Dental Hygiene Program Statistics:
| Academic Year |
Enrolled |
Completed |
NBDHE Certification Pass Rate |
| 2014 - 2015 |
16 |
16 |
94% |
| 2015 - 2016 |
17 |
17 |
94% |
| 2016 - 2017 |
17 |
17 |
100% |
| 2017 - 2018 |
20 |
19 |
100% |
| 2018 - 2019 |
20 |
20 |
100% |
| Academic Year |
Enrolled |
Completed |
DANB Certification Pass Rate |
| 2014 - 2015 |
36 |
30 |
94% |
| 2015 - 2016 |
36 |
30 |
94% |
| 2016 - 2017 |
36 |
32 |
97% |
| 2017 - 2018 |
35 |
26 |
99% |
| 2018 - 2019 |
36 |
36 |
100% |
Dental Assistant
Career Path
Attending and graduating Broward College’s Dental Assisting Program gives the dental assistant several different career pathways, from private practice dental offices to the armed forces and public health. Many hospitals have incorporated dental clinics within their institutions to provide dentistry for patients who are confined to the hospital or for outpatient services to patients with a specific disease. After earning the Applied Technology Diploma (ATD) in Dental Assisting, the dental assistant can work in a dental office performing all the dental assisting expanded functions outlined by the Florida Board of Dentistry. The CODA-accredited, DANB certified dental assistant can also decide to earn the Associate of Science Degree in Dental Assisting or Dental Hygiene.
This program meets public institution criteria as a Gainful Employment Program as stipulated by the US Department of Education; as such, the college is required to disclose the following information:
Job Placement Rate
Job placement rate of all program graduates in the State of Florida according to the Florida Education and Training Placement Information Program (FETPIP): 51%
Job placement rate of Broward College graduates who find work within the field after receiving their certification: 44%
Median Pay
Median pay per year is $34,500 per year and $16.59 per hour
Job Outlook
The job outlook is projected to grow 25% from 2012-2022, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.
Find Dental Assisting jobs now.
On-time Completion Rate
The completion rate of students who have graduated the program of study within the full-time attendance time frame.
Program Length: 12 months
On-time Completion Rate: 97%
Dental Assisting National Board Success Rate
99% pass rate 2017-2018 program graduates in the Dental Assisting National Board first attempt.
100% pass rate 2018-2019 program graduates passed the Dental Assisting National Board first attempt.
CIP to SOC Linkage
Florida Department of Education's Classification of Instruction Program (CIP) Code to the U.S. Department of Labor's Standard Occupation Classification (SOC) Code Linkage
Dental Assisting Gainful Employment Disclosure
Dental Hygienist
Career Path
Wherever you practice your profession, the strong academic and clinical components of our program will prepare you for ongoing success in the field of dental hygiene. Our program will give you success in the pathway of your choice and in the following employment opportunities:
- Solo or group practices
- Specialty practices
- Public health dentistry
- Hospital dental clinics
- Insurance companies
- Sales representatives for dental products
- Teaching in dental assisting, dental hygiene or dental schools
Median Pay
$70,210 per year and $33.75/hr.
Job Outlook
The job outlook is going to increase by 33% between 2012 and 2022 which is much higher than average. The average increase for all occupations is 11%.
All Broward College dental hygiene graduates may contact the department at 954-201-6779 for information and job listings. Student information for the year of graduation is required.
On-time Completion Rate
The completion rate of students who have graduated the program of study within the full-time attendance time frame.
Program Length: 12 months
On-time Completion Rate: 100%
National Board of Dental Hygiene Examination Success Rate
94% of the 2014-2015 Broward College students who completed the program passed the Dental Hygiene National Board Examination.
94% of the 2015-2016 Broward College students who completed the program passed the Dental Hygiene National Board Examination.
100% of the 2016-2017 Broward College students who completed the program passed the Dental Hygiene National Board Examination.
100% of the 2017-2018 Broward College students who completed the program passed the Dental Hygiene National Board Examination.
CIP to SOC Linkage
If you are a person committed to helping others and promoting healthful living then dental assisting is right for you. If you're interested in a health career that gives you the responsibility of direct patient care, the convenience of flexible work hours, and the ability to practice anywhere in the world, dental hygiene may be right for you.
In order to be successful, both tracks require the following technical standards:
- Greet and seat patients
- Position patients for treatment
- Be proficient in technology as it relates to dentistry
- Use the sense of touch and sight in order to provide patient care
- Hear audible cues and warnings of equipment, such as the oxygen tank alarm signal
- Use both hands to manipulate instruments to operate the equipment
- Adhere to the professional code of conduct performing within the scope of practice, protecting patients’ rights and confidentiality
- Comprehend and employ appropriate medical/ dental terminology to be able to interact with associated physicians and/or dentists
- Exercise professional judgment and discretion to be able to identify life-threatening situations and implement appropriate emergency care
- Use interpersonal skills to professionally and sensitively interact with patients.
- Use oral and written communication to access clinical records
- Coordinate movement of equipment and accessories, such as portable machines
After achieving a certificate in dental assisting, you will be expected to:
- Sterilize equipment
- Remove surgical sutures
- Prepare dental filling materials
- Take impressions of study casts
- Place and remove periodontal dressings
- Expose, process, and mount dental radiographs
- Give oral health care instructions to patients and peers
- Work chairside with the dentist utilizing the four-handed dentistry technique
As licensed members of the dental team, dental hygienists provide a variety of preventive and therapeutic procedures that promote good oral health. After earning your A.S. in dental hygiene, you will be expected to:
- Apply fluoride and sealants
- Take diagnostic radiographs
- Provide nutritional counseling
- Work chairside with the dentist
- Remove calculus and plaque from teeth
- Assist the dentist in providing oral health treatments
- Provide oral health education to patients, peers and the community
- Perform procedures that aid in the prevention and treatment of gum diseases
Eligibility for Applying to the Limited Access Dental Assisting Program
- Be a student that is admitted to Broward College
- Submit transcripts
- Possess a minimum transfer and Broward College GPA of 2.5
- ENC 1101 Composition I
- SPC 1024 or SPC 1608 (Introduction to Speech or Introduction to Public Speaking)
- HESI Exam
- Selection is based on the highest points. The point structure is listed on the Health Science admission page
Eligibility for Applying to the Limited Access Dental Hygiene Program
- Be a student that is admitted to Broward College
- Submit transcripts
- Possess a minimum transfer and Broward College GPA of 2.5
- Complete a Florida CODA-accredited Dental Assisting program within the last three years, and earn the CDA certificate through successful completion of the Dental Assisting National Board Examination
- ENC 1101 Composition I
- SPC 1608 Introduction to Public Speaking or SPC 1024 Introduction to Speech Communications
- PSY 2012 General Psychology
- SYG 2000 Principles of Sociology
- General Education Mathematics
- General Education Humanities
- BSC 2085 Anatomy Physiology I
- BSC 2085L Anatomy Physiology I Laboratory
- BSC 2086 Anatomy Physiology II
- BSC 2086L Anatomy Physiology II Laboratory
- MCB 2010 Microbiology
- MCB 2010L Microbiology Laboratory
- HUN 1202 Essentials of Nutrition
- CHM 1032 Chemistry for Health Sciences
Selection is based on the highest points. The point structure is listed on the Health Science admission page.
How to Apply
- Submit a Broward College application and $35 application fee
- Send all official high school and post-secondary institutions’ transcripts
- Submit a Health Sciences Limited Access Application and $20 application fee
For the Dental Assisting or Dental Hygiene application, the minimum transfer GPA, high school GPA, and if applicable, BC GPA is 2.5.
Enrollment in dental programs is limited. Meeting the admissions requirements does not guarantee program acceptance. The thirty-six students with the highest points who meet Dental Assisting admission requirements will be admitted into the Dental Assisting program. The twenty students with the highest Broward College Cumulative GPA who meet Dental Hygiene admission requirements will be admitted into dental hygiene. Please note that neither the Dental Assisting program nor the Dental Hygiene program has a waiting list.
Infectious Disease Policy
All applicants must review and sign the College's Infectious Disease Policy (PDF) prior to enrollment, in addition to reviewing the drug testing and criminal background check information. All admissions, application information, prerequisite information, policies, and admissions instructions can be found on the Health Sciences Admissions page.
Student Clinical Sessions Acknowledgment
Initial dental hygiene instrumentation and local anesthesia training are completed on a manikin and then progress to student partner training. Students must be aware that to complete the Broward College Dental Hygiene program it is mandatory that each student perform various clinical skills on a student partner and in turn each student will have a student partner perform the same clinical skills on them.
The faculty of both programs are in compliance with Broward College and the Commission on Dental Accreditation requirements. All the faculty of the dental assisting and dental hygiene programs have extensive professional dental experience.
Program faculty serve as lecturers, lab instructors, and clinical mentors to Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting students during their time at Broward College.
Our instructors include graduates from Rutgers, Texas Women's University, New York University, Nova Southeastern University, University of Florida, University of Arizona, Southern Illinois University, Boston University, and St. Petersburg College.
Dental Assisting
The Dental Assisting Program is a full-time daytime 12-month program. Upon completion of the Applied Technology Diploma, the dental assisting graduate will have completed the equivalency of 50 college credits. Courses include:
- DES 1840C Preventive Dentistry
- DES 1100 Dental Materials and DES 1100L Dental Materials Laboratory
- DES 1502 Dental Office Management
- DES 1200 Dental Radiography and DES 1200L Dental Radiography Laboratory
- DEA 1000 Introduction to Dental Practice/Assisting
- BSC1084 Basic Anatomy and Physiology
- The blended/online course will utilize processes to protect student privacy, and additional charges associated with the verification of student identity may be accessed at the time of registration and/or enrollment.
- DEA1030 Preclinical and DEA1030L Preclinical Laboratory
- DES1832 Expanded Functions I and DES1833 Expanded Functions II
- DES1832L Expanded Functions I and DES1833L Expanded Functions II Laboratory
- DES1805 Clinical Procedures I and DES1805L Clinical Procedures I Laboratory
- DEA1940 Clinical Practice I
- DEA1131 Allied Dental Theory
- DEA1155 Dental Psychology
- DEA1936 Dental Seminar
- DEA1941L Clinical Practice II
- ENC1101 Composition I
- SPC1204 Introduction to Speech Communication or SPC1608 Introduction to Public Speaking
Certificate Requirements:
CAE0062 CPR/BLS-4.5 hour--Must be American Heart Association for Healthcare Providers with AED
Must be completed after admission and prior to the beginning of the program.
Dental Hygiene
After completion of a Florida, CODA-accredited 12-month Dental Assisting program and completion of college credit courses, students can apply to earn an Associate of Science degree in Dental Hygiene.
Students will be eligible to take the National Board of Dental Hygiene Examination, and after graduation, they will be eligible for Florida state licensure with the successful completion of the Commission on Dental Competency Assessments practical examination.
Core Courses include:
- DEH1002 Clinical Dental Hygiene Procedures and DEH1002L Clinical Dental Hygiene Procedures Laboratory
- DEH2400 General and Oral Pathology
- DEH1800 Dental Hygiene I and DEH1800L Dental Hygiene I Clinic
- DEH2300 Dental Pharmacology
- DEH1802 Dental Hygiene II and DEH1802L Dental Hygiene II Clinic
- DEH1602 Periodontology and DEH1602L Periodontology Laboratory
- DES1054 Pain Control and Anesthesia
- DEH1130 Oral Histology and Embryology
- DEH2804 Dental Hygiene III
- DEH2804L Dental Hygiene III Clinic
- DEH1934 Dental Hygiene Seminar
- DEH2701C Community Dental Health
- DEH2806 Dental Hygiene IV
- DEH2806L Dental Hygiene IV Clinic
Certificate Requirements:
CAE0062 CPR/BLS-4.5 hour Must be American Heart Association for Healthcare Providers with AED.
Dental Assisting Philosophy
Realizing the demands of the community and the needs of the individual, Broward College has designed the dental assisting program to prepare individuals to be an integral member of the dental health team in the health care setting so they can make their greatest contribution to society and in which they can gain personal growth and satisfaction.
The Administration, Faculty, and the Dental Assisting/Hygiene Advisory Board of Broward College have established specific goals for the achievement of this objective within the Dental Assisting Program.
Dental Assisting Program Goals
- Prepare knowledgeable and skilled students who possess the critical thinking and problem-solving abilities to sustain the professional, moral, and ethical obligations associated with being a member of the dental health team.
- Prepare students to successfully complete the Dental Assisting National Board Examination.
- Graduate students dedicated to life-long learning activities which will allow them to meet the changing needs and demands of the profession by maintaining CDA status and actively participating in the American Dental Assistants Association.
- Prepare students to provide comprehensive dental assisting care to individuals from diverse socioeconomic, educational, and or cultural backgrounds.
- Prepare dental assisting students to perform all expanded duty procedures, which are legally delegated to dental assistants in the State of Florida.
- Demonstrate knowledge of safe and effective patient care by adherence to proper infection control, HIPAA requirements, and emergency protocol during the provision of patient care.
Dental Hygiene Philosophy
Realizing the demands of society, Broward College has designed its programs to prepare individuals for vocations in which they can make their greatest contribution to society and in which they can gain personal satisfaction.
The Administration, Faculty, and the Dental Assisting/Hygiene Advisory Board of Broward College have established specific goals for the achievement of this objective within the Dental Hygiene Program.
Dental Hygiene Goals
- Prepare knowledgeable and skilled students who possess the critical thinking and problem-solving abilities to sustain the professional, moral, and ethical obligations associated with being a member of the dental health team.
- Prepare students to successfully complete the National Board of Dental Hygiene and Florida/Northeast Regional Board Exam.
- Graduate students dedicated to life-long learning with competence in assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating community outreach programs for various populations.
- Organize and maintain an advisory committee, which consists of persons actively practicing or supporting the profession of dental hygiene.
- Apply the process of care for preventive and therapeutic oral health management to a diverse patient population using the most current theory and technology.
- Demonstrate knowledge of safe and effective patient care by adherence to proper infection control, HIPAA requirements, and emergency protocol during the provision of client care.
Dental Hygiene Competencies
The following program competencies reflect the knowledge and clinical skills necessary for the competent practice of dental hygiene. Achievement of these competencies requires general education background in oral and written communications, psychology, and sociology and a foundation in the biomedical sciences of anatomy, physiology, chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, general pathology, nutrition, and pharmacology. The Commission on Dental Accreditation defines program competencies including:
- Graduates must be competent in assessing the treatment needs and providing dental hygiene care for a diversity of patient types including children, adolescents, adults, geriatric, and special needs patients.
- Graduates must be competent in assessing oral health, analyzing assessment findings, establishing a care plan for optimal health, providing patient-centered treatment and evidence-based care, and documenting all relevant treatment.
- Graduates must be competent in providing dental hygiene care for all periodontal classifications, from gingivitis to severe periodontal disease.
- Graduates must be competent in interpersonal and communication skills to effectively interact with diverse population groups and other members of the health care team
- Graduates must be competent in assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating the effectiveness of community-based oral health and disease prevention programs
- Graduates must be competent in providing appropriate life support measures for medical emergencies that may be encountered in dental hygiene practice.
- Graduates must be competent in the application of the principles of ethical reasoning, ethical decision-making, and professional responsibility as they pertain to the academic environment, research, patient care, and practice management.
- Graduates must be competent in applying legal and regulatory concepts to the provision and/or support of oral health care services.
Below are some resourceful industry links to give you more background information on being a dental hygienist or dental assistant.
Approximate For Dental Program 2019-2020
Application Fees
| Application Fee |
In State Fees |
Out of State Fees |
| Broward College |
$35.00 |
$70.00 |
| Health Programs |
$20.00 |
$20.00 |
| Total |
$55.00 |
$90.00 |
Miscellaneous Fees
| Miscellaneous Fees |
In State Fees |
Out of State Fees |
| Complio Package (includes drug screening, two background checks & fingerprinting) |
$166.00 |
$168.00 |
| Health History Form |
$250.00 |
$250.00 |
| SMART Card |
$15.00 |
$15.00 |
| SADAA Organization Fees |
$35.00 |
$35.00 |
| HESI Test |
$65.00 |
$65.00 |
| Total |
$531.00 |
$533.00 |
Health Career Core & CAE's
| Health Career Core & CAE's |
In State Fees |
Out of State Fees |
| CAE0062 CPR Basic Life Support |
$100.00 |
$100.00 |
| Total |
$100.00 |
$100.00 |
Technical Diploma Classes & Fees
| Technical Diploma Classes & Fees |
In State Fees |
Out of State Fees |
| Tuition - 50 credit hours |
$5795.00 |
$18,550.00 |
| Lab Fees |
$833.00 |
$833.00 |
| Insurances |
$128.37 |
$128.37 |
| Total |
$6,756.37 |
$19,511.37 |
Books & Supplies
| Books & Supplies |
In State Fees |
Out of State Fees |
| Books |
$655.35 |
$655.35 |
| Uniform |
$236.00 |
$236.00 |
| School Supplies |
$125.00 |
$125.00 |
| Total |
$1,016.35 |
$1,016.35 |
Exam & Licensure
| Exam & Licensure |
In State Fees |
Out of State Fees |
| CDA National Examination |
$450.00 |
$450.00 |
| Total |
$450.00 |
$450.00 |
Estimated Expenses
| Total ESTIMATED Expenses |
In State Fees |
Out of State Fees |
| Totals |
$8,908.72 |
$21,705.72 |
