Colorado Dental Assisting Requirements
Below are the Dental Assistant requirements for the State of Colorado. To confirm that you meet these requirements or if you have any questions, please reach out to the Colorado dental board.
Disclaimer: This data is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.”
Radiography Requirement
A dental assistant must:
1. Be at least 18 years of age, AND
2. Successfully complete minimum safety, education and training for operating machine sources of ionizing radiation and administering such radiation to patients. Education and training requirements may be satisfied by one of the following:
a. Completion of five hours of practical or clinical experience and 3.5 hours of lecture for a total of 8.5 hours from a program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, Colorado Commission on Higher Education, the State Board of Community Colleges and Occupational Education, the Private Occupational School Division (or the equivalent in any other state), OR
b. Completion of education and training provided on the job by a licensed dentist or dental hygienist, provided that the educational module used is approved by the Colorado Dental Board, OR
c. Successful completion of the national DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam or the national DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam.
2. Successfully complete minimum safety, education and training for operating machine sources of ionizing radiation and administering such radiation to patients. Education and training requirements may be satisfied by one of the following:
a. Completion of five hours of practical or clinical experience and 3.5 hours of lecture for a total of 8.5 hours from a program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, Colorado Commission on Higher Education, the State Board of Community Colleges and Occupational Education, the Private Occupational School Division (or the equivalent in any other state), OR
b. Completion of education and training provided on the job by a licensed dentist or dental hygienist, provided that the educational module used is approved by the Colorado Dental Board, OR
c. Successful completion of the national DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam or the national DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam.
Dental Assistant Requirement
A dental assistant in Colorado may perform basic supportive dental procedures specified by the state dental practice act under the supervision of a licensed dentist.
There are no education requirements for this level of dental assisting.
Note: It is the responsibility of the supervising dentist to ensure that dental personnel who administer and/or monitor nitrous oxide/oxygen inhalation are appropriately trained. Dental assistants who administer and/or monitor nitrous oxide/oxygen inhalation must successfully complete current Basic Life Support (BLS) training.
Dental assistants who render patient care services in a dental setting where local anesthesia, analgesia (including nitrous oxide), minimal sedation, moderate sedation, deep sedation or general anesthesia are being administered must successfully complete (and maintain a continuous certification in) Basic Life Support (BLS) training for healthcare providers consistent with the most current science and treatment recommendations from the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR), Consensus on Science and Treatment Recommendations
There are no education requirements for this level of dental assisting.
Note: It is the responsibility of the supervising dentist to ensure that dental personnel who administer and/or monitor nitrous oxide/oxygen inhalation are appropriately trained. Dental assistants who administer and/or monitor nitrous oxide/oxygen inhalation must successfully complete current Basic Life Support (BLS) training.
Dental assistants who render patient care services in a dental setting where local anesthesia, analgesia (including nitrous oxide), minimal sedation, moderate sedation, deep sedation or general anesthesia are being administered must successfully complete (and maintain a continuous certification in) Basic Life Support (BLS) training for healthcare providers consistent with the most current science and treatment recommendations from the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR), Consensus on Science and Treatment Recommendations
Expanded Duties Dental Assistant
Some dental assistants in the state of Colorado may choose to complete an Expanded Duties Dental Assistant (EDDA) educational program. The EDDA designation is not recognized by the Colorado Dental Board and does not qualify a dental assistant to perform expanded duties in the state.
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Frequently Asked Questions
A dental assistant in Colorado may perform basic supportive dental procedures specified by the state dental practice act under the supervision of a licensed dentist. There are no education requirements for this level of dental assisting.
A dental assistant must:
- Be at least 18 years of age, AND
2. Successfully complete minimum safety, education and training for operating machine sources of ionizing radiation and administering such radiation to patients. Education and training requirements may be satisfied by one of the following: - Completion of five hours of practical or clinical experience and 3.5 hours of lecture for a total of 8.5 hours from a program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, Colorado Commission on Higher Education, the State Board of Community Colleges and Occupational Education, the Private Occupational School Division (or the equivalent in any other state),
OR
- Completion of education and training provided on the job by a licensed dentist or dental hygienist, provided that the educational module used is approved by the Colorado Dental Board,
OR
c. Successful completion of the national DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam or the national DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam.
Some dental assistants in the state of Colorado may choose to complete an Expanded Duties Dental Assistant (EDDA) educational program. The EDDA designation is not recognized by the Colorado Dental Board and does not qualify a dental assistant to perform expanded duties in the state.
Dental AssistEd offers CE courses which are PACE certified through the Academy of General Dentistry.
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