost of living means absolute salary figures are below coastal norms, but purchasing power is competitive:

• Entry-level (0–2 years): $48,000–$58,000/year
• Mid-career (3–7 years): $58,000–$70,000/year
• Experienced (8+ years): $70,000–$82,000/year
• Sioux Falls metro: largest market; Sanford Health and Avera Health systems create strong demand
• Rapid City: second market; Black Hills regional draw; some specialty and oral surgery support demand
• Tribal health positions: IHS and tribal 638-contracted facilities offer federal-scale pay plus benefits; some positions include housing allowances in remote service units
• Rural shortage areas: NHSC loan repayment available for qualifying positions

Top Employers for Dental Hygienists in South Dakota

• Private dental practices — largest employment segment in Sioux Falls and Rapid City
• Sanford Health — major regional integrated health system with dental clinics across South Dakota
• Avera Health — competing regional system with dental services in multiple SD communities
• Indian Health Service (IHS) — Great Plains Area office; Pine Ridge, Rosebud, Cheyenne River, and Standing Rock service units employ dental hygienists
• Tribal health programs — Oglala Sioux Tribe and Rosebud Sioux Tribe health departments operate dental clinics under 638 self-determination contracts
• USD Sanford School of Medicine — academic and community health programs
• FQHCs — Community HealthCare Association of the Dakotas supports federally qualified health center dental programs across both Dakotas