Arkansas Dental Assisting Requirements
Below are the Dental Assistant requirements for the State of Arkansas. To confirm that you meet these requirements or if you have any questions, please reach out to the Arkansas dental board.
Disclaimer: This data is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
Radiography
1a. Hold a current national DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certification, or
1b. Graduate from a CODA-accredited dental assisting program, or
1c. Successfully complete and submit a certificate of completion of a radiography course approved by the Board, AND
2. Hold Healthcare Provider-level CPR certification, AND
3. Apply for registration to the Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners, AND
4. Successfully complete the Arkansas jurisprudence exam.
Note: A dental assistant holding a current radiography permit dated prior to November 1, 2011, will not be required to complete an approved radiography course unless he or she is operating an imaging machine other than conventional flat film radiography, such as cone-beam computed axial tomography (CT) scan. Dental assistants operating imaging machines other than conventional flat film radiography, including dental assistants who were issued a radiography permit by the ASBDE prior to November 1, 2011, must complete a Board-approved course in radiography and submit proof of completion to the ASBDE prior to operating such machines and/or before renewal of the radiography permit.
Dental Assistant
Training in standard precautions and other infection control standards required by OSHA and as recommended by the CDC and set forth in Arkansas rule shall be provided to all dental healthcare personnel by the employer upon initial employment prior to direct patient care, whenever new tasks are assigned which effects the level of occupational exposure, and at least annually.
Registered Dental Assistant
A Registered Dental Assistant in Arkansas is an individual who holds a permit from the Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners (ASBDE) to perform one or more of the allowed expanded functions, which include coronal polishing, operating dental radiographic equipment (see above), inducing and monitoring nitrous oxide/oxygen analgesia, and monitoring patients under deep sedation or general anesthesia in offices where the dentist is permitted to provide those services.
To be issued a permit for any of the expanded functions (except Sedation Monitoring, which has additional requirements), one must:
1a. Hold a current national DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certification, OR
1b.Graduate from a CODA-accredited dental assisting program, OR
1c. Complete an ASBDE-approved course in the desired expanded function(s), OR
1d. Receive on-the-job training from an Arkansas licensed dentist,
AND
2. Hold current Healthcare Provider-level CPR certification, AND
3. Provide proof of competency in the desired expanded function(s) and apply for registration to the ASBDE, AND
4. Successfully complete the Arkansas jurisprudence exam.
Sedation monitoring: To obtain a permit for sedation monitoring, an individual must:
1. Hold a current permit for nitrous oxide administration, AND
2. Hold current Healthcare Provider level CPR certification, AND
3. Hold current DANB CDA certification (or be a Registered Dental Assistant, a Registered Nurse or a Licensed Practical Nurse), AND
4. Successfully complete the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Anesthesia Assistant’s training program or a Board-approved equivalent course within the two years immediately preceding application, AND
5. Apply to the Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners, AND
6. Successfully complete the Arkansas jurisprudence exam.
Note: To renew a permit to perform expanded functions, Registered Dental Assistants must provide the Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners proof of completing two hours of continuing education in infection control every two years.