How to become a Dental Hygienist in NH
If you are interested in training to become a dental hygienist in New Hampshire (NH) 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 Hampshire, as well as licensing requirements and salary and employment data for the state.
Accredited Dental Hygienist Schools New Hampshire
| School | Area | More Information |
|---|---|---|
| NHTI, Concord's Community College | Concord | 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 is currently 1 CODA-accredited dental hygienist school in NH.
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 Hampshire 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 Hampshire law that you obtain a license to work as a dental hygienist there.
The New Hampshire Board of Dental Examiners governs the licensing of dental hygienists in New Hampshire. You can contact the Board directly using the contact details below:
State Board: New Hampshire Board of Dental Examiners
Phone: (603) 271-4561
Website: http://nh.gov/dental
Dental Hygienist Salary in New Hampshire
| Salary | $76,180 |
| Hourly Wage | $36.63 |
| Bottom 10% of Earners | $59,250 |
| Top 10% of Earners | $97,850 |
| # Employed | 1,240 |
The average dental hygienist salary in New Hampshire is $76,180 – 2% above the national average of $74,680.
This represents an hourly wage of $36.63.
There are currently 1,240 persons employed as dental hygienists in the state.
New Hampshire Dental Hygienist Employment and Salaries by Metro Area
It is a great time to train to become a dental hygienist in New Hampshire 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 Hampshire;
Area Number Employed Salary
Dover-Durham, NH-ME 100 $75,550.00
Manchester, NH 190 $78,700.00
Nashua, NH-MA NECTA Division 300 $80,760.00
Portsmouth, NH-ME 130 $67,970.00
Northern New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area 50 $52,240.00
Central New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area 230 $79,890.00
West Central New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area 90 $80,140.00
Southwest New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area 70 $84,420.00
Related Healthcare Career Comparisons in New Hampshire
The table below provides a comparison between income and employment of dental hygienists and related healthcare careers in New Hampshire;
| Career | Number Employed | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Hygienists | 6420 | $82,720.00 |
| Respiratory Therapists | 3050 | $71,160.00 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographers | 1830 | $73,760.00 |
| Pharmacy Technicians | 9230 | $31,770.00 |
| Surgical Technologists | 2030 | $49,530.00 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | 2870 | $34,400.00 |
| Dental Assistants | 9640 | $40,000.00 |
| Medical Assistants | 16100 | $34,340.00 |
| Phlebotomists | 4660 | $36,000.00 |
***Page Updated October 2018***