Ohio Dental License

There are 3,370 dentists in Ohio. To be effective in dentistry, dentists must have excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving abilities. Dentists, particularly those in private practice, have a relatively flexible work schedule.

Let’s learn about how to become a dentist and obtain an Ohio dental license, including the educational, training, and licensure requirements. The Ohio State Dental Board in the Buckeye State regulates this specialty. The board outlines the conditions for obtaining a state-issued license, including the education, review, residency and work history requirements.

Also, you can use the Ohio dental license lookup at the top of this website to check a dentist’s credentials before scheduling an appointment.

How do I become a dentist in Ohio?

So let’s find out some of the most crucial steps in the process of becoming a dentist.

Steps to Become a Dentist: A Step-by-Step Guide

In order to become a dentist in Ohio, you must complete a series of steps.

Complete a Bachelor’s Degree

Students who choose to apply to dental schools must have a bachelor’s degree. This degree does not have to be in an area relevant to dentistry. It is, however, recommended that you complete biology, chemistry, and physics coursework.

Pass the Dental Admissions Exam (DAT)

The Dental Admission Test (DAT) helps to determine a student’s ability to understand dental medical concepts. Getting a good grade on this test will help you get into your preferred dental school.

Earn a DDS or DMD degree

Dentists must graduate from a CODA-accredited program with a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree. Local anesthesia, periodontics, radiology, and anatomy will be among the topics included in this program. Therefore, clinical experience is included in the curriculum of all dental programs.

Before submitting your application to Ohio State’s DDS program, you must first complete 9 of the 13 prerequisite courses. Also, you must complete all prerequisite courses before beginning classes and earn a C or better in all prerequisite courses. Courses taken more than ten years ago (at the time of application) will not be considered prerequisites. English I and English II will be the only exceptions to the 10-year rule.

Obtain a License

To practice dentistry, all dentists must obtain state licensure. State requirements differ, but all states require passing the National Board Dental Examinations. The dental sciences, ethics, and clinical procedures are all included in this two-part written exam. In addition, all applicants must pass a practical test conducted or approved by the licensing board in their state. Most states have prerequisites such as first aid or CPR certification, a background check, or an interview.

You can use the dental license lookup Ohio on the government’s website to check your license status. If you find your information when using the Ohio dental board license lookup tool, you will know you have been approved.

Think about a Specialization

Although most dentists practice general dentistry, some prefer to specialize in a specific area of dentistry. Options for post-DMD or post-DDS education exist to enable licensed dentists to practice in a variety of specialties. The Council on Dental Education and Licensure of the American Dental Association (ADA) lists nine major dental specialties:

• Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics
• Prosthodontics
• Oral and maxillofacial pathology
• Pediatric dentistry
• Oral and maxillofacial surgery
• Public health dentistry
• Periodontics
• Endodontics
• Oral and maxillofacial radiology.

Before obtaining a specialty state license, a specialist must complete 2 to 4 years of additional education and, in some cases, a two-year residency.