16 Best Dental Hygienist Schools In Florida, 2022 | Admission, Tuition and Accrediting Bodies.

If you want to work as a dental hygienist, you should have skills and abilities that fulfill the requirements for dental hygienists, especially in Florida. Finding the Best Dental Hygienist Schools for you is the first step toward a career as a dental hygienist.

If you want to study dental hygiene in the state of Florida, this article will provide you with the greatest options to explore before making your decision.

What is Dental Hygiene?

The practice of dental hygiene includes cleaning teeth and assisting patients in maintaining their oral health. Dental hygienists are certified professionals that provide preventative, clinical, and therapeutic dental services, such as dental examinations and instruction on how patients can better care for their teeth and gums.

How to Become a Dental Hygienist in Florida State

To become a Dental Hygienist, you must be aware of the legislation and standards governing dental hygiene, such as the minimum age, education, and experience required to begin your career as a Dental Hygienist.

The Florida Legislature has passed legislation requiring dental hygienists to work in a dental hub. According to Chapter 466 of the Florida Statutes, if you want to improve your oral hygiene, you should:

• The individual must be at least 18 years old.
• The applicant must submit a completed application to take the Dental Hygienists Licensing Exam in the State of Florida.
• The applicant must fill out the free application and include latest portraits with the application.
• The applicant must have no issues with legislation or any health-care profession on their lives.
• The individual must also have graduated from a ‘dental hygiene college or school approved by the board, or accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Dental Association or its successor entity, if any, or any other dental hygiene program accrediting entity recognized by the United States Department of Education,’ according to Florida Statutes. There are additional criteria under Florida law if a person completes a program at an unaccredited dental hygiene institution.

When opposed to individuals who pick an unaccredited program or dental hygienists school in Florida, attending one of the accredited programs or dental hygienists schools in Florida is likely to help the graduate get employment as a dental hygienist.

5 Top Dental Hygienist Schools In Florida 2022.

Rank	School	Location
1.	Florida Southwestern State College	Fort Myers, Florida
2.	Miami Dade College	Miami, Florida
3.	Gulf Coast State College	Panama City, Florida
4.	Tallahassee Community College	Tallahassee, Florida
5.	State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota	Sarasota County, Florida

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What courses will I take as part of my Dental Hygienist Education?

You will study a variety of courses in any of the dental hygienist schools in Florida that you choose. Some are more general, such as health and biology, while others are more specialized. The following are some of them:

• Instrumentation:

This course teaches you how to utilize dental equipment like scalers and probes in the most effective way possible.

• Radiology:

Dental x-rays are common, and as a hygienist, you may be asked to obtain photographs of your patients’ bones and teeth. This course will teach you about the accuracy and safety of dental x-rays.

• Dental Materials:

In this course, you will learn about the various materials used in the oral healthcare setting. Dentists work with a variety of materials, including polymers, ceramics, and other materials.

• Communication:

You’ll acquire effective communication skills that will help you better educate patients at home about how to care for their teeth and gums.

• Anxiety and Pain Management:

This course equips you with the skills you’ll need to help patients relax by alleviating their pain and anxiety.

• Dental Hygiene Theory:

This four-term course focuses on the theoretical foundation of the dental hygiene services you will give to your patients.

Dental Hygiene Program Length & Cost in Florida

The length of time and money it will take you to complete your dental hygiene education in Florida varies based on the sort of program you pick. A two-year associate degree costs $42,590 or less, whereas a four-year bachelor’s degree costs up to $77,900 and takes roughly two years.

If you want to get a master’s degree, you’ll have to go back to school for another one or two years after finishing your bachelor’s degree, and you’ll have to pay an additional $23,160 to $71,520.

Below is a tabulated program length and cost for dental hygiene programs

Program Type	Program Length	Program Cost
Associate Degree	20 – 30 Months	$3,840 – $42,590
Bachelor’s Degree	4 – years	$17,770 – $77,900
Master’s Degree	Between 1 and 2 years	$23,160 – $71,520

Learn about the Best Dental Hygienist Schools and Tuition In Florida In 2022

#1. Florida Southwestern State College – Fort Myers, Florida

Florida Southwestern State College’s Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene curriculum prepares students for a fulfilling career as a licensed dental hygienist. Each year, the program begins in the fall semester. It has a curriculum that includes general education and dental hygiene classes, as well as clinical practice. Students may progress in the dental hygiene program if they obtain a minimum grade of “C” in each course.

Registered Dental Hygienists with a current Florida license can also pursue the state-approved Dental Hygiene Local Anesthesia course at this school.

For the past 24 years, Florida Southwestern State College has had a perfect pass record on the National Dental Hygiene Board Examination.

Tuition and Accrediting Body

• Tuition: $81.21 per credit hour
• Accreditation: CODA with “Approval without Reporting Requirements”

#2. Miami Dade College, Miami, Florida.

The Associate in Dental Hygiene degree at Miami Dade College trains students to become licensed dental hygienists who work directly with patients under the supervision of a dentist. The program is designed for students who desire to begin working as dental hygienists right after graduation.

Preventive dental care, removal of deposits and stains from a patient’s teeth, exposure and development of x-rays, and a variety of therapeutic treatments are all taught to students.

Tuition and Accrediting Body

• Tuition: est. $82.78 per credit hour
• Accreditation: Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association

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#3. Gulf Coast State College, Panama City, Florida

Dental hygienists are generally the first people customers meet at the dentist’s office, according to Gulf Coast State College. Dental hygienists may be the first to notice potentially serious oral health conditions that could signal other serious health problems, such as mouth cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or autoimmune illnesses.

The Associate in Science in Dental Hygiene program teaches students how to assess patients, chart teeth and oral structures, expose, process, and label dental radiographs, and remove calculus and plaque above and below the gumline.

Tuition and Accrediting Body

• Tuition: est. $98.76 per credit hour
• Accreditation: Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association

#4. Tallahassee Community College, Tallahassee, Florida.

Tallahassee Community College’s dental hygiene program is a limited-access program with a small student body. Before being accepted into the Dental Hygiene Associate in Science degree program, prospective students must first complete all application and prerequisite criteria.

The daytime program, in its original style, consists of 88 credit hours of study, which students finish in six semesters. Students learn how to safely conduct all of the activities that dental hygienists in Florida are expected to perform, as well as how to prepare for the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and the state licensure exam.

Tuition and Accrediting Body

• Tuition: $100.83 per credit hour
• Accreditation: Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)

#5. State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota, Sarasota County, Florida

The State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota offers a dental hygiene program that leads to an Associate in Science degree. Students who complete the program satisfactorily will be qualified to take the National Board Examination as well as the Florida State Licensing Examination. According to the institution, passing both examinations is essential for licensing in Florida.

Technical training in principles and techniques, as well as clinical experiences in a range of settings, such as public health departments, dental hygiene clinics, and community facilities, are all part of the curriculum.

Tuition and Accrediting Body

• Tuition: $102.48 per credit hour
• Accreditation: Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association (ADA)

#6. Valencia College, Orlando, Florida.

Valencia College’s two-year Associate in Dental Hygiene program equips students with the information and abilities needed to function as a licensed dental hygienist as part of a dental team. Students learn how to conduct patient examinations to assess the presence of any oral health issue, as well as how to do cleanings, x-rays, and other preventive dental treatment.

Students acquire practical experience in the on-campus dental hygiene clinic, which is fully operational. Before graduating, students participate in a variety of activities to assist them improve their talents.

Tuition and Accrediting Body

• Tuition: $103.06 per credit hour
• Accreditation: Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association (ADA)

#7. Indian River State College, Fort Pierce, Florida.

The Associate in Science degree is offered to students who finish the dental hygiene program at Indian River State College. Students at the Fort Pierce, Florida facility finish a rigorous program in which they learn how to properly clean teeth, perform scaling, and provide other non-surgical dental care.

The school is proud of the fact that the program has had a 100% graduation record for numerous years, as well as a 100% pass rate on the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and the fact that 100% of graduates obtained employment as a dental hygienist within nine months of graduation.

Tuition and Accrediting Body

• Tuition: est. $103.27 per credit hour
• Accreditation: Commission on Dental Accreditation

#8. Eastern Florida State College, Cocoa, Florida.

For students interested in pursuing a lucrative profession as a dental hygienist in Florida, Eastern Florida State College offers a Dental Hygiene Associate in Science degree. General education, dental-specific courses, and science-related courses make up the demanding curriculum. Students will also be prepared to take the required examinations to become a dental hygienist after completing the program.

The “Expanded Functions Certificate” and the “Local Anesthesia Administration Certificate” are also awarded to program graduates.

Tuition and Accrediting Body

• Tuition: $104 per credit hour
• Accreditation: Commission on Dental Accreditation

#9. Hillsborough Community College, Tampa, Florida.

Hillsborough Community College serves students from all around Florida, including the Tampa Bay area. The Dental Hygiene Associate in Science (A.S.) degree program prepares students to fulfill the duties of a dental hygienist as well as to pass the necessary examinations. Students can also pursue certifications in extended responsibilities.

The program comprises of five semesters of study in a row. Oral health checks, x-rays, and non-surgical periodontal therapy are among the topics discussed. Students also learn how to educate patients on an individual basis.

Tuition and Accrediting Body

• Tuition: $104.39 per credit hour
• Accreditation: American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation

#10. Pensacola State College, Pensacola, Florida.

The two-year Associate in Science in Dental Hygiene program at Pensacola State College equips students with the skills to master the clinical competencies required of a dental hygienist, as well as the knowledge to work in all positions that a dental hygienist in Florida is expected to perform.

The courses are intended to be taken in order. Preventive Dentistry, Oral Embryology and Histology, Periodontics, and Nutrition and Dental Health are examples of courses.

Tuition and Accrediting Body

• Tuition: $104.58 per credit hour
• Accreditation: Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association

#11. Florida State College at Jacksonville, Jacksonville, Florida.

The Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene degree at Florida State College at Jacksonville prepares students for a profession as a Florida dental hygienist. While working as part of a professional oral health care team, students receive the knowledge necessary to support excellent dental health.

Preventive Dentistry, Clinical Dental Hygiene, Oral and Dental Anatomy, Dental Hygienists Expanded Functions, and Dental Emergencies are among the courses that students take after completing necessary criteria. In addition, students must fulfill a number of laboratory course prerequisites.

Several years in a row, the institution has had 100% student pass rates on the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination.

Tuition and Accrediting Body

• Tuition: est. $104.87 per credit hour
• Accreditation: Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)

#12. Pasco-Hernando State College, New Port Richey, Florida.

Paso-Hernando State College’s Dental Hygienist Associate in Science degree is a limited access program that prepares students to work as dental hygienists in modern dental clinics. Students learn how to conduct oral health examinations and take x-rays. They also learn how to do dental cleanings, scalings, oral health treatments, and other operations that are allowed under Florida law.

Tuition and Accrediting Body

• Tuition: $105.18 per credit hour
• Accreditation: American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation

#13. South Florida State College, Highlands County, Florida.

Students in the dental hygiene department at South Florida State College work toward becoming licensed dental hygienists. The curriculum focuses on the knowledge and skills needed to pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Exams and the State of Florida licensing examination.

Orofacial Anatomy, Dental Radiology, Dental Materials and Expanded Duties, General and Oral Pathology, and Medical Emergencies are among the courses taken by students enrolling in the daytime, full-time Dental Hygiene Associate in Science program.

In the classroom, laboratory, and clinical settings, students are also taught how to perform the duties of a dental hygienist in a safe, efficient, and dependable manner.

Tuition and Accrediting Body.

• Tuition: $105.42 per credit hour
• Accreditation: American Dental Association

#14. Santa Fe College, Alachua County, Florida.

Santa Fe College in Gainesville, Florida, provides a Dental Hygiene Associate in Science degree program with two alternatives for completion. Students work in clinics in addition to taking classes in the classroom. The dental health care system, biological and applied sciences, dental public health, and other areas are covered by students.

Students also learn about oral health prevention and maintenance, as well as special therapies including curettage and root canals.

Tuition and Accrediting Body.

• Tuition: $106.77 per credit hour
• Accreditation: American Dental Association

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#15. Broward College, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

For students interested in working in the profession of dentistry, Broward College provides a one-of-a-kind 1+1 curriculum. Students who complete the program will be prepared to work as a dental hygienist or a dental assistant. Graduates’ future job prospects may be improved as a result of this.

Students must first finish the 12-month Dental Assistant Program before applying to the Dental Hygiene program, allowing them to complete both programs in the typical two-year time frame for completing an associate’s degree. After finishing the dental assistant program, students obtain an Applied Technical Diploma in Dental Assisting, and after completing the dental hygiene program, they receive an Associate in Science degree.

In August of each year, Broward College admits a cohort of 16 students.

Tuition and Accrediting Body

• Tuition: $117.90 per credit hour
• Accreditation: Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, with “Approval without Reporting Requirements”

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#16. St. Petersburg College, St. Petersburg, Florida.

Some dental hygienists wish to advance their careers, and St. Petersburg College understands this. After earning a Dental Hygiene Associate in Science degree, a student can go on to earn a Dental Hygiene Bachelor of Applied Science degree. In the state of Florida, the program is the only one that offers a baccalaureate degree in dental hygiene.

Students enrolled in the online program obtain the skills they need to advance their careers. Students who are committed can enroll in the associate’s degree program while also pursuing their bachelor’s degree. This isn’t a necessity, so students can finish their bachelor’s degree requirements in a typical program style.

Tuition and Accrediting Body

• Tuition: $122.70 per credit hour
• Accreditation: American Dental Association – Commission on Dental Accreditation

Frequently Asked Questions on the Best Dental Hygienist Schools

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