Ohio's Dental Assisting pathway prepares students for careers assisting dentists and dental hygienists in dental offices and clinics. Dental assistants are essential to dental practice operations, supporting both patient care and administrative functions.
Students study dental anatomy, dental procedures, patient communication, dental radiography, infection control, and dental office management. They gain practical experience in dental labs and work with dental offices to understand patient care and operations.
Graduates work as dental assistants in general dentistry practices, specialty practices, dental clinics, or dental laboratories. Some advance to registered dental hygienist roles through continued education. Many use dental assisting as a pathway to dental professions or dental business management.
Dental Assisting at a Glance
2
Courses
8
Credentials
4
Career Paths
State Standards & Framework
Ohio's dental assisting standards are developed with dental professionals and dental offices. Curriculum emphasizes dental procedures, infection control, patient interaction, and dental office operations.
Competency assessments include dental procedure knowledge, infection control practice, patient communication skills, and dental radiography understanding. Students pursue Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) and radiography certifications.
Typical Course Sequence
| Course |
|---|
| Health Science Foundations |
| Dental Assisting Principles |
Industry Certifications & Credentials
Career Opportunities
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Growth projections from BLS Employment Projections (2023-2033). Cost-of-living adjustment uses BEA Regional Price Parities (2023). Entry-level salaries reflect the 25th percentile; experienced salaries reflect the median.
Dental Assistant
Entry LevelSalary range: $38,650 - $58,700
Adjusted for cost of living: $42,098
Senior Dental Assistant
Entry LevelSalary range: $38,650 - $58,700
Adjusted for cost of living: $42,098
Dental Office Manager
ExperiencedSalary range: $106,300 - $234,050
Adjusted for cost of living: $169,448
Dental Practice Manager
ExperiencedSalary range: $106,300 - $234,050
Adjusted for cost of living: $169,448
Work-Based Learning Opportunities
Students intern with dental practices, dental clinics, and orthodontic offices throughout Ohio.
Career & Technical Student Organization
Students in this pathway can participate in HOSA-Future Health Professionals, gaining leadership experience and competing in career-related events.
How Sage Helps Ohio CTE Programs
AI-Powered Curriculum
Generate standards-aligned lesson plans in minutes, not months
Ohio Standards Built In
Pre-loaded with Ohio's CTE standards and frameworks
Teacher Customization
Teachers personalize content while maintaining standards alignment
Ongoing Updates
Curriculum stays current as Ohio standards and industry needs evolve
Related Pathways in Ohio
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