How to Become a Dental Assistant in Alaska

Checked against Alaska Board of Dental Examiners (Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing) · Verified 2026-10-16

Exam: Not required
Training: Not required
Term: 2 years
State fee: Coronal polishing certificate: $60 nonrefundable application fee plus $60 certification fee. Restorative function certificate: $60 nonrefundable application fee plus $60 certification fee.
Regulated by: Alaska Board of Dental Examiners (Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing)

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Who can apply

Alaska does not license basic dental assistants. A dentist may delegate tasks to you under AS 08.36.346.
To do coronal polishing you need a Board coronal polishing certificate (AS 08.36.342).
To place and finish fillings you need a Board restorative function certificate (AS 08.36.344).

Step by step

Get hired by an Alaska-licensed dentist. No state credential is needed for basic assisting, including taking x-rays.
If you will polish teeth, complete a Board-approved coronal polishing course (or hold a current coronal polishing credential from another state).
Mail the notarized coronal polishing application (form 08-4561) with the course verification form (08-4561a) and $120 in fees, payable to the State of Alaska.
If you will place restorations, complete a CODA-accredited or Board-approved restorative function course.
Pass the WREB restorative exam (or a Board-approved equivalent) within five years before applying, or hold restorative authorization from another state.
Send the notarized restorative function application with $120 in fees, then renew each certificate by February 28 of every odd-numbered year.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: No training is required for basic assisting. The coronal polishing certificate needs a Board-approved course with classroom and clinical instruction in abrasives, aerosols, heat, selective polishing, rotary polishing technique and infection control (12 AAC 28.830). The restorative function certificate needs a CODA-accredited program or a Board-approved course covering dental materials, mercury hygiene, anatomy and occlusion, isolation, and lab and clinical proficiency in placing and finishing all classes of restorations (12 AAC 28.870).

Exam: No exam is required for basic assisting or the coronal polishing certificate. The restorative function certificate requires passing the Western Regional Examining Board (WREB) restorative exam, or a Board-approved equivalent, within five years before you apply, unless you already hold restorative authorization from another state.

No state exam for basic assistants here, but x-ray and DANB exams are common. Practice free →

What it costs in Alaska

Fixed amounts are set by the state. Items marked “your quote” are priced by private sellers, so enter what you’re quoted.

Coronal polishing certificate: application fee(optional)$60
Coronal polishing certificate: certification fee(optional)$60
Restorative function certificate: application fee(optional)$60
Restorative function certificate: certification fee(optional)$60
Certificate renewal (each certificate, every two years)(optional)$60
Course tuition(optional)$

Estimated total in Alaska$0

Cost details from the state

Coronal polishing and restorative function course tuition, paid to the course sponsor.
WREB restorative exam fee, paid to the testing agency (restorative certificate only).
Notarization of the application.

Keeping your credential

Renewal: Both certificates renew every two years by February 28 of odd-numbered years for $60. The restorative function certificate also needs 2 hours of approved continuing education on restorative materials or techniques, and it cannot be renewed once lapsed two years or more. The renewal form says there is no grace period and you may not work with a lapsed certificate.

Good to know in Alaska

What a dentist may delegate: Under indirect supervision, a dentist may delegate exposing and developing x-rays, applying topical preventive agents and pit and fissure sealants, and other services that are not reserved to hygienists (AS 08.36.346). Coronal polishing and restorative functions require direct supervision and the matching certificate.

Coronal polishing limits: The coronal polishing certificate covers polishing teeth without calculus only.

Coming from another state: For coronal polishing, a current out-of-state coronal polishing credential in good standing can replace the Alaska course, if your course substantially meets 12 AAC 28.830. For restorative functions, legal authorization from another state replaces the WREB exam, but you still need a CODA-accredited or Board-approved course.

Working for an advanced practice hygienist: A dental hygienist with an advanced practice permit may delegate to a dental assistant who holds a current Alaska coronal polishing certificate: x-rays (indirect supervision), topical preventive agents (indirect or direct supervision), and sealants and coronal polishing (direct supervision) (12 AAC 28.936).

How to submit: Applications go to the Board by mail with fees payable to the State of Alaska. The renewal form says faxed or emailed renewal applications are not accepted.

Renewing by mail: Renewal applications must be mailed to the Board; faxed or emailed renewals are not accepted. There is no grace period, and working on a lapsed certificate is illegal.

Sources

General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change — confirm with Alaska Board of Dental Examiners (Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing) before you apply.