Oregon State Requirements

Radiography Requirements

To legally operate dental x-ray equipment and perform dental radiographic procedures under general supervision* in Oregon, a dental assistant must meet the requirements shown below.

• 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 or DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) 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. 

  ** 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.

  
  Oregon Clinical Radiologic Proficiency certificate - Pathway I (PDF)
  Oregon Clinical Radiologic Proficiency certificate - Pathway II (PDF)
  Learn more about DANB’s Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam
  Learn more about DANB’s Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certification

Dental Assisting Job Titles and Requirements for Each Level

• Dental Assistant

  A dental assistant in Oregon may perform basic supportive dental procedures specified by the state dental practice act under the direct or indirect supervision of a licensed dentist.

  There are no education or training requirements for this level of dental assisting.

• Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA)

  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 above), 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 above), AND
  2. Pass the national DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam, AND
  3. Pass the Oregon Expanded Functions – General Dental Assisting exam (ORXG), 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 above), AND
  2. Pass the Oregon Basic Dental Assisting exam (ORB), AND
  3. Pass the Oregon Expanded Functions – General Dental Assisting exam (ORXG), 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 IIIB:
  1. Hold an Oregon Certificate of Radiologic Proficiency (see requirements on above), AND
  2. Pass the DANB Infection Control (ICE) exam, AND
  3. Pass the Oregon Expanded Functions - General Dental Assisting exam (ORXG)‡, AND
  4. Provide endorsement from an Oregon licensed dentist stating that the applicant has completed clinical requirements, AND
  5. Apply or 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 by credential (administered by DANB). 

  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.

  Oregon Basic Dental Assisting (ORB) exam and Expanded Functions General Dental Assisting (ORXG) exam (PDF)
  Oregon EFDA certificate - Pathway I (PDF)
  Oregon EFDA certificate - Pathways II and III (PDF)
  Oregon EFDA certificate - Pathway IV (PDF)
  Learn more about DANB’s Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certification
  Learn more about CODA-accredited dental assisting programs 

• Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA) with Restorative Functions Certificate

  To perform placement and finishing of direct restorations, except gold foil, under the indirect supervision of a dentist, subject to OBD regulations, an EFDA must hold a Restorative Functions certificate. To qualify, an EFDA must:

  1a. Complete an OBD-approved restorative functions curriculum from a CODA-accredited program or other course of instruction approved by the OBD, AND

  1b. Pass the Western Regional Examining Board (WREB) Restorative Exam or other equivalent exam approved by the OBD within the five years preceding application, AND
  
  1c. Apply for the Oregon Restorative Functions certificate (administered by DANB), OR

  2a. If the applicant passed the WREB Restorative Exam or other equivalent OBD-approved exam more than five years before application, submit verification from another state or jurisdiction where the applicant is legally authorized to perform restorative functions and verification from the supervising dentist of successful completion of at least 25 restorative procedures within the immediate five years preceding application, AND

  2b. Apply for the Oregon Restorative Functions certificate (administered by DANB.)

  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.

  Oregon EFDA with Restorative Functions (PDF)

• Expanded Function Orthodontic Dental Assistant (EFODA)

  To perform expanded orthodontic functions in Oregon under the supervision of a licensed dentist, a dental assistant must earn status as an Expanded Function Orthodontic Dental Assistant (EFODA). To be certified, one must successfully complete all of the following requirements in ONE of the following four pathways:

  Pathway I:
  1.  Complete a course of instruction in a CODA-accredited dental assisting program, AND
  2.  Apply for Oregon EFODA certification (administered by DANB).  
  
  Pathway II:
  1.  Pass the national DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam or Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA) exam, AND
  2.  Pass the Oregon Expanded Functions – Orthodontic Assisting exam (ORXO), AND
  3.  Provide endorsement from an Oregon licensed dentist stating that the applicant has successfully completed the clinical requirements, AND
  4.  Apply for the Oregon EFODA certificate (administered by DANB). 
  
  Pathway IIIA:
  1.  Pass the Oregon Basic Dental Assisting exam (ORB), AND
  2.  Pass the Oregon Expanded Functions – Orthodontic Assisting exam (ORXO), AND
  3.  Provide endorsement from an Oregon licensed dentist stating that the applicant has successfully completed the clinical requirements, AND
  4.  Apply for the Oregon EFODA certificate (administered by DANB).
  
  Pathway IIIB:
  1. Pass the DANB Infection Control (ICE) exam, AND
  2. Pass the Oregon Expanded Functions—Orthodontic Assisting (ORXO) exam administered by DANB, AND
  3. Provide endorsement from an Oregon licensed dentist stating that the applicant has successfully completed the clinical requirements, AND
  4. Apply for the Oregon EFODA 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 orthodontic functions, AND
  2. Apply for the Oregon EFODA certificate by credential (administered by DANB).

  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.
  
  Oregon Basic Dental Assisting (ORB) exam and Expanded Functions Orthodontic Assisting (ORXO) exam (PDF)
  Oregon EFODA certificate - Pathway I (PDF) 
  Oregon EFODA certificate - Pathways II and III (PDF)
  Oregon EFODA certificate - Pathway IV (PDF)
  Learn more about DANB’s Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA) certification 
  Learn more about CODA-accredited dental assisting programs

• Expanded Function Preventive Dental Assistant (EFPDA)

  To perform expanded preventive functions in Oregon under the supervision of a licensed dentist, a dental assistant must earn an Oregon Expanded Function Preventive Dental Assistant (EFPDA) certificate. To qualify, one must:
  
  Pathway I:
  1.  Hold an Oregon Certificate of Radiologic Proficiency (see requirements above), AND
  2.  Successfully complete a Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) – accredited dental assisting program, AND
  3.  Apply for the Oregon EFPDA certificate (administered by DANB).
  
  Pathway II:
  1.  Hold an Oregon Certificate of Radiologic Proficiency (see requirements above), AND
  2.  Pass the DANB Infection Control (ICE) exam, AND
  3.  Pass one of the following exams:  
  
  a) DANB Coronal Polishing (CP) exam, OR
  b) DANB Certified Preventive Functions Dental Assistant (CPFDA) exam, OR
  c) Oregon Expanded Functions – General Dental Assisting exam (ORXG), AND
  
  4.  Provide endorsement from a dentist licensed in Oregon stating that the applicant has completed clinical requirements, AND
  5.  Apply for the Oregon EFPDA certificate (administered by DANB).
  
  Pathway III:
  1.  Hold an Oregon Certificate of Radiologic Proficiency (see requirements above), AND
  2.  Pass the Oregon Basic Dental Assisting exam (ORB), AND
  3.  Pass one of the following exams:
  

  a) DANB Coronal Polishing (CP) exam, OR
  b) DANB Certified Preventive Functions Dental Assistant (CPFDA), OR
  c) Oregon Expanded Functions – General Dental Assisting exam (ORXG), AND

  4.  Provide endorsement from a dentist licensed in Oregon stating that the applicant has completed clinical requirements, AND
  5.  Apply for the Oregon EFPDA certificate (administered by DANB).
  
  Pathway IV:
  1.  Hold an Oregon Certificate of Radiologic Proficiency (see requirements above), AND
  2.  Be certified in another state with requirements similar to Oregon’s, OR Obtain verification from a licensed dentist of having been employed (outside the state of Oregon) for at least 1,000 hours in the past two years as a dental assistant performing the permitted expanded preventive functions, AND
  

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

  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.

  Oregon EFPDA certificate - Pathway I (PDF)
  Oregon EFPDA certificate - Pathways II and III (PDF)
  Oregon EFPDA certificate - Pathway IV (PDF)

• Anesthesia Monitor

  To perform the duties of an Anesthesia Monitor, a dental assistant must:

  1. Be a credentialed healthcare provider trained in monitoring patients under sedation and be capable of assisting with procedures, problems and emergency incidents that may occur as a result of the sedation or secondary to an unexpected medical complication, AND
  2. Maintain current certification in BLS for Healthcare Providers Basic Life Support (BLS)/Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training or equivalent, AND
  3. Receive training in monitoring vital signs, AND
  4. Be competent in the use of monitoring and emergency equipment appropriate for the level of sedation utilized

• Anesthesia Dental Assistant

  A dental assistant in Oregon must hold state certification as an Anesthesia Dental Assistant in order to perform specified anesthesia assisting functions. To qualify, one must:
  

  1.  Hold a current Health Care Provider BLS/CPR certification, AND

  2a.  Successfully complete the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Anesthesia Assistants Program conducted by the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, or

  2b.  Successfully complete the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Assistants Course conducted by the California Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, or

  2c.  Have passed the DANB Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Assistant (COMSA) exam (prior to the discontinuation of the COMSA exam in 2000), or
  (2d) The Resuscitation Group – Anesthesia Dental Assistant course or
  (2e) Other course approved by the Oregon Board of Dentistry, AND

  3.  Apply for the Oregon Anesthesia Dental Assistant certificate (administered by DANB).

  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.

  Oregon Anesthesia Assistant certificate (PDF)

• Anesthesia Dental Assistant with IV Therapy Certificate

  To initiate intravenous (IV) lines in Oregon for a patient being prepared for IV medications, sedation or general anesthesia under the indirect supervision of a dentist holding the appropriate anesthesia permit, an Anesthesia Dental Assistant must earn an additional endorsement. To qualify, an Anesthesia Dental Assistant must:

  1. Complete a course in intravenous access or phlebotomy approved by the OBD, AND
  2. Apply for the Oregon Anesthesia Dental Assistant with IV Therapy certificate (administered by DANB)

  Oregon Anesthesia Assistant with IV Therapy certificate (PDF)