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Ohio State Dental Board

License verification guide · Last reviewed July 2026 · By the OhioLicenseCheck.com team

The Ohio State Dental Board licenses dentists, dental hygienists, and expanded-function dental assistants, and regulates everything from anesthesia permits to teledentistry. License verification protects practices, insurers, and patients alike.

License types under this board

  • Dentist (DDS/DMD)
  • Dental Hygienist (RDH)
  • Dental Assistant

About this board

Dentistry has one of the clearest scope-of-practice ladders in healthcare: what a dental assistant, an EFDA, a hygienist, and a dentist may each do is spelled out in Ohio law. Verifying the exact credential — not just "works at a dental office" — is the point of a license check here.

The Board also issues permits layered on top of base licenses, such as sedation and general-anesthesia permits for dentists. Practices administering sedation are inspected and must keep permits current, which is a frequent audit item for group practices and DSOs (dental support organizations).

Who verifies these licenses?

  • Dental practices and DSOs credentialing new clinical hires
  • Dental insurers verifying network providers
  • Temp and staffing agencies placing hygienists
  • Patients confirming a dentist’s standing before major procedures

Verification tips

  • Confirm hygienists hold an active RDH license — it is a licensed profession, not an on-the-job title.
  • If a practice offers sedation, ask about the anesthesia permit; it is separate from the dental license itself.
  • Watch expiry dates on every clinical credential in a practice, not only the owner-dentist’s.

Renewals and expiration

Ohio dental licenses renew on a two-year cycle with continuing-education requirements that differ by credential. Group practices juggling dentists, hygienists, and EFDAs across locations benefit most from centralized expiry tracking, since a single lapsed hygiene license can disrupt a full hygiene schedule.

Frequently asked questions

What is an EFDA?

An Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary — a dental assistant with additional state-recognized training who may perform certain restorative procedures under a dentist’s supervision. EFDA registration is verifiable through the state system.

Are teeth-whitening businesses regulated by the Dental Board?

Services that constitute the practice of dentistry must be performed under a licensed dentist. If a storefront offers procedures beyond cosmetic products, its staffing is worth verifying.

Want to earn this license?

Our career guide: How to Become a Dentist or Dental Hygienist in Ohio covers the education path, exams, typical pay, and Ohio schools.

Verify a DDS license now

Search the official state record for any Ohio State Dental Board credential — status, expiration date, and disciplinary flags in seconds. Free for individual lookups.

Run a Free License Check

Sources: license data is retrieved from the official State of Ohio eLicense system (elicense.ohio.gov) and board information is published by the board at dental.ohio.gov. Renewal rules and fees change; always confirm current requirements with the board. This guide is general information, not legal advice.