TDHA Contact Person:

Victoria Richards, BSDH

richfam@bellsouth.net

General Information

In order to be a member of TDHA, you have to be a member of ADHA.  This is written in the by-laws and there is no way around it.  To join ADHA go to www.adha.org, click on the left column "about adha" and it will take you to an application form to download.  The fee varies from state to state.

In order to have your ADHA membership in a state other than the one you live in, you must have a license in that state.  Again it is written in the ADHA by-laws.  Therefore, to transfer your membership to TDHA you must hve a license in Tennessee.  Tennessee does have reciprocity. 

If you are a member of ADHA and have a Tennessee licence, all you need to do is contact ADHA and have your membership transferred to Tennessee.

Step 1

If you do not have a license in Tennessee go to www2.state.tn.us/health/Boards/Dentistry/board.htm  and click on application/forms and download the application.  It is rather lengthy but if you meet the criteria you can get a Tennessee license within 4 to 6 weeks.  The total fee is $150.00.  We have to revew every 2 years at 145.00.  So you will not have to pay another fee for two years.

Step 2

Once you have your Tennessee license and ADHA membership in place you can then have the transfer made to TDHA and you are set up for in state tuition.

Step 3

When you are accepted into the BSDH online program you may register for classes.  Once registered, TDHA and ETSU will confirm your acceptance into the program and membership in TDHA.  Students will then pat the tuition and fees to TDHA and the university will invoice TDHA.  A 250.00 processing fee will be charged by TDHA.  

Total Costs

Tennessee License = $150.00
ADHA Membership = $225.00 (estimate)

Each semester TDHA will charge a processing fee of $250.00.  That includes any classes you want to take online through ETSU, not just the dental hygiene classes.  

Tuition for a five hour class at the out-of-state rate is $2250.00, while in-state tuition for the same class is approximately $800.00.  So even with the processing fee, this arrangement will save out of state students a significant amount of money.

Points to Remember

Tennessee license is renewed every 2 years

ADHA is renewed yearly

TDHA will charge a processing fee each semester you register through that organization.  The TDHA contact person is 

Victoria Richards, RDH      richfam@bellsouth.net         

This is a great arrangement for students and at the same time will help hygienists in Tennessee fight to retain educational standards and prevent preceptorship in Tennessee.  Your processing fee will help us continue to go forward in securing the future for hygienists.