How to Become a Dental Hygienist in Ohio

Learn how to become a dentist in Ohio, including the educational, training and licensure requirements needed to pursue this career. This profession is regulated by the Ohio State Dental Board in The Buckeye State. The board provides details about the licensure process, including the education needed, examination and residency and employment history requirements, in order to get a state-issued license.

Ohio is home to 3,370 dentists. If you plan on becoming a part of this workforce, you will need to possess certain qualities and will have to work in a specific work environment. Dentists are expected to have great communication skills, leadership skills and problem-solving skills in order to succeed at their job. Dentists typically have a relatively flexible work schedule, especially in case of a private practice.

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics

The employment for dentists is expected to grow by 7% nationally, creating nearly 11,600 new jobs as per the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. The field of dentistry in Ohio will also see a positive growth, as evidenced by the figures provided by O*Net Online for general dentists. This demand will be driven by the increased focus on oral health and the aging population that will need more frequent dental work. Job opportunities would be best for those willing to relocate to smaller, less densely populated parts of the state. Career outlook would vary according to specialization and industry.

You will have to follow a series of steps in order to become a dentist in Ohio.

1. 1. Complete an Undergraduate Degree

Students who intend to apply to dental schools need to have at least a 4-year long bachelor’s degree. This degree does not need to be in a pre-dentistry related field. However, it is recommended that you complete coursework in biology, chemistry and physics.

2. 2. Clear the Dental Admission Test (DAT)

The Dental Admission Test (DAT) is designed to assess the aptitude of students in dental medical concepts. Clearing this exam with a good score can help you get into the dental college of your choice.

3. 3. Complete a DDS or DMD Degree

Dentists are required to have a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree through a CODA-accredited program. This program would contain coursework in subjects like local anesthesia, periodontics, radiology and anatomy. All dental programs have clinical experience incorporated into their curriculum.

4. 4. Get Licensed

All states in the US, including Ohio, require dentists to be licensed. The requirements for licensure are provided in detail on the website for the Ohio State Dental Board.

The road to becoming a dentist in Ohio is long and requires a lot of time and patience. With a four year long undergraduate degree, followed by a four year long dental degree, eight years is the minimum amount of time it would take to join this profession. In addition to that, if you intend to go for a specialization, you will need additional training.

In order to become a dentist in Ohio, students will have to fulfill certain requirements. These include:

 

After becoming a dentist in Ohio, you can make an annual mean wage of $195,460, as per the 2019 data published by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. The salary potential would vary according to specialty and industry of employment. For instance, the top paying industry for dentists in the US was Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities, which paid an annual mean income of $197,370. Orthodontists in Ohio made an annual mean income of $209,450, while Dentists, all other specialties made $150,310 in 2019.