A dental assistant is a healthcare professional who supports dentists by assisting with procedures, preparing equipment, and helping patients receive quality dental care.
The program begins in the Fall and Summer Term each year. The application (Milestone review) is due by July 20th for Fall term and May 31 for the Summer term.
To be eligible for the Dental Assisting program you must be a current student at Miami Dade College and submit a milestone review at the Program Requirements page.
Enrollment in the program is limited. Meeting the program requirements does not guarantee progression to discipline courses. For this reason, following criteria are used to determine which students will progress.
Applicants must have a high school diploma or G.E.D. There are no required general education or science courses.
Classes are held in person on weekdays, generally from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Clinical courses are also scheduled within this timeframe, though exact hours may vary depending on the assigned clinical site.
Graduates earn a Dental Assisting Diploma, along with certificates in Expanded Functions Dental Assisting (EFDA) and Dental Radiology.
Students are required to wear program-approved scrubs (black pants, purple top, and black sneakers) and always maintain a professional appearance. This includes clean, properly fitted attire, a visible MDC student ID, and adherence to grooming standards. Open-toed shoes, visible facial piercings, artificial eyelashes, and uncovered tattoos are not permitted. Detailed guidelines are outlined in the program handbook.
In Florida, no formal license is required to work as an entry-level dental assistant. However, graduates are eligible to apply for the Dental Radiographer license upon completion of the program through the Florida Board of Dentistry (View Dental Radiographer Requirements).
Please refer to the Miami Dade College Tuition and Fees and the Dental Assisting pages.
The Medical Campus does not provide direct job placement. However, graduates have access to career support services through the Career Center, including job postings, networking opportunities, and resources to assist with the job search.
Step 1: Complete a Miami Dade College application if you have never taken classes at MDC or haven't taken classes in more than an academic year. Remember to also apply for financial aid.
Step 2: Send transcripts from your high school and previously attended colleges/universities as applicable.
Step 3: Meet with a Medical Campus Advisor to discuss program requirements and milestone checkpoints.
Questions about this or other programs at the Medical Campus?
If you live out of state or are unable to visit in person, you can visit our virtual room to speak to an advisor. No appointment is necessary.
New Student Center - Room 1101
Monday - Thursday, 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Medical Campus address and directions