Fort Lauderdale has several dental assistant training options nearby, including 8 to 12-week programs, 45-week programs, and 12-month college-based dental assisting pathways.
Costs range from about $3,500 to over $15,000.
Dental Assistants annual average salary in Florida is $38,769 - ABOVE U.S. AVERAGE!
#1 Broward College
Broward College is one of the strongest dental assisting options near Fort Lauderdale.
The program is based in Broward County and is a good fit for students who want a recognized college pathway with clinical training.
Programs Offered
Broward College offers a Dental Assisting Applied Technology Diploma.
Students who complete the program may also continue into the Dental Assisting Associate of Science degree completion option.
The program includes chairside assisting, dental radiography, infection control, expanded functions, patient care, and clinical practice.
Tuition and Cost
Students should confirm the current program cost with the college, but a realistic public college estimate may include:
- Tuition and fees: about $4,000 to $6,500
- Books and supplies: about $500 to $1,000
- Uniforms: about $100 to $300
- Health requirements and CPR: about $150 to $400
- Exam or certification fees: about $200 to $700
A practical total estimate is about $5,000 to $8,500.
Program Length
The Dental Assisting ATD takes about 12 months.
Why It Stands Out
Broward College stands out because it offers a full dental assisting program with clinical training and a path into dental hygiene for students who want to keep advancing.
Address: 111 E Las Olas Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
#2 Atlantic Technical College
Atlantic Technical College is located in Coconut Creek, within driving distance of Fort Lauderdale.
It is a good option for students who want a public technical college program with a full-time schedule.
Programs Offered
The school offers a Dental Assisting Technology and Management Applied Technology Diploma.
Training includes dental assisting procedures, dental radiography, infection control, expanded functions, chairside assisting, patient care, and dental office skills.
Tuition and Cost
The estimated program cost is about $4,302.
Students should also budget for:
- Books and supplies: about $300 to $800
- Uniforms: about $100 to $250
- Health requirements: about $100 to $300
- CPR: about $75 to $150
- Exam or credentialing fees: about $200 to $700
A realistic total estimate is about $5,000 to $6,500.
Program Length
The program is about 1,230 hours and takes around 12 months full-time.
Why It Stands Out
Atlantic Technical College is one of the more affordable full-length dental assisting programs near Fort Lauderdale.
The 1,230-hour format gives students more training time than most short courses.
Address: 4700 Coconut Creek Parkway, Coconut Creek, FL 33063
#3 South Florida Dental Assisting School
South Florida Dental Assisting School is a short-term dental assistant school serving the Fort Lauderdale area.
It is a good fit for students who want a faster route into dental assisting without a 9 to 12-month schedule.
Programs Offered
The school offers a Dental Assisting program with hands-on training.
Students learn chairside assisting, dental instruments, sterilization, patient care, dental materials, office basics, and clinical preparation.
Tuition and Cost
The total program cost is about $5,400.
That includes:
- Tuition: about $5,250
- Registration fee: about $150
Students should also ask whether books, scrubs, CPR, supplies, and exam-related costs are included.
If not, students may need another $200 to $800.
Program Length
The program takes about 12 weeks.
Why It Stands Out
This school stands out for students who want a short 12-week program with a local South Florida focus.
It is less expensive than many private career colleges but more complete than a very short weekend course.
Address: 3101 N Federal Hwy, Suite 501, Oakland Park, FL 33306
#4 Compu-Med Vocational Careers
Compu-Med Vocational Careers has a Fort Lauderdale location and offers career training in healthcare.
It is a good fit for students who want a longer private-school dental assistant program.
Programs Offered
Compu-Med offers a Dental Assistant program.
Training includes chairside assisting, dental office procedures, patient care, dental radiography, sterilization, dental materials, and clinical preparation.
Tuition and Cost
Students should request the current Fort Lauderdale tuition sheet.
A practical private-school estimate may include:
- Tuition and fees: about $12,000 to $17,000
- Books and supplies: about $500 to $1,200
- Uniforms: about $50 to $200
- Lab materials: ask if included
- Exam or certification fees: about $200 to $700
- Transportation: varies
Program Length
The program takes about 45 weeks.
Why It Stands Out
Compu-Med is useful for students who want a longer program than a 10 or 12-week course.
The 45-week timeline may give beginners more time to build confidence before entering a dental office.
Address: 11401 SW 40th St, Suite 150, Miami, FL 33165
#5 THAT Institute
THAT Institute offers entry-level dental assisting and EFDA-focused training in South Florida.
It may be a good fit for students who want a short program with Florida’s expanded functions preparation.
Programs Offered
The school offers Entry Level Dental Assisting with EFDA training.
Students learn dental assisting basics, radiology-related preparation, expanded functions, infection control, chairside skills, and patient care.
Tuition and Cost
Students should confirm the current tuition before enrolling.
A realistic short-program budget may include:
- Tuition: about $3,500 to $6,500
- Books and supplies: about $200 to $600
- Uniforms: about $50 to $150
- CPR: about $75 to $150
- Exam or certification fees: about $100 to $500
- Registration or deposit: varies
Program Length
The program can be completed in as little as 8 weeks.
Why It Stands Out
THAT Institute stands out for its short 8-week timeline and EFDA-focused training.
It may be a good option for students who want to move quickly into entry-level dental assisting.
Address: 9121 N. Military Trail, Suite 209, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
#6 AAA School of Dental Assisting
AAA School of Dental Assisting is a South Florida dental assistant training option near the Fort Lauderdale area.
It is a good fit for students looking for a short private program.
Programs Offered
The school offers dental assisting training that covers basic chairside assisting, dental terminology, sterilization, patient care, dental instruments, and office procedures.
Students should ask whether EFDA, radiology, CPR, and job placement support are included.
Tuition and Cost
Estimated tuition is about $4,500.
Students should also budget for:
- Books and supplies: about $100 to $500
- Scrubs or uniform: about $50 to $150
- CPR, if separate: about $75 to $150
- Exam or certification costs: about $100 to $500
- Transportation: varies
Program Length
The program takes about 12 to 13 weeks.
Why It Stands Out
AAA School of Dental Assisting is a shorter and lower-cost option compared with many longer private schools.
It may work well for students who want training in about 3 months.
Address: 2227 SW 2nd St. Pompano Beach, FL 33069
#7 Royal Dental Academy
Royal Dental Academy is a South Florida dental assistant training school that may be convenient for students in Fort Lauderdale and nearby Broward County cities.
Programs Offered
The school offers a Dental Assistant program with hands-on training in chairside assisting, dental instruments, infection control, patient care, dental materials, and office basics.
Students should confirm whether EFDA, X-ray, CPR, and externship support are included in the current program.
Tuition and Cost
Estimated tuition is about $4,899.
Possible additional costs may include:
- Registration fee: varies
- Books and supplies: about $100 to $500
- Uniforms: about $50 to $150
- CPR: about $75 to $150 if separate
- Exam or certification fees: about $100 to $500
Program Length
The program takes about 12 weeks.
Why It Stands Out
Royal Dental Academy is a practical short-program option for students who want dental assistant training in about 3 months.
The tuition is lower than most long private career-school programs.
Address: 8081 Congress Ave, Ste 208, Boca Raton, FL 33487, USA
Schools Summary Table
Florida Salary by Metro Area
This table provides a breakdown of average salaries by metro area, showing how wages differ across regions within the state using recent BLS data.
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | 800 | $47,490 | $22.83 | $59,450 | $39,090 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | 250 | $45,860 | $22.05 | $56,440 | $35,480 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL | 610 | $42,840 | $20.60 | $53,030 | $30,200 |
| Gainesville, FL | 360 | $44,820 | $21.55 | $55,900 | $35,870 |
| Homosassa Springs, FL | 70 | $43,280 | $20.81 | $53,830 | $33,920 |
| Jacksonville, FL | 2,020 | $44,370 | $21.33 | $57,460 | $25,120 |
| Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | 470 | $45,640 | $21.94 | $57,390 | $37,560 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 7,190 | $46,810 | $22.50 | $57,950 | $38,510 |
| Naples-Marco Island, FL | 510 | $56,550 | $27.19 | $72,380 | $41,760 |
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | 1,210 | $50,900 | $24.47 | $60,520 | $39,350 |
| Ocala, FL | 330 | $43,660 | $20.99 | $54,460 | $35,300 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | 2,980 | $46,780 | $22.49 | $56,910 | $37,920 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | 710 | $46,480 | $22.35 | $57,020 | $38,290 |
| Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL | 150 | $45,710 | $21.98 | $54,760 | $37,330 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | 460 | $44,240 | $21.27 | $55,820 | $34,790 |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | 390 | $44,530 | $21.41 | $56,620 | $31,200 |
| Punta Gorda, FL | 170 | $45,570 | $21.91 | $57,390 | $36,710 |
| Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor, FL | 200 | $42,860 | $20.61 | $49,560 | $37,950 |
| Tallahassee, FL | 320 | $41,310 | $19.86 | $49,920 | $28,920 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | 3,000 | $47,550 | $22.86 | $57,620 | $33,200 |
| Wildwood-The Villages, FL | 90 | $46,240 | $22.23 | $57,050 | $36,390 |
* Employment conditions may vary by location.
Schools by City in Florida
- Fort Lauderdale, FL7 Schools
- Jacksonville, FL6 Schools
- Miami, FL7 Schools
- Orlando, FL7 Schools
- Tampa, FL6 Schools
