Entry Level Dental Assisting — Diploma Program
FIDA's six-month Entry Level Dental Assisting diploma program takes you from no dental experience to clinic-ready: 142 hours of theory, 76 hands-on lab hours, and a 160-hour externship in a real dental office under a licensed dentist. Licensed by the Florida Commission for Independent Education (institution #6501) and taught in person in Jacksonville by instructors with 30+ years in dentistry.
The program at a glance.
- Length
- 6 months · 378 clock hours (142 theory + 76 lab + 160 externship)
- Format
- In person in Jacksonville, FL — plus an externship in a working dental office
- Credential
- Diploma — Entry Level Dental Assisting, with Expanded Functions Dental Assistant and Dental Radiographer certifications
- Tuition
- $9,850 total — $9,700 tuition + $150 registration. $750 seat deposit; interest-free 6- or 8-month plans
- Approval
- Licensed by the Florida Commission for Independent Education (#6501)
- Upcoming classes
- September 15, 2026 — Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9:00 AM–1:30 PM November 9, 2026 — Mondays & Wednesdays, 5:00–9:30 PM January 22, 2027 — Fridays, 9:00 AM–4:30 PM
See the classroom, the lab, and the people who teach here.
A short look at how the Entry Level Dental Assisting program actually runs in Jacksonville — hands-on lab work, small classes, and instructors with 30+ years in dentistry.
Watch on YouTube“I have had the pleasure of three assistants coming out of this program. And I can say I couldn't be happier with the amount of skills they have accumulated during the program but also in office.”
Dr. Hall of Amelia Perfect Smile, with FIDA graduates Allie Carter and Katy Fink.
Admission requirements
- Be 18 years of age or older.
- Hold a high school diploma or GED.
- Complete a personal interview and a tour of our Jacksonville facility.
- Pass a criminal background screening. Applicants with felony convictions are not eligible for admission.
- Show proof of Hepatitis B vaccination, or declare the intent to receive it.
- Show proof of a current Tetanus vaccination.
- Sign the program registration forms.
What you will learn
Thirteen units take you from dental anatomy through chairside assisting, radiology, and front-office skills — a mix of classroom theory, hands-on lab work, and a real-office externship. You'll finish with Expanded Functions Dental Assistant and Dental Radiographer certifications, BLS/CPR/AED certification (through AHA), and graduate eligible for the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) exam.
How much does the diploma program cost?
Tuition is $9,700 plus a $150 registration fee — $9,850 total. That includes your two textbooks, a set of personalized scrubs, CPR/BLS/AED certification through the AHA, your student clinical kit, a personalized notebook binder, the resume workshop, membership to the American Dental Assistants Association, and all material and lab fees. You pay in three stages — the $150 registration fee online, a $750 seat deposit after admissions, and the balance on an interest-free 6- or 8-month in-house plan or an 18-month plan through TFC.
Three stages — you always know what's due and when.
- Step 1$150Registration fee
Paid online when you register. Secures your place in the admissions process and is collected through QuickBooks — card, bank transfer (ACH), PayPal, or Venmo.
- Step 2$750Seat deposit
Due after your admissions interview and campus tour. This is what reserves your seat in a specific class.
- Step 3$9,100Tuition balance
Choose an interest-free in-house plan or an 18-month plan through TFC. Your advisor sets it up with you before class starts.
Tuition & payment plans
- 6 months · $1,516.66/month
- 8 months · $1,137.50/month
In-house plans are interest-free.
- 6 months · $1,266.67/month
- 8 months · $950/month
Same interest-free in-house plans. Eligibility is verified with a valid military ID or DD214 before the incentive is applied.
FIDA partners with TFC Tuition Financing for an 18-month tuition payment plan. No credit check — approval is subject to TFC's program terms.
Learn about TFCEntry Level Dental Assisting FAQ
How long does it take to become a dental assistant at FIDA?
Six months. The program totals 378 clock hours: 142 hours of classroom theory, 76 hands-on lab hours, and a 160-hour externship in a working dental office under a licensed dentist's supervision.
What certifications do I graduate with?
You graduate with the FIDA Entry Level Dental Assisting diploma, Expanded Functions Dental Assistant and Dental Radiographer certifications, and BLS/CPR/AED certification through the AHA — eligible to sit for the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) exam.
When do classes start, and what's the schedule?
Three upcoming classes in Jacksonville: Tue/Thu day class starting September 15, 2026 (Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9:00 AM–1:30 PM); Mon/Wed evening class starting November 9, 2026 (Mondays & Wednesdays, 5:00–9:30 PM); Friday all-day class starting January 22, 2027 (Fridays, 9:00 AM–4:30 PM). Seats are limited and applications are reviewed as received — the next start is September 15, 2026.
How do I pay, and what's due when?
Three stages. First, a $150 registration fee paid online when you register. Second, a $750 seat deposit after your admissions interview and tour — that's what holds your seat. Third, the $9,100 balance on an interest-free in-house plan ($1,516.66/month over 6 months or $1,137.50/month over 8 months) or an 18-month plan through TFC Tuition Financing. We accept card, ACH, check, and cash. Eligible military members and first responders receive a $1,500 tuition incentive — $8,350 total, $7,600 balance after the deposit, on the same plans ($1,266.67 over 6 months or $950 over 8 months); verified with a military ID or DD214.
Is FIDA a licensed school?
Yes. The Entry Level Dental Assisting diploma program is licensed by the Florida Commission for Independent Education (institution #6501). FIDA's EFDA and Radiography courses are separately approved by the Florida Board of Dentistry.
What do dental assistants earn, and is the field growing?
Nationally, dental assistants earned a median $23.11/hour — about $48,000/year — as of May 2025 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS). In Florida, dental assistant employment is projected to grow 14% from 2024 to 2034, with roughly 3,490 openings per year (state labor projections via Projections Central).
Do I need any dental experience to apply?
No. This program is built for people entering the field. You need to be 18+, hold a high school diploma or GED, complete an interview and campus tour, pass a background screening, and show proof of Hepatitis B (or intent to receive) and current Tetanus vaccinations.
Ready to start your dental assisting career?
Apply through Atticus, our admissions intake — about five minutes — then pay the $150 registration fee online to secure your place. A FIDA advisor follows up within one business day.