Miami has several dental assistant training options, including public technical colleges, private career schools, and short 8 to 12-week programs.
Costs can range from about $3,500 to more than $15,000.
Dental Assistants annual average salary in Florida is $38,769 - ABOVE U.S. AVERAGE!
#1 Miami Dade College
Miami Dade College is one of the strongest public college options for dental assisting in Miami.
It is a good fit for students who want a recognized school, a full training pathway, and lower tuition than many private programs.
Programs Offered
MDC offers a Dental Assisting Technology and Management program.
Students train in chairside assisting, expanded functions, dental radiography, infection control, dental materials, office procedures, and patient care.
Tuition and Cost
Estimated tuition is about $3,734.
Students should also budget for:
- Books and supplies: about $500 to $1,000
- Uniforms: about $100 to $250
- Health requirements and CPR: about $100 to $300
- Background check or drug screening: about $75 to $200
- Exam or certification fees: about $200 to $700
A realistic total estimate is about $5,000 to $7,500.
Program Length
The program is about 41 credits and can usually be completed in 1 year or less.
Why It Stands Out
Miami Dade College stands out because it offers a full public college dental assisting program at a lower price than most private career schools.
It is one of the best-value options in Miami.
Address: 300 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33132
#2 Lindsey Hopkins Technical College
Lindsey Hopkins Technical College is a public technical college in Miami.
It is a strong option for students who want hands-on training, a technical school setting, and a program with practical dental clinic experience.
Programs Offered
The school offers a Dental Assisting program.
Training includes dental office procedures, chairside assisting, dental radiography, infection control, expanded functions, clinical practice, and patient care.
Graduates may be prepared for dental assisting exams and the Florida dental radiographer certification.
Tuition and Cost
The program cost is about $3,660 if completed within the normal time.
Students should also budget for:
- Books and supplies: about $300 to $800
- Uniforms: about $100 to $250
- CPR and health requirements: about $100 to $300
- Background check: about $75 to $200
- Exam or certification fees: about $200 to $700
A practical total estimate is about $4,500 to $6,500.
Program Length
The program takes about 49 weeks.
Why It Stands Out
Lindsey Hopkins is one of the more affordable full-length dental assisting programs in Miami.
The 49-week schedule gives students more training time than a short 8 or 12-week course.
Address: 750 NW 20th St, Miami, FL 33127
#3 Miami Lakes Educational Center and Technical College
Miami Lakes Educational Center and Technical College is a public technical college in Miami-Dade County.
It is a good fit for students who want a lower-cost public technical school program with a full dental assisting curriculum.
Programs Offered
The school offers a Dental Assisting program with 1,230 total hours.
Training includes dental infection control, chairside assisting, expanded functions, dental radiography, patient care, dental office procedures, and clinical dental skills.
Tuition and Cost
The total in-state cost is about $4,275.80.
That includes:
- In-state tuition and fees: about $3,148.80
- Additional costs: about $227
- Other estimated program costs are included in the full total
- Out-of-state students may pay around $13,734.50.
Program Length
The program is about 1,230 hours.
Adult students attending part-time may take about 14 months.
Why It Stands Out
Miami Lakes is a strong public technical college option with a full 1,230-hour program.
The in-state cost is much lower than many private programs in the Miami area.
Address: 5780 NW 158th St, Miami Lakes, FL 33014
#4 Compu-Med Vocational Careers
Compu-Med Vocational Careers has a Miami-area campus and offers healthcare career training.
It is a good fit for students who want a longer private-school program with externship experience.
Programs Offered
Compu-Med offers a Dental Assistant program.
Training includes chairside assisting, dental radiography, sterilization, dental materials, dental office procedures, patient care, and clinical preparation.
Tuition and Cost
Students should ask for the current tuition sheet.
A realistic 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 to externship: varies
Program Length
The program is about 915 clock hours and takes about 45 weeks.
Why It Stands Out
Compu-Med is useful for students who want a longer private program than a short 10 or 12-week course.
The required externship can help beginners get real dental office experience.
Address: 11401 SW 40th St, Suite 150, Miami, FL 33165.
#5 South Florida Institute of Technology
South Florida Institute of Technology is a Miami career school with healthcare and technical programs.
It may be a good option for students who want private career training and financial aid options if they qualify.
Programs Offered
The school offers healthcare career programs and may offer dental assistant-related training depending on the current catalog.
Students should confirm current dental assistant program availability before enrolling.
Training may include chairside assisting, dental terminology, infection control, dental office procedures, radiography basics, and patient care.
Tuition and Cost
Students should request the current program cost directly from the school.
A practical private-school estimate may include:
- Tuition and fees: about $10,000 to $16,000
- Books and supplies: about $500 to $1,200
- Uniforms: about $50 to $200
- Lab materials: varies
- Exam or certification fees: about $200 to $700
- Registration fee: varies
Program Length
Many private dental assistant programs run about 9 to 12 months.
Students should confirm the current program hours and schedule before applying.
Why It Stands Out
South Florida Institute of Technology may work for students who want a career-school environment in Miami.
The most important step is confirming current dental assisting availability, total cost, and externship details.
Address: 720 NW 27th Ave, 2nd Floor, Miami, FL 33125
#6 The Praxis Institute, Hialeah
The Praxis Institute is located in Hialeah, close to Miami.
It is a private career school and may be convenient for students in Hialeah, Miami Springs, Doral, and northwest Miami-Dade.
Programs Offered
The school has offered dental assistant-related career training.
Students should confirm the current program name, schedule, and whether it includes expanded functions, radiography, CPR, and externship hours.
Tuition and Cost
A realistic private-school estimate may include:
- Tuition and fees: about $10,000 to $17,000
- Books and supplies: about $500 to $1,200
- Uniforms: about $50 to $200
- Lab materials: varies
- Exam or certification costs: about $200 to $700
- Registration fee: varies
Program Length
Students should confirm the current schedule.
Many private dental assistant programs take about 8 to 12 months.
Why It Stands Out
The Praxis Institute may be useful for students looking for a Miami-area private school near Hialeah.
Before enrolling, students should ask for the current program sheet with total cost, hours, and certification details.
Address: 4162 W 12th Ave, Hialeah, FL 33012
#7 South Florida Dental Assisting School
South Florida Dental Assisting School is located outside Miami, but it may be worth considering for students willing to travel within South Florida.
It is a short-term option for students who want faster training.
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 ask whether books, scrubs, CPR, 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 is a short South Florida program with a clearly listed price.
It may be a good option for Miami students who want a 12-week route instead of a full 1-year program.
Address: 2387 W 68th St #302, Hialeah, FL 33016
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
