Dental Hygienist in Connecticut

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

Median annual salary

$96,270

trending_up +2.1% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Connecticut.

engineering

3,320

Jobs (CT)

monitoring Strong

+7.0%

10-yr job growth

payments

$1,300

Licensing fees

schedule

2-4 years

Time to complete

route How to become a dental hygienist in Connecticut

To become a licensed Dental Hygienist in Connecticut, you must graduate from a Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) accredited dental hygiene program. You then need to successfully complete the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) and one of several accepted clinical performance examinations, such as ADEX. Finally, you must submit a completed application with a fee to the Connecticut State Dental Commission. Connecticut offers licensure by endorsement for out-of-state licensees who meet equivalent or higher standards.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $84,390

25th percentile $95,150

50th (median) $96,270

75th percentile $98,450

90th (experienced) $106,140

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

checklist Connecticut requirements

Licensing body	Connecticut State Dental Commission
State license	Required
Education	Associate degree in Dental Hygiene from a CODA-accredited program
Exam	National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) and a clinical performance examination (ADEX, CDCA, CITA, SRTA, or WREB) ($1,150)
Application fee	$150
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	16.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Renewal is every two years. A minimum of 1 hour of continuing education must be completed in infection control and 1 hour in cultural competency. Applicants may also be required to undergo a background check and submit fingerprints. Foreign-trained dentists may qualify for a dental hygienist license if they meet specific requirements, including graduating from a foreign dental school, passing the NBDHE and a clinical exam, and completing at least one year of clinical training in a CODA-accredited Connecticut dental hygiene program.

Source: Connecticut State Dental Commission

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+7.0%

Faster than average

Annual openings

15,300

Nationwide per year

Total employment

221,600

Nationwide

balance Is it worth it?

check_circleConnecticut license required — clearer credential signal to employers
check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+7.0%)

psychology

Wondering if a dental hygienist career is the right fit?

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Frequently asked questions

What are the steps to becoming a dental hygienist in Connecticut? expand_more

In Connecticut, becoming a dental hygienist requires you to complete the required education (Associate degree in Dental Hygiene from a CODA-accredited program), pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) and a clinical performance examination (ADEX, CDCA, CITA, SRTA, or WREB), and submit your application ($150 fee).

Is a dental hygienist license required in Connecticut? expand_more

You cannot practice as a dental hygienist in Connecticut without a state license from Connecticut State Dental Commission. The required exam is the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) and a clinical performance examination (ADEX, CDCA, CITA, SRTA, or WREB).

What do dental hygienists earn in Connecticut? expand_more

The median dental hygienist salary in Connecticut is $96,270 per year. — within a few percent of the $94,260 national figure. New dental hygienists start around $84,390; seasoned professionals can reach $106,140.

What's the total cost to get dental hygienist certified in Connecticut? expand_more

The full cost to enter the field runs about varies, factoring in exam fee ($1,150) and application fee ($150) and required training.

What's the timeline to become a dental hygienist in Connecticut? expand_more

The typical timeline in Connecticut is 2-4 years. This includes completing education, gaining any required experience, and passing the licensing exam.

What's required to renew a dental hygienist license in Connecticut? expand_more

Connecticut requires 16.0 hours of continuing education every 2.0 years to maintain your dental hygienist license.