10 Best Dental Hygiene Schools in Florida 2024 | How to Apply

Best Dental Hygiene Schools in Florida: There are many options to choose from the list of hygienist and dental assistant schools in Jacksonville and South Florida.

If you’re looking at joining the league of oral healthcare professionals in Jacksonville, Florida, then you need to understand why you need to enroll in any of the best hygiene schools in the city.

A dental hygienist is responsible for taking care of a patient’s oral health care needs, diagnosing and identifying the oral disease, and passing it on to a dentist for further treatment.

To be able to function in this capacity effectively, prospective hygienists have to be trained by the best hands with up-to-date state-of-the-art facilities.

Undertaking basic undergraduate courses in dental hygiene will train you to earn an associate or a bachelor’s degree. 

But that will grant you access to practice.

To be able to practice as a dental hygienist in Florida, you will need a license.

A license would be granted to you if you graduated from any of the accredited dental hygienist schools in Jacksonville or any other county in Florida.

Therefore, in this guide, we have done our research and come up with a list of the best dental schools in Florida.

Our choice of institutions was based on the school’s accreditation, tuition cost, and academic excellence.

Also, we have ensured you know the factors to consider before settling on a dental hygiene school.

Going further, you will find answers to a lot of career questions in this field that will help you if you want to study and become a dental hygienist in Florida.

Let’s get you started!!!

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Are there Dental Schools in Florida?

Florida is one of the states in the USA with institutions of higher learning recognized globally for its outstanding educational curriculum.

Most of the schools in Florida offer dental hygiene programs that prepare students to be highly sought professionals in the field.

Although there are no statistics to state exactly how many schools for dental hygienists are in Florida, below, we have made a list of the best picks for you.

Schools for dental hygienists in Florida ensure students are trained to access the top-notch career opportunities upon graduation. 

Hygienists from Dental schools in South Florida are ready for entry level jobs immediately after they finish their program. 

Also, they are equipped to pass the state, national, and regional licensure exams and get their license.

What Courses are Offered in Dental Hygienist Schools in Florida?

Once you enroll in a dental hygienist program in Florida schools, you will have courses spread across semesters until you graduate.

Majorly, the dental hygiene programs in FL will cover a variety of courses, such as 

• Radiology.
• Periodontology
• Dental anatomy
• Communication
• Dental Materials
• Preventive dentistry
• Dental Instrumentation.
• Community dental health
• Anxiety and Pain Control
• The Dental Hygiene Theory
• Basic health sciences and biology
• Dental practice management and leadership.

Read More: Top 10 Dental Hygiene Schools in Texas| Requirements, Cost & How to Apply

What are the Factors To Consider When Choosing a Dental School in Florida?

Just before you launch out to choose from any of the best dental schools in Florida, you need to consider factors such as how much dental hygiene school will cost.

There are other pertinent considerations that you must put into perspective before choosing to study in any of the dental hygienist schools in Jacksonville or other states in Florida.

We have put together a list of factors that will help you make a choice of the beat school for you. 

However , keep in mind that all of these schools have their own degree specialties, and your choice should be based on your academic needs.

Here are the factors to consider about schools in Florida for dental hygienist programs;

#1. What is the School Academic Record?

Before enrolling in any school, you must find out if the school has a track record of academic excellence.

You wouldn’t want to go to a school that does not have a record of how well they teach your course of choice.

Therefore, your focus should be on schools that provide you with the quality education that will help your career journey.

To have a fair knowledge of any school on your list, check out Alumni reviews.

#2. How Flexible is The Dental Hygienist Program?

Most dental hygienist courses in some schools allow you to do an online course.

Some, on the other hand, allow for weekend and night programs.

Find out how flexible the program is for you. 

If you’re enrolling in an RDH-BSDH degree program, you may take it online. 

Does that suit you?

You have to ensure the dental hygienist program you’re enrolling in at Florida schools is flexible. 

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#3. How Long is the Dental Hygienist Program in The School?

The Dental Hygiene Programs in Florida come in two career pathways at the undergraduate level.

Each one has a different duration to complete the program. 

For instance, an associate degree takes 20–30 months to complete, and a bachelor’s degree takes 4 – years to complete.

If you want to take your career up a notch, you can pursue a master’s degree, which takes between 1 and 2 years to complete.

You need to know which path you’re going for. 

This factor is important when choosing a school for dental hygienist training because it also determines how much you get to spend on tuition.

#4. What Sought Of Dental Hygiene Program Do The School Offer?

Just like we have stated above, what program are you going for?

An associate’s or bachelor’s degree at the undergraduate level?

Would you like to go for a master’s degree program?

Also, there is an option for registered dental hygienists to go for an RDH-BSDH degree program to take their license up a notch.

You need to factor this into perspective to know what dental school you will be enrolling for.

#5. How Much Does It Take To Attend Any Of The Dental Schools In Florida?

Another factor to consider when choosing a school from the list of dental schools in Florida, as we will state below, is the tuition cost.

How much will it take you to complete a degree in dental hygiene in a school in Florida?

How much will it cost if you’re going for an associate degree?

If you will go on to get a master’s, how much will it cost?

Ensure you factor this into perspective before choosing from the list of dental hygiene programs in Florida.

Read More: 5 Best Dental Hygiene Schools in Colorado

What are the Programs Offered in Dental Hygiene Schools in Florida?

Many career paths will train you to become a dental hygienist in Florida.

Here are the undergraduate and graduate programs available in dental hygienist schools in Florida are;

• Associate Degree: Technical and Community Colleges.
• Bachelor’s Degree: Universities.
• Master’s Degree: Universities.
• RDH-BSDH Degree: Universities

Each of these programs prepare you for a career in dental hygiene. 

An RDH-BSDH degree program is for those with an associate degree who want to take their career up a notch.

What is the Duration of Dental Hygiene Programs in Florida?

An associate degree in dental hygiene at technical and community colleges in Florida will take 20 – 30 months to get a degree. 

On the other hand, a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene in Florida dental schools  lasts for 4 years. 

Also, if you want to go into dental education and tutoring, a master’s degree program in dental schools and colleges takes 1 to 2 years to round off.

All the courses offered within this period are spread across semesters to cover this number of years.

Read More: Top 10 Best Dental Hygiene Schools in Indiana

How Much Does it Cost To Attend Dental Hygiene Schools in Florida?

The tuition cost of dental hygiene schools and colleges in Arizona varies due to factors such as

• School. 
• Dental program.
• Location of school.

A bachelor’s degree program in dental hygiene costs more than the tuition cost for an associate degree for undergraduate studies.

An associate degree will cost between $3,840 – $42,590, while a bachelor’s degree program will cost $17,770 – $77,900.

A master’s degree in dental hygiene will cost $23,160 – $71,520.

ALSO READ: Top 10 Best Dental Hygiene Schools in New York City

10 Best Dental Hygiene Schools in Florida 2023

Here is a list of dental hygienist schools in Florida, the programs they offer, tuition, and the requirements to apply;

#1. Miami Dade College

• Location: Miami 
• Dental Program: Associate Degree
• Dental Program Duration: Two Years.

Miami Dade College is a dental hygiene school of reputation in Florida. 

Students get to take their lab sessions at a fully-equipped dental clinic.

Studying at Miami Dade will get you ready for entry level jobs with the required skills and knowledge upon graduation.

Enrollment into the Miami Dade College dental hygiene program is usually in August each year, and classes and requirements 88 credit units to complete it.

#2. Santa Fe College

• Location: Gainesville 
• Dental Program: Associate Degree
• Dental Program Duration: Two Years.

Santa Fe College is one of the dental hygienist schools in Florida dedicated to offering students hands-on learning experiences at the college’s dental clinic. 

The associate degree program at Santa Fe College is quite unusual due to the rigorous science based curriculum that requires 35 to 37 class hours each week. 

Once you complete your program, you will be ready to take the required licensure exams as well as the administration of local anesthesia certification exam.

Read More: Best Dental Hygiene Schools in Florida

#3. Eastern Florida State College

• Location: Cocoa 
• Dental Program: Associate Degree
• Dental Program Duration: Two Years.

In the list of dental schools in Florida, Eastern Florida State College is listed among the best. 

As an extra to the curriculum, Eastern Florida State College allows her dental hygiene students to serve the community through annual public dental service events.

Also, study is full-time.

However, the Eastern Florida State College only accepts 12 students each year with a minimum grade of “C” in the prerequisite courses.

#4. St Petersburg College

• Location: Clearwater 
• Dental Program: Associate  and Bachelor’s Degree
• Dental Program Duration: Two Years.

One of the dental schools in south Florida is St Petersburg College. 

St Petersburg College has a track record of over 50 years in training exceptional dental hygiene students.

The students of St Petersburg College do not only excel in their jobs, they also perform well in state and national licensure exams.

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#5. Broward College

• Location: Fort Lauderdale 
• Dental Program: Associate Degree
• Dental Program Duration: Two Years. 

If you need financial assistance for tuition while you study dental hygiene in Florida, then your school of choice should be Broward College.

Broward College has a long list of financial aid and scholarships for dental hygienists.

Although dental hygiene is a two year program, it is split into two years: first year for dental assisting and the second year for dental hygiene. 

However, only 16 students are admitted each year..

#6. Valencia College

• Location: Orlando 
• Dental Program: Associate Degree
• Dental Program Duration: Two Years. 

Students hygienist who graduates from Valencia College are known to be successful clinicians and hygienists in Florida.

This is so because students are trained in a high, state-of-the-art, fully functional dental clinic on-campus.

Also, they get to sharpen their skills during the six semesters they have to study. 

Upon graduation, dental hygienists from Valencia College are competent enough for entry-level positions.

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#7. Gulf Coast State College

• Location: Panama City 
• Dental Program: Associate Degree
• Dental Program Duration: Two Years. 

With a well-equipped state-of-the-art dental clinic, Gulf Coast State College has made a name for itself in the dental hygiene field since 1996.

Within two years of study, students are job ready and equipped to pass the state and national licensure exams.

With such a curriculum, Gulf Coast State College is very selective, admitting only 16 students each year to complete 88-credit coursework.

#8. Florida State College

• Location: Jacksonville 
• Dental Program: Associate Degree
• Dental Program Duration: Two Years. 

One of the best dental hygiene schools in Jacksonville is Florida State College. 

As one of the dental hygienist schools in Jacksonville, Florida State College is known to lead students to pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination.

Remember that the dental hygiene program at Florida State College requires a 16 credits pass in general education courses, 12 credits in sciences, and 60 credits in the dental hygiene coursework. 

Read More: 10 Best Dental Hygienist Schools in Arizona

#9. Tallahassee Community College

• Location: Tallahassee 
• Dental Program: Associate Degree
• Dental Program Duration: Two Years. 

Tallahassee Community College’s dental hygiene program takes 15 hours per semester to complete.

Also, students are involved in theory class sessions, lab experiences, and clinical rotations. 

Once they complete their program, Tallahassee Community College dental hygienist graduates can take up entry-level positions.

#10. Hillsborough Community College

• Location: Tampa 
• Dental Program: Associate Degree
• Dental Program Duration: Two Years. 

Hillsborough Community College is well-equipped with state-of-the-art facilities where dental hygiene students carry out their program.

An associate degree in dental hygiene at Hillsborough Community College takes 35 to 40 hours across five semesters. 

Other Dental Hygiene Schools in Florida include

• Palm Beach State College, Lake Worth
• Indian River State College, Fort Pierce

ALSO READ: 5 Best Dental Schools in Chicago| Requirements, Cost & How to Apply

Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Hygiene Schools in Florida.

Conclusion

We hope you found this article very enlightening

So whether you’re in Jacksonville, or any other city in Florida, any of these Dental Hygiene Schools will groom you to become a dental hygienist.

Upon graduation, you can get your appropriate license using the right requirements.

Remember your choice of school should be based on your educational needs.

Also, ensure you visit the school website to find out the requirements for applying.

Good luck!!! 

References

• https://myrightrib.com/
• https://www.nursingprocess.org/

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