Dental Hygienist Schools in NY
If you're looking for a dental hygienist school NY has several options for those who want to obtain the required education. Dental hygiene programs in NY that offer associate's and bachelor's degree programs are featured at a number of the state's two- and four-year public colleges as well as one private university. In addition to clinical rotations and laboratory experiences, students at the best dental hygiene schools in NY can complete internships to gain hands-on skills. Some New York dental school programs may offer online courses. Prior to applying to these programs, students should be aware of the prerequisites and application requirements of a dental hygiene program. Read on to learn about some of the dental hygienist colleges in NY.
Dental Hygienist Community Colleges in NY
SUNY Broome Community College
SUNY Broome Community College in Binghamton has a student population of approximately 6,500 students, with almost 60% of its students attending full-time. The Health Sciences Division offers an Associate in Applied Science in Dental Hygiene program. The program can be completed in two years and includes classes in pathogenic biology, dental materials, pain management, periodontology, and dental radiography. Students also participate in clinical experiences, where they provide care to patients and learn about treatment plans, assessment, evaluating patient care, and instrumentation. The college has an on-campus dental hygiene clinic that has two laboratories, classrooms, seven x-ray units, and 26 dental units.
CUNY Hostos Community College
Located in the Bronx, this college serves over 7,000 students. This is the first of two dental hygienist CUNY colleges on our list. The college offers an Associate in Applied Sciences in Dental Hygiene program that students typically complete in two years, including one summer session. A three-year option is also available. Coursework includes oral anatomy and physiology, dental radiology, nutrition, dental materials, and dental health education. During the clinical portion of the program, students work with patients while being supervised by experienced dentists and dental hygienists.
Erie Community College
Buffalo-based Erie Community College is the second largest college in the Western portion of New York State. The college enrolls more than 10,000 students. The Associate in Applied Science program in dental hygiene requires students to complete 69 credit hours in two years, including one summer session. Students take courses in dental nutrition, periodontology, dental materials, pathology, oral health services, and pharmacology. The program emphasizes clinical skills, dental sciences, and biomedical sciences.
Hudson Valley Community College
Located in Troy, this college offers an Associate in Applied Science in Dental Hygiene program that can be earned after completing 70 credit hours. Coursework includes anatomy and physiology, pathology, dental materials, dental radiology, and pharmacology. Clinical experiences begin in the second term. As a member of the Student American Dental Hygienists' Association, students will have the opportunity to serve the community in a variety of events that occur throughout the year.
Monroe Community College
Rochester's Monroe Community College enrolls over 12,000 students. The college's Associate of Applied Science program in dental hygiene includes coursework covering the dental sciences, liberal arts, and clinical experiences. Subjects include dental health education, dental radiography, oral pathology, periodontics, dental specialties, and other subjects. Clinical experiences are typically performed off-campus. Students learn how to treat and educate patients, keep records, and take patient histories.
Orange County Community College
Orange County Community College, located in Middletown, has a student population of over 6,000 students. The Associate in Applied Science in Dental Hygiene program requires 70 credits. Coursework includes preventive oral health services, dental bio-materials, oral health education, pain management, nutrition, and oral pathology. In addition to completing clinical experiences in the dental hygiene clinic located on campus, students participate in clinical experiences in sites located away from campus. Students enrolled in the program are required to join the Student American Dental Hygienists' Association and present clinical cases.
Dental Hygienist 4-Year Colleges in NY
CUNY New York City College of Technology
Brooklyn's New York City College of Technology has a student population of more than 17,000 students. This is our second of two CUNY dental hygienist schools in NY state on this list. The college's Associate in Applied Science in Dental Hygiene program is the oldest and biggest dental hygiene program in the New York City area. Students learn how to become a dental hygienist through laboratory training, classroom lectures, and by working with real patients in a clinical setting. Coursework includes oral pathology, public health, periodontics, pharmacology, and dental materials. The program requires 66-67 credits to earn the degree, and students have the opportunity to gain additional experience treating patients at healthcare clinics located off-campus.
Farmingdale State College
Established in 1912, this college in Farmingdale offers Associate in Science and Bachelor of Science programs in dental hygiene. Students in the associate degree program gain hands-on experience working with patients in the college's Dental Hygiene Center. In addition to general education courses, students take courses in oral radiology, pain management, periodontology, pharmacology, and oral pathology.
The bachelor's degree program is a completion program for graduates of an associate degree program who want to earn the remaining credits needed for the degree or for those who want to meet continuing education needs. Students have the opportunity to participate in an internship geared toward their area of interest. Coursework includes gerontology, health science research, program planning, and quality assurance.
New York University
Boasting one of the most well-known dental hygienist programs NYC has to offer, New York University is located in New York and was established in 1831. Through the Office of Allied Health Programs, students can earn an Associate in Applied Science or Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene. The associate degree program requires that students take 78 credits and have the option of completing the program in two or three years. In addition to courses that help students develop clinical skills and work with patients, the curriculum also includes courses in dental materials, nutrition and health, oral anatomy, radiology, and ethics.
Students enrolled in the bachelor's program earn 128 credits and take courses in health policy, research methods, clinical techniques, nutrition, and dental education. The program also presents students with the opportunity to complete an internship to gain clinical experience, which is invaluable for those wondering how to become a dental hygienist in NYC.
How to Become a Dental Hygienist in NY
Dental hygienists in New York State must meet requirements for licensure before working in the field. These include receiving a degree from a dental hygiene program approved by the state or accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) of the American Dental Association. They then must pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and complete a clinical examination. Some students may wish to participate in dental apprenticeship programs.
Salary of a Dental Hygienist in New York
The average salary for all dental hygienists in the state of New York was $76,490 in 2019, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Below are the average salaries for dental hygienists in NYC specifically:
| Years of Experience | Average Salary* |
|---|---|
| <1 Year | $86,563 |
| 1-2 Years | $87,451 |
| 3-4 Years | $91,396 |
| 5-6 Years | $94,172 |
| 7+ Years | $95,098 |
Source: *Payscale.com
NY Dental Hygienist School Comparison
| School Name | School Type & Setting | Dental Hygienist Programs Offered | Undergraduate Tuition & Fees (2019-2020)* |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUNY Broome Community College | 2-year, public; midsize suburb | Associate in Applied Science in Dental Hygiene | $5,638 in-state $10,582 out-of-state |
| CUNY Hostos Community College | 2-year, public; large city | Associate in Applied Sciences in Dental Hygiene | $5,208 in-state $8,088 out-of-state |
| CUNY New York City College of Technology | 4-year, public; large city | Associate in Applied Science in Dental Hygiene | $7,320 in-state $15,270 out-of-state |
| Erie Community College | 2-year, public; large city | Associate in Applied Science in Dental Hygiene | $5,575 in-state $10,141 out-of-state |
| Farmingdale State College | 4-year, public; large suburb | Associate in Applied Science in Dental Hygiene, Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene | $8,538 in-state $18,448 out-of-state |
| Hudson Valley Community College | 2-year, public; small city | Associate in Applied Science in Dental Hygiene | $5,962 in-state $11,062 out-of-state |
| Monroe Community College | 2-year, public; large suburb | Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene | $5,336 in-state $9,716 out-of-state |
| New York University | 4-year, private not-for-profit; large city | Associate in Applied Science in Dental Hygiene, Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene | $53,308 |
| Orange County Community College | 2-year, public; small suburb | Associate in Applied Science in Dental Hygiene | $5,788 in-state $10,972 out-of-state |
Source: *NCES College Navigator.
