To qualify as a Licensed Dental Assistant** in Nebraska, a dental assistant must:
1. Hold a high school diploma (or equivalent); AND
2a. Graduate from a CODA-accredited dental assisting program; OR
2b. Complete one year (1,500 hours minimum) of dental assisting experience in the five years preceding application; AND
3. Pass DANB's CDA Certification or an equivalent exam approved by the Nebraska Board of Dentistry; AND
4. Pass a jurisprudence exam approved by the Board covering Nebraska statutes, rules and regulations governing dental assisting, AND
5. 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: (1) Take dental impressions for fixed prostheses; (2) Take dental impressions and make minor adjustments for removable prostheses; (3) Cement prefabricated fixed prostheses on primary teeth, and (4) 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.