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:Â This data is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
Disclaimer:Â This data is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
Radiography
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
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.
Recommended Course
Armed Intruder - 1 CEU
Domestic Violence- 3 CEU
Bloodborne Pathogens Training- 2 CEU
Resource Links
Frequently Asked Questions
To become a dental assistant in the state of Colorado, visit the Colorado Dental Assistant Requirements for more detailed information.
To perform dental radiography procedures in the state of Colorado, visit the Colorado Radiography Requirements for more detailed information.
To perform an expanded function in the state of Colorado, visit the Colorado Expanded Dental Assistant Requirements for more detailed information.
Dental AssistEd offers CE courses which are PACE certified through the Academy of General Dentistry;Â view the courses here.
Dental AssistEd offers an OSHA certification course here
Dental AssistEd offers a HIPAA certification course here
Dental AssistEd offers a sexual harassment prevention training certification course here
Dental AssistEd offers a Bloodborne pathogens certification course  here
Dental AssistEd offers an opioid training certification course here
Dental AssistEd offers an Equity for & Bias against LGBTQ certification course here
Dental AssistEd offers an Armed Intruder certification course here