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The best dental hygienist schools in Florida, colleges, and universities have been extensively discussed in this article. We decided to provide you with the vital information you need to become a licensed dental hygienist in Florida. After reading this article, you will be familiar with the coursework in each dental hygiene program.
Dental hygiene is an important practice for everyone, and to maintain good dental hygiene, the advice of a health professional is needed. You would agree with me on the fact that dental hygienists are important to the health care system, regarding the preventive care they offer.
Before deciding on the career you want to build for yourself, you should consider job opportunities and growth prospects. Arguably, in recent times, those with careers in the medical field are likely to secure a job, due to the demand for health professionals. Dental hygienists are not left out of the picture of health professionals in high demand.
However, if you want to become a health professional in oral care, you only need to attend the best colleges or universities to acquire the best knowledge in your chosen profession.
This article will be discussing extensively the dental hygienist schools in Florida, however, we will also include other information that will be of benefit to you.
Who is A Dental Hygienist?
A dental hygienist is a licensed health professional with expertise in oral health. Dental hygienists are important to healthcare as they mainly provide preventive care. The preventive care a dental hygienist has to offer ranges from educating patients on good dental hygiene practices to pain management and therapeutic services.
Dental hygienists are health professionals that ensure the preventive oral care of patients with their expertise in oral health.
What Is The Job of A Dental Hygienist?
The primary responsibility of a dental hygienist is not just to examine the teeth or gum, but rather It is more extensive.
Dental hygienists provide medical assistance to dentists during surgery which includes administering anaesthetics, applying the periodontal dressing, and lots more. When it comes to the diagnosis and treatment of oral diseases such as gingivitis, oral cancer, gum diseases, or dental cavities, dental hygienists are the health professionals with the expertise to handle such.
Patients’ education on oral health and the application of fluoride and sealants to teeth are included in the job of dental hygienists.
In the health profession, the job outlook, and average salary of a dental hygienist are considerably substantial. If you are interested in becoming a dental hygienist, the early stages of building your career in oral health are determined by the knowledge and skills you obtained from an accredited institution.
Hence the subject of dental hygienist schools in Florida will enlighten you about colleges and universities in the state and each dental hygiene program offered.
If you want to know about the 20 Best Dental Hygienist Schools In Texas follow This Link
Why Become a Dental Hygienist in Florida?
Florida is the fourth largest state in the U.S that offers great opportunities to health professionals, especially dental hygienists. In a few years to come, the demand for dental hygienists in the Sunshine State will be at a high rate.
According to the predictions made by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in a few years to 2028,
the employment rate for dental hygienists in Florida will rise by 7%. Creating an average of 1,000+ jobs for dental hygienists annually.
Additionally, we are going to take a scope at the average annual salary of dental hygienists in Florida by area.
License Requirements for Dental Hygienists in Florida
The state of Florida has some requirements for licensure and to be a licensed and registered dental hygienist in the state, you are mandated to meet each requirement.
To become a licensed dental hygienist in Florida you must;
- At least 18 years of age or above
- You must be a graduate from an American Dental Association (ADA) accredited dental program or U.S Department of Education approved dental hygiene program
- Graduate from an unaccredited program but you must have completed four years in postsecondary dental education and obtained a dental school diploma comparative to a DMD or DDS
- You must Sit and Pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, the American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX) Dental Exam, and the National Board Dental Exam.
- You will be required to provide evidence of your training in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
Dental Hygienist Salaries in Florida by Area
The average salaries of dental hygienists across Florida are different and the top earners are in Cape Coral-Fort Myers.
Going by the records of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, dental hygienists in Florida earn an average annual salary of $70,070 in 2020, and that amount is equivalent to $33.69 per hour.
| Area | Total Employed | Mean Hourly Wage | Mean Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | 330 | $35.01 | $72,810 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | 200 | $30.74 | $63,930 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL | 270 | $30.09 | $62,590 |
| Gainesville, FL | 230 | $29.10 | $60,530 |
| Homosassa Springs, FL | ** | $27.06 | $56,280 |
| Jacksonville, FL | 1,020 | $29.27 | $60,880 |
| Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | 200 | $32.96 | $68,560 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 3,260 | $27.95 | $58,140 |
| Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, FL | 280 | $33.52 | $69,710 |
| North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL | 480 | $30.73 | $63,930 |
15 Best Dental Hygienist Schools in Florida
- Miami Dade College, Miami
- Santa Fe College, Gainesville
- Eastern Florida State College, Cocoa
- St Petersburg College Clearwater
- Broward College, Fort Lauderdale
- Valencia College, Orlando
- Gulf Coast State College, Panama City
- Florida State College, Jacksonville
- Tallahassee Community College, Tallahassee
- Hillsborough Community College, Tampa
- Palm Beach State College, Lake Worth
- India River State College, Fort Pierce
- Florida Southwestern State College, Fort Myers
- Brevard Community College, Cocoa
- Daytona State College, Daytona Beach
1. Miami Dade College, Miami
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- In-State Tuition: $2,838
- Out-of-State Tuition: $9,661
- Application Fee: $30
- School Address: 300 NE 2ND AVENUE MIAMI, FL 33132
Miami Dade College is a public institution located in Miami, Florida. The Hispanic serving institution is among the dental hygienist schools in Florida offering dental hygiene programs.
Miami Dade offers an associate degree in dental hygiene program which can be completed in two years. This dental hygiene program is offered at the school’s Medical Campus. To obtain this associate degree, you are required to complete the 88 credits of coursework which includes dental hygiene courses and general education.
The program starts every year in August and the classes are on a full-time basis. The dental hygiene coursework includes dental anatomy, dental radiology, periodontology, dental materials, preventive dentistry, community dental health, and dental practice management and leadership.
Miami Dade is one of the dental hygienist colleges in Florida with a less competitive acceptance rate. If you are interested to get more information about dental hygiene programs at Miami Dade College, the school’s official website Is on the link below.
2. Santa Fe College, Gainesville
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- In-State Tuition: $2,563
- Out-of-State Tuition: $9,189
- No Application Fee
- School Address: 3000 NORTHWEST 83RD STREET GAINESVILLE, FL 32606
Santa Fe College is a public institution located in Gainesville, Florida. The mid-sized college only has about 5,343 undergraduate enrollment and an acceptance rate of 100%.
Santa Fe College is one of the dental hygienist schools in Florida with a conducive and exquisite learning environment for students.
Santa Fe offers an associate degree program in dental hygiene. To obtain this degree, you must complete a curriculum taking up to 35 to 37 class hours in a week. The curriculum includes courses in anatomy, dental sciences, and clinical courses.
Once you complete this program, you will have the knowledge to sit for the administration of the local anaesthesia certificate exam, together with the national and state licensing exams.
You can get more information about dental hygienist programs at Santa Fe College when you click the link below.
Also Read: 20 Best Dental Hygienist Schools in the USA
3. Eastern Florida State College, Cocoa
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- In-State Tuition: $2,496
- Out-of-State Tuition: $9,739
- Application Fee: $30
- School Address: 1519 CLEARLAKE RD COCOA, FL 32922
Eastern Florida State College is a public institution located in Cocoa, Florida. The institution is one of the smallest dental hygienist colleges in Florida, with an enrollment of 4,508 undergraduate students. It’s less competitive in the admission process, with an acceptance rate of 100%.
Eastern Florida State College offers a two-year associate degree program in dental hygiene. The coursework attached to the program includes courses in general education, science, and dental hygiene.
This is one of the dental hygienist schools in Florida where you are expected to complete the coursework in general education and sciences to earn your degree before you start the dental hygiene coursework.
Eastern Florida State College accepts only 12 students in this program every year. You can increase your chances of admission by completing basic core courses in physiology, microbiology, nutrition, anatomy, and introduction to healthcare. All courses must have a minimum grade of “C” or above.
To get more information about the associate degree program in dental hygiene at Eastern Florida State College, the link below takes you to their official website.
4. St Petersburg College Clearwater
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- In-State Tuition: $2,682
- Out-of-State Tuition: $9,286
- Application Fee: $40
- School Address: 6021 142ND AVE N CLEARWATER, FL 33760
St Petersburg College is one of the dental hygienist schools in Florida. A mid-sized public college located in Largo, Florida, with an enrollment of 8,152 undergraduates.
St Petersburg College offers an associate and bachelor’s degree program in dental hygiene. The associate’s and bachelor’s degrees have different requirements. You can enrol in the associate degree program even without having a background in dental hygiene, while a bachelor’s degree requires a licensed dental hygienist.
Dental Hygiene Associate in Science Degree
The associate in a science degree program can be obtained in two years. This program offers a 58-credit dental hygienist coursework which includes courses in dental radiology, preventive dentistry, dental pharmacology, dental materials, community dental health, and periodontics.
Dental Hygiene B.A.S Degree
The courses included in this program are strictly offered online. It expatiates your knowledge and you acquire more skills in this program.
Find out more information about the dental hygiene programs offered at each degree level at St Petersburg College.
5. Broward College, Fort Lauderdale
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- In-State Tuition: $2,830
- Out-of-State Tuition: $8,952
- Application Fee: $35
- School Address: 111 EAST LAS OLAS BLVD FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33301
Broward College is a public institution located in Davie, Florida. The undergraduate enrollment at the college is 10,715 with an acceptance rate of 100%.
Broward College offers a unique dental hygiene program different from other schools. The dental hygiene course is in a format where you complete a year in Dental Assisting, then another year in Dental Hygiene.
The program starts in August every year and only 16 students are admitted into the Dental Hygiene program. With this program, once you complete your first year in Dental Assisting you are eligible to apply for an internship setting your career on a smooth path.
Broward College is among the best dental hygienist colleges in Florida, and you can find out more about its dental hygiene programs by clicking the link below.
6. Valencia College, Orlando
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- In-State Tuition: $2,474
- Out-of-State Tuition: $9,383
- Application Fee: $35
- School Address: 1768 PARK CENTER DRIVE ORLANDO, FL 32835
Valencia College is a public institution located in Orlando, Florida. The acceptance rate at Valencia College is 100% with an undergraduate enrollment of 16,488 students.
Valencia College offers a two-year associate degree program in dental hygiene. The program starts during summer every year. The six-semester program has coursework that includes courses in general education, dental hygiene, and dental science.
The college is considered one of the best dental hygienist schools in Florida as they offer programs in dental hygiene that are recognised anywhere in the world.
To earn a degree in this program, you must the above-mentioned courses with a minimum grade of “C”.
The link below will direct you to the school’s official website for more information on dental hygiene programs at Valencia College.
Also Read: 20 Best Dental Hygienist Schools in New Jersey
7. Gulf Coast State College, Panama City
- Acceptance Rate:100 %
- In-State Tuition: $2,370
- Out-of-State Tuition: $8,633
- Application Fee: $20
- School Address: 5230 WEST U.S. HIGHWAY 98 PANAMA CITY, FL 32401
Gulf Coast State College is among the elite dental hygienist colleges in Florida. A small public institution located in Panama City, Florida with 1,649 as its undergraduate enrollment.
Gulf Coast College offers a two-year associate degree program in dental hygiene. The college only admits 16 students in its full-time dental hygiene program.
To earn a degree in this program, you must complete the 88 credit coursework in biological and behavioral science and also courses in dental hygiene sciences. Graduates from Gulf Coast State College receive the best skill and knowledge in dental hygiene high-hand.
The link below will direct you to the official website of Gulf Coast State College.
8. Florida State College, Jacksonville
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- In-State Tuition: $5,656
- Out-of-State Tuition: $18,786
- Application Fee: $25
- School Address: 501 W STATE ST JACKSONVILLE, FL 32202
Florida State College is a public institution situated in Jacksonville, Florida. The college is one of the mid sizes dental hygienist colleges in Florida with an undergraduate enrollment of 7,053.
Florida State College offers an associate degree program in dental hygiene which can be completed in two years. The coursework in this program iincludes16 credits in general education courses, 60 credits in dental hygiene, and 12 credits in sciences. To earn a degree in this program requires completing all courses with a minimum grade of “C”.
Oral anatomy, oral histology preventive dentistry, dental radiology, periodontics, dental materials, and community oral health are among the courses offered.
The link below directs you to the school’s official website for more on dental hygiene programs.
9. Tallahassee Community College, Tallahassee
- Acceptance Rate: 100 %
- In-State Tuition: $2,026
- Out-of-State Tuition: $8,062
- No Application Fee
- School Address: 444 APPLEYARD DR TALLAHASSEE, FL 32304
Tallahassee Community College is a public institution located in Tallahassee, Florida. This is one of the best dental hygienist schools in Florida.
Tallahassee Community College offers a dental hygiene program that can be completed in six semesters. The associate degree program can only be completed, once you complete the 15 credit hours in a term.
Additionally, this program requires a minimum grade of “C” in all pre-requisites courses.
If you are interested to get more details about dental hygiene programs at Tallahassee Community College.
10. Hillsborough Community College, Tampa
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- In-State Tuition: $2,506
- Out-of-State Tuition: $9,111
- No Application Fee
- School Address: 39 COLUMBIA DRIVE TAMPA, FL 33606
Hillsborough Community College is one of the dental hygienist colleges in Florida.
At Hillsborough Community College, the dental hygiene program offered is an associate degree that can be completed in 5 semesters. The coursework in this program is in general education before starting the courses in dental hygiene. The dental hygiene courses require about 35 to 40 hours of classes a week.
To get more information on dental hygiene programs at Hillsborough Community College, you can visit the school’s official website.
Also Read: Requirements for Dental Schools
11. Palm Beach State College, Lake Worth
- Acceptance Rate: 100 %
- In-State Tuition: $3,050
- Out-of-State Tuition: $10,910
- Application Fee: $40
- School Address: 4200 CONGRESS AVE LAKE WORTH, FL 33461
The dental hygiene program offered at Palm Beach State College is an associate degree that takes 21 months to complete on a full-time basis.
In this program, you must complete the 88 credits of coursework including 18 credits in natural science courses, 18 in general education, and 52 in dental hygiene courses.
Palm Beach State College is one of the best dental hygienist schools in Florida.
If you want to build a career in oral health, Palm Beach State College has more information about dental hygiene on its official website.
12. India River State College, Fort Pierce
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- In-State Tuition: $2,764
- Out-of-State Tuition: $10,201
- No Application Fee
- School Address: 3209 VIRGINIA AVE FORT PIERCE, FL 34981
Indian River State College offers a two-year associate degree program in dental hygiene. The program is designed to give students the best experience, skills, and knowledge they need to nurture a career in dental health.
At the college’s dental clinic, you will be exposed to the best practices in oral health, and also you will provide dental care to patients under the supervision of a trained dental hygienist.
More information on dental hygiene programs can be found on the school’s official website.
13. Florida Southwestern State College, Fort Myers
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- In-State Tuition: $3,401
- Out-of-State Tuition: $12,979
- Application Fee: $30
- School Address: 8099 COLLEGE PARKWAY FORT MYERS, FL 33919
Florida Southwestern State College is situated in Fort Myers, Florida.
The College offers an associate degree program in dental hygiene. The program coursework includes courses in dental hygiene, dental radiology, pharmacology, and periodontics.
As one of the best dental hygienist schools in Florida, this school should always come to your mind when you think about where to obtain the best dental hygienist degree programs.
The official website of Florida Southwestern State College contains more information on the dental hygiene program.
14. Brevard Community College, Cocoa
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- In-State Tuition: $2,496
- Out-of-State Tuition: $9,739
- Application Fee: $30
- School Address: 1519 CLEARLAKE RD COCOA, FL 32922
Another prestigious school on this list of the dental hygienist schools in Florida is the Brevard Community College, Cocoa, the school offers a top-notch degree program in dental hygiene.
Brevard Community College is an institution located in Cocoa, Florida. The dental hygiene program offered at Brevard Community College is an associate degree and the coursework includes courses in dental hygiene, oral pathology, periodontology, dental anatomy, preventive dentistry, and pain control.
Get more information on the dental hygiene program via the official website of the college.
Also Read: 5 Dental Hygienist Schools in Connecticut
15. Daytona State College, Daytona Beach
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- In-State Tuition: $3,106
- Out-of-State Tuition: $11,994
- No Application Fee
- School Address: 1200 W. INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY BLVD. DAYTONA BEACH, FL 32114
Daytona State College is q public institution situated in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Daytona State College offers a dental hygiene program that is highly selective, admitting only 16 students every year. The college accepts applications once a year in February. This program requires applicants to complete 8 hours of classes after completing the 5 pre-requisite courses before they can submit their application.
Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene are offered at the college’s School of Dental Sciences.
For more information on dental hygiene programs offered at Daytona State College, visit the official the school’s official website.
Conclusion
The essential need for dental hygienists in healthcare cannot be neglected. These are health professionals that provide preventive care to patients and they inculcate the best practices in dental hygiene.
With the top dental hygienist schools in Florida provided to you, the decision on building a career in dental health seems promising.
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References
- Niche.com: Best Colleges with Dental Hygiene Degrees in Florida
- Nursingprocess.org: Best Dental Hygiene Schools in Florida
- Bestaccreditedcolleges.org: Dental Hygienist Schools in Florida with Course Info
