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By 2022 in New Jersey, there will be about 500 more job openings for dental hygienists.
In New Jersey, dental hygienists need a license in order to carry out their duties.
Those operating in this field are overseen by the New Jersey State Board of Dentistry which is also the body issuing licenses for them.
Article Table of Contents
Getting licensed
Those who want to obtain a license as a dental hygienist in New Jersey need to first complete an educational program, then pass a series of exams and then apply for the license.
Education
The education must be completed at a CODA-accredited dental hygiene school.
It has to last for at least 2 years and award a minimum of an associates’ degree.
There are a series of requirements to be met by future students, such as already having a CPR certification.
Some of the classes offered are:
- Psychology
- Sociology;
- Biology,
- Biochemistry,
- Microbiology;
- Radiology
- Dental anatomy;
- Clinical periodontics,
- Oral health education,
- Community dental health.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Camden County College | 200 College Drive, Blackwood, New Jersey 08012 |
| Eastern International College | 684 Newark Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07306 |
| Eastern International College | 251 Washington Ave, Belleville, NJ 07109 |
| Rowan College | 900 College Cir, Mt Laurel Township, NJ 08054, |
| Rowan College | 1 High St, Mt Holly, NJ 08060 |
| Rowan College | 200 Campbell Dr #210, Willingboro, NJ 08046 |
| University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey | Stanley S. Bergen Jr. Building, 65 Bergen St, Newark, NJ 07107 |
Passing the Exams
There are 3 exams that must be passed by future dental hygienists in New Jersey:
- NBDHE
- CDCA exam
- Jurisprudence examination
NBDHE
This exam is administered through the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE) who has to approve applications.
There are 2 parts to this exam:
- Written part with 350 questions
- Practical, with at least 12 patients
The exam can be taken at any Pearson Vue testing center.
CDCA Exam
New Jersey recognizes the exam offered by the Commission on Dental Competency Assessments examination.
More information about the exam, including locations and dates, can be found on the website of the Commission.
Jurisprudence examination
Once the candidates passed the exams above, they can request to take this mandatory exam.
Information related to this exam is included in the application.
License Application
Everyone who completed their education and passed their exams can download an application form and fill it out.
They also need to attach the following documents and send the file to the Board:
- A certified school transcript sent directly by the institution in a sealed envelope
- A passport-size photo – signed and notarized
- The results from the NBDHE
- The results from the CDCA exam
- The results of the New Jersey Jurisprudence examination
- Criminal history background check
- Application fee – $75
Salary
Experience and degree are the major aspects taken into consideration when calculating the salary of a dental hygienist.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Newark | $85,536 |
| Jersey City | $90,629 |
| Paterson | $86,360 |
| Elizabeth | $85,536 |
| Edison | $84,038 |
| Lakewood | $85,309 |
| Woodbridge | $84,038 |
| Toms River | $84,065 |
| Clifton | $86,360 |
| Trenton | $84,637 |
Regional Salary in New Jersey
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | 150 | $88,150 | $42.38 | $92,590 | $79,790 |
| Ocean City, NJ | 80 | $87,560 | $42.09 | $93,670 | $71,890 |
| Trenton, NJ | 370 | $91,690 | $44.08 | $96,300 | $79,330 |
| Vineland-Bridgeton, NJ | 110 | $86,500 | $41.59 | $93,190 | $80,660 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Maintain Your License
In New Jersey, the dental hygienist licenses expire after 2 years.
During these 2 years, everyone professing as a dental hygienist has to complete 20 hours of continued education in the field.
The New Jersey Dental Hygienists Association has more resources and information regarding the continued education.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Dental Hygienist
Dental Hygiene by State