Oregon Dental Assistant Requirements

Each state has different requirements for dental assistants. This page includes links to all the information you need to understand the requirements for dental assistants in this state. View the different dental assisting levels, along with the requirements for each. You can also view the allowable duties at each level.

Oregon Requirements

Radiography Requirements

Note: Effective January 1, 2019, the Oregon Board of Dentistry no longer requires applicants for the Oregon Radiologic Proficiency Certificate to pass the Oregon Clinical Radiologic Proficiency Exam formerly administered by DANB. Dental assistants seeking to earn the certificate must now submit verification of proficiency as described in 1.c. below.

To perform dental radiography procedures in Oregon, a dental assistant must hold a state certificate of radiologic proficiency. To obtain this certificate, a dental assistant must do one of the following: 

1. Complete all of the following three requirements and apply to DANB for a state certificate of radiologic proficiency:

a. Complete a course approved by the Oregon Board of Dentistry (OBD)*, or submit evidence of equivalent training recognized by the Oregon Health Authority, Center for Health Protection, Radiation Protection Services, and

b. Pass the national DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam, and

c. Submit verification** from an Oregon licensed dentist or Oregon licensed dental hygienist that the assistant is proficient to take radiographs

2. Complete one of the following two requirements and apply to DANB for a state certificate of radiologic proficiency by credential:

a. Be certified in another state that has training and certification requirements substantially similar to Oregon’s, OR

b. Obtain verification from an employer dentist that the assistant has been employed for at least 1,000 hours in the past two years as a dental assistant (in a state other than Oregon) and is competent to take radiographs.

*The DALE Foundation’s DANB RHS Review course is approved by the Oregon Board of Dentistry and meets the course requirement to earn the Oregon Radiologic Proficiency Certificate. For a complete list of accepted radiography courses, please contact the Oregon Board of Dentistry at information@oregondentistry.org.

** Note: A dentist or dental hygienist may authorize a dental assistant who has completed the course and written exam requirements described above to perform radiographic procedures under the indirect supervision of a dentist, dental hygienist, or dental assistant who holds an Oregon Radiologic Proficiency Certificate. Within 6 months of beginning to expose radiographs, as authorized by an Oregon licensed dentist or Oregon licensed dental hygienist, the dental assistant must submit verification from an Oregon licensed dentist or dental hygienist that the assistant is proficient to take radiographs.

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.