Dental Hygienist License in Ohio

Ohio requires dental hygienist applicants to graduate from a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program and pass the NBDHE plus a clinical examination. The Ohio State Dental Board oversees dental hygienist licensing. CE is required for biennial renewal, with a minimum of 24 hours per renewal period including specific required courses in Ohio dental jurisprudence and infection control. Ohio has implemented a Dental Hygienist Expanded Practice certification that allows experienced hygienists who meet additional training requirements to provide preventive services in certain settings, including schools, nursing homes, and federally qualified health centers, under the general supervision of a dentist with a written supervision agreement. The state has numerous CODA-accredited programs at institutions including Ohio State University, Cuyahoga Community College, Shawnee State University, Sinclair Community College, and Lorain County Community College. Ohio's Appalachian southeast region faces significant dental professional shortages and elevated rates of oral disease, while the Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati metropolitan areas offer competitive employment markets with diverse practice opportunities for dental hygienists in private practices, hospitals, and community health settings.