Dental Hygienist License in Kentucky

Kentucky requires dental hygienist applicants to graduate from a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program and pass the NBDHE plus a clinical examination. The Kentucky Board of Dentistry oversees dental hygienist licensing. CE is required for annual license renewal, typically 16 hours per year. Kentucky permits dental hygienists to administer local anesthesia and nitrous oxide analgesia with appropriate training and certification, expanding the scope of practice beyond basic preventive services and enabling more efficient patient care in dental offices. The University of Louisville, University of Kentucky, Western Kentucky University, and several community and technical colleges offer CODA-accredited dental hygiene programs in the state. Kentucky has historically faced significant oral health challenges, particularly in the Appalachian eastern region, where dental decay rates are among the highest in the nation due to economic barriers and limited provider access. This has led to expanded access initiatives allowing dental hygienists to provide preventive services in public health settings, schools, and long-term care facilities under public health supervision models to address persistent disparities in oral health outcomes.