Dental Assistant in Maine

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

Median annual salary

$51,340

trending_up +8.5% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Maine.

engineering

1,450

Jobs (ME)

monitoring Strong

+6.4%

10-yr job growth

schedule

Varies

Time to complete

route How to become a dental assistant in Maine

To become a licensed Dental Assistant in Maine, individuals typically pursue either a Dental Radiographer license or an Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA) license through the Maine Board of Dental Practice. While an Entry-Level Basic Dental Assistant does not require a state license, both Dental Radiographers and EFDAs must be at least 18 years old, hold a high school diploma or GED, and pass the Maine Board of Dental Practice Jurisprudence Exam. EFDAs also need current CPR certification and either DANB CDA certification or a Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) license, along with completing a Board-approved EFDA program. Reciprocity is available for EFDAs from other states who meet Maine's requirements and have practiced for three consecutive years.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $40,830

25th percentile $47,620

50th (median) $51,340

75th percentile $60,150

90th (experienced) $63,190

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

checklist Maine requirements

Licensing body	Maine Board of Dental Practice
State license	Not required
Education	High school diploma or GED. For Dental Radiographer license: successful completion of a dental radiologic technique and safety course with an exit examination approved by the Board OR passing the DANB Dental Radiologic Technique and Safety Examination. For Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA) license: high school diploma or GED, current CPR certification, current DANB CDA certification or Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) license, and successful completion of a formal program in EFDA approved by the Maine Board of Dental Practice at a CODA-accredited program or equivalent.
Exam	Maine Board of Dental Practice Jurisprudence Exam (required for Dental Radiographer and EFDA licenses); DANB Dental Radiologic Technique and Safety Examination (for Dental Radiographer license, if not completing a Board-approved course); DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) (for EFDA license, if not a RDH).
Renewal	Every 5.0 years
Continuing education	50.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Maine has different designations for dental assistants: Entry-Level Basic Dental Assistant (no state license required), Dental Radiographer (state license required), and Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA) (state license required). All dental assistants must be at least 18 years old. CPR certification is required for EFDAs and Dental Radiographers. A criminal background check is required for licensure. The jurisprudence exam passing score is 85% for Dental Radiographers and 90% for EFDAs.

Source: Maine Board of Dental Practice

workspace_premium Maine license tiers

Maine offers multiple tiers of dental assistant licensing:

Tier	Hours required
Dental Assistant (unlicensed)	N/A
Licensed Dental Assistant	N/A
Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA)	N/A

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

Wondering if a dental assistant career is the right fit?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

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Frequently asked questions

How do I become a dental assistant in Maine? expand_more

Maine requires dental assistants to complete the required education (High school diploma or GED. For Dental Radiographer license: successful completion of a dental radiologic technique and safety course with an exit examination approved by the Board OR passing the DANB Dental Radiologic Technique and Safety Examination. For Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA) license: high school diploma or GED, current CPR certification, current DANB CDA certification or Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) license, and successful completion of a formal program in EFDA approved by the Maine Board of Dental Practice at a CODA-accredited program or equivalent.), and pass the Maine Board of Dental Practice Jurisprudence Exam (required for Dental Radiographer and EFDA licenses); DANB Dental Radiologic Technique and Safety Examination (for Dental Radiographer license, if not completing a Board-approved course); DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) (for EFDA license, if not a RDH)..

Do I need a license to work as a dental assistant in Maine? expand_more

Maine does not require a state license for dental assistants. Note: Maine has different designations for dental assistants: Entry-Level Basic Dental Assistant (no state license required), Dental Radiographer (state license required), and Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA) (state license required). All dental assistants must be at least 18 years old. CPR certification is required for EFDAs and Dental Radiographers. A criminal background check is required for licensure. The jurisprudence exam passing score is 85% for Dental Radiographers and 90% for EFDAs.

How much does a dental assistant make in Maine? expand_more

dental assistants in Maine earn a median of $51,340 annually. — 9% higher than the $47,300 national figure. The range spans from $40,830 at the entry level to $63,190 for top earners.

How long does it take to become a dental assistant in Maine? expand_more

The typical timeline in Maine is Varies. This includes completing education, gaining any required experience, and passing the licensing exam.

What's required to renew a dental assistant license in Maine? expand_more

License renewal in Maine requires completing 50.0 hours of continuing education on a 5.0-year cycle.