DANB Verification of Oregon Dental Assistant Certifications
Please refer to DANB's website below to verify a dental assistant's certifications:
Dental Assisting Rules
Dental Assistant Certifications
The Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) certifies dental assistants for the Oregon Board of Dentistry in expanded functions and radiologic proficiency. Certification information is available on
DANB's Website.
There are multiple ways for obtaining dental assisting certification for the state of Oregon and it can be confusing to figure out which way is easiest for you. Please review DANB's Website to figure out the best pathway for you.
Dental Assistants work chairside with the dentist, in the business office, and in the dental laboratory. Duties may include:
- Instrument and operatory infection control
- Preparation of instrument trays
- Instructing patients on proper oral hygiene and post-treatment care
- Maintenance of dental practice records and supplies
- Processing of x-rays if the assistant is certified to do so
- Scheduling appointments
In Oregon, Dental Assistants are not licensed, but must be certified, in order to take x-rays or to perform certain Expanded Functions. The rules regarding dental assisting are found in Oregon Administrative Rules, Chapter 818, Division 42
In order to take x-rays, perform general expanded functions (EFDA), perform expanded orthodontic functions (EFODA), perform restorative functions, perform preventive functions (EFPDA) or perform certified anesthesia functions, dental assistants in Oregon must first be certified in those procedures. The certification process is performed by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB).
Restorative Functions
An Oregon dental assistant who has obtained an EFDA certification can become restorative functions certified by:
- (a) Completing a Board approved curriculum from a program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association or other course of instruction approved by the Board, and successfully passed the Western Regional Examining Board’s Restorative Examination or other equivalent examinations approved by the Board within the last five years, or
- (b) If successful passage of the Western Regional Examining Board’s Restorative Examination or other equivalent examinations approved by the Board occurred over five years from the date of application, the applicant must submit verification from another state or jurisdiction where the applicant is legally authorized to perform restorative functions and certification from the supervising dentist of successful completion of at least 25 restorative procedures within the immediate five years from the date of application.
Restorative Functions - Course Approval Application, Template & Board Approved courses
The Oregon Board of Dentistry has approved this course
curriculum template to serve as an outline for the minimal requirements of a dental assistant restorative course that is given by a school that is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) and it would include the following:
- 18 hours of didactic education incorporating the objects listed.
- 22 hours of laboratory skill practice on typodonts incorporating the objectives listed.
- 24 hours of restorative practice on patients in a clinical setting where the student places both amalgam and composite restorations. (The Board has determined that "Clinical Settings" must be at CODA accredited school locations.)
- Didactic and clinical course examinations sufficient to determine competency.
- A certificate of completion must be given to students certifying that they have successfully completed the course.
Board approved dental assisting courses in restorative functions:
- Lane Community College CE - (541) 463-5616 - Effective 4/25/2008
- Oregon Health and Science University CE - (503) 494-8857 - Effective 4/19/2019
- Oregon Institute of Technology CE - (541) 885-1866 - Effective 5/15/2009
- Pacific University CE - (503) 352-2673 - Effective 4/25/2008
- Portland Community College Dental Assisting Program - (971) 722-6633 - Effective 5/15/2009
- Portland Community College Institute for Health Professionals CE - (971) 722-6633 - Effective 12/18/2015
- South Puget Sound Community College Dental Assisting Program (360) 596-5529 - Effective 2/27/2015
Certification by Credentials
Dental Assistants who have been certified in other states to perform expanded functions or to take x-rays, and have at least 1,000 hours of work experience in the past two years performing these functions may qualify for certification by credential. The certification process is performed by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB).
Verification of Oregon Certifications
To obtain written verification of Oregon certifications to be sent to another Licensing Board:
Obtaining Duplicate Oregon Certifications
Contact Information:
Phone 1-800-367-3262 or www.danb.org.
Instructor Applications
*Please note there is not a formal application for being an instructor in Soft Relines. Email Information@obd.oregon.gov for instructions on applying.
For a list of Board Approved Instructors
Board Approved IV/Phlebotomy Courses