10 Best Dental Hygiene Schools In Florida – Admission, Tuition, and More

You have decided to become a dental hygienist and are now in the process of narrowing down your choice of school/training program. It is ESSENTIAL when making your final choice; you SELECT a program that will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to pass the National Board of Dental Hygiene Exam and Regional State Examination. Not only that, but you also want to ensure that the dental hygiene program will provide you with the confidence you need to EXCEL as a dental hygienist.

With that said, the STATE of Florida has several high-quality programs to choose from, which CAN make your final choice overwhelming. Hence, to assist you in your journey, we have researched some of the BEST dental hygiene programs in Florida. All of these programs have been accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.

---

Overall BEST Dental Hygienist Schools In Florida

In the table below, you will find the TOP accredited dental hygiene programs in Florida and the schools they are offered at. The schools are listed in a ranking order by ratings left by graduates.

You can click “FEATURES” on any of the schools in the table to jump to the appropriate section in this article. There you will find a brief description of the program, admission information, and estimated costs.

WordPress Tables

---

1) Miami Dade County (A.S.)

Current Rating: 4.7/5

With a rating of 4.7/5, Miami Dade County provides one of the BEST dental hygiene programs in Florida. This training program has been accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate and baccalaureate degrees. Not only that, but the program is also accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association. The complete length of the program is approx. three (3) years and offers different learning options i.e. MDC LIVE, a 100% virtual learning environment, MDC Online, and in-person classroom instruction. With that said,

After successful graduation, students will be ELIGIBLE to write the National Dental Hygiene Board Examination required through the American Dental Association and the Florida Dental Hygiene Board Examination.

Admission Requirements:

Selection is based on the completion of the prerequisite courses. Candidates become licensed after graduation. View “prerequisite” courses here.

Background check

Medical/Health record check

Program Tuition and Cost:

Estimated: $10,403.36

Complete tuition information can be found here: Miami Dade  College Tuition and Fees

Address:

950 NW 20th St
Miami, FL 33127
(305) 237-4141

---

2) Palm Beach State College (A.S.)

Current Rating: 4.6/5

The Palm Beach State College dental hygiene program in Florida is a 2-year program with graduates receiving an Associates Degree in Dental Hygiene. This program has been accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation (ADA CODA). As part of the CORE curriculum, students enrolled in the Dental Hygiene program WILL be trained in both an in-class and clinical setting. As part of the clinical module, students will provide preventive dental treatment to community patients in order to become familiar with the fundamental dental procedures. Not only that, but the Palm Beach dental hygiene school in Florida will prepare students for the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination. Once students have PASSED the National examination, they will then be ELIGIBLE to take a state or regional licensing exam required for licensure.

Admission Requirements:

Standard High School diploma or GED.

Satisfied Developmental Education either by submission of placement test scores or qualifying exemption

Minimum overall cumulative GPA requirement 2.0

Completion of the following natural science courses with a grade of C or higher by the deadline date

BSC 2085 Anatomy and Physiology 1 Lecture

BSC 2088L Anatomy and Physiology 1 Lab

BSC 2086 Anatomy and Physiology 2 lecture

BSC 2086L Anatomy and Physiology 2 Lab

MCB 2010 Microbiology Lecture

MCB 2010LMicrobiology Lab

HUN 1201 Elements of Nutrition

CHM Any transferable college-level Chemistry lecture

After the minimum eligibility requirements are met, a points system will be used to determine program admission. There is no point minimum; the more points a student earns, the more likely they will be admitted.

Please view complete ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS here – Palm Beach State College Admission Requirements (General/Dental)

Program Tuition and Cost:

Address:

4200 Congress Avenue
Lake Worth, FL 33461
561.967.7222

---

3) Gulf Coast State College (A.S.)

Current Rating: 4.4/5

The Gulf Coast dental hygiene program in Florida has a rating of 4.4/5. It is structured to provide students with BASIC clinical competencies and theoretical concepts of the Dental Hygiene process of care. After successful graduation, students will receive an Associate in Science degree (AS) in dental hygiene and WILL be ELIGIBLE to apply for the national and state board examinations in any U. S. state.

The Gulf Coast State College dental hygiene program has been accredited by the American Dental Association.

Admission Requirements:

Please view complete ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS here – Gulf Coast State College Admission Requirements (General/Dental)

Program Tuition and Cost:

Address:

5230 West Highway 98
Panama City, FL 32401
850.769.1551

---

4) Santa Fe College-Florida (A.S.)

Current Rating: 4.3/5

Santa Fe College offers one of the BEST dental hygiene programs in Florida. The training program has both in-class and clinical modules spread out over two (2) years. This program’s main OBJECTIVE is to help students develop ethical and professional behaviors that they can utilize once they start working as a dental hygienist. Students are currently required to commit 35-40 hours per week, and after successful graduation, they will be ELIGIBLE to write the Florida state licensure exam for dental hygiene. With that said, the Santa Fe dental hygiene program has been accredited by the American Dental Association.

Admission Requirements:

Applicants who have already completed a Dental Assisting vocational program, possess DANB certification, and 1-year chair-side experience (within five (5) years of application), should apply to the Dental Hygiene Bridge Program to receive credit for previous coursework.

Possess a 2.50 or higher overall college GPA

Complete the following coursework with a grade of C or higher:

BSC 2084/L Principles of Human Anatomy and Physiology with lab (BSC 2085/L and BSC 2086/L may be substituted in place of BSC 2084/L)

CHM 1030/L Elements of Chemistry with lab or higher

ENC 1101 College Composition 1

HUN 1201 Human Nutrition

MCB2010/L Microbiology with lab

PSY 2012 General Psychology OR DEP2004 Developmental Psychology

SYG2000 Sociology OR SYG2010 Social Problems OR SYG2430 Marriage and Family

One Humanities/Fine Arts course

SPC2608 Public Speaking

Complete an interest essay at the time of application (Essay must be 500 words or less. Criteria and submission instructions noted on the online application screen).

Program Tuition and Cost:

Address:

3000 NW 83rd Street
Gainesville, FL 32606
352-395-5000

---

---

5) South Florida State College (A.S.)

Current Rating: 4.2/5

The South Florida State College offers one of the TOP dental hygiene schools in Florida, with graduates receiving an Associate in Science degree (AS). The program is two (2)-years and is accredited by the American Dental Association Commission. Students will take part in both in-class and clinical modules. The training program has been structured to provide students with the foundation they need to EXCEL as dental hygienists once they graduate and enter the workforce. With that said,

After successful graduation, students will be ELIGIBLE to write the National Dental Hygiene Board Examination required through the American Dental Association and the Florida Dental Hygiene Board Examination.

Admission Requirements:

Complete an online South Florida State College Admissions Application and select Dental Hygiene-AS for major/program.

Submit an official high school transcript, GED, or equivalent verifying proof of high school graduation to the Office of the Registrar. If you are currently in high school, you must be 18 or older and have your diploma before the first day of fall classes.

Submit official college transcripts verifying completion of the required prerequisite courses and all other college work attempted. Each of the following prerequisite courses must be completed by the application deadline with a minimum grade of ‘C’ or higher per course and an overall cumulative program prerequisite GPA of 2.75:

BSC 1085C – Human Anatomy and Physiology I (4 credit hours)

BSC 1086C – Human Anatomy and Physiology II (4 credit hours)

CHM 1020 – Introducing General Chemistry (3 credit hours)

CHM 1020L – Introducing General Chemistry Lab ( 1 credit hour)

ENC 1101 – Freshman English I (3 credit hours)

MAC 1105 – College Algebra (3 credit hours)

MCB 2010C – Microbiology (4 credit hours)

All Science courses must have been taken within five years of application to the program.

All remedial courses must be completed to be eligible for college-level courses.

Complete 40 hours of observation/working in a general dentist office/clinic by the application deadline. The Dental Hygiene Observation Hours form must be completed and submitted online with your dental hygiene program application.

Program Tuition and Cost:

Complete tuition information can be found here: South Florida State College Tuition and Fees

Address:

600 West College Drive
Avon Park, FL 33825
863.453.6661

---

6) Eastern Florida State College (A.S.)

Current Rating: 4.2/5

Eastern Florida State College has been fully accredited by the American Dental Association Commission and the length of the program is two (2) years. After successful completion of the program, graduates will receive an Associate in Science degree in Dental Hygiene. The EFSC dental hygiene program in Florida has structured its curriculum to provide students with the foundation they need to EXCEL as a dental hygienist once they graduate. The curriculum will cover general education courses, science education courses, and dental-specific courses. Not only that, but students will be learning in both in-class and take part in clinical practice under the supervision of EFSC faculty. With that said,

Upon graduation and successful completion of the National Board Examination, the graduate may apply for and take state licensure examinations in any of the 50 states.

Admission Requirements:

All accepted students will be required to submit a completed physical exam form with proof of immunizations and titers before entrance.

All accepted students will be required to purchase the “professional liability” and “accident” insurance through EFSC. Personal health insurance is strongly recommended.

All accepted students will be required to have a current American Heart Association course “BLS for Health Care Providers” CPR certification before entrance into the clinical portion of the program. This CPR certification must be renewed every two years

Background Check and Drug Screening (Criminal History Information Request)

All general education and science support courses must have been successfully completed with a grade of “C” or better to satisfy the Dental Hygiene program requirements for graduation.  Science and support courses must have been completed within the past ten years to be considered.

Program Tuition and Cost:

Address:

1519 Clearlake Road
Cocoa, FL 32922
321-632-1111

---

7) Broward College (A.S.)

Current Rating: 4.1/5

Students graduating from Broward College will earn an Associate of Science Degree in Dental Hygiene. The program’s complete length is two (2)-years. Broward College offers a unique “1+1” program structure that allows students to earn both a Dental Assistant and Dental Hygiene certification. The training program has been structured to provide students with both in-class learning with time also allocated to clinical labs so students can GAIN practical experience before entering the workforce. With that said,

The programs in Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting are accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and have been granted the accreditation statuses of Approval Without Reporting Requirements.

Admission Requirements:

Minimum GPA of 2.5.

Completion of ENC 1101, SPC 1608 or SPC 1024, PSY 2012, SYG 2000, Gen. Ed. Mathematics, Gen. Ed. Humanities, BSC 2085, BSC 2085L BSC 2086, BSC 2086L, MCB 2010, MCB 2010L, HUN 1202 or HUN1201, CHM 1032

CHM1032 cannot be substituted with higher chemistry unless it contains biochemistry. Course description and learning outcomes would have to be evaluated by their Science Department. The biochemistry course grade will determine the points awarded.

PSY2012 and SYG2000 may be substituted with another psychology and sociology course upon evaluation.

Applicants must have graduated within the last three years from a Florida Dental Assisting program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) and hold (DANB) current national certification as a Dental Assistant (CDA). Each dental assisting and general education course must have a minimum grade of ‘C’.

Successful completion of all General Education and college course requirements before submitting the Health Science Application.

Completion of a Health Science limited access application

Program Tuition and Cost:

Address:

111 East Las Olas Blvd
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

---

---

8) Valencia College (A.S.)

Current Rating: 4.1/5

Valencia College is located in Orlando, Florida, and prepares students to become licensed primary oral health care professionals. The dental hygiene training program at Valencia College is a two (2)-year program with students receiving an Associate in Science (A.S.) degree. Not to mention, after SUCCESSFUL graduation, students will be ELIGIBLE for the National Dental Hygiene Board Examination.

The dental hygiene program provided at Valencia College is fully accredited by the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation.

Admission Requirements:

Please view Admission Checklist here – Valencia Dental Hygiene Admission Requirements

Program Tuition and Cost:

Address:

Valencia College
P.O. Box 3028
Orlando, FL 32802-3028
407-299-5000

---

9) Tallahassee Community College (A.S.)

Current Rating: 4.1/5

The Tallahassee College dental hygiene program in Florida prepares students for the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and licensure as a registered dental hygienists. The degree trains students to safely and effectively perform all the legal functions for dental hygienists to perform in Florida. The program’s length is two (2)-years, with graduates receiving an Associate in Science (A.S.) degree in dental hygiene. The Tallahassee College dental hygiene program has been accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation. With that said,

Students will be spending time learning in both an in-class environment and a practical clinical lab.

Admission Requirements:

Applicants to the Dental Hygiene program must complete all admission requirements to the College and complete the program’s required prerequisite courses with a minimum unrounded GPA of 2.2 and a minimum cumulative college GPA of 2.5

See GPA for Dental Hygiene.

Program Tuition and Cost:

ESTIMATED TUITION COST: $8,873.00

Address:

444 Appleyard Drive
Tallahassee, FL 32304
(850) 201-6200

---

10) Hillsborough Community College (A.S.)

Current Rating: 4.0/5

The Hillsborough College dental hygiene program in Florida is two (2)-years, consisting of 88 total credit hours. After SUCCESSFUL graduation, students will receive an Associate in Science (A.S.) degree in dental hygiene. This dental hygiene provides students with the skills and knowledge they need to EXCEL as a licensed dental hygienist. Students MUST be prepared to commit 35-40 hours per week, and after completing the program, they WILL be ELIGIBLE for both the NATIONAL and STATE dental hygiene board exams. As per the Hillsborough Community College website –

“The Dental Hygiene Program has received official “full accreditation” status from the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation. This classification ensures the student that the program has met initial accreditation requirements that are essential for graduation from an accredited dental hygiene program.”

Admission Requirements:

Please view Admission Checklist here – Hillsborough Community College Admission Requirements

Program Tuition and Cost:

ESTIMATED TUITION COST: $18,315.00

Address:

Health Sciences Division Hillsborough Community College
Dale Mabry Campus
4001 West Tampa Bay Boulevard
Tampa, FL 33614-7820

---

Final Thoughts

We hope this guide has provided you with the information you need to make an informed decision when choosing a dental hygienist school in Florida. In addition to this guide, we also recommend you take time out to speak to the admissions office, visit the campus, and perhaps speak to fellow students. Your objective is to ultimately PASS the National/STATE licensing exams, acquire the skills necessary to excel as a dental hygienist whilst also having a great learning experience.

If you have found this guide helpful, please don’t forget to share your thoughts and feedback below in the comment box. We would love to hear what you and others have to say about our list of BEST dental hygiene programs in Florida.

Additional Resources

How to Become a Dental Hygienist (United States)
21 Best Dental Hygiene Schools In California
Dental Hygienist Practice Tests (NBDHE)
17 Best Dental Hygiene Schools In Texas – Admission, Tuition, and More