How to become a Dental Hygienist in CT
If you are interested in training to become a dental hygienist in Connecticut (CT) you will need to graduate from an accredited dental hygiene program.
Requirements for entry into accredited dental hygiene programs in CT include a high school diploma or equivalent and, depending on the school, you may need to pass entrance exams and complete an entry interview. Medical and legal clearances may also be required.
Below we provide details of the top accredited dental hygienist programs in Connecticut, as well as licensing requirements and salary and employment data for the state.
Accredited Dental Hygienist Schools in Connecticut
| School | Area | More Information |
|---|---|---|
| University of Bridgeport | Bridgeport | Learn More |
| Goodwin College | Goodwin College | Learn More |
| Tunxis Community College | Farmington | Learn More |
| Lincoln College, Lincoln | Southington | Learn More |
| University of New Haven | West Haven | Learn More |
Schools offering dental hygiene programs which have been accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) are recognized to maintain a high standard of education by the American Dental Association (ADA).
There are currently 5 CODA accredited programs in Connecticut.
Once you have graduated from an accredited program you will be required to sit some additional state and/or national certification exams before you are eligible to apply for your dental hygienist license.
Connecticut Dental Hygienist License Requirements
Once you have successfully graduated from an accredited program and have passed all additional certification exams it is a requirement of Connecticut law that you obtain a license to work as a dental hygienist there.
The Connecticut State Dental Commission governs the licensing of dental hygienists in Connecticut. You can contact the Board directly using the contact details below:
State Board: Connecticut State Dental Commission
Phone: (860) 509-7590
Website: http://www.ct.gov/dph
Dental Hygienist Salary in Connecticut
| Salary | $82,260 |
| Hourly Wage | $39.55 |
| Bottom 10% of Earners | $54,050 |
| Top 10% of Earners | $102,810 |
| # Employed | 3,770 |
The average dental hygienist salary in Connecticut is $82,260 – 10% above the national average of $74,680.
This represents an hourly wage of $39.55.
There are currently 3,770 persons employed as dental hygienists in the state.
Connecticut Dental Hygienist Employment and Salaries by Metro Area
It is a great time to train to become a dental hygienist in Connecticut given the strong salary levels and jobs growth for the career.
Dental hygiene salaries are among some of the highest in the healthcare industry and it is projected that an additional 30,000 positions will be created in the sector between 2016 and 2024 representing an almost 15% increase in employment.
The table below provides a breakdown of salaries and employment of dental hygienists across the main towns, cities and non metro areas in Connecticut;
Area Number Employed Salary
Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT 1000 $80,440.00
Danbury, CT 230 $74,560.00
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT 1360 $85,130.00
New Haven, CT 680 $75,490.00
Norwich-New London-Westerly, CT-RI 270 $76,800.00
Waterbury, CT 80 $88,890.00
Connecticut nonmetropolitan area 90 $82,040.00
Related Healthcare Career Comparisons in Connecticut
The table below provides a comparison between income and employment of dental hygienists and related healthcare careers in Connecticut;
| Career | Number Employed | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Hygienists | 670 | $73,450.00 |
| Physician Assistants | 410 | $109,760.00 |
| Respiratory Therapists | 380 | $60,790.00 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographers | 150 | $71,910.00 |
| Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics | 1460 | $37,370.00 |
| Pharmacy Technicians | 1280 | $30,330.00 |
| Surgical Technologists | 330 | $44,730.00 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | 320 | $30,890.00 |
| Home Health Aides | 1850 | $28,910.00 |
| Nursing Assistants | 5140 | $28,360.00 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistants | 80 | $61,580.00 |
| Physical Therapist Assistants | 210 | $58,490.00 |
| Massage Therapists | 130 | $48,930.00 |
| Dental Assistants | 810 | $38,150.00 |
| Medical Assistants | 1840 | $30,950.00 |
| Medical Transcriptionists | 160 | $32,510.00 |
| Phlebotomists | 590 | $36,240.00 |
***Page Updated October 2018***