Dental Assistant in Oregon

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

Median annual salary

$57,720

trending_up +22.0% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Oregon.

engineering

5,480

Jobs (OR)

monitoring Strong

+6.4%

10-yr job growth

payments

$345

Licensing fees

schedule

Varies

Time to complete

route How to become a dental assistant in Oregon

In Oregon, basic chairside dental assisting does not require certification. However, to perform radiography or expanded functions, dental assistants must obtain specific certifications from the Oregon Board of Dentistry, which are administered by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). Key steps include completing approved education or training, passing required DANB exams such as the Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) and Infection Control (ICE) exams, and submitting an application with the associated fees. Oregon offers certification by credential for out-of-state dental assistants with comparable experience and certifications.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $48,160

25th percentile $53,090

50th (median) $57,720

75th percentile $59,800

90th (experienced) $71,090

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

checklist Oregon requirements

Licensing body	Oregon Board of Dentistry
State license	Not required
Education	Varies by certification type.
Exam	DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS); DANB Infection Control (ICE); Oregon Expanded Functions – General Dental Assisting (ORXG) or Oregon Expanded Functions with Infection Control (OR-EFIC) ($270)
Application fee	$75
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	2.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Basic chairside assisting does not require certification. Certification is required for radiography and expanded functions. Minimum age of 18 is required for DANB exams. A background check may be required.

Source: Oregon Board of Dentistry

workspace_premium Oregon license tiers

Oregon offers multiple tiers of dental assistant licensing:

Tier	Hours required
Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA)	N/A
Expanded Function Orthodontic Dental Assistant (EFODA)	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 you get certified as a dental assistant in Oregon? expand_more

Oregon requires dental assistants to complete the required education (Varies by certification type.), pass the DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS); DANB Infection Control (ICE); Oregon Expanded Functions – General Dental Assisting (ORXG) or Oregon Expanded Functions with Infection Control (OR-EFIC), and submit your application ($75 fee).

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

dental assistants in Oregon are not required to hold a state license. Note: Basic chairside assisting does not require certification. Certification is required for radiography and expanded functions. Minimum age of 18 is required for DANB exams. A background check may be required.

What is the average dental assistant salary in Oregon? expand_more

Oregon dental assistants bring home a median salary of $57,720. That's 22% above the national median of $47,300. Wages range from $48,160 (10th percentile) up to $71,090 (90th percentile).

How much does it cost to become a dental assistant in Oregon? expand_more

Plan on spending varies total — that covers exam fee ($270) and application fee ($75) plus your education and training.

How many months or years does dental assistant certification take in Oregon? expand_more

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

Does Oregon require continuing education for dental assistants? expand_more

To keep your license active, Oregon mandates 2.0 CE hours every 2.0 years.