As a licensed member of the dental team, a dental hygienist focuses on the prevention of oral diseases and the maintenance of oral health in accordance with the state’s Dental Hygiene Practice Act. The dental hygienist works in various health care settings, including hospitals, public health, private practices, schools, dental supply companies, clinics, and research facilities. Some hygienists assist with orthodontic procedures, but their key role is to use tools and treatments to protect teeth, perform x-rays of patients’ mouth, create care plans, recognize early signs of oral disease and recommend treatments to mitigate oral decay, and educate patients on the steps to take to maintain oral health.
Dental hygiene programs prepare students to take responsibility in practice, use professional judgment, and adhere to ethical conduct. The curriculum includes theory but there is a heavy emphasis on hands-on practice in student clinics and real-world facilities. An associate degree in dental hygiene is the basic requirement for employment in most dentists’ offices. The program typically takes two to three years to complete and are most commonly offered by community colleges, proprietary dental schools, and technical schools.
Dental hygienists must apply for a license from the Office of Professions Division of Professional Licensing Services to practice in New York. Applicants must provide proof of completing a dental hygiene program that is approved by New York State or accredited by the American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation. A good moral character and proof of age (17 years) are other requirements for licensure. Licenses are issued for life unless revoked. Licensees who wish to continue practice must renew their licenses every three years.
City Tech
The dental hygiene program at City Tech leads to an AAS in Dental Hygiene. Through theory, laboratory and clinical practice in the core courses and general education courses, students will gain proficiency required for entry-level employment as a Dental Hygienist. The development of skills in the on-campus dental hygiene clinic and at off-campus affiliated clinics will smooth the transition from the classroom to the world of work. Graduates will be prepared to function as competent oral health clinicians, motivate clients toward optimal oral health, use infection control protocols to prevent disease transmission in dental health, communicate clearly in oral and written presentations, and participate in professional organizations to strengthen their commitment to lifelong learning.
Program overview:
Dental Hygiene AAS
Duration: 2 years
Credit hours: 66 to 67
Courses:
General education courses: English Composition I, Mathematical and Quantitative Reasoning, Human Anatomy and Physiology I, Human Anatomy and Physiology II, Principles of Chemistry or Higher, Introduction to Psychology, Elements of Sociology, Public Speaking or Voice and Diction
Degree requirements: Principles of Dental Hygiene Care, Oral Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Principles of Dental Hygiene Care II, Periodontics, Dental Radiology, Principles of Dental Hygiene Care III, Oral Pathology, Pharmacology, Dental Materials, Principles of Dental Hygiene Care IV, Introduction to Public Health, Microbiology, Nutrition
Prerequisites:
- Must be CUNY proficient in writing and math and above the 12th grade level in reading
- Must have a high school diploma with a minimum of 70 average or a minimum score of 2700 on the HSE exam
- Complete the 22 required general education credits with a minimum grade C and a combined GPA of 2.5
- Submit a completed departmental medical form
- Provide proof of immunization
- Must have malpractice insurance
- Must have current Health Care Provider CPR certification
Program cost:
Tuition costs $3,465 per semester for full-time resident students. Additional costs for Board Examinations, N.Y. State licensure, professional memberships, instruments and supplies, textbooks, uniforms, and hygiene pin must be covered by the student.
Website: http://www.citytech.cuny.edu/
Address: 285 Jay Street, Academic Building 701 (A-701), Brooklyn, NY 11201
Phone: 718-260-5070
Email: DentalHygiene@citytech.cuny.edu
NYU College of Dentistry
The New York University’s Dental Hygiene Program seeks partnership with students to achieve academic excellence. The emphasis will be to promote scholarly activity, disease prevention, health promotion, community service, and the use of critical thinking and evidence-based decision making. The curriculum is modified to accommodate relevant and current dental hygiene practice. Students will have the privilege to work in clinical settings wit DDS students and faculty from the dental hygiene, dentistry, and specialty areas to achieve experience while attending to a diverse patient population. Dental hygiene students will further develop skills through continuous rotations in specialty areas such as pediatric dentistry, periodontics, orthodontics, and implant dentistry. NYU offers an accelerated 17-month track, the traditional 2-year track, and the 3-year daytime track.
Program overview:
AAS in Dental Hygiene
Duration: 2 years
Credit hours: 78
Courses:
Human Microbiology I, Oral Anatomy, Principles of Dental Hygiene I, Principles of Dental Hygiene I Clinical, Anatomy and Physiology I, Radiology, Chemistry for Allied Health, CPR, Writing Workshop I, Anatomy and Physiology II, Principles of Dental Hygiene II, Principles of Dental Hygiene II Clinical, Dental Materials, Oral Embryology & Histology, Periodontics, Human Microbiology II, Writing Workshop, Principles of Dental Hygiene III, Principles of Dental Hygiene III Clinical, General and Oral Pathology, Pharmacology, Prev. Dentistry and Public Health, Oral Communications, Intro to Psychology, Nutrition and Health, Board Review, Principles of Dental Hygiene IV, Principles of Dental Hygiene IV Clinical, Ethics, Oral Health Education, Pain Management, Intro to Sociology
Prerequisites:
- Must have a minimum high school cumulative GPA of 85% or higher
- Submit SAT or ACT test scores
- Must have completed biology and chemistry courses with a grade B or better
- Candidates who have completed college credits must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 of better
- Take a Writing Placement Exam through the School of Continuing and Professional Studies
- Attend a mandatory orientation
Program cost:
Tuition costs $26, 654 per semester for full-time students enrolled in 12 to 20 credits. Other school-based fees include clinical practice tuition, dental instrument rental fee, fingerprint and background check, textbooks, and uniforms.
Website: https://dental.nyu.edu/
Address: 345 E. 24th Street, (corner of First Avenue), New York, NY, 10010
Phone: (212) 998-9800
Eugenio María de Hostos Community College
The Dental Hygiene Program offered by Eugenio Maria de Hostos Community College leads to an Associate in Applied Science degree for students who complete the program requirements. Students will be prepared for success on the National Board and Clinical State Board exams to qualify for licensure and employment. A two-year and three-year course of study are available to give students the option to select their preferred pace. Experienced faculty make it their goal to produce competent clinicians who will commit to make a positive impact on their community and the profession as a whole. Apart from the classroom theory, students will deliver preventative dental health care at the on-site dental hygiene patient care facility under the supervision of a licensed dental hygienist and dentist.
Program overview:
Dental Hygiene AAS
Duration: 2 years
Credit hours: 70
Courses:
English Composition, Anatomy and Physiology I, Anatomy and Physiology II, Introduction to Psychology, Introduction to Sociology, Fundamentals of Public Speaking, Intro to Chemistry I (Lecture and Lab), Principles of Organic Chemistry, Oral Anatomy and Physiology (Lecture and Lab), Head & Neck Anatomy, Clinical Dental Hygiene Practice I, Clinical Dental Hygiene Practice II, Dental Radiology I: Basic Concepts (Lecture and Lab), Oral Microbiology (Lecture and Lab, Oral Embryology and Histology, Clinic I, Nutrition, Dental Radiology II: Technique & Interpretation (Lecture and Lab), Dental Materials, General & Oral Pathology, Periodontology, Dental Health Education, Advanced Clinical Dental Hygiene Practice, Clinic II, Community Dental Health, Pharmacology, Dental Specialties, Ethics, Jurisprudence & Practice Management, Senior Seminar, Clinic III
Prerequisites:
- Complete the online application for admission
- Submit official high school transcript or TASC (GED) with a minimum score of 2250
- Pay the non-refundable application fee of $65
- Take and pass the CUNY Skills Assessment Tests in reading comprehension, mathematics, and writing
- Provide proof of immunization – MMR
- Complete residency verification if applicable
Program cost:
Tuition costs $2,400 per semester for full-time resident students. Additional costs for fees, textbooks, insurance, uniforms, and supplies must be covered by the student.
Website: https://www.hostos.cuny.edu/Home
Address: 500 Grand Concourse, Bronx, New York 10451
Phone: 718-518-4444
How Long Does it Take To Become a Dental Hygienist in New York City?
To become a licensed dental hygienist in New York, you must complete a dental hygiene program that is registered by New York or one that us accredited by the American Dental Association. All qualifying programs in New York lead to an associate degree, which requires a commitment of 24 months or 5 semesters to complete. If you have eligible general education credit for transfer, you may complete the core dental hygiene coursework in 3 to 4 semesters.
How Much Does Dental Hygiene School Cost in New York?
The average of cost tuition for the dental hygiene program at New York State public colleges is $2,700 per semester. The cost of the program will be $13,500 for tuition and fees if completed within the normal time. Other costs not considered in the cost include books, supplies, kit, transport to the clinicl sites, CPR certification, licensure exam fee, license application fee, background check, and health insurance. Financial aid, scholarships, student loans, and grants may help to fund the cost of your education if you are eligible.
How to Get into Dental Hygiene School in New York?
You will need to meet the general admission requirements for admission to the college. After official acceptance to the college of your choice, you will need to submit another application to the dental hygiene program and demonstrate the physical, mental, and moral fitness to be admitted to the program.
You must
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Pass an admissions assessment
- Provide proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency
- Complete a physical exam
- Have current CPR certification
- Interview with the program director
- Be able to meet the financial obligations of the program
- Pass a criminal background check and drug screen
How Much Does a Licensed Dental Hygienist Make in New York?
A dental hygienist degree is worth its weight in gold. As a licensed dental hygienist in New York, your entry-level salary could be as much as $69,400. Experienced dental hygienists earn a median annual wage of $98,330.
How Do I Get a Dental Hygienist License in NY?
You must have a license to use the title of “Dental Hygienist” in New York State. The license will be issued by the Office of Professions.
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 or 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 will need to demonstrate English proficiency if English is not your first language.
The educational requirements include:
- Completion of high school or equivalent
- Completion of a New York State registered licensure qualifying or American Dental Association accredited dental hygiene program
Applicants for dental hygienist licensure must also complete coursework or training in the identification and reporting of child abuse in accordance with the Education Law.
Approved training programs must cover coursework in infection control and barrier precautions to prevent the transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the hepatitis b virus (HBV) in the course of professional practice.
The experience requirement is specifically for dental hygienists licensed in another jurisdiction who may apply for licensure by endorsement.
To apply for licensure:
- Submit a completed application and other forms required for licensure
- Pay the licensure and first registration fee of $128 – personal check or money order should be made out to the New York State Education Department
You must pass both the written and clinical examinations to obtain a license. You may apply to take the examinations during your last year of study. Submit your application and any other forms to the appropriate examination agencies.
Limited Permits
If you graduated from a dental hygiene program but have not completed the license exam, you may apply for a limited permit to practice dental hygiene only under the direct personal supervision of a New York State licensed dentist.
Applying for a limited permit:
- Submit the Application for Limited Permit (Form 5) – at the same time or anytime after submitting an application for licensure
- Pay the non-refundable limited permit fee of $50
- Submit evidence of satisfactory education using the Certification of Professional Education (Form 2)
The Department will verify your education before issuing a limited permit.
The limited permit is valid for a period of one year and may be renewed once, at the discretion of the Department, for one additional year.
If your supervising dentist changes during the one-year period, you must reapply for a new limited permit by submitting a new Form 5.