The dental hygienist plays a vital role as part of the oral health care team. The role and function revolve around the maintenance of oral health but may include any supportive activities that fall within the guidelines of the Florida Dental Practice Act. An accredited dental hygienist program will prepare you for the challenging role and help you to develop the critical thinking skills so essential for success in the field. Training must include classroom and clinical experiences designed to supply knowledge and application of the theoretical concepts in a clinical environment. Most dental hygienist programs in Florida lead to an associate of science or bachelor of science degree that requires a commitment of 24 to 48 months.
Florida State College at Jacksonville
The Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene degree offered at Florida State College at Jacksonville prepares students for entry-level employment as dental hygienist. Students must complete a total of 88 credit hours including 16 general education credits, 12 credits of professional coursework, and 60 credit hours of dental hygiene coursework. Course topics include an introduction to clinical procedures, dental hygiene instrumentation, preventative dentistry, clinical dental hygiene, pharmacology and oral medicine, general and oral pathology, periodontics, dental hygienists expanded functions lab, periodontics, community oral health, medically compromised patient, head and neck anatomy, dental radiology, dental office emergencies, and more. Students must complete the theoretical and clinical requirements to graduate from the program. Graduates will be prepared to support total oral health through the promotion of optimal dental health, working as a member of the oral health care team. They must pass both the computerized and clinical exams prior to becoming state licensed.
Program overview:
Dental Hygienist Associate of Science Degree
Duration: 24 months
Semester credit hours: 88
Prerequisites:
- Must be at least 16 years of age – signed permission from a parent or guardian is required for persons under 18 years
- Apply for admission to Florida State College at Jacksonville
- Pay the one-time application fee of $25
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
- Must take the HESI A2 and achieve a minimum score of 75% in each of the four listed subtests – Anatomy and Physiology, Chemistry, Reading Comprehension, and Vocabulary
- Must complete prerequisite courses before the application deadline – Human Anatomy and Physiology, Principles of General Chemistry, College Algebra, and Microbiology
- Submit a completed Dental Hygienist Program Application
- Must undergo a criminal background check and drug screen prior to placement in the agencies for clinical experiences
- Must have health insurance
- Must provide documentation of current immunization including COVID-19 vaccine
- Attend an interview with the Program Director
- Complete a physical exam upon acceptance to the program – students must renew their annual physical examination and TB test
Program cost:
The approximate cost of tuition and fees is $9,229. Additional costs include instruments, supplies, books, background check, uniforms, physical, and drug screen.
- Website: https://www.fscj.edu/home
- Address: 4501 Capper Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32218
- Phone: (904) 766-6500
Santa Fe College
The dental hygienist program at Santa Fe College leads to an Associate in Science degree. The traditional program includes class and clinic commitments of 35 to 40 hours per week with some evening clinic classes. Students will acquire the skills to work in private practice, research, institutional, or public health settings. Course topics include the dental health care system, instrumentation, instrumentation lab, introduction to professional development, pharmacology, dental specialties, expanding functions, community health dental lab, dental hygienist clinic, oral/dental anatomy, dental materials, dental materials lab, dental radiography, dental emergencies, preventative dentistry, practice management, and much more. Graduates will receive an Associate in Science degree and be eligible for state licensure. Applicants who have already completed a Dental Assisting vocational program, possess DANB certification and 1-year chair-side experience (within 5 years of application), should apply to the Dental Hygiene Bridge Program to receive credit for previous coursework.
Program overview:
Dental Hygienist Associate of Science Degree
Duration: 24 months
Semester credit hours: 88
Prerequisites:
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Apply for admission to Santa Fe College
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
- Must have a minimum 2.5 or higher overall college GPA
- Must complete prerequisite courses with a grade C or better – Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II with lab, College Composition, Public Speaking, Intro to Microbiology, General Psychology, Principles of Sociology, College Algebra, and Humanities Fine Arts course
- Submit a completed Dental Hygienist Program Application
- Must undergo a criminal background check and drug screen prior to placement in the agencies for clinical experiences
- Must have health insurance
- Must provide documentation of current immunization including COVID-19 vaccine
- Attend an interview with the Program Director
- Complete a physical exam upon acceptance to the program – students must renew their annual physical examination and TB test
Program cost:
The approximate cost of tuition and fees is $9,395 for Florida residents and $33,365.20 for non-residents. Additional costs include books, health physical and immunizations, CPR, background screening, drug testing, flu shots, instrument kit, uniform, and Dental Hygiene National Board Examination.
- Website: https://www.sfcollege.edu/
- Address: 3000 NW 83rd Street, Gainesville, FL 32606
- Phone: 352-395-5000