Oral health is essential to overall wellbeing. Yet for many New Yorkers, access to regular professional dental care remains out of reach. With untreated dental issues linked to chronic disease, lost school and work days and reduced quality of life, expanding access to preventative services is a major public health goal.
As the licensed preventive care experts who provide cleanings, screenings, sealants, and health education, dental hygienists play a vital role in improving community oral health outcomes. New York City offers dynamic opportunities to launch dental hygiene careers making an impact across diverse populations.
This comprehensive guide covers all you need to know about succeeding in dental hygiene in NYC – from acclaimed education programs, to licensure, career prospects, and getting involved in local oral health initiatives.
Overview: NYC‘s Need for Skilled Dental Hygienists
New York City faces considerable oral health challenges. A 2019 Community Health Survey found:
- 18% of New Yorkers lacked dental insurance
- 27% avoided needed dental care due to high costs
- 33% of elderly NYC residents lost all natural teeth
- Black, Hispanic and low-income adults suffered higher rates of oral health issues
With a large uninsured population and persistent barriers to professional dental care, many rely on emergency department visits. Yet less than 1% of ERs provide dental services.
Dental hygienists expand access to preventative cleanings, education and interventions – averting pain, infections, and tooth loss down the road. As trusted oral health partners, they save patients trips to the ER through early detection and treatment referrals.
Still, current dental hygienist rates fall short of community need. With NYC public health goals targeting major oral health improvements by 2030, meeting demand for skilled hygienists is critical.
High quality local dental hygiene programs play a key role supplying graduates to fill this workforce gap.
Top Accredited NYC Dental Hygiene Programs
There are several excellent accredited dental hygiene programs throughout New York City‘s five boroughs. Ranging from rigorous Ivy League Bachelor‘s degrees to affordable community college options, these provide robust science preparation and extensive hands-on clinical experience.
Competitive acceptance and strong graduate outcomes reflect the caliber of NYC programs. Below are details on leading schools.
NYU College of Dentistry (NYU Dent) Dental Hygiene Program
As an Ivy League school, the NYU Dent hygiene program sets the gold standard for dental education. Alongside a science-heavy curriculum taught by leading researchers and clinicians, students rotate through specialty clinics across the NYU Langone Health system.
With a competitive 10% acceptance rate, graduates pursue advanced specialties or leadership tracks in dental organizations. NYU‘s global network also opens doors to roles improving oral health access worldwide.
“Between the excellent faculty, breadth of patient exposures, and NYU resources, this program prepared me to confidently enter any aspect of dental hygiene practice. It’s intense but you’ll be ready for anything.” notes Rhea Thompson, 2021 BS DH graduate.
Quick Facts
- Bachelor of Science Degree
- Full-time 2 year program
- 10% acceptance rate
- Cutting edge dental facility & technology
- $60,408 estimated tuition
Hostos Community College DH Program
Founded in 1968 to serve South Bronx residents with limited healthcare access, Hostos has an esteemed dental hygiene program focused on developing bilingual/bicultural clinical skills.
With 670 hours of clinical work across the state-of-the-art Hostos dental clinic alongside science and dental courses, graduates enter the field practice-ready. Many alumni work in community health centers and oral health outreach programs.
Quick Facts
- Associate in Applied Science Degree
- Full-time 2 year program
- Competitively priced
- Strong track record of licensure & job placement
- Emphasis on cultural competency
Bronx Community College DH Program
The Bronx Community College dental hygiene program empowers students with essential knowledge and skills to deliver high quality preventative oral care in underserved communities. Alongside rigorous coursework, students gain valuable real-world experience through rotations at the college‘s on-campus dental clinic.
With small class sizes, affordable tuition rates, and stellar board exam pass rates – this publicly funded program is a hidden gem. Medical Spanish coursework allows bilingual students to better connect with patients.
Quick Facts
- Associate’s degree
- Full-time 2 year program
- Clinical work at college dental clinic
- Medical Spanish classes
- $10,800 estimated tuition
Touro College of Dental Medicine DH Programs
As New York state‘s newest dental school, Touro College of Dental Medicine offers a 15-month Bachelor of Science completion program for licensed dental hygienists seeking to specialize and pursue leadership roles in education, research or public health.
Practicing dental hygienists can also enroll in Touro’s Master of Science program with advanced dental hygiene practitioner specialization. Designed for working professionals, the flexible online/in-person format expands access to graduate education.
Quick Facts
- 15-month BS Degree for licensed hygienists
- Master’s degree for dental hygiene practitioners
- Hybrid online/in-person courses
- Specialist tracks in education, research, etc.
- $28,500 estimated BS degree tuition
Additional Top-Ranked NYC Programs
Other excellent dental hygiene programs in the city worth highlighting include:
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New York City College of Technology: The City Tech program is ranked among the best in NY state, emphasizing clinical excellence through their comprehensive on-campus dental clinic, which serves the Brooklyn community.
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Queensborough Community College: QCC offers an affordable AS dental hygiene program centered on evidence-based practice. Graduates have stellar licensure exam pass rates.
With cutting edge facilities, seasoned faculty, diverse patient populations for clinical work, and strong career outcomes – graduating from an NYC dental hygiene program sets you up for success.
Licensure and Career Prospects for Dental Hygienists in NYC
To practice professionally in the state, dental hygienists must complete board exams and a clinical licensing exam post-graduation. The NYS Dental Hygiene Licensing Examination consists of a 3 hour case-based written test and hands-on clinical skills assessment.
With licensure, dental hygienists can register to practice as Registered Dental Hygienists (RDH) under a dentist’s supervision. They can also pursue an additional certification to perform duties under collaborative practice agreements in settings like nursing homes as Certified Dental Hygiene Practitioners (CDHP).
Thanks to growing patient awareness and demand – the career outlook for dental hygienists in NYC is very strong. As of 2021, the New York City region boasts the nation’s highest average wages for RDHs at $78,840/year. With many openings across private and public health settings, graduates enjoy exceptional job prospects and schedule flexibility.
Andrea Chen, RDH reflects:
“Whether it’s treating patients at a leading Manhattan periodontics practice, teaching dental students at my alma mater NYU, or volunteering with the oral health corps – I’m constantly inspired by the opportunities here. With advanced degrees and experience, you can really make meaningful impacts across communities.”
Ambitious dental hygienists can further specialize through Master‘s programs to pursue careers in education, research, public health leadership or policy. The sky‘s the limit in NYC.
Applying to NYC Dental Hygiene Programs
When researching programs, experts emphasize considering your professional interests, financial needs, and preferred learning environment. Reach out to current students for an inside look at pros and cons.
Applications often require letters of recommendation, entrance exams, an essay and transcripts. Prerequisite courses in topics like biology depend on prior coursework. Plan to dedicate significant study time for rigorous science content.
Pamela Chang, Director of Touro’s DH programs, advises:
“Get excited about working closely with your cohort – in dental hygiene, you’ll do everything as a team. Be prepared to devote the needed time to integrated coursework, labs and clinical activations, which alternate between days and evenings. Identify good mentors from the start. And get ready to positively impact lives!”
Most dental hygiene programs have spring admission cycles – apply early and investigate financial aid options like scholarships, federal loans or institutional aid for tuition support.
Investing in dental hygiene education pays dividends. NYC hygienists entering the field enjoy competitive salaries up to $90,000+, strong local job growth, and opportunities to advance while making a difference.
Advancing Dental Care Access & Equity in NYC
Oral health intimately connects to overall wellness. Yet low-income groups and communities of color disproportionately face barriers to professional dental care – exacerbating health disparities.
- 33% of Asian American children in New York City have untreated tooth decay compared to 14% of white children
- 58% of Hispanic adults over 30 lost at least one permanent tooth due to decay or disease
Affordability challenges, dental provider shortages in low-income neighborhoods, and lack of understanding around prevention contribute to these glaring inequities.
Through roles in public health programs, community clinics, health centers and accessibility advocacy groups, dental providers directly tackle disparities. As expert preventive clinicians and patient educators, dental hygienists uniquely bridge gaps making oral healthcare more accessible.
Susan Williams, Executive Director of Arms Wide Open NYC comments:
“Whether screening children at a community health fair, educating families on proper flossing technique, helping clinics coordinate specialty care referrals for uninsured individuals, or lobbying officials on Medicaid dental provisions – every effort moves the needle. Dental professionals are essential in achieving health justice.”
From hands-on local volunteer work, to larger initiatives expanding coverage and providers in underserved areas – getting involved accelerates progress. And NYC needs more passionate voices pushing for equity.
The NY State Dental Hygienists’ Association, Islander Clinic in SI, volunteer groups like NYSmiles and NYC dental schools themselves offer excellent opportunities to create positive change.
The Future of Dental Hygiene in New York City
As awareness grows around links between oral and overall health, demand for preventive dental care will continue rising across New York City and beyond. Dental medicine innovations and technologies are also bringing exciting advancements in diagnosis, therapeutics and access.
These developments signal strong growth ahead for dental hygiene roles – especially positions focused on community health, care coordination, client education and telehealth.
Leading NYC dental hygienists also highlight the need for improving diversity within the dental provider pipeline itself to better meet cultural and language needs.
As Sue Pervez RDH, NYU College of Dentistry faculty emphasizes:
“Hispanic and African American students remain underrepresented in dental programs relative to regional demographics – perpetuating healthcare disparities. I‘m proud organizations like the Hispanic Dental Association and the NYU Perlman Society are cultivating minority talent to provide culturally competent care.”
Whether screening a child’s teeth at a community health clinic or consulting Fortune 500 employees on oral wellness – New York City offers unmatched variety and opportunities advancing dental hygiene careers. There has never been a more exciting time to enter this impact-driven field.
Through their clinical expertise, research, patient advocacy and passion for improved access and education – dental hygienists transform individual lives while creating healthier communities.
New York City needs talented, ambitious dental providers ready to help expand oral health services across neighborhoods. Graduating from an acclaimed local dental hygiene program like NYU or Hostos is the perfect launching point to drive change – and build a rewarding career making a difference across the greatest city on earth!