According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, dental assistants and jobs in this field are expected to see an 11% growth rate between 2020 and 2030.
Furthermore, there are a predicted 44,000 new job openings predicted over that decade for this field.
Most dental assistants work in dental offices and work full-time.
This seems to indicate that this field is relatively stable and should continue to see growth into the foreseeable future.
4 Dental Assistant Schools in New Hampshire
We have taken a look at five schools in the state of New Hampshire that offer a course in dental assisting and what the requirements may be to attend these schools.
In addition, consideration was given to the length of the course, the course fee, and the popularity of the school.
We could only find three schools, two full-time and one online that offered this course in New Hampshire.
In addition, we have added a school for continued learning for those candidates that have graduated but would like a refresher course.
The Northeast Collaborative School of Dental Assisting
The school is located in Kingston, New Hampshire.
The school offers a 13-week certificate course that offers students hands-on experience, exposure to labs where they learn about day-to-day functions in this position, as well as instruction.
Students should complete 3,500 hours of work before sitting for the DANB General Chair Side Exam before they are able to obtain Certified Dental Assisting (CDA) Status.
Before completion of the 13-week course, students should have completed a 50-hour externship.
The course fee is $4,500.00 in total.
University of New Hampshire
The school offers a course in dental assisting through an external training provider.
The course is 240 credit hours and is offered completely online, allowing students a total of 6 months’ access to the platform to complete the course.
The course fee is $2199.00.
The fee includes all textbooks and learning materials which will be shipped to the student within 7 to 10 days of registering for the course.
The course prepares students for the following examinations:
- Radiation Health and Safety and Infection Control components of the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) Exam
And students can earn the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certificate.
You must complete 3,500 working hours to complete the DANB’s CDA exam.
All exams and components must be completed within a five-year period.
NHTI-Concord’s Community College
The school is located in Concord, New Hampshire, and offers a certificate course in dental assistance.
Students are prepared for an entry-level position and the school has developed relations with dental offices to offer students externships while they learn to better prepare them for the working world.
The course is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.
Upon completion of the course, students are eligible to sit for the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) national certification exam.
Residents of New Hampshire will pay $215 per credit hour, while out-of-state students will pay $490 per credit hour.
The Dale Foundation
This school offers an online course in dental assistance.
Students have a total of six months to complete the course.
Upon completion of the course, students will earn between two and 12 DANB CDE credits and all resources may be accessed from the students’ PC or laptop.
This course will not prepare students for an entry-level position.
In fact, this course is designed for students who have already completed their education requirements and wish to study further to maintain their license to work in the field.
Dental Assistant Schools in New Hampshire – Summary Table
Top 4 Schools in New Hampshire
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| The Northeast Collaborative School of Dental Assisting | 1 Chase St, Kingston, NH 03848 |
| University of New Hampshire | 105 Main St, Durham, NH 03824 |
| NHTI-Concord's Community College | 31 College Dr, Concord, NH 03301 |
| The Dale Foundation |
Salary
Working in this field, prospective dental assistant students may expect to earn around $32,079 in an entry-level position.
With a few years of experience under their belt, students can look forward to an average salary of $40,918.
And, those on the higher end of the scale may expect to earn upwards of $45,400 per year.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Dental Assistants in New Hampshire
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Manchester | $41,982 |
| Nashua | $44,355 |
| Concord | $42,228 |
| Derry | $43,121 |
| Rochester | $41,728 |
| Salem | $43,701 |
| Dover | $41,900 |
| Merrimack | $44,355 |
| Derry | $43,121 |
| Hudson | $44,355 |
Regional Salary in New Hampshire
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dover-Durham, NH-ME | 100 | $49,930 | $24.01 | $56,680 | $40,010 |
| Manchester, NH | 270 | $55,950 | $26.9 | $72,190 | $45,010 |
| Portsmouth, NH-ME | 170 | $53,790 | $25.86 | $63,390 | $44,200 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need prior learning to become a dental assistant in New Hampshire?
It will depend on what type of dental assistant you would like to become.
The more responsibility you would like to hold, the more requirements are placed on you in terms of education.
What is the highest salary I can earn as a dental assistant in New Hampshire?
As a qualified dental assistant with over 400 hours of experience, you may expect to earn $58,210 per year as a dental assistant.
Is there a demand for dental assistants in New Hampshire?
Yes, there is a demand for this role in most states in the US with an overall 11% growth expected over the next decade.
Do you need a license to practice in the state of New Hampshire?
Yes, upon completion of your course at a suitably qualified institution, you are required to obtain a license in order to practice in the state of New Hampshire.
An individual may practice as a dental assistant provided that they are a Graduate Dental Assistant or have completed 400 hours of clinical dental assisting services, and are 18 years of age.
In addition, there are x-ray licensing requirements for students who practice in the state of New Hampshire.
Students should pass the following two exams:
- DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) or,
- Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam
However, the more advanced the position, the more requirements the student may need to meet before they are able to qualify as a dental assistant.
And the dental assistant may only practice under a properly licensed dentist.
