Dental Assistant in Arkansas
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for AR
How to Become a Dental Assistant in Arkansas
To become a Registered Dental Assistant in Arkansas, individuals must obtain specific permits from the Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners for any expanded duties they wish to perform, such as radiography or administering nitrous oxide. While a basic dental assistant does not require a state license, expanded functions necessitate completing board-approved courses, passing a jurisprudence exam, and potentially the DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam or an Arkansas state exam for radiography. Registered Dental Assistants must complete 2 hours of continuing education in infection control every two years to renew their permits.
Dental Assistant Requirements in Arkansas
| Detail | Arkansas |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners |
| State License Required | No |
| Education | High school diploma or equivalent; CPR certification; OSHA safety training; Infection control training. For expanded functions, board-approved courses are required. |
| Exam | Jurisprudence exam for all permits; DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam or Arkansas state exam for radiography permit. |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Continuing Education | 2.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Basic dental assistants do not require a state license, but those performing expanded duties (radiography, coronal polishing, nitrous oxide administration, sedation monitoring) must obtain specific permits from the Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners and are then considered Registered Dental Assistants. All dental assistants must be registered if performing expanded functions. CPR certification is required for all expanded function permits. A background check may be required for registration. Permits must be displayed in the dental office. |
License Tiers
Arkansas offers multiple tiers of dental assistant licensing:
| Tier | Hours Required |
|---|---|
| Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) | N/A |
| RDA with Permits | N/A |
Dental Assistant Salary in Arkansas
The median dental assistant salary in Arkansas is $37,680 per year, which is 20.3% below the national median of $47,300.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $32,930 |
| 25th | $35,670 |
| 50th (median) | $37,680 |
| 75th | $44,860 |
| 90th (experienced) | $47,230 |
Arkansas employs approximately 3,020 dental assistants.
Dental Assistant Job Outlook
AI Impact on Dental Assistants
Low AI Exposure (Score: -0.53/1.00)
This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.
Is Becoming a Dental Assistant in Arkansas Worth It?
Factors to consider: Arkansas's cost of living, the lack of a state license requirement, strong job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.