By: Natalie Kaweckyj, LDA, RF, CDA, CDPMA, COA, COMSA, CPFDA, CRFDA, MADAA, BA
Are you looking to become a dental assistant or are moving as a current dental assistant? Make sure to check the dental assistant requirements in Rhode Island to see if you are still qualified in the state to practice.
Each state has different requirements for dental assistants, here are the levels, and functions permitted for dental assistants in Rhode Island.
Levels of Dental Assistants in Rhode Island
There are three levels of dental assistants in Rhode Island:
1. Dental Assistant
A dental assistant in Rhode Island may perform basic supportive dental procedures specified by the state dental practice act under the supervision of a licensed dentist.
- All dental assistants practicing in a dental setting shall hold a current certificate of completion. Basic Life Support (BLS) for the Healthcare Provider that includes a hands-on skill component and conforms to the current American Heart Association Guidelines Update for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC) offered by any accredited agency approved by the Board.
- Every dental assistant in Rhode Island must receive a minimum of one (1) hour per year of training in the CDC Infection Control Guidelines.
2. DANB Certified Assistant
To perform expanded functions in Rhode Island under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist, a dental assistant must be a DANB-Certified assistant, holding one of the following DANB national certifications:
- Certified Dental Assistant (CDA)
- Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA)
- Certified Preventive Functions Dental Assistants (CPFDA)
- Certified Restorative Functions Dental Assistants (CRFDA)
- Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Assistant (COMSA)
- Certified Dental Practice Management Administrator (CDPMA)
In RI, DANB-Certified assistants may perform the expanded functions listed in the state dental practice act provided they have graduated from a dental assisting education program that incorporated academic training in these procedures or completed academic clinical training to clinical competence.
Note: Individuals who have passed a DANB certification exam but have not renewed are no longer DANB-Certified assistants.
3. DAANCE Certified Maxillofacial Surgery Assistant
To perform specified maxillofacial surgery assisting functions, an assistant must be licensed by the Rhode Island Board of Examiners in Dentistry as a DAANCE Certified Maxillofacial Surgery Assistant. To qualify for licensure*, one must:
- Be of good moral character; AND
- Be eighteen (18) years of age or over; AND
- Successfully complete an approved program for Dental Anesthesia Assistants National Certification Examination (DAANCE) accredited by the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons or its designated agency; AND
- Be certified as a dental anesthesia assistant by the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons or its designated agency; AND
- Hold a current certificate of completion of an approved course in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS); AND
- Be in good standing in each state in which he/she holds a license; AND
- Apply to the Rhode Island Board of Examiners in Dentistry for licensure
Rhode Island Board of Dental Examiners
Radiography Requirements for Dental Assistants in Rhode Island
To legally operate dental x-ray equipment and perform dental radiologic procedures in RI, a dental assistant must complete a course in dental radiography from an educational institution with a CODA-accredited program.
Photo by Veronica
