Become a Dental Hygienist in Florida
The US’s fourth largest state offers fantastic opportunities for dental hygienists in the coming years. [Seguir leyendo en español]
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that in the seven years to 2028, employment in dental hygienist jobs in Florida will grow by as much as 17%. This means that there should be an average of almost 1020 job openings per year. (You can also look for Dental Assistant schools in Florida here).
Dental Hygienist License Requirements in Florida
For licensure in Florida, dental hygienists must be at least 18 years old and complete a series of educational requirements.
First, they must be either graduates of an ADA- or US Department of Education-approved dental hygiene program, or graduates of an unaccredited program but have completed 4 years of postsecondary dental education and received a dental school diploma which is comparable to a DDS or DMD.
Second, they must pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, or, if not graduates of an accredited dental school, the National Board Dental Exam. They must also pass the American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX) Dental Hygiene Exam.
You will also be required to provide proof of training in CPR at the basic support level, including one- and two-rescuer CPR for adults, children and infants, use of an automatic external defibrillator (AED) and the use of ambu-bags. Get more information on Dental Hygienist careers here.
Note that the State does not have reciprocity with any other state and does not issue licenses by endorsement or credentials.
Dental Hygienist Salaries by Area
Dental Hygienists are reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to have earned an average annual salary of $70,070 in 2020, which 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 |
| Ocala, FL | 160 | $29.07 | $60,460 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | 1,280 | $32.44 | $67,470 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | 290 | $32.78 | $68,170 |
| Panama City, FL | 160 | $29.76 | $61,900 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | 290 | $27.93 | $58,100 |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | 200 | $31.40 | $65,300 |
| Punta Gorda, FL | 110 | $31.97 | $66,510 |
| Sebastian-Vero Beach, FL | ** | $30.14 | $62,690 |
| Sebring, FL | 50 | $29.90 | $62,180 |
| Tallahassee, FL | 150 | $26.20 | $54,500 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | 1,640 | $32.54 | $67,680 |
| The Villages, FL | 70 | $31.22 | $64,940 |
Dental Hygienist Schools
According to the US Department of Education, 19 colleges currently offer Dental Hygiene programs. (Stanford-Brown have closed their centers). Of these, 15 are public state, community or technical colleges. The average cost of studying dental hygiene at one of these public institutions is around $6,500 per year, according to the DoE’s Net Price calculations. You can find reviews of all colleges at sites such as CollegeTimes.co and SchoolsReview.com.
North Florida
Florida State College at Jacksonville offers a CODA-accredited AS program in Dental Hygiene lasting two years. The program includes dental and basic science courses and your high school preparation should therefore include biology and chemistry. You are required to take a Health Occupations Test (HOT) and hold a valid CPR certificate. Prerequisite courses (requiring a minimum grade “C”) include Human Anatomy and Physiology, Principles of Basic Chemistry, College Algebra, and Microbiology.
Tallahassee Community College offers an AS degree program. Students can complete the program on either a full-time or a part-time basis, but there are mandatory minimum credit hour requirements. Applicants must complete the program’s required prerequisite courses with a minimum GPA of 2.2 and a minimum cumulative college GPA of 2.5.
Central Florida
Hillsborough Community College’s Department of Health Sciences offers a AS in Dental Hygiene program. The curriculum includes five consecutive semesters and requires a commitment of 35-40 hours weekly. Prerequisite courses include Human Anatomy and Physiology, Chemistry for Health Sciences, English Composition, College Algebra, and Microbiology and Human Disease.
Valencia College offers a six-semester AS degree program in Dental Hygiene in Orlando. Graduates of the Dental Assisting program at OTEC – Orlando Tech may be awarded credit in specific courses in this program after completing one term in the Dental Hygiene Program at Valencia. Prerequisite courses for the DH program, to be passed with a minimum grade “C”, include Human Anatomy and Physiology, Microbiology and Freshman Composition. You must also have a minimum overall college GPA of 2.5.
South Florida
Broward College in Fort Lauderdale offers a “1 +1” program. Students are awarded an Applied Technical Diploma (ATD) in Dental Assisting after 12 months and after a further 12 months can obtain an Associate in Science degree in Dental Hygiene.
Florida SouthWestern State College – Lee Campus in Fort Myers offers a CODA-Accredited AS degree program. Applicants are required to complete prerequisite courses in Anatomy and Physiology, and Microbiology to a minimum grade “C” level. The program also provides the state-approved Dental Hygiene Local Anesthesia Course for Registered Dental Hygienists who hold a current Florida license.
The University of South Florida (USF) does not currently offer a Dental Hygiene program.
Working as a Dental Hygienist
According to Section 466.023 of the 2020 Florida Statutes, “only dental hygienists may be delegated the task of removing calculus deposits, accretions, and stains from exposed surfaces of the teeth and from the gingival sulcus and the task of performing root planing and curettage. In addition, dental hygienists may expose dental X-ray films, apply topical preventive or prophylactic agents, and perform all tasks delegable by the dentist.” (Source)
College Listings
FAQs
How Long Does it Take to Become a Dental Hygienist in Florida?
Dental hygienists generally attend a training program to learn the trade. These typically last for two years and award an associate’s degree. Once completed, you will need to acquire a license through the Florida Board of Dentistry.
Where Can I Study to Be a Dental Hygienist in Florida?
Schools in Florida with accredited dental hygiene programs include South Florida State College in Avon Park, Broward College in Fort Lauderdale, Florida State College in Jacksonville, Tallahassee Community College in Tallahassee, Eastern Florida State College in Cocoa, and Valencia College in Orlando.
How Do I Become a Dental Hygienist in Florida?
Florida Board of Dentistry requirements for hygienist licensing include being 18 or older, graduation from an accredited dental hygiene school or program, and a passing score on the Dental Hygiene National Board Examination, the ADEX Dental Hygiene Licensing Examination, and the Florida Laws and Rules Examination.
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