Dental Assistant in Missouri
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for MO
How to Become a Dental Assistant in Missouri
In Missouri, dental assistants are not required to be licensed for basic duties. However, to perform expanded functions, an assistant must obtain a specific permit from the Missouri Dental Board for each function. This involves completing a board-approved course with competency testing and holding current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. To be eligible for these expanded functions courses, individuals must either be a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) or Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA) from the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB), or have successfully passed the Missouri Test of Basic Dental Assisting Skills (MDAS).
Dental Assistant Requirements in Missouri
| Detail | Missouri |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Missouri Dental Board |
| State License Required | No |
| Education | Board-approved courses for expanded functions. To be eligible for expanded functions courses, dental assistants must have proof of CDA or COA certification from DANB, or have successfully passed the Missouri Test of Basic Dental Assisting Skills (MDAS). |
| Exam | Missouri Test of Basic Dental Assisting Skills (MDAS) for eligibility to expanded functions courses; competency testing for each expanded function permit. |
| Renewal | Every 5.0 years |
| Continuing Education | 16.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Missouri does not license dental assistants for basic duties. To perform expanded functions, an assistant must obtain a permit for each specific function by completing a board-approved course and competency testing. Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is also required for expanded functions permits. Online-only BLS courses are not accepted. |
Source: Missouri Dental Board
Dental Assistant Salary in Missouri
The median dental assistant salary in Missouri is $45,220 per year, which is 4.4% below the national median of $47,300.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $35,210 |
| 25th | $37,580 |
| 50th (median) | $45,220 |
| 75th | $49,770 |
| 90th (experienced) | $57,770 |
Missouri employs approximately 7,380 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 Missouri Worth It?
Factors to consider: Missouri's cost of living, the lack of a state license requirement, strong job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.