How to Become a Dental Assistant in Hawaii

Checked against Hawaii Board of Dentistry (Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing) · Verified 2026-10-16

Exam: Not required
Training: Required
Term: See state office
State fee: See state office
Regulated by: Hawaii Board of Dentistry (Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing)

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Who can apply

Hawaii does not license dental assistants. A dental assistant is a non-licensed person who performs supportive procedures under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist (HAR 16-79-1).
The Board's rules list exactly which duties assistants may do (HAR 16-79-69.1) and which they may not (HAR 16-79-69.5).
Assistants may expose, process, mount and label x-rays under direct supervision; there is no separate state x-ray permit.
Your supervising dentist must train you (or provide training) in sterilization and disinfection, ethics, record keeping and patient confidentiality, and CPR.

Step by step

Get hired by a licensed Hawaii dentist; you work only under the dentist's direct supervision.
Complete the training your dentist must provide or arrange: infection control (OSHA, Hawaii DLIR, CDC and ADA guidelines), ethics, record keeping and confidentiality, and CPR.
Take these courses from Board-approved sponsors (for example the American Heart Association or American Red Cross for CPR, CODA-accredited programs, or Board-approved dental assistant programs).
Perform only the duties in HAR 16-79-69.1, such as x-rays, impressions for study casts, vital signs and monitoring nitrous oxide the dentist starts.

Training and exam

Training: There is no state program or hour requirement, but the Board requires the supervising dentist to train or provide training to dental assistants in at least: sterilization and disinfection (OSHA and Hawaii DLIR bloodborne pathogen standards, CDC guidelines, ADA guidelines), ethics, proper record keeping and patient confidentiality, and CPR. These courses must come from sponsors listed in HAR 16-79-142, such as the American Heart Association, American Red Cross, CODA-accredited programs or Board-approved dental assistant programs.

Exam: Hawaii has no state exam for dental assistants and does not require DANB certification.

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

What it costs in Hawaii

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

CPR course from an approved sponsor$
Infection control, ethics and record-keeping training (often provided by the employer)$

Estimated total in Hawaii$0Plus 2 items with no state-set price. Add your quotes above to complete the total.

Cost details from the state

CPR course and any infection control, ethics or record-keeping courses (cost set by the sponsor; often arranged by the employer).

Good to know in Hawaii

No polishing: Hawaii assistants may not use ultrasonic instruments or polish natural or restored tooth surfaces (HAR 16-79-69.5(14)).

Other prohibited duties: Assistants may not give anesthesia, cement or adjust prostheses, bands or brackets, take final impressions or bite registrations, do endodontic or surgical procedures, place or carve restorations, cavity liners or pulp caps, place retraction cord or other materials below the gumline, test pulp vitality, or diagnose and prescribe.

Nitrous oxide: An assistant may monitor the nitrous oxide/oxygen unit and report problems, but the dentist must evaluate, start and administer the sedation.

Sources

General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change — confirm with Hawaii Board of Dentistry (Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing) before you apply.