Are you looking for the best Dental Schools in Florida? Well, even in Jacksonville and South Florida, you can find a list of schools accredited by CODA to study dentistry.
Getting a quality education is the most essential part of becoming a dentist. Because dentistry is a professional course, you have to enroll and be trained by accredited schools that offer dental programs in Florida.
Florida itself is home to some of the best schools in the USA which makes it a good place to study.
We gathered enough information in this article to make known to you the list of dental schools that are accredited and approved to train students to become a dentist in Florida.
Because the list is few, admission into any of these dental schools is unusually competitive, with the highest acceptance being a mere 5.8%.
Whatever the case may be, you will get the best education if you make it in.
So, let’s get started.
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Studying Dentistry in Florida
Florida is home to some of the best schools in America including dentistry. Over the years, Florida has stayed among the top 5 best states for education in the U.S.
And according to U.S. News 2022 ranking, Florida is the third-best state for education in the U.S.
Laced with a good curriculum and dental programs, Florida draws a lot of prospective students both locally and internationally.
Florida dental schools are awarded D.D.S. or D.M.D degrees in the field of dentistry.
Some of the schools you will find below offer advanced dental education programs, as well as continuing education programs.
All you have to do is pick according to your educational needs.
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Are There Schools of Dentistry in Florida?
Yes, there are dental schools in Florida, some you find in Jacksonville and others in South Florida. These schools focus on training you to become professional dentists through dental research and clinical.
At the end of the dental program, all students can get a hands-on education, preparing them to become licensed dental practitioners.
Below, you will find a list of accredited dental schools in Florida.
Courses You Can Study in Florida Dental Schools
As we earlier stated, the course, dentistry cuts across many areas and specializations.
Before you decide to enroll in any of the Florida-accredited dental schools in Jacksonville or in South Tennessee, you should have known what path of the dental profession you want to specialize in.
Knowing what path to take in dentistry will help you make a good choice of school tailored to fit your academic and career needs.
Here are some of the career paths in dentistry you should know before you specialize;
- Endodontics
- Periodontics
- Prosthodontics
- Dental Hygiene
- Dental Assisting
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Dental Public Health.
- Dental Anesthesiology
- Oral Medicine Dentistry
- Orofacial Pain Dentistry
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
- Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedic
- Advanced Education in General Dentistry.
Important Factors To Consider When Choosing Dental Schools In Florida
Before choosing a dental school of choice, you have to know what you are looking for.
If the schools in Florida cannot offer you what you need, you can apply to other dental schools in other states of the US.
So, to assist you in making an informed decision, we have compiled a few pieces of information that will serve as a reference while selecting a dental school.
Here are some things to think about when looking for dental schools in Jacksonville or South Florida;
#1. Dentistry Program Offered
Most dental schools offer bachelor’s degrees at the undergraduate level and a doctorate program at an advanced level.
There are also certificate programs in dentistry that serve as an alternative to diploma and degree programs in dentistry. So, you have to find out what degree the school is offering and if that suits your academic needs.
#2. School Academic Reputation
You should look out for a school that is in good academic standing over the years. When it comes to selecting colleges, a high academic reputation is a crucial thing to consider.
You can judge a school’s reputation from rankings and its ability to deliver a great education that prepares you for your job.
Therefore, you have to check through the years what the school represents in the field of dentistry.
Also, you can read the alumni reviews.
#3. Tuition Cost Of Dental Program
The tuition costs of dental schools should be the first thing in consideration when selecting a school from the list of dental schools in Florida.
You should know how much it will cost you to attend dental school from beginning to completion.
#4. Duration of Dental Program
As we stated earlier, dentistry programs last 8 years, with 4 years earning a bachelor’s degree as an undergraduate and 4 years earning a DDS or DMD in dentistry schools.
This is a crucial consideration when selecting a school for dental training because it also impacts how much you can spend on tuition.
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Importance of Attending An Accredited Dental School in Florida
Most definitely, if you attend a school that is not accredited your years of education will be a waste.
Before you make a choice of a dental school to attend in Florida, ensure it is accredited.
The Commission on Dental Association (CODA) is the accrediting agency for dental schools in America, which includes those in Florida.
Accreditation for dental schools in Florida must be handled by either of the following accreditation board;
Florida Licensure Examinations for Dental Students
- Commission on Dental Competency Assessments (CDCA)
- Joint Commission on National Dental Examination (JCNDE)
Therefore, if you wish to study any dental or dental-related program in Florida, do well to check if the schools are accredited by CODA or any of the accreditation lists above which are extensions.
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Requirements Needed For Dental Schools in Florida
Each dental school or dental program has its own admission requirements. However, there are some requirements that suit all dental schools in South Florida, Jacksonville, or other parts of Florida.
Most dental schools in Florida require the following:
- A Bachelor’s degree in Health Science program (preferably a medicine program).
- High grades in prerequisite science courses: biology, organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, and physics
- Dental Admission Test (DAT) Scores.
Best Dental Schools in Florida Today
Well, let’s get you started on the best schools of dentistry in Florida.
Here is the list of the best schools in accredited dental schools in Jacksonville, South Florida, and other parts of the state;
#1. University of Florida College of Dentistry
- Founded: 1972
- School Type: Public
- Acceptance Rate: 5.8%
- Location: Gainesville, Florida
The University of Florida (UF) is one of the accredited dental schools in Florida.
At the University of Florida, students focus more on research, patient care, and community service which makes it one of the best public universities in America.
Also, informatively, the University of Florida College of Dentistry is the only publicly-funded dental school in Florida. UF College of Dentistry is a national leader in dental education and research.
When it comes to dentistry, the University of Florida College of Dentistry offers up to 16 degree and certificate programs
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Dental Courses And Programs Offered in the University of Florida College of Dentistry.
- Endodontics
- Orthodontics
- Periodontics.
- Prosthodontics.
- Pediatric Dentistry.
- DMD/Ph.D. dual program
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Operative and Esthetic Dentistry.
- Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology.
- Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
- Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD).
- Advanced education in General Dentistry.
#2. Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine
- Founded: 1964
- School Type: Private
- Acceptance Rate: 3.7%
- Location: Davie, Florida.
In the list of dental schools in Florida, Nova Southeastern University is one of the best.
Nova Southeastern University is a private research university whose Dental Medicine program is the first dental college established in Florida.
Packed with a lot of great courses, Nova Southeastern University has one of the best dental program curriculums in Florida.
Dental Courses And Programs Offered in the Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine.
- Endodontics
- Orthodontics.
- Periodontology.
- Pediatric Dentistry.
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD).
- Advanced Education in General Dentistry.
- Advanced Speciality Program in Prosthodontics.
In addition to this, Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine offers continuing education programs, recognized by ADA CERP.
#3. Florida National University (FNU)
- Founded: 1982
- School Type: Private
- Location: Hialeah, Florida.
In the list of dental schools in Florida, Florida National University is one of the best.
Good thing that you can study at Florida National University from 3 different locations plus an online learning option.
At Florida National University, you can undertake both undergraduate and continuing dental education programs.
Dental Courses And Programs Offered in the Florida National University
- Dental Assistant.
- Dental Hygiene, A.S.
- The Dental Laboratory Technology, A.S., C.E.D, Full and Partial Dentures, C.E.D and Crown and Bridge and Porcelain, C.E.D.
#4. Gulf Coast State University (GCSC)
- Founded: 1964
- School Type: Public
- Location: Panama City, Florida.
Gulf Coast State University is part of the Florida College System offering 3 dental programs.
Dental Courses And Programs Offered at Gulf Coast State University
- Dental Assisting, V.C.
- The Dental Hygiene, A.S.
- Dental Medicine Option, Liberal Arts, A.A.
#5. LECOM School of Dental Medicine
- Founded: 1964
- School Type: Public
- Acceptance Rate: 3%
- Location: Bradenton, FL
In the list of the best schools for dental programs in South Florida, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) School of Dental Medicine makes the list.
LECOM School of Dental Medicine has a great reputation for its innovative, student-centered approach to education.
Besides Florida, the school also operates in Pennsylvania.
LECOM dental students work under the supervision of some of the best-licensed practitioners in the field.
Student learning is enhanced by the use of the patient-simulation clinic and a fourth-year program centered on providing community care at full-service clinics in Florida.
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Florida Licensure Examinations for Dental Students
Graduates of unaccredited dental schools may not be able to sit for licensure examinations.
Licensure examinations are a must in Florida if you’re going to practice.
After the successful completion of any dental program, the next step is to sit for the licensure examinations accepted in Florida.
The approved licensure examination in Florida for dental students is administered by:
- ADEX Dental Exams
- Commission on Dental Competency Assessments (CDCA)
- Joint Commission on National Dental Examination (JCNDE)
Frequently Asked Questions on the Best Dental Schools in Florida
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Summary
There you have it, the best dental schools in Florida, USA. This is the best time to join the moving train to become a dentist because they do have a good job outlook.
But first, you have to choose the best schools that offer courses accredited by CODA in order to enroll and study to become a dental professional.
The list of dental schools in Florida we have listed above are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to train you effectively.
We wish you all the best in your search.
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