How to become a Dental Hygienist in New Mexico
If you are interested in training to become a dental hygienist in New Mexico you will need to graduate from an accredited dental hygiene program.
Requirements for entry into accredited programs 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 New Mexico, as well as licensing requirements and salary and employment data for the state.
Get Started Today
Listed below are some of the top dental hygiene schools and related programs near you.
Simply click on the green ‘Get Admissions Info’ button for each school to receive more information on course structure, admissions, tuition and financial assistance etc.
Please note: If you wish to view schools in another area, or if you do not see any results below, please use the search widget in the sidebar.
Top 4 Accredited Dental Hygienist Schools New Mexico
| State | School | Area | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | University of New Mexico, Gallup Campus | Albuquerque | Learn More |
| New Mexico | Pima Medical Institute, Albuquerque | Albuquerque | Learn More |
| New Mexico | San Juan College | Farmington | Learn More |
| New Mexico | New Mexico State University, Alamogordo | Las Cruces | 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 4 CODA accredited programs in New Mexico.
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.
New Mexico 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 New Mexico law that you obtain a license to work as a dental hygienist there.
The New Mexico Board of Dental Health Care governs the licensing of dental hygienists in New Mexico. You can contact the Board directly using the contact details below:
State Board: New Mexico Board of Dental Health Care
Phone: (505) 476-4622
Website: http://www.rld.state.nm.us/
Dental Hygienist Salary in New Mexico
| Salary | $89,740 |
|---|---|
| Hourly Wage | $43.14 |
| Bottom 10% of Earners | $48,510 |
| Top 10% of Earners | $108,690 |
| # Employed | 1,010 |
The average dental hygienist salary in New Mexico is $89,740 – 20% above the national average of $74,680.
This represents an hourly wage of $43.14.
There are currently 1,010 persons employed as dental hygienists in the state.
New Mexico Dental Hygienist Employment and Salaries by Metro Area
It is a great time to train to become a dental hygienist in New Mexico 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 New Mexico;
Area Number Employed Salary
Albuquerque, NM 480 $89,280.00
Farmington, NM 70 $98,470.00
Las Cruces, NM 180 $81,800.00
Santa Fe, NM 200 $78,720.00
North and West Central New Mexico nonmetropolitan area 70 $87,120.00
Eastern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area 180 Not Avalable
Los Alamos County, New Mexico nonmetropolitan area 30 $91,880.00
Related Healthcare Career Comparisons in New Mexico
The table below provides a comparison between income and employment of dental hygienists and related healthcare careers in New Mexico;
| Career | Number Employed | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Hygienists | 10760 | $72,920.00 |
| Physician Assistants | 11760 | $102,020.00 |
| Respiratory Therapists | 5830 | $69,590.00 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographers | 4780 | $68,980.00 |
| Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics | 14250 | $38,940.00 |
| Pharmacy Technicians | 17720 | $31,920.00 |
| Surgical Technologists | 5180 | $51,530.00 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | 4520 | $40,810.00 |
| Home Health Aides | 162240 | $23,370.00 |
| Nursing Assistants | 98500 | $33,390.00 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistants | 2370 | $56,130.00 |
| Physical Therapist Assistants | 4450 | $52,500.00 |
| Massage Therapists | 4610 | $62,980.00 |
| Dental Assistants | 19580 | $35,770.00 |
| Medical Assistants | 23970 | $34,280.00 |
| Medical Transcriptionists | 2870 | $36,950.00 |
| Phlebotomists | 5780 | $38,100.00 |
***Page Updated October 2018***