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West Virginia Dental Hygiene — Requirements & Free Practice

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Dental Hygienist License

License issued by the West Virginia Board of Dentistry to practice dental hygiene in West Virginia under W. Va. Code §30-4-10.

Licensing authority: West Virginia Board of Dentistry · Application information

Initial licensure by examination for graduates of an approved dental hygiene program

All of the following:

Age
At least 18 years of age (W. Va. Code §30-4-10(a)(1)).
Clinical Examination
Passed a board-approved examination designed to determine the applicant’s level of clinical skills, given by a regional and/or state clinical board approved by the Board, with results sent directly to the Board (W. Va. Code §30-4-10(a)(4); 5CSR9 §5-9-4.5). The official sources reviewed do not name which clinical examinations the Board approves.
Criminal History
No criminal conviction that bars licensure under W. Va. Code §30-1-24; state and national criminal history record check results submitted (5CSR9 §5-9-4.10).
Education
Graduate with a degree in dental hygiene from an approved dental hygiene program of a college, school, or dental department of a university; official transcript sent directly to the Board (W. Va. Code §30-4-10(a)(3); 5CSR9 §5-9-4.3).
Exam Integrity
Not found guilty of cheating, deception, or fraud in the examination or any part of the application (W. Va. Code §30-4-10(a)(5)).
Fee
Application fee specified by rule (W. Va. Code §30-4-10(a)(6); 5CSR9 §5-9-4.2).
Immigration Status
A non-citizen applicant provides a current copy of the applicable immigration status document (5CSR9 §5-9-4.9).
Interview
Applicant may be personally interviewed by the Board; applicants given the law exam in a mass examination at a West Virginia dental hygiene school and new graduates from the most recent graduating class are exempt, but the Board may interview any applicant for cause (5CSR9 §5-9-4.8).
License Verification
Verification of good standing of all health care licenses ever held in any jurisdiction (5CSR9 §5-9-4.7).
Substance Use
Not an alcohol or drug abuser as defined in W. Va. Code §27-1A-11; an applicant in active recovery may be considered at Board discretion (W. Va. Code §30-4-10(a)(7)).
Reinstatement of a dental hygienist license expired for one year or longer
West Virginia Dental Law Examination (practice unavailable)
Board Discretion
The Board may require proof of continuing education, re-examination, evaluation or any other requirement necessary to ensure ability and competency to practice (5CSR9 §5-9-12.7), and may require a physical and/or mental evaluation for cause (W. Va. Code §30-4-17(c)).
Fees
Application fee equal to the initial application fee plus a portion or all of the renewal fees for the lapsed period (5CSR9 §5-9-12.2, 12.3).
Interview
The Board may require a personal interview (5CSR9 §5-9-12.5).
Law Examination Discretion
The Board may require successful completion of the West Virginia Dental Law Examination (5CSR9 §5-9-12.6).
License Verification
Verification of good standing of all health care licenses ever held (5CSR9 §5-9-12.4).
Prior License
Previously held a West Virginia dental hygienist license that lapsed for one year or longer without renewal (W. Va. Code §30-4-17(b); 5CSR9 §5-9-12.1).
Universal licensing recognition for West Virginia residents or accompanying military spouses licensed in another state (W. Va. Code §30 1 27)
West Virginia Dental Law Examination (practice unavailable)
Criminal History
No disqualifying criminal history as determined by the Board; a criminal background check is required (W. Va. Code §30-1-27(b)(9)).
Current Out Of State License
Currently licensed in at least one other state in the practice of dental hygiene at the same practice level as determined by the Board, in good standing in all states where licensed (W. Va. Code §30-1-27(b)(1)-(2)).
Discipline
No license revoked or surrendered while under investigation; other discipline only if the Board finds it corrected and fully resolved (W. Va. Code §30-1-27(b)(6)-(7)).
Education
Licensed by a state with minimum education requirements that verifies the applicant met them (W. Va. Code §30-1-27(b)(4)).
Fee
Pays all applicable fees (W. Va. Code §30-1-27(b)(8)).
Law Examination
W. Va. Code §30-1-27(d) permits the Board to require a law examination of universal-licensing applicants; the Board application lists passing the WV Dental Law Exam as a criterion.
Prior Clinical Hand Skills Exam
Has completed a clinical hand-skills exam (W. Va. Code §30-1-27(b)(3) proviso for professions regulated by §30-4-1 et seq.).
Prior Written Examinations
Previously passed any examinations, written or clinical, required for the license by the other state (W. Va. Code §30-1-27(b)(5)).
Residence Or Military Spouse
Establishes residence in West Virginia, or is married to an active-duty member of the U.S. armed forces and accompanied the member to a permanent change of station to a military installation in West Virginia (W. Va. Code §30-1-27(a)).
Licensure by examination for veterans with qualifying Armed Forces dental training (W. Va. Code §30 24 4)

All of the following:

Age
At least 18 years of age (W. Va. Code §30-4-10(a)(1)).
Clinical Examination
Passed a board-approved examination designed to determine the applicant’s level of clinical skills (W. Va. Code §30-4-10(a)(4); 5CSR9 §5-9-4.5). The official sources reviewed do not name which clinical examinations the Board approves.
Criminal History
No criminal conviction that bars licensure under W. Va. Code §30-1-24; state and national criminal history record check results submitted (5CSR9 §5-9-4.10).
Education Waiver
Exempt from the requirement of graduation from an approved dental hygiene program; all other requirements of W. Va. Code §30-4 apply (W. Va. Code §30-24-4).
Exam Integrity
Not found guilty of cheating, deception, or fraud in the examination or any part of the application (W. Va. Code §30-4-10(a)(5)).
Examinations Reference
W. Va. Code §30-24-4 permits the veteran to take the same examination or examinations required of other applicants; its internal cross-reference to section fourteen of article four predates the current numbering of W. Va. Code §30-4.
Fee
Application fee specified by rule (W. Va. Code §30-4-10(a)(6); 5CSR9 §5-9-4.2).
Honorable Service
Service in the Armed Forces under honorable conditions (W. Va. Code §30-24-4).
Immigration Status
A non-citizen applicant provides a current copy of the applicable immigration status document (5CSR9 §5-9-4.9).
Interview
Applicant may be personally interviewed by the Board; applicants given the law exam in a mass examination at a West Virginia dental hygiene school and new graduates from the most recent graduating class are exempt, but the Board may interview any applicant for cause (5CSR9 §5-9-4.8).
License Verification
Verification of good standing of all health care licenses ever held in any jurisdiction (5CSR9 §5-9-4.7).
Military Training
Served on active duty in the medical corps of the U.S. Armed Forces and completed the course of instruction qualifying for rating as dental specialist, preventive dentistry technician, class A dental technician school, or other equivalent rating; submits the course certificate and discharge (W. Va. Code §30-24-4).
Substance Use
Not an alcohol or drug abuser as defined in W. Va. Code §27-1A-11; an applicant in active recovery may be considered at Board discretion (W. Va. Code §30-4-10(a)(7)).

National Board Dental Hygiene Examination

Examination outline
  • Discipline-Based Component — Scientific Basis for Dental Hygiene Practice (61 items)
    • Anatomic Sciences
    • Anatomic Sciences — Anatomy
    • Anatomic Sciences — Anatomy — Head and neck anatomy
    • Anatomic Sciences — Anatomy — Dental anatomy
    • Anatomic Sciences — Anatomy — Dental anatomy — General anatomy
    • Anatomic Sciences — Anatomy — Dental anatomy — Root anatomy
    • Anatomic Sciences — Anatomy — Histology and Embryology
    • Anatomic Sciences — Physiology
    • Anatomic Sciences — Biochemistry and Nutrition
    • Anatomic Sciences — Microbiology and Immunology
    • Anatomic Sciences — Pathology
    • Anatomic Sciences — Pathology — General
    • Anatomic Sciences — Pathology — Oral
    • Anatomic Sciences — Pharmacology
  • Discipline-Based Component — Provision of Clinical Dental Hygiene Services (115 items)
    • Assessing Patient Characteristics
    • Assessing Patient Characteristics — Medical and dental history
    • Assessing Patient Characteristics — Head and neck examination
    • Assessing Patient Characteristics — Periodontal evaluation
    • Assessing Patient Characteristics — Oral evaluation
    • Assessing Patient Characteristics — General
    • Obtaining and Interpreting Radiographs
    • Obtaining and Interpreting Radiographs — Principles of radiophysics and radiobiology
    • Obtaining and Interpreting Radiographs — Principles of radiologic health
    • Obtaining and Interpreting Radiographs — Technique
    • Obtaining and Interpreting Radiographs — Recognition of normalities and abnormalities
    • Obtaining and Interpreting Radiographs — General
    • Planning and Managing Dental Hygiene Care
    • Planning and Managing Dental Hygiene Care — Infection control (application)
    • Planning and Managing Dental Hygiene Care — Recognition of emergency situations and provision of appropriate care
    • Planning and Managing Dental Hygiene Care — Individualized patient education
    • Planning and Managing Dental Hygiene Care — Individualized patient education — Planning of individualized instruction
    • Planning and Managing Dental Hygiene Care — Individualized patient education — Provision of instruction for prevention and management of oral diseases
    • Planning and Managing Dental Hygiene Care — Individualized patient education — Provision of instruction for prevention and management of oral diseases — Dental caries
    • Planning and Managing Dental Hygiene Care — Individualized patient education — Provision of instruction for prevention and management of oral diseases — Periodontal disease
    • Planning and Managing Dental Hygiene Care — Individualized patient education — Provision of instruction for prevention and management of oral diseases — Oral conditions
    • Planning and Managing Dental Hygiene Care — Individualized patient education — Anxiety and pain control
    • Planning and Managing Dental Hygiene Care — Individualized patient education — Recognition and management of compromised patients
    • Planning and Managing Dental Hygiene Care — Individualized patient education — Dental hygiene treatment strategies
    • Planning and Managing Dental Hygiene Care — Individualized patient education — Dental hygiene treatment strategies — Diagnosis
    • Planning and Managing Dental Hygiene Care — Individualized patient education — Dental hygiene treatment strategies — Treatment plan
    • Planning and Managing Dental Hygiene Care — Individualized patient education — Dental hygiene treatment strategies — Case presentation
    • Planning and Managing Dental Hygiene Care — Individualized patient education — General
    • Performing Periodontal Procedures
    • Performing Periodontal Procedures — Etiology and pathogenesis of periodontal diseases
    • Performing Periodontal Procedures — Prescribed therapy
    • Performing Periodontal Procedures — Prescribed therapy — Periodontal debridement
    • Performing Periodontal Procedures — Prescribed therapy — Surgical support services
    • Performing Periodontal Procedures — Prescribed therapy — Chemotherapeutic agents
    • Performing Periodontal Procedures — Prescribed therapy — General
    • Performing Periodontal Procedures — Reassessment and maintenance (e.g., implant care)
    • Using Preventive Agents
    • Using Preventive Agents — Fluorides - systemic and topical
    • Using Preventive Agents — Fluorides - systemic and topical — Mechanisms of action
    • Using Preventive Agents — Fluorides - systemic and topical — Toxicology
    • Using Preventive Agents — Fluorides - systemic and topical — Methods of administration
    • Using Preventive Agents — Fluorides - systemic and topical — Methods of administration — Water fluoridation
    • Using Preventive Agents — Fluorides - systemic and topical — Methods of administration — Self-administered
    • Using Preventive Agents — Pit and fissure sealants
    • Using Preventive Agents — Other preventive agents
    • Providing Supportive Treatment Services
    • Providing Supportive Treatment Services — Properties and manipulation of materials
    • Providing Supportive Treatment Services — Polishing natural and restored teeth
    • Providing Supportive Treatment Services — Making of impressions and preparation of study casts
    • Providing Supportive Treatment Services — Other supportive services (e.g., tooth desensitization)
    • Providing Supportive Treatment Services — General
    • Professional Responsibility
    • Professional Responsibility — Ethical principles, including informed consent
    • Professional Responsibility — Regulatory compliance
    • Professional Responsibility — Patient and professional communication
    • Professional Responsibility — General
  • Discipline-Based Component — Community Health/Research Principles (24 items)
    • Promoting Health and Preventing Disease Within Groups
    • Participating in Community Programs
    • Participating in Community Programs — Assessing populations and defining objectives
    • Participating in Community Programs — Designing, implementing, and evaluating programs
    • Analyzing Scientific Literature, Understanding Statistical Concepts, and Applying Research Results
  • Case-Based Component (150 items involving 12 to 15 dental hygiene patient cases)
    • Cases present information dealing with adult and child patients and may involve geriatric, adult-periodontal, pediatric, special needs, medically compromised, and other patient types; a medically compromised patient is one whose health status may require modification of standard treatment or special consideration.
    • Patient information is presented by means of patient histories, dental charts, radiographs, and clinical photographs.
    • Assessing patient characteristics
    • Obtaining and interpreting radiographs
    • Planning and managing dental hygiene care
    • Performing periodontal procedures
    • Using preventive agents
    • Providing supportive treatment service
    • Professional responsibility
Examination sources

West Virginia Dental Law Examination

Provider
West Virginia Board of Dentistry
Practice scope

Inferred from the examination name; the authority has not published an examination outline.

  • W. Va. Code §30-4 Dental Practice Act
  • W. Va. Code §30-4A Anesthesia
  • W. Va. Code §30-4B Dental Laboratory Services
  • 5CSR1 Rule for the West Virginia Board of Dentistry
  • 5CSR4 Contested Case Hearing Procedures
  • 5CSR5 Disciplinary and Complaint Procedures
  • 5CSR6 Formation and Approval of Dental Corporations; and Dental Practice Ownership
  • 5CSR9 Application Procedures for Licensure or Certificate
  • 5CSR10 Practitioner Requirements for Accessing the Controlled Substances Monitoring Program Database
  • 5CSR11 Continuing Education Requirements
  • 5CSR12 Administration of Anesthesia by Dentists
  • 5CSR13 Expanded Duties of Dental Hygienists and Dental Assistants
  • 5CSR14 Mobile Dental Facilities and Portable Dental Units
  • 5CSR15 Rules for Dental Recovery Networks
  • 5CSR16 Teledentistry
  • W. Va. Code §30-24 Veterans qualification for examination
Examination sources