Which Schools Offer Dental Hygienist Programs in Florida?
Learn about dental hygiene programs in Florida. Get information about degrees available and admissions and program requirements to make an informed decision about your education.
You can complete dental hygiene training in Florida through an associate's or bachelor's degree program. These programs offer clinical rotations in dental settings, along with coursework in pharmacology, dental health, dental materials and diet therapy, among other topics. Check out your options to determine the best fit for your educational needs.
Essential Information
You must complete an educational program in dental hygiene before you can work as a dental hygienist in the state of Florida. Many 2-year colleges offer programs in dental hygiene that award graduates with an associate's degree. These programs require students to complete practicums or clinical experiences in addition to classroom lectures. Some schools in Florida also offer bachelor's degree completion programs in dental hygiene for students who already hold an associate's degree in the field and are looking to move into management or instructor positions.
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Southern New Hampshire University
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Associate's Degree Programs in Dental Hygiene in Florida
Florida State College at Jacksonville
Florida State College's Associate of Science (A.S.) in Dental Hygiene program can prepare you for an entry-level career in a dental office. It prepares you for state licensure as a dental hygienist. This program includes courses directly related to dental hygiene, such as dental hygiene instrumentation, preventative dentistry, clinical dental hygiene, pharmacology and oral pathology. Other courses include oral anatomy, dental materials and oral nutrition. This curriculum also requires a practicum and clinical hours, and you must submit immunization proof before working with patients and their specimens.
- Program Name: Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene
- Program Length: Two years, full-time (88 credits)
- Tuition and Fees: $2,878 per year for FL residents; $9,992 per year for non-residents (2018-2019)
- Prerequisites: College-level courses in anatomy and physiology, chemistry, algebra and microbiology with a minimum grade of C
- Admission Requirements: Health Occupations Test, CPR certification for health care providers
- School Type: 4-year, public; student population of approximately 23,413 (all undergraduate)
Miami Dade College
Miami Dade College's dental hygiene curriculum includes courses in dental physiology, histology and anatomy, as well as dental hygiene and oral pathology. Other topics of study include radiographic and clinical assessment techniques, professional issues and emergencies in dental offices. Part of the curriculum involves clinical work, which can help you gain hands-on experience working with patients at a clinical facility under the supervision of experienced professionals.
- Program Name: Associate in Science in Dental Hygiene
- Program Length: Two years, full-time (88 credits)
- Tuition and Fees: $2,838 per year for FL residents; $9,661 per year for non-residents (2018-2019)
- Prerequisites: At least 18 years old, college-level courses in English and healthcare introduction with minimum 2.0 GPA
- Admission Requirements: Computer Placement Test, Background check
- School Type: 4-year, public; student population of approximately 54,973 (all undergraduate)
St. Petersburg College
This program prepares students for licensure as dental hygienists. It also qualifies graduates for the bachelor's degree completion program offered at St. Petersburg. Some core topics cover applied nutrition, periodontics, dental pharmacology and preventative dentistry.
- Program Name: Associate in Science in Dental Hygiene
- Program Length: Two years, full-time (88 credit hours)
- Tuition and Fees: $2,682 per year for FL residents; $9,286 per year for non-residents (2018-2019)
- Prerequisites: Courses in anatomy, physiology and general education
- Admission Requirements: College Placement Test, orientation
- School Type: 4-year, public; student population of approximately 29,183 students (all undergraduate)
Valencia Community College
The Associate in Science in Dental Hygiene program at Valencia Community College can prepare you to take the necessary examinations to become licensed as a dental hygienist. Through this program, you'll learn to perform direct patient-care tasks, such as exposing and developing x-rays, cleaning patients' teeth and performing dental treatments under the supervision of a dentist. Coursework covers dental materials, pharmacology and community dental health, as well as nutrition essentials with diet therapy. You'll also complete four clinical training rotations at external dental facilities.
- Program Name: Associate in Science in Dental Hygiene
- Program Length: Two years, full-time (88 credits)
- Tuition and Fees: $2,474 per year for FL residents; $9,383 per year for non-residents (2018-2019)
- Prerequisites: College-level courses in anatomy and physiology, microbiology and composition with at least a C grade
- Admission Requirements: Test of Essential Academic Skills, orientation program, CPR certification, immunizations, drug test, background check
- School Type: 4-year, public; student population of approximately 46,521 (all undergraduate)
Bachelor's Degree Program in Dental Hygiene in FL
St. Petersburg College
St. Petersburg College offers the only bachelor's degree program in dental hygiene in Florida, though it's only available to those who have already completed an accredited program in the field. Course topics include advanced periodontics, advanced dental hygiene ethics and educational concepts, and elective options include health information systems, healthcare legal aspects and healthcare risk management. Graduates can go on to become a dental salesperson or dental hygiene instructor.
- Program Name: Bachelor of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene
- Program Length: Five semester, full-time
- Tuition and Fees: $2,682 per year for FL residents; $9,286 per year for non-residents (2018-2019)
- Prerequisites: Graduate from an accredited program in dental hygiene, including general education courses
- Admission Requirements: Dental hygiene license
- School Type: 4-year, public; student population of approximately 29,183 students (all undergraduate)
Dental hygiene programs in Florida are offered through associate's degree programs found at Florida State College at Jacksonville, Miami Dade College, St. Petersburg College and Valencia College. Additionally, St. Petersburg College offers dental hygiene training through a bachelor's program and is the only one of its kind in the state.
