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In Ohio, the State Dental Board oversees the dentistry profession and recognizes 3 categories of dental assistants:
- Basic Qualified Personnel (BQP)
- OCDAC Certified Ohio Dental Assistant/DANB Certified Dental Assistant
- Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary (EFDA)
The salary depends more on the certification and experience than on location.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Columbus | $37,080 |
| Cleveland | $37,407 |
| Cincinnati | $36,869 |
| Toledo | $36,458 |
| Akron | $36,198 |
| Dayton | $36,650 |
| Canton | $36,006 |
| Youngstown | $35,742 |
| Lorain | $36,711 |
| Hamilton | $36,718 |
Article Table of Contents
Regional Salary in Ohio
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akron, OH | 580 | $46,530 | $22.37 | $61,980 | $35,390 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | 390 | $44,130 | $21.22 | $58,300 | $30,590 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | 1,970 | $51,380 | $24.7 | $71,890 | $36,890 |
| Cleveland-Elyria, OH | 2,550 | $48,080 | $23.12 | $62,940 | $36,200 |
| Columbus, OH | 2,560 | $45,820 | $22.03 | $60,050 | $35,070 |
| Dayton, OH | 800 | $48,660 | $23.39 | $66,570 | $34,550 |
| Lima, OH | 80 | $43,200 | $20.77 | $59,880 | $31,750 |
| Mansfield, OH | 100 | $41,460 | $19.93 | $57,430 | $30,270 |
| Springfield, OH | 120 | $44,760 | $21.52 | $61,570 | $30,960 |
| Toledo, OH | 670 | $42,710 | $20.54 | $58,660 | $31,890 |
| Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA | 380 | $40,810 | $19.62 | $48,650 | $34,680 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Becoming a Dental Assistant
There are certain requirements an individual must meet in order to become a dental assistant in Ohio.
Basic Qualified Personnel
To become a BQP, the individual will receive training via a licensed dentist and the process has to include classroom education and in-office training.
These professionals can monitor nitrous oxide minimal sedation if they meet the following requirements:
- Age over 18 years
- Graduate from a basic life-supporting training course
- Have at least 2 years of active practice
- Have at least 3,000 hours of experience as a dental assistant
- Complete the 6-hour course in nitrous oxide monitoring and pass a test
In lieu of the last requirement, graduating from a dental assisting program that was accredited by CODA, is also acceptable.
Certified Dental Assistant
The certified dental assistant must obtain their diploma through either the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) or OCDAC.
Those holding such a certification can place pit and fissure sealants.
They can obtain a further certification allowing them to do coronal polishing, but they must meet these requirements:
- Complete the Board-approved training for coronal polishing
- Pass the test assessing their skill and knowledge.
When all this process is completed, candidates need to fill out the Application for a Certificate to Perform Coronal Polishing in the State of Ohio.
These professionals can apply pit and fissure sealants only if they graduate from the appropriate training lasting for at least 6 hours of clinical practice and a minimum of 2 hours didactic education.
Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary
Those who want to become an Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary (or EFDA) must complete an approved and accredited training course and then pass the related exam.
These classes last between 9 and 11 months and upon completion of the program, these candidates are considered entry-level dental assistants.
This course has to be approved by the Board in Ohio and accredited by CODA (Commission on Dental Accreditation) or North Central Association of Colleges and School’s Higher Learning Commission.
The exam is held through the Commission on Dental Testing in Ohio.
DANB Certification Options for Dental Assistants in Ohio
The DANB certification is recognized in Ohio for several dental assisting requirements.
It can be considered enough for both the OCDAC Certified Ohio Dental Assistant/DANB Certified Dental Assistant and the
Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary (EFDA) title.
If professionals pass the DANB’s Coronal Polish (CP) exam, then they can perform this task.
The CDA certification is obtained only after passing 3 exams:
- General Chairside Assisting (GC)
- Infection Control (ICE)
- Radiation Health and Safety (RHS)
There are other DANB credentials dental assistants from Ohio can pursue:
- Certified Restorative Functions Dental Assistant (CRFDA)
- Certified Preventive Functions Dental Assistant (CPFDA)
- Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA)
Everyone holding a DANB certification has to finish a minimum of 30 continuing education credits every year and then renew their credentials
Dental Assistant Radiographer Certification in Ohio
For this certification, candidates need to first complete a training program through a Board-approved sponsor.
Alternatively, the DANB or OCDAD certification are also accepted.
The diploma for Dental Assistant Radiographer is issued to those sending the application form and fee of $25, to the Board.
This certification has to be renewed on January 1st of all odd-numbered years.
This can be done after completing a minimum of 2 hours of continuing education in radiation technology.
Schools Offering Dental Assisting Programs in Ohio
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Case Western Reserve University | 10900 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44106 |
| Dental Assistant Pro LLC | 767 Columbus Avenue Lebanon, OH 45036 |
| Dental Assistant Pro LLC | 191 W Schrock Rd Westerville, OH 43081 |
| Eastern Gateway Community College | 4000 Sunset Blvd, Steubenville, Ohio 43952-3598 |
| Medina County Career Center | 1101 W Liberty St, Medina, Ohio 44256 |
| Ohio Valley College of Technology | 15258 State Route 170, East Liverpool, Ohio 43920-9585 |
| Owens Community College | 30335 Oregon Rd, Perrysburg, OH 43551 |
| Polaris Career Center | 7285 Old Oak Blvd, Middleburg Heights, Ohio 44130-3375 |
| Remington College | 14801 Broadway Avenue, Maple Heights, OH 44137 |
| Scioto County Career Technical Center | 951 Vern Riffe Drive, Lucasville, Ohio 45648-0766 |
| Sinclair Community College | 444 W Third St, Dayton, OH 45402 |
| Stark State College | 6200 Frank Ave NW, North Canton, Ohio 44720 |
| The Ohio State University | 281 W. Lane Ave., Columbus, OH 43210 | 614-292-OHIO |
| Youngstown State University | 1 University Plaza, Youngstown, OH 44555 |
| First Impressions Dental Assisting Program | 8 N. Liberty St. Suite 200 Powell, OH. 43065 |
| Adapt | 11311 Springfield Pike Cincinnati, OH 45246 |
| Assist to Succeed | 7227 N High St, Worthington, OH 43085 |
| Assist to Succeed | 1634 W Church St, Newark, OH 43055, USA |
| COLUMBUS ACADEMY OF DENTAL ASSISTING | 5080 Bradenton Ave Ste A Dublin, Ohio 43017 |
| Lake Erie Dental Assisting Academy Ltd. | 2010 W 19th St. Ashtabula, Ohio 44004 |
| Dental Assistant Academy LLC | 4845 Rialto Road West Chester, OH 45069 |
| Adams Dental Assisting Academy | 845 Claycraft Rd STE. A Gahanna, Oh 43230 |
| Ohio Dental Assistant School | 2110 Center Rd Avon, OH 44011 |
| VIP Dental Assisting School | 5603 Ridge Road, Parma, Ohio 44129 |
| VIP Dental Assisting School | 13990 Cedar Road Suite A, University Heights, Ohio 44118. |
| Maumee Valley Dental Assisting School | 875 Westmoreland Avenue Napoleon, OH 43545 |
Dental Assisting Associations in Ohio
Becoming a member of the dental assisting community in Ohio can mean improved employment possibilities and stay updated with any possible updates to the laws related to this profession.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Dental Assistant
Dental Assisting by City
Dental Assisting by State