Ohio Dental Assistant Requirements

Each state has different requirements for dental assistants. This page includes links to all the information you need to understand the requirements for dental assistants in this state. View the different dental assisting levels, along with the requirements for each. You can also view the allowable duties at each level.

Ohio Requirements

Certified Assistant Requirements

The Ohio State Dental Board recognizes the following three dental assisting certifications:

1. DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certification, or

2. Certified Ohio Dental Assistant certification administered by the Ohio Commission on Dental Assistant Certification (OCDAC), or

3. Registered Dental Assistant certification administered by the American Medical Technologists (AMT)

Current holders of either of these certifications are considered Certified Assistants. (Holders of DANB’s NELDA certification temporarily qualify as Certified Assistants; See NOTE below.)

NOTE: The OSDB voted to recognize DANB’s NELDA certification to qualify for Certified Assistant status through the end of 2021. At its meeting on March 9, 2022, the OSDB voted to extend its temporary acceptance of DANB’s NELDA certification through June 30, 2023. After this date, please contact the OSDB directly for further updates regarding NELDA recognition.

Current Certified Assistants may qualify to perform placement of pit and fissure sealants and to earn a state certificate in coronal polishing by meeting additional requirements.

Coronal Polishing: In order to receive a certificate from the Ohio State Dental Board permitting the dental assistant to perform coronal polishing procedures, a current Certified Assistant** must:

1. Successfully complete an Ohio Board-approved training program in coronal polishing, AND

2a. Successfully pass standardized testing immediately following successful completion of a skills assessment component of an approved training program, or 2b. Pass DANB’s Coronal Polishing (CP) exam, AND

3. Apply to the Ohio State Dental Board for certification to perform coronal polishing.

**Please note: Holders of the Ohio coronal polishing certificate must maintain DANB CDA certification, Certified Ohio Dental Assistant certification through OCDAC, or Registered Dental Assistant certification through AMT (or DANB’s NELDA certification, while recognized)

Pit and Fissure Sealants:

1. Successfully complete a course containing a minimum of two hours of didactic instruction and six hours of clinical instruction, AND

2. The supervising dentist must observe the assistant successfully apply at least six sealants.
 

NOTE: Certified Assistants may perform specified functions when the supervising dentist is not physically present (for not more than 15 consecutive business days), subject to the conditions listed below.

NOTE: All dental health care workers in Ohio must show evidence of immunity to or immunization against the hepatitis B virus, unless a waiver has been granted.