Dental Assistant in Georgia
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for GA
How to Become a Dental Assistant in Georgia
To become a dental assistant in Georgia, individuals do not need a state license. However, to perform expanded duties, a dental assistant must possess a high school diploma or GED, maintain current CPR certification, and complete a board-approved course for each specific expanded duty. Eligibility for these expanded duties courses can be met through current Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certification, graduation from a one-year accredited dental assisting program, or six months of continuous chairside assisting experience within the last three years. While there is no state license, the Georgia Board of Dentistry oversees the requirements for performing expanded functions.
Dental Assistant Requirements in Georgia
| Detail | Georgia |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Georgia Board of Dentistry |
| State License Required | No |
| Education | High school diploma or GED; Board-approved course for expanded duties (if performing expanded duties); Current CPR certification. |
| Exam | Competency examination administered by a licensed dentist for expanded duties (if applicable); DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam (optional, but can be an eligibility pathway for expanded duties courses). |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Notes | Georgia does not license dental assistants. To perform expanded duties, dental assistants must have a high school diploma or equivalent, current CPR certification, and a certificate from a board-approved course for each specific expanded duty. Eligibility for expanded duties courses includes: current CDA certification, graduation from a one-year accredited/board-approved dental assisting program, or continuous employment as a chairside assistant for six months within the previous three years. CPR certification must be at the Healthcare Provider level with a practical skills component and renewed every two years. There are no continuing education requirements for dental assistants in Georgia, except for maintaining CPR certification. |
Source: Georgia Board of Dentistry
Dental Assistant Salary in Georgia
The median dental assistant salary in Georgia is $45,600 per year, which is 3.6% below the national median of $47,300.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $36,270 |
| 25th | $38,520 |
| 50th (median) | $45,600 |
| 75th | $47,570 |
| 90th (experienced) | $58,750 |
Georgia employs approximately 9,730 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 Georgia Worth It?
Factors to consider: Georgia's cost of living, the lack of a state license requirement, strong job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.