How to Become a Dental Assistant in Oklahoma

Who can apply

• No one may practice as a dental assistant in Oklahoma without first getting a dental assistant permit from the Board of Dentistry (59 O.S. 328.24). The Board says all dental assistants must have a permit before working chairside as of November 1, 2025.
• You must pass a background check using the Board's criteria.
• You must give the Board proof that you are lawfully present in the United States (a notarized affidavit on the application).
• You must have a dental assistant permit before you can apply for any expanded duty, such as x-rays.

Step by step

1. Fill out the New Dental Assistant Permit Application completely, sign the notarized lawful-presence affidavit, and attach a color copy of your driver's license or photo ID.
2. Mail it to the Board with the $50 fee by check, cashier's check or money order (no cash).
3. Pass the Board's background check.
4. Complete a Board-approved infection control class within one year after you receive your permit.
5. To add x-rays or other expanded duties, take a CODA or Board-approved course, pass its written exam with at least 70%, and send the Expanded Function Application within two years of finishing the course.
6. Set up a CE Broker account and report your CE there.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: The basic permit needs no prior schooling, but you must complete a Board-approved infection control class within one year of getting it. Expanded duty courses (CODA program or Board-approved course): radiation safety, at least 4 hours of instruction; coronal polishing and topical fluoride, 2 hours didactic plus 6 hours clinical; sealants, at least 6 hours (1 didactic, 5 clinical) with sealants placed on at least four teeth; phlebotomy and venipuncture courses include at least 4 hours of safe-needle and bloodborne pathogen training. Graduates of a CODA-accredited dental assisting program who pass the jurisprudence exam receive all expanded duty permits if the program covered the Board-approved material.

Exam: No state exam for the basic permit. Each expanded duty course has a written exam on the didactic portion with a 70% passing standard. CODA graduates must pass the Board's jurisprudence exam to receive all expanded duties automatically.

What it costs in Oklahoma

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

Keeping your credential

Renewal: Permits expire December 31 every year. Renewal is $50 if postmarked by December 31, or $100 with the late fee after that. If you have not paid within two months after January 1, the permit is canceled as of April 1; the Board may reinstate it within five years for the renewal fee plus a penalty fee (59 O.S. 328.41). For July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2027 you must earn and report 2 hours of infection control CE through CE Broker. Assistants with the oral maxillofacial surgery expanded duty need 8 hours every two years, including at least 1 hour of infection control and BLS.

Good to know in Oklahoma

Expanded duties: Eight expanded duty permits exist: radiation safety, coronal polishing and topical fluoride, sealants, assisting with nitrous oxide, phlebotomy, venipuncture, elder care and public health, and oral maxillofacial surgery. Each is added to your dental assistant permit after Board approval.

Supervision: Dental assistants work under a dentist's direct supervision for all procedures, except that x-rays (with the radiation safety permit) may be done under general supervision, and assistants may help a hygienist under general supervision with procedures the hygienist may do under general supervision.

Moving from another state: To carry over expanded duties, you need a valid out-of-state dental assistant permit for at least two years, the expanded duty for at least one year, proof of the class, and one year of performing it on patients. Apply with the credential application and out-of-state form; there is no extra fee for expanded functions by credential.

Military dental assistants: Military service over two years plus verification that you performed the expanded function on patients for at least one year within the past five years qualifies you for those expanded functions.

Course deadline: If you do not apply for an expanded duty within two years after finishing the course, you must repeat the course.

Nitrous oxide expanded duty course: The Board-approved nitrous oxide course is at least 12 hours (10 didactic, 2 clinical), and you must hold current BLS certification before starting it. With the permit you may monitor and assist the dentist or permitted hygienist; you may adjust the nitrous level only at a dentist's verbal direction under direct supervision (OAC 195:15-1-4(4)).

Sources

• Oklahoma State Board of Dentistry - Dental Assistants (applications and forms)
• Oklahoma State Board of Dentistry - Statutes (effective July 1, 2026), 59 O.S. 328.24
• Oklahoma Administrative Code Title 195 (Board of Dentistry rules), 195:15-1-4
• 2026 New Dental Assistant Permit Application
• 2026 Dental Assistant Permit Application by Credentials
• 2027 Dental Assistant Renewal Application