How to Become a Dental Assistant in Ohio

Who can apply

• Ohio has no general license for dental assistants. The State Dental Board defines assistant duties in its rules (Ohio Rev. Code 4715.39).
• To take dental x-rays you need a dental x-ray machine operator (radiographer) certificate from the board, unless you are a licensed dentist or hygienist or a student in a qualifying program (Ohio Rev. Code 4715.52).
• Coronal polishing and pit and fissure sealants are only for assistants certified by DANB, the Ohio Commission on Dental Assistant Certification or American Medical Technologists, with extra training (Ohio Rev. Code 4715.39).
• An Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary (EFDA), who may place restorations, must register with the board (Ohio Rev. Code 4715.62).

Step by step

1. Start work as a dental assistant doing the basic duties the board's rules allow.
2. For x-rays: hold DANB, OCDAC or AMT certification, or finish at least 7 hours of board-approved or CODA-accredited instruction in dental x-ray machine operation.
3. Apply to the State Dental Board for the dental x-ray machine operator certificate and pay the fee.
4. Optional: earn DANB, OCDAC or AMT certification, then complete a 7-hour coronal polishing program and its standardized test and apply for the coronal polishing certificate within 90 days.
5. Optional: to place sealants, complete a sealant course (2 hours didactic + 6 hours clinical) and have your dentist watch you place at least six sealants.
6. Optional: to become an EFDA, be certified by DANB or the Ohio Commission on Dental Assistant Certification, finish a 180-hour EFDA program, pass the board-approved EFDA exam, hold BLS certification, and register with the board.
7. Display each certificate in the office where you work.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: Radiographer: DANB, OCDAC or AMT certification, or at least 7 hours of instruction in dental x-ray machine operation approved by the board or given at a CODA-accredited institution. Coronal polishing: at least 7 hours (3 didactic and 4 preclinical) in a CODA-accredited or board-approved college program, ending with a skills assessment and standardized test. Sealants: at least 2 hours didactic and 6 hours clinical. EFDA: at least 180 hours (100 preclinical and didactic, 80 clinical) at a CODA- or HLC-accredited institution.

Exam: No state exam for the x-ray certificate. Coronal polishing requires passing standardized testing right after the course's skills assessment; if you do not apply within 90 days of passing, you must retake the whole program. EFDA registration requires passing an exam that meets the board's standards (Ohio Adm. Code 4715-11-04.3).

What it costs in Ohio

Fixed amounts are set by the state. Items marked “your quote” are priced by private sellers, so enter what you’re quoted.

How long it takes

A submitted application may take 3-5 business days for an initial review; a complete application may take up to 20 calendar days to process. There is no expedited process.

Keeping your credential

Renewal: All x-ray machine operator certificates, whatever the issue date, renew on or before December 31 of even-numbered years (a fixed two-year cycle). To renew, show at least 2 hours of board-approved continuing education in dental x-ray machine operation/radiation technology in the past two years (waived if you finished your initial course within that biennium) and pay $32. EFDA registration renews every two years (expires December 31 of the year after it is issued or renewed); the statute and the board's fee page say $25, the board rule says $20. The coronal polishing certificate never expires.

Good to know in Ohio

Taking x-rays without the dentist present: A certified x-ray operator normally works under the dentist's direct supervision, but may take x-rays when the dentist is away if the dentist examined the patient within the past year and ordered the x-rays (Ohio Adm. Code 4715-12-01).

Polishing limits: Polishing is limited to a rubber cup on a slow-speed handpiece, only after a dentist has evaluated the patient and any calculus has been removed by a dentist or hygienist. A dentist may supervise no more than two assistants polishing at one time.

EFDA limits: No more than two EFDAs may practice under the same dentist at a time. Restorations require the dentist to be present. Sealants without the dentist present require at least one year and 1,500 hours of experience and a board-approved medical emergencies course, for no more than 15 consecutive business days.

Moving from another state: Under Ohio Rev. Code Chapter 4796, the board issues x-ray, polishing and EFDA credentials to people who hold the credential in another state, or have qualifying work experience or certification in a state that does not issue it.

EFDA interim restorations and silver diamine fluoride: Since August 17, 2026, an EFDA may place interim therapeutic restorations and apply silver diamine fluoride when a dentist orders it, after a one-hour board-approved course (didactic plus hands-on) for each, unless the training was in their EFDA program or an equivalent out-of-state credential applies (Ohio Adm. Code 4715-11-04.5 and 4715-11-04.6).

Monitoring nitrous oxide: A dental auxiliary may monitor nitrous oxide-oxygen minimal sedation after a six-hour course with a written exam from a board-approved sponsor (or equivalent CODA training since 2015, or an equivalent out-of-state credential) and must keep BLS current (Ohio Adm. Code 4715-11-02.1).

Sources

• Ohio Rev. Code 4715.51 - Dental x-ray machine operator definitions
• Ohio Rev. Code 4715.52 - Unlicensed practice
• Ohio Rev. Code 4715.53 - License qualifications (x-ray operator)
• Ohio Rev. Code 4715.39 - Permitted duties (polishing, sealants)
• Ohio Rev. Code 4715.62 - EFDA registration
• Ohio Rev. Code 4715.63 - EFDA renewal
• Ohio Rev. Code 4715.64 - EFDA practice
• Ohio Adm. Code 4715-11-03.1 - Coronal polishing certification
• Ohio Adm. Code 4715-11-04.1 - EFDA registration
• Ohio Adm. Code 4715-11-04.2 - EFDA education
• Ohio Adm. Code 4715-12-01 - Dental x-ray machine operator
• Ohio State Dental Board - License Fees
• Ohio State Dental Board - Dental Assistant Radiographer
• Ohio State Dental Board - Licensing & Renewal
• Ohio Adm. Code Chapter 4715-11 - Qualified Personnel