DENTAL HYGIENIST License in Massachusetts

Massachusetts requires dental hygienist applicants to graduate from a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program and pass the NBDHE plus a clinical examination, typically the CDCA (Commission on Dental Competency Assessments). The Massachusetts Board of Registration in Dentistry, under the Division of Professional Licensure, oversees dental hygienist licensing. CE is required for biennial renewal, with a minimum of 20 hours per renewal period including mandatory topics in infection control and CPR certification. Massachusetts has implemented a public health dental hygienist designation that enables practice in community health centers, schools, and nursing homes with a collaborative agreement rather than direct supervision. The state has multiple CODA-accredited programs, including those at Forsyth School of Dental Hygiene, MCPHS University, Cape Cod Community College, Mount Ida College, and Quinsigamond Community College. Massachusetts dental hygienists are among the highest-paid in the nation, reflecting the state's high cost of living and strong healthcare sector. The Boston metropolitan area offers a particularly competitive employment market, while western Massachusetts and Cape Cod communities experience seasonal and geographic workforce shortages.