Dental Hygienist License in New York

New York requires dental hygienist applicants to graduate from a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program registered by the New York State Education Department and pass the NBDHE plus a clinical examination. The New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions oversees dental hygienist licensing, which is unique among states where dental boards typically regulate the profession rather than the education department. CE is required for triennial renewal, with 24 hours per three-year period. New York mandates a specific course in infection control as part of CE requirements. The state has numerous CODA-accredited programs at institutions including New York University, SUNY Broome, Farmingdale State College, Monroe Community College, and Hudson Valley Community College. New York City's large and diverse population creates one of the nation's biggest and most dynamic markets for dental hygienists, while upstate rural communities and the Adirondack region face dental workforce shortages. New York permits collaborative practice in certain public health settings and has expanded dental hygienists' scope of practice to address persistent access barriers in underserved neighborhoods and communities throughout the state.