How to Become a Dental Assistant in Oregon

Who can apply

• Oregon does not license dental assistants, but you must be certified by the Board to take x-rays or perform expanded functions (EFDA, EFODA, restorative, preventive or anesthesia functions).
• Without a certificate you may do only basic chairside duties. A dental assistant may not expose x-rays without a current Certificate of Radiologic Proficiency, except while taking an approved course (OAR 818-042-0040).
• Certificates from another state do not carry over automatically; they must be transferred through DANB before you perform those duties in Oregon.
• Working interviews that include certified duties are not allowed until you hold the Oregon certificate.

Step by step

1. Start in basic chairside duties, which need no certificate.
2. Complete a Board-approved radiology course of instruction (consistent with OAR 333-106-0055).
3. Pass DANB's written Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam.
4. Have an Oregon licensee certify that you are proficient in taking x-rays. Until you are certified, you may take x-rays only under indirect supervision of a dentist, dental therapist, hygienist or certified assistant, and must send the proficiency certification within six months.
5. Apply for the Oregon Radiologic Proficiency certificate through DANB, which processes certifications for the Board, and pay the fee.
6. Optional: earn the EFDA (needs radiologic proficiency plus a CODA program, or DANB exams and a list of supervised clinical procedures), then restorative or other expanded certifications.
7. Post your certificates in a conspicuous place in the office (OAR 818-042-0020).

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: Radiologic Proficiency: a course of instruction approved by the Oregon Board of Dentistry under OAR 333-106-0055 (or equivalent training recognized by the Oregon Health Authority's Radiation Protection Services). EFDA: radiologic proficiency plus either a CODA-accredited dental assisting program, or DANB exams and a dentist's certification of supervised procedures (for example, coronal polishing on six patients, fabricating four temporary crowns and placing matrix bands on four teeth). Restorative functions (requires EFDA): a Board-approved course, which under the Board template includes 18 hours didactic, 22 hours lab on typodonts and 24 hours of clinical restorative practice at a CODA-accredited school, plus the CDCA-WREB-CITA Dental Hygiene Restorative Examination or a Board-approved equivalent.

Exam: For x-rays, pass DANB's written Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam or a comparable exam the Board authorizes. The non-CODA EFDA route needs DANB's Oregon Expanded Functions with Infection Control exam, or a prior CDA or Infection Control (ICE) exam plus DANB's Oregon Expanded Functions General Dental Assisting exam. Restorative functions need the CDCA-WREB-CITA Dental Hygiene Restorative Examination (within the last five years, or proof of 25 restorative procedures in another state if older).

What it costs in Oregon

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: The Board's FAQ says Oregon certificates (Radiologic Proficiency, EFDA, EFPDA, EFODA, Restorative Functions, Local Anesthesia, Anesthesia Dental Assistant) do not need to be renewed. National DANB certifications such as the CDA renew yearly with DANB.

Good to know in Oregon

Supervision for x-rays: A dental assistant certified in radiologic proficiency may place sensors and expose x-rays under general supervision of a licensee (OAR 818-042-0050).

Moving from another state: Assistants certified in another state to take x-rays or perform expanded functions, with at least 1,000 hours of work performing those functions in the past two years, may qualify for certification by credential. DANB processes these; contact DANB's Oregon liaison.

Prohibited acts: Even certified assistants may not diagnose, cut tissue, prescribe drugs, start nitrous oxide, place periodontal packs, use lasers other than curing lights, or use air polishing (OAR 818-042-0040).

BLS: Healthcare Provider BLS is required only for anesthesia monitors and Anesthesia Dental Assistant certificate holders, though DANB certifications may require it.

Local anesthesia certificate: Since January 1, 2025 the Board issues a Local Anesthesia Functions Certificate to an Oregon EFDA or Certified Anesthesia Dental Assistant who completes a Board-approved course. Holders may give local anesthetic and reversal agents under a dentist's indirect supervision; reversal agents may not be used on children under 6 or under 33 pounds (OAR 818-042-0096).

Sources

• Oregon Board of Dentistry - Dental Assistants
• Oregon Board of Dentistry - Dental Assisting FAQ
• OAR 818-042-0050 - Taking of X-Rays (Cornell LII)
• OAR 818-042-0060 - Certification, Radiologic Proficiency (Cornell LII)
• OAR 818-042-0080 - Certification, EFDA (Cornell LII)
• OAR 818-001-0087 - Fees (Cornell LII)
• Oregon Board of Dentistry - Dental Practice Act (rules effective December 1, 2025)