Getting into any of the best dental hygiene schools in Florida is a dream come true for every dentistry student in Florida. We can help make this dream a reality in this article.
Prior to deciding on the vocation, you wish to pursue, you should think about your employment options and future career prospects.
However, some argue that the need for healthcare workers has been on the rise in recent years, making jobs in the medical industry more likely to get.
Dental hygienists are on the list of medical specialists that are in high demand.
To gain the best experience in your chosen field, you simply need to enrol in the best institutions. If you also want to work as a health professional in the field of dental care, the first step begins with obtaining a quality education.
In this article, we will discuss the dental hygienist schools in Florida and other information that would aid your application process to these schools.
Are there Dental Hygiene Schools in Florida?
Dental hygiene schools in Florida offer bachelor’s, associate’s, and master’s degrees in the program. These schools have properly involved students in the practical and theoretical aspects of studying dental hygiene in the city of Florida.
Some of the dental hygiene schools in Florida are:
- Miami Dade College
- Santa Fe College
- Gulf Coast State College
- Valencia College
- Broward College
- St Petersburg College
- Eastern Florida State College
- Indian River State College
- Palm Beach State College
- Hillsborough Community College
- Tallahassee Community College
- Florida State College
- Daytona State College
- Brevard Community College
- Florida Southwestern State College
How Much Does Dental Hygiene Schools Cost in Florida?
The cost of Dental Schools in Florida tends to differ depending on the degree an applicant decides to enrol. It also depends on the area where the school is located because the cost of living is very important.
A bachelor’s degree can cost up to $77,900 and takes roughly four years, but you can earn an associate degree in as little as two years for $42,590 or less. After completing the bachelor’s program, you will attend school for an additional one or two years and shell out an additional $23,160 to $71,520.
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What are the Requirements for Dental Hygiene Schools in Florida?
There are certain requirements for dental hygiene schools in Florida. These requirements help students who want to enrol in a certain program in the school.
They include:
- A completed application form.
- Official bank letter of financial resources.
- Official transcripts.
- English proficiency test scores.
- Recommendation letters.
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What are the Best Dental Hygiene Schools in Florida?
Admission into one of Florida’s best dental hygiene schools is a big deal. With the many opportunities these schools offer and the top-notch educational facilities, no student would want to miss out on this.
In no particular order, these are the best dental hygiene schools in Florida.
1. Miami Dade College
One of the top dental hygiene schools in the state is Miami Dade College. The school combines classroom and lab instruction with intensive clinical learning in a fully-stocked dental clinic to prepare students to enter the workforce with the necessary skills and knowledge.
The college also grants an associate degree in dental hygiene, which takes around two years to finish. The 88-credit program, which includes general education and oral hygiene classes, is available at the college’s Medical Campus.
Dental anatomy, preventive dentistry, dental radiology, periodontology, community dental health, dental materials, and dental office administration and leadership are also some of the topics you will cover in the dental hygiene curriculum.
2. Santa Fe College
Santa Fe College offers a rich learning environment with a committed staff, individualized attention, and practical learning opportunities at the college’s dentistry clinic. Clinical rotations at the University of Florida College of Dentistry and Alachua dental clinics also help to develop professional competence.
Anatomical, biological, dental science, and clinical courses are all included in the extensive course load. After completing this program, you will be qualified to sit for the national and state licensing tests and the certification exam for administering local anaesthetics. In addition, the college grants associate degrees to those interested in dental hygiene.
3. Eastern Florida State College
An excellent platform is provided by Eastern Florida State College, a dental hygiene school in Florida that works to give back to the community by allowing students to learn and work with the public through yearly events and a fully operational dental clinic.
You can also earn an associate degree in dental hygiene at EFSC in two years of full-time study. General education, science, and dental hygiene classes are all included in the curriculum. Before beginning the dental hygiene program, the college advises taking general education and science classes.
4. St Petersburg College
St. Petersburg College has been preparing dental hygiene students for success in this field for over 50 years. Graduates are acknowledged to have excelled on the state and federal licensing exams.
St. Petersburg College provides both an associate’s and a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene. While anyone can enrol in the associate program, you must be a licensed dental hygienist to enrol in the bachelors.
5. Broward College
With its student-friendly resources like a Career Center, financial aid, and scholarships that go hand in hand with a curriculum that is suitable for the workforce, Broward College promotes high-quality dental hygiene education.
A year of study in dental assisting follows the second year of study in dental hygiene in this special dental hygiene program in Florida. You’ll take classes in dental pharmacology, pain management, dental anaesthetic, oral histology, and periodontology as part of your dental hygiene education.
The benefit of this curriculum is that you can apply for internships and significantly advance your career after completing your first year of dental assisting.
6. Valencia College
Since 1977, Valencia College always offers a dental hygiene curriculum, and many of its alumni are now successful clinicians, professors, and public health hygienists throughout the nation. With a dental clinic that is fully operational on campus, students have the chance to hone their professional abilities before entering the workforce.
You will receive the right education to perform competently in entry-level roles as a dental hygienist after completing this rigorous program, which includes general education, dental science, and dental hygiene courses. The college’s Bachelor of Applied Science in Business and Organizational Leadership program significantly improves your employment chances. It trains you for roles in management and supervision in the dental hygiene industry.
7. Gulf Coast State College
Gulf Coast State College has been teaching dental hygiene since 1996, and it’s close to the gorgeous beaches of the Gulf of Mexico. The college has the most modern amenities, and its cutting-edge dentistry clinic accelerates student learning.
The college’s two-year associate degree in dental hygiene program helps you get ready for the national and state licensing examinations and establishes you as a key player on a dental team. Due to the college’s strict admissions process, only 16 students gain admission each year for this demanding full-time program.
8. Florida State College
Students at Florida State College have achieved exceptional success rates on the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination thanks to their excellent dental hygiene education and supportive professors.
Oral anatomy, oral histology, preventative dentistry, an introduction to clinical techniques, dental radiology, periodontics, dental materials, community oral health, and ethics and legislation pertinent to your dental profession are also some of the courses that are presented in a sequence.
9. Tallahassee Community College
Students interested in dental hygiene from the counties of Leon, Gadsden, and Wakulla attend Tallahassee Community College, a renowned community college.
If you complete 15 credits every term, the associate degree in dental hygiene program offered by TCC can be finished in six semesters. To complete its extensive program, you must complete face-to-face didactic sessions, lab exercises, and clinical rotations. By the time you graduate, you’ll have improved clinical reasoning and communication abilities and be capable of carrying out all the duties that a dental hygienist in an entry-level employee is expected to complete.
10. Hillsborough Community College
Hillsborough Community College offers a well-equipped setting with cutting-edge facilities, including labs and a dental clinic where dental hygiene students are guided by an experienced faculty, at its oldest and largest campus in Dale Mabry.
Additionally, the fall associate’s degree in dental hygiene requires five consecutive semesters to complete. You will learn how to execute scaling, cleaning, plaque removal, root planing, dental sealant application, dental radiography, and patient education.
11. Palm Beach State College
Palm Beach State College in Florida provides a high-quality, reasonably priced dental hygiene program. The college has transfer agreements with several other universities, making it simple to transfer to a four-year college.
The associate’s program can be finished in about 21 months with full-time study. You can also transfer credits toward a Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management for those seeking greater employment opportunities.
12. Indian River State College
Affordable tuition is offered by Indian River State College along with training in dental hygiene. This educational journey is made a little easier by the availability of financial help, individualized attention, and skilled professors.
Students receive hands-on training at the college’s dental clinic, where they treat a variety of patients while being supervised by faculty. The program gives students a strong foundation by combining oral hygiene classes with courses in anatomy, physiology, chemistry, microbiology, immunology, general pathology, nutrition, and pharmacology.
13. Florida Southwestern State College
Florida’s Fort Myers is home to Florida Southwestern State College. The College provides a dental hygiene associate’s degree program. Dental radiography, pharmacology, periodontics, and dental hygiene are among the subjects included in the program’s curriculum.
When considering where to get the best dental hygienist degree programs, this institution should always be at the top of your list of Florida’s top dental hygienist colleges.
14. Brevard Community College
The Brevard Community College, Cocoa, is another esteemed institution on this list of dental hygienist schools in Florida; the institution provides a top-notch degree program in dental hygiene.
A college called Brevard Community College is situated in Cocoa, Florida. The associate degree program in dental hygiene at Brevard Community College offers classes in dental hygiene, oral pathology, periodontology, dental anatomy, preventative dentistry, and pain management.
15. Daytona State College
Daytona Beach, Florida, has a public college called Daytona State College. Only 16 students are accepted each year into the highly selective dental hygiene department at Daytona State College.
Applications are taken once a year in February by the college. Before submitting an application, candidates for this program must complete 8 hours of coursework after passing the 5 prerequisite courses. The college’s School of Dental Sciences offers dental hygiene and assisting courses.
How Much Do Dental Hygienists Make in Florida?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary of a dental hygienist in Florida is approximately$67,870 a year. This is equivalent to $32.63 an hour or $5,660 a month.
It’s also critical to realize that your salary will increase with your level of education and experience. A master’s degree will increase your income significantly above an associate degree.
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How Do I Become a Dental Hygienist in Florida?
The state of Florida has certain requirements for licensure, and to be a licensed and registered dental hygienist in the state, you are mandated to meet each requirement. These requirements act as standards for individuals willing to become dental hygienists.
To become a licensed dental hygienist in Florida, you must meet the following requirements:
- Minimum age requirement of 18 years.
- You must have completed a dental program accredited by the American Dental Association (ADA) or a dental hygiene school recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
- You must Pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, the American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX) Dental Exam, and the National Board Dental Exam.
- You will need to show proof of your Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation training (CPR)
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Best Paying Dental Hygiene Jobs in Florida with Salary
There are several dental hygiene jobs in Florida. The salaries of dental hygienists across Florida tend to differ because of the specialization a dental hygienist might choose to go into.
These are the best-paying dental hygiene jobs in Florida with their respective salary:
- Temporary Dentist with an annual salary of about $142,138
- Dental Orthodontist with an annual salary of about $132,737
- Private Dentist with an annual salary of about $130,601
- Family Dentist with an annual salary of about $124,726
- Reviewing Dentist with an annual salary of about $112,544
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Conclusion
The fourth-largest state in the nation, Florida, presents excellent chances for medical professionals, particularly dental hygienists. The need for dental hygienists in the state will increase significantly during the next few years.
The essential need for dental hygienists in healthcare cannot be overemphasized. With the top dental hygienist schools in Florida provided to you, the decision to build a career in dental health is left for you to make.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Depending on the degree of schooling you pursue in the field, becoming a dental hygienist normally takes between two and four years. You must hold both a state-issued and an American Dental Association-issued license in order to practice as a dental hygienist.
More than half of all dentists who are 60 years or older intend to retire before age 65, which is the customary retirement age in the country. Notably, roughly 20% more dental hygienists intend to retire earlier.
In Florida, dental offices employ the majority of dental hygienists. Currently, 11,220 of the state’s 11,830 dental hygienists work for dentists. About 140 other people work for the government or in medical offices, and, wherever they are employed, they perform critical support functions.
Four alternatives are available for prospective dental hygienists’ courses: a two-year oral health science foundation degree. a three- or four-year degree in oral health science, dental treatment, or dental hygiene. a 27-month higher education dental hygiene and therapy diploma program.
References
- nursingprocess.org – Best Dental Hygiene Schools in Florida – 2022
- universities.com – Best Dental Hygiene/Hygienist colleges in Florida 2022