Dental Assistant in Maryland
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for MD
How to Become a Dental Assistant in Maryland
To become a certified Dental Assistant in Maryland, individuals must register with the Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners. Requirements vary based on the duties performed, but generally include completing a Board-approved educational program and passing relevant DANB examinations, such as the Maryland Dental General (MDG) or General Chairside (GC) exam for general duties, or the Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam for radiography. An initial application fee of $20 is required, and certifications must be renewed every two years with 2 hours of continuing education in infection control for those certified in radiology.
Dental Assistant Requirements in Maryland
| Detail | Maryland |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | For General Duties: Completion of a Board-approved course of at least 35 hours in dental assisting general duties, AND passing the DANB Maryland Dental General (MDG) or General Chairside (GC) Examination. For Radiography: Must be at least 18 years old, hold a high school diploma or GED, complete a Board-approved 24-hour course in dental radiation technology, and pass the DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam. For Expanded Functions: Must complete formal training in expanded functions, be DANB certified, and approved by the MSBDE. |
| Exam | DANB Maryland Dental General (MDG) or General Chairside (GC) for general duties; DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) for radiography; Maryland Expanded Function Examination or equivalent DANB exam for expanded functions. ($20) |
| Application Fee | $20 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Continuing Education | 2.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | All dental assistants performing expanded functions or radiographic procedures are required to maintain a CPR certification from an approved provider. Those certified in radiology must complete 2 CEUs of Infection Control. Minimum age of 18 and a high school diploma or GED are required for dental radiation technologists. There are different qualifications for general duties, orthodontics, and radiography. The initial certification fee for Dental Assistant Qualified in General Duties is $20. |
License Tiers
Maryland offers multiple tiers of dental assistant licensing:
| Tier | Hours Required |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant Qualified in General Duties | N/A |
| Dental Assistant Qualified in Orthodontics | N/A |
| Dental Radiation Technologist | N/A |
Dental Assistant Salary in Maryland
The median dental assistant salary in Maryland is $48,280 per year, which is 2.1% above the national median of $47,300.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $34,910 |
| 25th | $45,600 |
| 50th (median) | $48,280 |
| 75th | $57,270 |
| 90th (experienced) | $59,810 |
Maryland employs approximately 6,520 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 Maryland Worth It?
Factors to consider: Maryland's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, strong job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.