How to become a Dental Hygienist in Ohio
If you are interested in training to become a dental hygienist in Ohio you will need to graduate from an accredited dental hygiene program.
Requirements for entry into accredited programs include a high school diploma or equivalent and, depending on the school, you may need to pass entrance exams and complete an entry interview. Medical and legal clearances may also be required.
Below we provide details of the top accredited dental hygienist programs in Ohio, as well as licensing requirements and salary and employment data for the state.
Top 12 Accredited Dental Hygienist Schools Ohio
| School | Area | More Information |
|---|---|---|
| Stark State College of Technology | Canton | Learn More |
| University of Cincinnati Blue Ash College | Cincinnati | Learn More |
| Cuyahoga Community College District | Cleveland | Learn More |
| Ohio State University, Columbus | Columbus | Learn More |
| Columbus State Community College | Columbus | Learn More |
| Sinclair Community College | Dayton | Learn More |
| Lorain County Community College | Elyria | Learn More |
| Lakeland Community College | Kirtland | Learn More |
| James A Rhodes State College | Lima | Learn More |
| Shawnee State University | Portsmouth | Learn More |
| Owens Community College, Toledo Campus | Toledo | Learn More |
| Youngstown State University | Youngstown | Learn More |
Schools offering dental hygiene programs which have been accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) are recognized to maintain a high standard of education by the American Dental Association (ADA).
There are currently 12 accredited programs in Ohio.
Once you have graduated from an accredited program you will be required to sit some additional state and/or national certification exams before you are eligible to apply for your dental hygienist license.
Ohio Dental Hygienist License Requirements
Once you have successfully graduated from an accredited program and have passed all additional certification exams it is a requirement of Ohio law that you obtain a license to work as a dental hygienist there.
The Ohio State Dental Board governs the licensing of dental hygienists in Ohio. You can contact the Board directly using the contact details below:
State Board: Ohio State Dental Board
Phone: (614) 466-2580
Website: http://www.dental.ohio.gov
Dental Hygienist Salary in Ohio
| Salary | $67,470 |
| Hourly Wage | $32.44 |
| Bottom 10% of Earners | $52,690 |
| Top 10% of Earners | $82,280 |
| # Employed | 8,600 |
The average dental hygienist salary in Ohio is $67,470 – 10% below the national average of $74,680.
This equates to an hourly wage of $32.44.
There are currently 8,600 persons employed as dental hygienists in the state.
Ohio Dental Hygienist Employment and Salaries by Metro Area
It is a great time to train to become a dental hygienist in Ohio given the strong salary levels and jobs growth for the career.
Dental hygiene salaries are among some of the highest in the healthcare industry and it is projected that an additional 30,000 positions will be created in the sector between 2016 and 2024 representing an almost 15% increase in employment.
The table below provides a breakdown of salaries and employment of dental hygienists across the main towns, cities and non metro areas in Ohio;
Area Number Employed Salary
Akron, OH 510 $67,600.00
Canton-Massillon, OH 190 $61,720.00
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN 1740 $71,010.00
Cleveland-Elyria, OH 1410 $64,210.00
Columbus, OH 1280 $71,970.00
Dayton, OH 510 $70,720.00
Lima, OH 120 $59,250.00
Mansfield, OH 80 $66,670.00
Springfield, OH 70 $67,240.00
Toledo, OH 520 $64,020.00
Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA 240 $57,240.00
West Northwestern Ohio nonmetropolitan area 210 $58,620.00
North Northeastern Ohio nonmetropolitan area 380 $60,830.00
Eastern Ohio nonmetropolitan area 220 $61,550.00
Southern Ohio nonmetropolitan area 230 $60,920.00
Related Healthcare Career Comparisons in Ohio
The table below provides a comparison between income and employment of dental hygienists and related healthcare careers in Ohio;
| Career | Number Employed | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Hygienists | 7510 | $66,910.00 |
| Dental Assistants | 10460 | $36,630.00 |
| Surgical Technologists | 3830 | $41,040.00 |
| Medical Assistants | 21520 | $29,240.00 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | 3370 | $34,180.00 |
| Nursing Assistants | 67900 | $25,150.00 |
| Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics | 10570 | $31,000.00 |
| Phlebotomists | 4790 | $30,790.00 |