Dental Assistant in Rhode Island
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for RI
How to Become a Dental Assistant in Rhode Island
To become a dental assistant in Rhode Island, a state license is not required for basic duties. However, to perform radiography, an assistant must complete a CODA-accredited radiography course or pass the DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) and Infection Control (ICE) exams. For advanced duties such as maxillofacial surgery assisting, licensure as a DAANCE-Certified Maxillofacial Surgery Assistant is required, which involves specific training, certification, and age requirements. All dental assistants must also maintain current BLS/CPR certification and receive annual infection control training.
Dental Assistant Requirements in Rhode Island
| Detail | Rhode Island |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Rhode Island Department of Health, Board of Examiners in Dentistry |
| State License Required | No |
| Education | High school diploma or equivalent. |
| Exam | DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam (for radiography); DANB Infection Control (ICE) exam (for radiography); DAANCE certification (for maxillofacial surgery assisting) |
| Notes | Rhode Island does not license dental assistants for basic duties. To perform radiography, an assistant must complete a CODA-accredited radiography course or pass the DANB RHS and ICE exams. To perform specified maxillofacial surgery assisting functions, an assistant must be licensed by the Rhode Island Board of Examiners in Dentistry as a DAANCE-Certified Maxillofacial Surgery Assistant, which requires being 18 years or older, of good moral character, successful completion of a DAANCE-certified training course, DAANCE certification, and current ACLS certification. All dental assistants in Rhode Island must hold a current Basic Life Support (BLS) for the Healthcare Provider certificate and receive a minimum of one hour per year of training in CDC Infection Control Guidelines. |
Source: Rhode Island Department of Health, Board of Examiners in Dentistry
Dental Assistant Salary in Rhode Island
The median dental assistant salary in Rhode Island is $48,060 per year, which is 1.6% above the national median of $47,300.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $38,500 |
| 25th | $47,260 |
| 50th (median) | $48,060 |
| 75th | $57,600 |
| 90th (experienced) | $75,940 |
Rhode Island employs approximately 1,120 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 Rhode Island Worth It?
Factors to consider: Rhode Island's cost of living, the lack of a state license requirement, strong job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.