How to Become a Dental Assistant in Ohio

Search Dental Assistant Programs

Get information on Dental Assistant programs by entering your zip code and request enrollment information.

Sponsored Search

How to Become a Dental Assistant in Ohio

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:
$32K
$36K
$40K
10%
50%
90%
Annual Salary by Location:
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

Regional Salary in Ohio

Region Employed Avg. Annual Salary Avg. Hourly Pay Top 10% Annual Salary Bottom 10% Annual Salary
Akron, OH610$48,190$23.17$66,360$36,150
Canton-Massillon, OH350$45,910$22.07$64,290$36,310
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN2,070$55,230$26.56$75,400$36,740
Cleveland-Elyria, OH2,250$50,870$24.46$68,690$37,370
Columbus, OH2,570$48,710$23.42$72,800$36,120
Dayton, OH770$51,860$24.94$74,080$34,440
Lima, OH80$46,330$22.27$72,640$34,370
Mansfield, OH110$41,230$19.82$58,810$31,700
Springfield, OH120$45,780$22.01$71,820$34,640
Toledo, OH710$45,620$21.93$61,980$34,530
Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA350$41,930$20.16$47,900$34,670
* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Dental Assistants, OCC Code 31-9091, BLS.
* 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.

Search Dental Assistant Programs

Get information on Dental Assistant programs by entering your zip code and request enrollment information.

Sponsored Listings

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
Search Dental Assistant Programs

Get information on Dental Assistant programs by entering your zip code and request enrollment information.

Sponsored Listings

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.

USA Dental Assisting by City


USA Dental Assisting by State


Leave a Comment

×
Search Dental Assistant Programs

Get information on Dental Assistant programs by entering your zip code and request enrollment information.

Sponsored Search