Dental Assistant in Missouri

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

Median annual salary

$45,220

trending_down -4.4% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Missouri.

engineering

7,380

Jobs (MO)

monitoring Strong

+6.4%

10-yr job growth

schedule

Varies

Time to complete

route 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).

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $35,210

25th percentile $37,580

50th (median) $45,220

75th percentile $49,770

90th (experienced) $57,770

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

checklist Missouri requirements

Licensing body	Missouri Dental Board
State license	Not required
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

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 you get certified as a dental assistant in Missouri? expand_more

The path to dental assistant licensure in Missouri: complete the required 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).), and pass the Missouri Test of Basic Dental Assisting Skills (MDAS) for eligibility to expanded functions courses; competency testing for each expanded function permit..

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

Missouri does not require a state license for dental assistants. Note: 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.

What do dental assistants earn in Missouri? expand_more

In Missouri, the median pay for dental assistants comes to $45,220/year. — within a few percent of the $47,300 national figure. Wages range from $35,210 (10th percentile) up to $57,770 (90th percentile).

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

Expect to spend Varies from start to finish in Missouri — covering coursework, supervised experience, and examination.

What are the continuing education requirements for dental assistants in Missouri? expand_more

Yes — dental assistants in Missouri must complete 16.0 CE hours every 5.0 years to stay licensed.