The University of Florida offers the only publicly funded dental school in the state, including a doctoral program. Program prerequisites include a bachelor's degree and specific undergraduate science courses in organic and inorganic chemistry, biology, English and psychology. The four-year degree program covers patient care, diagnostics, preventive care, clinic management, body systems, orthodontics, surgical procedures and diseases and includes an extensive hands-on practicum with clinical rotations in all types of patient care. Areas of specialty include pediatrics, periodontics, oral surgery, orthodontics, oral pathology and oral radiology.
University of Florida
College of Dentistry
Gainesville, FL 32610
352-273-5955
dental.ufl.edu
Lincoln College of Technology has a campus in West Palm Beach offering career-specific training and education programs. Lincoln offers a dental assistant program for students who would like to enter the field of dentistry without having to obtain a doctorate. Lincoln provides hands-on training in radiology, pediatric dentistry, surgical procedures, diagnostics and preventive dentistry. The 10-month course also covers business aspects of running a dental office.
Lincoln College of Technology
2410 Metrocentre Blvd.
West Palm Beach, FL 33407
561 842-8324
lincolnedu.com
Formerly known as Palm Beach Community College, Palm Beach State offers programs for dental assistants and dental hygienists. The 10-month assistants program features an extensive, hands-on approach to courses of study including oral surgery techniques, dental radiology and diagnostics. Spots in the program are competitive and limited. The hygienists program requires 21 months of study in addition to core requirements and general non-technical prerequisites. Students graduating from this program are encouraged to take state and national tests to qualify as certified hygienists. Courses in either program might transfer to a four-year degree program in the sciences.
Palm Beach State College
Lake Worth Campus
4200 Congress Ave.
Lake Worth, FL 33461
561-868-3036
palmbeachstate.edu