Jacksonville has several dental assistant school options, including 10 to 12-week programs, 6-month training, 9-month private programs, and a 1,230-hour public college option.
Costs range from about $3,250 to more than $18,000.
Dental Assistants annual average salary in Florida is $38,769 - ABOVE U.S. AVERAGE!
#1 Florida State College at Jacksonville
Florida State College at Jacksonville is one of the strongest dental assisting options in the city.
It is a public college and a good fit for students who want a full-length program with lower in-state tuition than most private schools.
Programs Offered
FSCJ offers a Dental Assisting Career Certificate.
The program includes dental basic sciences, radiographic techniques, dental materials, sterilization, infection control, chairside assisting, office management, dental specialties, and expanded functions.
Tuition and Cost
Estimated in-state tuition and fees are around $2,657 to $3,600.
Students should also budget for:
- Books and supplies: about $500 to $1,000
- Uniforms: about $100 to $250
- CPR and health requirements: about $100 to $300
- Background check and drug screening: about $75 to $200
- Exam or certification fees: about $200 to $700
A realistic total estimate is about $4,000 to $6,500 for many in-state students.
Program Length
The program is about 1,230 clock hours and takes about 10 months full-time.
Classes are generally scheduled Monday through Friday.
Why It Stands Out
FSCJ stands out because it offers a full public-college dental assisting program at a lower cost than most private options.
It is one of the best choices for students who want a deeper training path.
Address: 501 W. State Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202
#2 Jacksonville Dental Assistant School
Jacksonville Dental Assistant School is a short-term program for students who want to start training quickly.
It is a good fit for working adults and beginners who want a lower-cost program with flexible payments.
Programs Offered
The school offers a Dental Assistant program with hands-on training.
Students learn chairside assisting, dental instruments, sterilization, patient care, dental materials, office basics, and career preparation.
Tuition and Cost
Tuition is about $3,250.
Students should ask what is included, but a practical budget may include:
- Tuition: about $3,250
- Weekly payment plans: about $100 per week
- Books and supplies: ask if included
- Scrubs or uniform: about $50 to $150 if separate
- CPR or exam fees: about $75 to $300 if separate
Program Length
The program takes about 12 weeks.
Why It Stands Out
This is one of the faster and lower-cost dental assistant school options in Jacksonville.
It is especially useful for students who want a short training route instead of a 9 to 12-month program.
Address: 3745 Henderson Dr, Jacksonville, NC 28546
#3 Concorde Career Institute, Jacksonville
Concorde Career Institute is a private healthcare career school in Jacksonville.
It is a good fit for students who want a structured campus program with labs, career services, and a faster timeline than a traditional degree.
Programs Offered
Concorde offers a Dental Assistant diploma program.
The program includes dental sciences, chairside assisting, dental radiography, infection control, dental materials, patient care, and dental office procedures.
Tuition and Cost
Estimated dental assisting program costs are about $18,372 for tuition and fees, plus about $719 for books and supplies.
Students should also budget for:
- Tuition and fees: about $18,372
- Books and supplies: about $719
- Uniforms and lab materials: ask if included
- Transportation to clinical or externship sites: varies
- Exam or certification fees: about $200 to $700
Program Length
The program can be completed in about 9 months.
Why It Stands Out
Concorde stands out for students who want a private healthcare school with a clear 9-month timeline.
It costs much more than FSCJ or short programs, but it may appeal to students who want a structured career-school setup.
Address: 7259 Salisbury Road, Suite 120, Jacksonville, FL 32256
#4 Fortis College, Orange Park
Fortis College is located in Orange Park, close to Jacksonville.
It is a private college option for students who want dental assisting training near the southwest side of the metro area.
Programs Offered
Fortis offers a Dental Assisting program that meets Florida Expanded Functions Dental Assisting requirements.
Students study chairside assisting, clinical support, preventative services, dental office procedures, and patient care.
Tuition and Cost
Fortis Orange Park tuition is commonly listed at around $14,100 to $15,000 per year.
A practical dental assisting budget may include:
- Tuition: about $14,100 to $15,000
- Books and supplies: about $500 to $1,200
- Uniforms: about $50 to $200
- Lab or school fees: varies
- Exam or certification fees: about $200 to $700
Program Length
Students should confirm the current program length with the campus.
Many private dental assisting programs run about 9 to 12 months.
Why It Stands Out
Fortis may be a practical option for students in Orange Park, Middleburg, Fleming Island, and southwest Jacksonville.
The EFDA focus is especially useful for students planning to work in Florida dental offices.
Address: 700 Blanding Blvd., Suite 16, Orange Park, FL 32065
#5 Florida Institute of Dental Assisting
Florida Institute of Dental Assisting is a Jacksonville dental assistant school focused specifically on entry-level dental assisting.
It is a good fit for students who want a local dental-only program with a mix of classroom, lab, and externship training.
Programs Offered
The school offers an Entry Level Dental Assisting program.
Training includes theory, hands-on dental office practice, and externship experience.
The program includes about 142 theory hours, 76 lab hours, and 160 externship hours.
Tuition and Cost
Students should request current tuition before enrolling.
A practical short-school estimate may include:
- Tuition: about $4,000 to $7,000
- Books and supplies: about $200 to $600
- Uniforms: about $50 to $150
- CPR or certification fees: about $75 to $300
- Exam or state application fees: about $100 to $500
Program Length
The program takes about 6 months.
Why It Stands Out
FIDA stands out because it offers more training time than many 10 to 12-week programs while still being shorter than a 10-month college program.
The 160-hour externship is a useful feature for beginners.
Address: 8761 Perimeter Park Blvd, Suite 107, Jacksonville, FL 32216
#6 Accelerated Academy at Normandy Lake Dentistry
Accelerated Academy offers dental assisting training at Normandy Lake Dentistry in Jacksonville.
It is a good option for students who want short, hands-on training in a real dental office setting.
Programs Offered
The program includes hybrid learning and hands-on clinical training.
Students learn chairside assisting, dental instruments, sterilization, patient care, dental office basics, and clinical skills.
Tuition and Cost
Students should check the current tuition before enrolling.
A practical budget may include:
- Deposit: about $200
- Early enrollment discount: about $300, when available
- Tuition: often about $2,500 to $5,000 for similar 10-week programs
- Books and supplies: ask if included
- Scrubs or uniform: about $50 to $150
- CPR or exam fees: about $75 to $300 if separate
Program Length
The program takes about 10 weeks.
Classes are usually held on Saturdays.
Why It Stands Out
Accelerated Academy is one of the shortest Jacksonville options.
It is a good fit for students who want weekend training, a real dental office environment, and a faster path into entry-level dental assisting.
Address: 2845 University Boulevard West, Jacksonville, FL 32217
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
