When you think of the Midwest, one of the first states that probably springs to mind is Ohio. If you’re thinking about becoming a dental hygienist in the state of Ohio, you’ll be serving a population of around 11.59 million.
If you are thinking of studying and working as a dental hygienist in Ohio, you probably want to know more about what it’s like to live there. Here are a few things you may not know about the state that’s known as the “Heart of It All!”
Ohio’s name comes from the Iroquois word for “great river.” Residents of Ohio are called “Buckeyes,” which is a reference to the buckeye tree. Major cities include Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo, Akron, and Dayton. All of these cities offer an abundance of activities in the form of museums, parks, landmarks, and more.
Visit the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton to learn more about aviation, or stroll through the galleries in the Cleveland Museum of Art. For those who love wildlife, the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, and the Columbus Zoo are not to be missed. If you’re looking for thrills, you can try the Cedar Point Amusement Park. Sports fans can follow the Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians, Cincinnati Bengals, and Cleveland Browns.
Ohio Dental Hygiene Programs
There are many schools for dental hygiene in Ohio! If you are looking for the full list, you’ve found it. Below you can view a complete list of all programs offered in the state along with contact information for the schools.
| Institute | Address | Website | Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus State Community College | 550 East Spring Street - Box 1609, Union 319 Columbus, OH 43215 | www.cscc.edu | AAS |
| Cuyahoga Community College | 2900 Community College Ave. Cleveland, OH 44115 | www.tri-c.edu | AAS |
| Hocking College | 3301 Hocking Parkway Nelsonville, OH 45964 | www.hocking.edu | AAS |
| James A. Rhodes State College | 4240 Campus Drive Lima, OH 45804 | www.rhodesstate.edu | AAS |
| Lakeland Community College | 7700 Clocktower Drive Kirtland, OH 44094 | www.lakelandcc.edu | AAS |
| Lorain County Community College | 1005 N. Abbe Rd. Elyria, OH 44035 | www.lorainccc.edu | AAS |
| Ohio State University | 305 West 12th Avenue Columbus, OH 43210 | www.dent.osu.edu | BS-DH |
| Owens Community College | P.O. Box 10,000 Toledo, OH 43699 | www.owens.edu | AAS |
| Shawnee State University | Allied Health Building, 940 Second Street Portsmouth, OH 45662 | www.shawnee.edu | AAS |
| Sinclair Community College | 444 West Third Street Dayton, OH 45402 | www.sinclair.edu | AAS |
| Stark State College | 6200 Frank Ave. NW North Canton, OH 44720 | www.starkstate.edu | AAS |
| University of Cincinnati | 9555 Plainfield Rd. Cincinnati, OH 45236 | www.ucblueash.edu | AAS |
| Youngstown State University | One University Plaza Youngstown, OH 44555 | www.ysu.edu | BS-DH |
License Requirements
How can you become a licensed dental hygienist working in the state of Ohio?
- To become a dental hygienist in OH, you will need to graduate from an accredited dental hygiene program.
- Following graduation, you will need to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination. Regional clinical exams required include the CRDTS, CDCA, SRTA, and WREB.
- Ohio requires that you receive CPR certification.
- Background checks include an AADE query and standard state background checks. Note that you may be denied licensure if you have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor.
- There is no temporary license available in Ohio.
- You will need to obtain official transcripts from your high school and college(s). You will also need official letters from the boards of dentistry as well as licensed dentists in Ohio.
Dental Hygienist Salary in Ohio
What can you expect as far as demand, salary, and the process to become a dental hygienist in Ohio? The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that dental hygienists are in high demand throughout the United States. That demand is increasing swiftly at a rate of 20%—faster than the average for all other occupations. This is the perfect time to start a career in dental hygiene.
As of 2018, the BLS reported that 8,930 dental hygienists were employed in the state of Ohio. The mean annual wage earned by those hygienists was $68,310 per year, which comes out to a mean hourly wage of $3.24. This number is slightly less than the median annual pay reported by the BLS for dental hygienists nationwide ($70,210 per year).
Considering that there are more than 8,930 dental hygienists in Ohio and this occupation is increasing at a rate of 20%, that should represent quite a few job opportunities in the state over the coming years. Ohio is therefore a great choice for a good salary and steady work.
| Area Name | Employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | 450 | $32.68 | $67,960 |
| Canton, Massillon | 340 | $29.66 | $61,700 |
| Cincinnati | 1920 | $34.30 | $71,340 |
| Cleveland, Elyria | 1610 | $32.95 | $68,530 |
| Columbus | 1910 | $35.24 | $73,300 |
| Dayton | 580 | $32.72 | $68,060 |
| Eastern Ohio nonmetropolitan area | 210 | $30.31 | $63,050 |
| Lima | 140 | $28.33 | $58,930 |
| Mansfield | 110 | $31.36 | $65,240 |
| North Northeastern Ohio nonmetropolitan area | 390 | $32.04 | $66,640 |
| Southern Ohio nonmetropolitan area | 170 | $30.45 | $63,330 |
| Springfield | 80 | $27.57 | $57,350 |
| Toledo | 520 | $29.17 | $60,680 |
| West Northwestern Ohio nonmetropolitan area | 430 | $30.39 | $63,210 |
| Youngstown, Warren, Boardman | 340 | $28.98 | $60,290 |
Schools in neighboring States
Dental schools with a dental hygiene program are plenty. If you did not find what you were looking for, may be one of the neighboring states will have your ideal school. Ohio is bordered by Michigan and Lake Erie in the north, Pennsylvania and West Virginia in the east, Kentucky and West Virginia in the south, and Indiana in the west.