Dental Assistant in Alaska
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for AK. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.
BLS OEWS 2024, Alaska.
Jobs (AK)
10-yr job growth
Licensing fees
Time to complete
route How to become a dental assistant in Alaska
In Alaska, basic dental assisting duties do not require a state license or certification. However, to perform expanded functions such as coronal polishing or restorative procedures, dental assistants must obtain a specific certificate from the Alaska Board of Dental Examiners. This involves completing a board-approved course and, for restorative functions, passing the Western Regional Examining Board (WREB) restorative function examination or an equivalent exam. The application process for these expanded functions includes a $120 fee and typically takes 4-6 weeks for processing, with biennial renewal required.
bar_chart Salary percentiles
Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Alaska. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.
checklist Alaska requirements
| Licensing body | Alaska Board of Dental Examiners |
| State license | Not required |
| Education | No education mandated for basic duties. For coronal polishing, a board-approved course is required. For restorative functions, a CODA-accredited program or board-approved course is required. |
| Exam | For coronal polishing, no specific exam is listed beyond course completion. For restorative functions, the Western Regional Examining Board (WREB) restorative function examination or an equivalent board-approved exam is required. |
| Application fee | $120 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Notes | Alaska does not license dental assistants for basic duties. However, to perform expanded functions like coronal polishing or restorative procedures, an assistant must obtain a certificate from the Alaska Board of Dental Examiners. CPR certification is required for restorative function and coronal polishing certificates. The minimum age is not specified, but a high school diploma or GED is generally expected for entry-level positions. |
Source: Alaska Board of Dental Examiners
work_outline Job outlook
AI & tech impact
This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.
balance Is it worth it?
- infoNo state license required — lower barrier but weaker signal
- check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+6.4%)
- check_circleLow AI disruption risk