Dental Assistant in Connecticut
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for CT
How to Become a Dental Assistant in Connecticut
To become a dental assistant in Connecticut, a state license is not required for basic duties. However, to perform radiography, you must pass the DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam or a CODA-accredited assessment, and all dental assistants must pass the DANB Infection Control Examination (ICE) or a CODA-accredited assessment. For those aspiring to become an Expanded Functions Dental Assistant (EFDA), the process involves obtaining DANB CDA or COA certification, completing an EFDA program at a CODA-accredited institution, and passing the DANB CPFDA and CRFDA exams. The Connecticut State Dental Commission oversees these requirements.
Dental Assistant Requirements in Connecticut
| Detail | Connecticut |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Connecticut State Dental Commission |
| State License Required | No |
| Education | For basic dental assisting, a high school diploma or GED is typically required, with on-the-job training being common. For Expanded Functions Dental Assistant (EFDA) status, candidates must first pass the DANB CDA or COA exam, then successfully complete an EFDA program at a CODA-accredited institution, which includes didactic and laboratory coursework, at least four hours of ethics and professional standards education, and a comprehensive clinical examination. EFDAs must also pass DANB's Certified Preventive Functions Dental Assistant (CPFDA) and Certified Restorative Functions Dental Assistant (CRFDA) certification exams. |
| Exam | For radiography: DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam or a CODA-accredited Radiation Health and Safety Competency Assessment. For infection control: DANB Infection Control Examination (ICE) or a CODA-accredited Infection Control Competency Assessment. For EFDA: DANB CDA or COA, and DANB CPFDA and CRFDA exams. ($220) |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Continuing Education | 1.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | While a state license is not required for basic dental assisting, performing radiography requires passing the DANB RHS exam or a CODA-accredited assessment. All dental assistants must pass the DANB ICE exam or a CODA-accredited assessment. New dental assistants hired after July 1, 2019, have fifteen months from the start of employment to pass the ICE exam or assessment. EFDAs must maintain DANB CDA or COA certification and complete 1 hour of infection control training every two years. Employers typically require CPR/BLS certification. Minimum age is not specified for dental assistants, but for limited permits in other states, it can be 17 or older with a high school diploma. |
License Tiers
Connecticut offers multiple tiers of dental assistant licensing:
| Tier | Hours Required |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant | N/A |
| Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA) | N/A |
Dental Assistant Salary in Connecticut
The median dental assistant salary in Connecticut is $50,820 per year, which is 7.4% above the national median of $47,300.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $37,290 |
| 25th | $47,730 |
| 50th (median) | $50,820 |
| 75th | $57,850 |
| 90th (experienced) | $60,160 |
Connecticut employs approximately 3,740 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 Connecticut Worth It?
Factors to consider: Connecticut's cost of living, the lack of a state license requirement, strong job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.