Oregon Dental Assistant Requirements

To perform expanded functions in Oregon under the supervision of a licensed dentist, a dental assistant must earn an Oregon Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA) certificate. To qualify, one must:

Pathway I:

1. Hold an Oregon Certificate of Radiologic Proficiency ( see requirements), AND

2. Successfully complete a CODA-accredited dental assisting program, AND

3. Apply for the Oregon EFDA certificate (administered by DANB).

Pathway II:

1. Hold an Oregon Certificate of Radiologic Proficiency ( see requirements), AND

2. Pass the national DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam , AND

3. Pass the Oregon Expanded Functions General Dental Assisting exam (administered by DANB), AND

4. Provide endorsement from an Oregon licensed dentist stating that the applicant has completed clinical requirements, AND

5. Apply for the Oregon EFDA certificate (administered by DANB).

Pathway IIIA:

1. Hold an Oregon Certificate of Radiologic Proficiency ( see requirements), AND

2. Pass the Oregon Basic Dental Assisting exam, AND (SEE NOTE BELOW)

3. Pass the Oregon Expanded Functions General Dental Assisting exam, AND

4. Provide endorsement from an Oregon licensed dentist stating that the applicant has completed clinical requirements, AND

5. Apply for the Oregon EFDA certificate (administered by DANB).

Note: The Oregon Board of Dentistry is discontinuing the administration of the Oregon Basic (ORB) exam in 2024. DANB is no longer accepting application for the ORB exam after 1/5/2024, and administration of the ORB exam will be discontinued by 6/1/2024. To meet the Pathway III eligibility requirements for the EFDA, EFODA, and EFPDA certificates, candidates are instead required to pass DANB’s Infection Control (ICE) exam. Candidates who passed the ORB prior to its discontinuation are still able to use their ORB result to qualify for an Oregon expanded function certificate.

Pathway IIIB:

1. Hold an Oregon Certificate of Radiologic Proficiency ( see requirements), AND

2. Pass the DANB Infection Control (ICE) exam, AND

3. Pass the Oregon Expanded Functions General Dental Assisting exam , AND

4. Provide endorsement from an Oregon licensed dentist stating that the applicant has completed clinical requirements, AND

5. Apply for the Oregon EFDA certificate (administered by DANB).

Pathway IV:

1. Be certified in another state that has training and certification requirements substantially similar to Oregon’s requirements or obtain verification from a licensed dentist of having been employed (in a state other than Oregon) for at least 1,000 hours in the past two years as a dental assistant performing expanded functions, AND

2. Apply for the Oregon EFDA certificate (administered by DANB).

To apply for pathway IV, contact DANB to request an application.

Note: An EFDA may apply pit and fissure sealants and temporary soft relines to full dentures upon successful completion of a course of instruction (in the desired expanded function) in a CODA-accredited program or other course of instruction approved by the Oregon Board of Dentistry.

Note: The Oregon state dental practice act specifies that, in addition to the exams, courses and programs listed on this page, a dental assistant may complete any successor or otherwise Board-approved exams, courses or programs. For more information, please contact the Oregon Board of Dentistry  at www.oregon.gov/dentistry.

View all Oregon exams and certificates.