Effective May 11, 2026, Registered Dental Hygienists (RDHs) in Ohio are permitted to use lasers. Ohio requirements include completion of a minimum 8 CE laser course consisting of 5.5 CE hours of didactic (lecture) training and 2.5 CE hours of hands-on training, along with a passing score of at least 75% on both a written examination and clinical competency evaluation.

All 12 CE laser training courses offered by Advanced Dental Hygiene meet and exceed these requirements, including both written and clinical competency examinations. Exams are included with all 12 CE laser training courses, including online options, at no additional fee.

Ohio Rules and regulations are below, all information is taught in all 12CE laser courses offered by Advanced Dental Hygiene.

Ohio is a gingival curettage state.

Use of Lasers; education and training requirements.

Each licensed dental hygienist seeking to use a laser in accordance with rule 4715-9-01 of
the Administrative Code must have completed the requirements set forth in sections 4715.
23 and 4715.231 of the Revised Code and the education and examination requirements set
forth in paragraph (A) and (B) of this rule.

(A) The dental hygienist must successfully complete a course on the use of lasers. The
program of education shall include a minimum of five and a half hours of didactic
instruction and successful completion of a written examination by a score of at least
seventy-five percent. The objectives for the didactic instruction must include:

(1) Review of patient’s medical history to determine any contraindications;

(2) Review of infection control, standard precautions, and transfer of diseases;

(3) Periodontal tissues, dental anatomy, and nomenclature;

(4) Rationale for performing non-surgical periodontal laser therapy;

(5) Beneficial and adverse effects of non-surgical periodontal laser therapy;

(6) Soft tissue vs. hard tissue lasers;

(7) Laser physics;

(8) Laser safety for patients and staff;

(9) Patient management;

(10) Proper technique for approved use of non-surgical periodontal laser therapy

including laser bacterial reduction, laser assisted periodontal therapy,

photobiomodulation, and treatment of herpetic lesions/aphthous ulcers;

(11) Proper coding protocol;

(12) Procedures to follow in case of medical emergencies;

(13) Dental ethics, jurisprudence, and legal understanding of procedures allowed by

each dental team member.

(B) Following successful completion of didactic instruction and examination, clinical
competence will be assessed by demonstrating proficiency in approved procedures
in two and a half hours of clinical hands-on training and a score of at least seventy five
percent on the clinical competency exam.