Dental Assistant in Kansas

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for KS. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary
$39,840
trending_down -15.8% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Kansas.

engineering
3,020

Jobs (KS)

monitoring Strong
+6.4%

10-yr job growth

schedule
Varies depending on chosen education and expanded duties.

Time to complete

route How to become a dental assistant in Kansas

In Kansas, dental assistants are not required to be licensed or certified for basic duties. The Kansas Dental Board oversees the requirements for dental professionals, but it does not issue licenses to dental assistants. For dental assistants to perform expanded duties such as coronal scaling or nitrous oxide monitoring/administration, they must complete specific Board-approved courses. The supervising dentist is responsible for ensuring the dental assistant's training and competency for all duties performed.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $34,480
25th percentile $36,020
50th (median) $39,840
75th percentile $48,120
90th (experienced) $55,170

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Kansas. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist Kansas requirements

Licensing bodyKansas Dental Board
State license Not required
EducationNo formal education required for basic duties. Board-approved courses are required for specific expanded duties like coronal scaling and nitrous oxide monitoring/administration.
ExamNot applicable for basic duties. Specific exams may be part of Board-approved courses for expanded duties.
NotesKansas does not license or certify dental assistants for basic duties. The supervising dentist is responsible for their training and competency. For coronal polishing, the supervising dentist must ensure adequate training. For coronal scaling, a Board-approved course is required. For nitrous oxide monitoring/administration, a Board-approved course (at least 16 hours, CODA-accredited, including didactic and clinical instruction) and CPR certification are required. Dentists must report dental assistants performing coronal scaling to the Board.

Source: Kansas Dental Board

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth
+6.4%
Faster than average
Annual openings
52,900
Nationwide per year
Total employment
381,900
Nationwide
neurology

AI & tech impact

verified Low exposure -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.

hub

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
psychology
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Frequently asked questions

What's required to work as a dental assistant in Kansas? expand_more
The path to dental assistant licensure in Kansas: complete the required education (No formal education required for basic duties. Board-approved courses are required for specific expanded duties like coronal scaling and nitrous oxide monitoring/administration.), and pass the Not applicable for basic duties. Specific exams may be part of Board-approved courses for expanded duties..
Can I work as a dental assistant in Kansas without a license? expand_more
dental assistants in Kansas are not required to hold a state license. Note: Kansas does not license or certify dental assistants for basic duties. The supervising dentist is responsible for their training and competency. For coronal polishing, the supervising dentist must ensure adequate training. For coronal scaling, a Board-approved course is required. For nitrous oxide monitoring/administration, a Board-approved course (at least 16 hours, CODA-accredited, including didactic and clinical instruction) and CPR certification are required. Dentists must report dental assistants performing coronal scaling to the Board.
What is the average dental assistant salary in Kansas? expand_more
The median dental assistant salary in Kansas is $39,840 per year. This trails the $47,300 national median by 16%. Wages range from $34,480 (10th percentile) up to $55,170 (90th percentile).
How quickly can I become a dental assistant in Kansas? expand_more
Expect to spend Varies depending on chosen education and expanded duties. from start to finish in Kansas — covering coursework, supervised experience, and examination.

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