Dental Assistant in New Hampshire

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for NH. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$50,260

trending_up +6.3% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, New Hampshire.

engineering

1,400

Jobs (NH)

monitoring Strong

+6.4%

10-yr job growth

payments

$490

Licensing fees

schedule

Varies depending on chosen pathway and certifications

Time to complete

route How to become a dental assistant in New Hampshire

To become a dental assistant in New Hampshire, individuals can start with a high school diploma or equivalent. While basic dental assisting duties do not have state mandates for education or certification, pursuing specific expanded functions requires completing approved courses, gaining clinical experience, and potentially passing examinations. The New Hampshire Board of Dental Examiners oversees the qualifications for various dental assistant roles, including Traditional Dental Assistant, Graduate Dental Assistant, DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA), and Dental Assistant Qualified to Perform Expanded Functions. Reciprocity is available for those licensed in other jurisdictions with substantially similar requirements, though a criminal background check and a New Hampshire jurisprudence examination may be necessary.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $45,350

25th percentile $46,740

50th (median) $50,260

75th percentile $59,090

90th (experienced) $61,260

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for New Hampshire. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist New Hampshire requirements

Licensing body	New Hampshire Board of Dental Examiners
State license	Not required
Education	High school diploma or equivalent. For specific expanded duties, completion of an expanded duty course approved by the New Hampshire Board of Dental Examiners or a CODA-accredited dental assisting program is required. CPR certification, OSHA safety training, and infection control training are also essential.
Exam	DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) is optional but recommended. Specific expanded duties may require passing an exam for that duty. ($450)
Application fee	$40
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	24.0 hours per cycle
Notes	New Hampshire recognizes different categories of dental assistants: Traditional Dental Assistant, Graduate Dental Assistant, DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA), and Dental Assistant Qualified to Perform Expanded Functions. While there are no state mandates for the most basic dental assisting duties, specific expanded functions require meeting certain education, experience, and examination criteria. A minimum age of 18 is required for qualification in specific expanded duties. Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is required, and 3 CEUs every two years must be the successful completion of a BLS-HCP course.

Source: New Hampshire Board of Dental Examiners

workspace_premium New Hampshire license tiers

New Hampshire offers multiple tiers of dental assistant licensing:

Tier	Hours required
Traditional Dental Assistant	N/A
Graduate Dental Assistant	N/A
Certified Dental Assistant	N/A

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+6.4%

Faster than average

Annual openings

52,900

Nationwide per year

Total employment

381,900

Nationwide

neurology

AI & tech impact

verified Low exposure -0.53/1.00

This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

infoNo state license required — lower barrier but weaker signal
check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+6.4%)
check_circleLow AI disruption risk

psychology

Wondering if a dental assistant career is the right fit?

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Frequently asked questions

How do you get certified as a dental assistant in New Hampshire? expand_more

In New Hampshire, becoming a dental assistant requires you to complete the required education (High school diploma or equivalent. For specific expanded duties, completion of an expanded duty course approved by the New Hampshire Board of Dental Examiners or a CODA-accredited dental assisting program is required. CPR certification, OSHA safety training, and infection control training are also essential.), pass the DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) is optional but recommended. Specific expanded duties may require passing an exam for that duty., and submit your application ($40 fee).

Can I work as a dental assistant in New Hampshire without a license? expand_more

New Hampshire does not require a state license for dental assistants. Note: New Hampshire recognizes different categories of dental assistants: Traditional Dental Assistant, Graduate Dental Assistant, DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA), and Dental Assistant Qualified to Perform Expanded Functions. While there are no state mandates for the most basic dental assisting duties, specific expanded functions require meeting certain education, experience, and examination criteria. A minimum age of 18 is required for qualification in specific expanded duties. Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is required, and 3 CEUs every two years must be the successful completion of a BLS-HCP course.

How much do dental assistants make in New Hampshire? expand_more

The median dental assistant salary in New Hampshire is $50,260 per year. That's 6% above the national median of $47,300. The range spans from $45,350 at the entry level to $61,260 for top earners.

How much does it cost to become a dental assistant in New Hampshire? expand_more

The full cost to enter the field runs about varies, factoring in exam fee ($450) and application fee ($40) and required training.

How quickly can I become a dental assistant in New Hampshire? expand_more

The typical timeline in New Hampshire is Varies depending on chosen pathway and certifications. This includes completing education, gaining any required experience, and passing the licensing exam.

What's required to renew a dental assistant license in New Hampshire? expand_more

New Hampshire requires 24.0 hours of continuing education every 2.0 years to maintain your dental assistant license.