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 Nebraska 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 NE.
Levels of Dental Assistants in Nebraska
There are four levels of dental assistants in NE:
- Dental Assistant
- Dental Assistant Qualified in Coronal Polishing
- Licensed Dental Assistant
- Expanded Function Dental Assistant
1. Dental Assistant
A dental assistant in Nebraska may perform basic supportive dental procedures specified by the state dental practice act under the supervision of a licensed dentist. There are no education or training requirements for this level of dental assisting.
Dental assistants who assist in the administration of general anesthesia, deep sedation, moderate sedation or minimal sedation must be currently certified in basic life support skills (BLS) or the equivalent. Dental assistants with current and valid certification for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) approved by the Nebraska Board of Dentistry may monitor nitrous oxide under indirect supervision of a licensed dentist.
Note: All dental assistants must be at least 18 years of age.
2. Dental Assistant Qualified in Coronal Polishing
To perform coronal polishing procedures under the indirect supervision of a licensed dentist in Nebraska, a dental assistant must:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Graduate from a CODA-accredited dental assisting program which includes a coronal polishing course,
OR
- Complete one year (1,500 hours minimum) of clinical work experience as a dental assistant and a Nebraska Board-approved course in polishing procedures.
3. Licensed Dental Assistant
To qualify as a Licensed Dental Assistant** in Nebraska, a dental assistant must:
- Hold a high school diploma (or equivalent)
- Graduate from a CODA-accredited dental assisting program
OR
- Complete one year (1,500 hours minimum) of dental assisting experience in the five years preceding application
- Pass DANB’s CDA Certification or an equivalent exam approved by the Nebraska Board of Dentistry
- Pass a jurisprudence exam approved by the Board covering Nebraska statutes, rules and regulations governing dental assisting
- Apply to the Department of Health and Human Services for an LDA license
A licensed dental assistant, upon completion of education and testing approved by the Board and with a permit from the department for the respective expanded scope function, may perform the following under indirect supervision:
- Take dental impressions for fixed prostheses;
- Take dental impressions and make minor adjustments for removable prostheses;
- Cement prefabricated fixed prostheses on primary teeth, and
- Monitor and administer nitrous oxide analgesia.
**Note: The Nebraska legislature passed a law in the 2017 legislative session authorizing the creation of the LDA and EFDA categories of dental assistant; the Nebraska Board of Dentistry is in the process of developing rules to regulate these categories.
4. Expanded Function Dental Assistant
To qualify as an Expanded Function Dental Assistant** in Nebraska, one must:
- Hold a valid license as a Licensed Dental Assistant at the time of application; AND
- Complete a minimum of 1,500 hours of work experience as a Licensed Dental Assistant; AND
- Complete courses and exams in expanded function dental assisting as approved by the Board; AND
- Pass a jurisprudence exam approved by the Board covering Nebraska statutes, rules and regulations governing dental assisting, AND
- Apply to the Department of Health and Human Services for the applicable EFDA permit
An EFDA, upon completion of education and testing approved by the Board and with a permit from the department for the respective expanded function, may perform the following under indirect supervision: (1) Place restorative level one simple restoration (one surface), and (2) Place restorative level two complete restorations (multiple surfaces).
**Note: The Nebraska legislature passed a law in the 2017 legislative session authorizing the creation of the LDA and EFDA categories of dental assistant; the Nebraska Board of Dentistry is in the process of developing rules to regulate these categories.
Nebraska Radiography Requirements
To legally operate dental x-ray equipment and perform dental radiographic procedures in Nebraska, a dental assistant must:
- Successfully complete a two-day course approved by the Nebraska Board of Dentistry and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Regulation and Licensure, OR
- Pass the national DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam, OR
- Successfully complete a dental assisting course from a CODA-accredited technical school or community college which provides training in dental radiography as part of its curriculum.
Note: All dental assistants must be at least 18 years of age.
Photo by Tonya Kumpula
