Best 7 Dental hygienist Schools in New York

If you are looking to kick start a career in Dental hygiene and oral healthcare, this post has all the information you need on the best dental hygienist schools in New York that you can enroll in and give your career a head start!

Oral health is one of the most important and obvious aspects of our health that we must pay rapid attention to because it is very noticeable and cannot be hidden.

So, we will talk about Oral health first, before we start with the Dental hygienist schools in New York

Let’s start with the meaning of Oral health. Oral health, which is the health of your mouth is an important part of good overall health and well-being.

A visit to the dentist is one of the easiest ways to maintain oral hygiene, and the person that does the examination is called a Dental hygienist

Dental hygienists are well sought out because of their importance.

Dental hygienists are doctors who care for a patient’s oral health. Using a variety of tools and techniques, they examine patients for signs of oral diseases and provide preventive care. This is known as oral hygiene.

An oral hygienist uses a range of dental instruments to:

  • remove plaque
  • scale and polish teeth to help prevent gum disease
  • apply antibacterial agents to reduce decay
  • give local anesthetic under the supervision of a registered dentist
  • apply temporary coatings and sealants.

They also maintain sterile conditions and occasionally take X-rays. They could work in general dental practice, community dental service, and in hospitals.

Suppose you want to become a dental hygienist. In that case, you will need to go to an accredited dental hygiene school or an accredited higher institution offering the program and the fastest route is the associate’s degree which takes 3 years to complete.

You can also go for the bachelor’s degree program, which takes 4 years to complete if you want to earn higher salaries and get better opportunities in the field.

Another reason you may want to consider being a dental hygienist is due to how in-demand the skill is.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that between 2016 and 2026; the number of dental hygienist jobs will increase by 19.7% nationwide and will increase by 22.7% in New York during the same period.

For international students who are interested in other programs and schools, apart from Dental Hygienist schools, there are medical schools in New York that one can enroll in and start a medical career.

Since we are focusing on dental hygienist schools in New York in this article, we will proceed without further ado, and talk about the requirements which must be met for one to be qualified to enroll in these schools.

Requirements for Dental Hygienist Schools in New York

A diploma or degree combining practical and theoretical training is required to become an oral hygienist.

To become a dental hygienist in New York, you must have earned a high school diploma, or the equivalent, and have completed a New York State registered licensure-qualifying or American Dental Association-accredited dental hygiene program.

You will then be required to pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, a regional or state clinical board examination, and a jurisprudence exam. You will also need a current CPR certification.

To administer or monitor nitrous oxide analgesia or local infiltration anesthesia, a dental hygienist must have Restricted Anesthesia Certification.

Certification requires completing an educational program that includes 30 hours of didactic coursework and 15 hours of clinical training at a dental or dental hygienist school that is registered with the New York State Education Department, or a similar program accredited by an “acceptable accrediting body”.

All candidates for admission to the Dental Hygiene Programs at NYU College of Dentistry must submit the online Application for Admission to Undergraduate Study to the Dental Hygiene Programs.

Admission to the Dental Hygiene Programs is highly competitive and applicants are accepted based on their predicted success in the program.

In addition, an individual must meet the Health and Technical Standards for Pre-Matriculation for Dental Hygiene Programs to be eligible for admission to, progression in, and graduation from the Dental Hygiene Programs at NYU Dentistry.

Academic Requirements for Admission

The requirements for consideration are as follows

High School Applicants (with no college credits)

  • Minimum high school cumulative grade point average of 85% or higher
  • SAT or ACT scores
  • Biology and Chemistry courses completed with a grade of B or better, within 10 years before the student’s matriculation at NYU College of Dentistry

Transfer Applicants (for applicants with 12 or more college credits)

  • Minimum high school cumulative grade point average of 85% or higher
  • (If you have an associate or bachelor’s degree completed, the high school requirement can be waived upon advisor approval)
  • A college cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better
  • Biology and Chemistry courses completed with a grade of B or better, within 10 years before the student’s matriculation at NYU College of Dentistry

International Applicants

  • Minimum high school cumulative grade point average of 85% or higher
  • Minimum college cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher
  • Biology and Chemistry courses completed with a grade of B or better, within 10 years before the student’s matriculation at NYU College of Dentistry
  • ECE course-by-course evaluation for both high school and college transcripts
  • Registered Dental Hygienists applying for B.S. Degree Completion
  • Conferred Associate of Applied Science degree in dental hygiene with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.

The average cost of Dental Hygienist Schools in New York

If you become a dental hygienist by obtaining an associate degree at a community college or a technical health professions college, you’ll spend between 20 and 30 months, and between $5,190 and $57,590 pursuing your degree.

Four-year colleges also offer a dental hygienist program that students typically enter after completing two years of general education requirements; such programs begin at $24,030 if you’re a New York State resident attending a school that’s partly funded with New York State tax dollars and can cost as much as $105,340 if you’re attending a private college or university.

A Master’s of Dental Hygiene degree will prepare you for a career in research or teaching; expect to spend an additional one to two years in school and between $31,320 and $96,710 on tuition.

Best dental hygienist programs in New York

There are different dental hygienist programs offered by different schools. Here, I will be listing out the best programs and the schools that offer them below;

  • The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) Degree Program in Dental Hygiene by New York University College of Dentistry
  • The Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene Program by New York University College of Dentistry.
  • Bachelor of Science Degree in Dental Hygiene by Farmingdale  State College, Farmingdale
  • Associate in Applied Science Degree in Dental Hygiene by Farmingdale State College, Farmingdale
  • Associate in Applied Science Degree in Dental Hygiene by Hudson Valley Community college, Troy
  • Associate in Applied Science Degree in Dental Hygiene by Eugenio Maria De Hostos Community College, Bronx
  • Associate in Applied Science Degree in Dental Hygiene by Monroe Community College, Rochester
  • Associate in Applied Science Degree in Dental Hygiene by CUNY New York City College of Technology, Brooklyn

How to become a licensed Dental Hygienist in New York

General Requirements

Any use of the title “Dental Hygienist” within New York State requires licensure.

To be licensed as a dental hygienist in New York State you must:

  • be of good moral character;
  • be at least 17 years of age for dental hygiene licensure by examination; be at least 21 years of age for licensure by endorsement of another state’s license;
  • meet education and examination requirements; and
  • have satisfactorily practiced for at least two years for licensure by endorsement.

You must apply for licensure and the other forms indicated along with the appropriate fee, to the Office of the Professions at the address specified on each form.

It is your responsibility to follow up with anyone you have asked to send us material.

The specific requirements for licensure are contained in Title 8, Article 133, Section 6600 of New York’s Education Law and Part 61 of the Commissioner’s Regulations.

You should also read the general licensing information applicable to all professions.

You can click here to get more information on how to become a licensed Dental Hygienist in New York.

Dental Hygienist Schools in New York

Dental Hygienist Schools in New York

there are up to ten dental hygienists schools in New York, but in this article, I will make a list of the best seven dental hygienists schools and discuss them one after the other;

  • New York University College of Dentistry
  • Farmingdale State College, Farmingdale
  •   SUNY Broome Community College
  •   Hudson Valley Community College, Troy
  • Eugenio Maria De Hostos Community College, Bronx
  • Monroe Community College, Rochester
  • CUNY New York City College of Technology, Brooklyn

1.       New York University College of Dentistry

This is the first Dental hygienist school in New York on our list. It is the third oldest Dentistry school in the United States and offers both graduate programs and clinical training in oral healthcare.

The College of Dentistry is located on First Avenue between East 24th and 26th Streets, about 6 blocks south of the NYU School of Medicine.

Since 2001, NYU Dentistry has replaced traditional textbooks with a collection of digitalized textbooks. All required materials are available to students through a computer-enhanced curriculum.

The new technology gives each student a license for all of the textbooks in the curriculum.

In addition to traditional textbook content, students can view slide presentations and video streams of lab and clinical procedures and do full-text searches on their materials.

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2.        Farmingdale State College, Farmingdale

The Dental Hygiene Department at Farmingdale State College recognizes the important relationship between oral health and overall wellness.

A bright healthy smile depends on good oral hygiene. This is the second on the list of Dental Hygienist schools in New York.

The Dental Hygiene Care Center consists of 35 dental units and a seven-room radiology suite.

The primary purpose of this state-of-the-art facility is to educate future hygienists as well as to provide services to the public.

All treatment provided in the facility is supervised by registered dental hygienists and dentists employed by the State University of New York.

The Dental Hygiene department offers a 45-hour combined lecture and clinical certification program which meets the regulations of the New York State Board for Dentistry that allows Registered Dental Hygienists in New York State to administer local infiltration anesthesia and administer/monitor nitrous oxide-oxygen analgesia for dental hygiene procedures.

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3.       SUNY Broome Community College

SUNY Broome’s Dental Hygiene Department offers a unique program that provides a quality educational experience for dental hygiene students. It is the next on the list of dental hygienist schools in New York.

The on-campus dental hygiene program’s state-of-the-art clinic houses 26 dental units, seven x-ray operatories, two labs, and various classrooms for student use.

The entire dental and x-ray units have computers using computerized patient data management software, digital radiography, and clinical evaluation.

Internet components are used as supplements to enhance instruction and promote student learning in the clinical and classroom setting.

Students are educated on clinical competencies in both traditional and advanced procedures, emphasizing the preventive and therapeutic services essential for total patient care to the public.

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4.       Hudson Valley Community College, Troy

Hudson Valley Community college offers the degree program that prepares you to become a qualified Licensed Dental Hygienist. It is the next on our list of Dental hygienist schools in New York.

Course material is divided between theory and technique, and utilizes modern laboratory and clinical facilities.

The clinic, dental anatomy/preventive dentistry/dental materials laboratory, and radiographic facilities are equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and are used to provide individualized instruction.

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5.       Eugenio Maria De Hostos Community College, Bronx

Eugenio Maria De Hostos Community College is a public community college in the South Bronx. The Dental hygienist department is one of the departments under Allied health that offer Dental hygienist programs and is the next on the list of dental hygienist schools in New York.

The Dental Hygiene Program offers a two and three-year course of study which includes summer.

Students provide preventive dental health care at the on-site dental hygiene patient care facility for patients under the direct guidance and supervision of licensed professional dental hygienists and dentists.

The community has access to free dental hygiene care and oral health maintenance.

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6.       Monroe Community College, Rochester

Monroe Community College’s Dental Hygiene Program offers a CODA Accredited program of study in a clinical setting, providing students with a quality educational experience.

This is a two-year full-time on-campus program. It is the next on our list of Dental Hygienist schools in New York. The two-year program in Dental Hygiene prepares graduates for careers in preventive dentistry.

Working under the supervision of a dentist, the dental hygienist provides patient care through clinical service and dental health counseling.

Graduates of the program find employment in private dental offices, hospitals, clinics, and community health agencies.

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7.        CUNY New York City College of Technology, Brooklyn

CUNY New York City College of Technology, Brooklyn is the last on the list of Dental Hygienist schools in New York, and the school offers an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Dental Hygiene.

The program includes theory, laboratory and clinical practice, and general education courses. Students gain proficiency in clinical skills by treating patients in our on-campus dental hygiene clinic.

Satisfactory performance in off-campus affiliated clinics may be required of each candidate for the associate in applied science degree with a major in Dental Hygiene.

Computer experience related to dental hygiene practice is also offered. Before beginning clinical assignments, students must complete a departmental medical form, and provide proof of required immunizations, malpractice insurance, and Health Care Provider CPR certification.

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Dental Hygienist Schools in New York – FAQs

[sc_fs_multi_faq headline-0=”h3″ question-0=”How long does it take to become a dental hygienist in New York?” answer-0=”An Associate Degree takes 20 – 30 Months; a Bachelor’s Degree takes 4 years, while a Master’s Degree takes between 1 and 2 years. ” image-0=” headline-1=”h3″ question-1=”What is the salary of a dental hygienist in New York?” answer-1=”The average salary for a Dental Hygienist is $47.65 per hour in New York. In a year, a Dental hygienist will earn above $100,000. ” image-1=” headline-2=”h3″ question-2=” How many dental hygienist schools are in New York?” answer-2=”The US Department of Education recognizes eleven colleges offering dental hygiene programs in New York. Of these, nine are public state and community colleges, one is a private for-profit college and one is a four-year, private not-for-profit university.” image-2=”” count=”3″ html=”true” css_class=””]

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