Dental Assistant in Rhode Island

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

Median annual salary

$48,060

trending_up +1.6% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Rhode Island.

engineering

1,120

Jobs (RI)

monitoring Strong

+6.4%

10-yr job growth

schedule

Varies

Time to complete

route How to become a dental assistant in Rhode Island

To become a dental assistant in Rhode Island, a state license is not required for basic duties. However, to perform radiography, an assistant must complete a CODA-accredited radiography course or pass the DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) and Infection Control (ICE) exams. For advanced duties such as maxillofacial surgery assisting, licensure as a DAANCE-Certified Maxillofacial Surgery Assistant is required, which involves specific training, certification, and age requirements. All dental assistants must also maintain current BLS/CPR certification and receive annual infection control training.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $38,500

25th percentile $47,260

50th (median) $48,060

75th percentile $57,600

90th (experienced) $75,940

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

checklist Rhode Island requirements

Licensing body	Rhode Island Department of Health, Board of Examiners in Dentistry
State license	Not required
Education	High school diploma or equivalent.
Exam	DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam (for radiography); DANB Infection Control (ICE) exam (for radiography); DAANCE certification (for maxillofacial surgery assisting)
Notes	Rhode Island does not license dental assistants for basic duties. To perform radiography, an assistant must complete a CODA-accredited radiography course or pass the DANB RHS and ICE exams. To perform specified maxillofacial surgery assisting functions, an assistant must be licensed by the Rhode Island Board of Examiners in Dentistry as a DAANCE-Certified Maxillofacial Surgery Assistant, which requires being 18 years or older, of good moral character, successful completion of a DAANCE-certified training course, DAANCE certification, and current ACLS certification. All dental assistants in Rhode Island must hold a current Basic Life Support (BLS) for the Healthcare Provider certificate and receive a minimum of one hour per year of training in CDC Infection Control Guidelines.

Source: Rhode Island Department of Health, Board of Examiners in Dentistry

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.

arrow_forward

Frequently asked questions

What are the steps to becoming a dental assistant in Rhode Island? expand_more

In Rhode Island, becoming a dental assistant requires you to complete the required education (High school diploma or equivalent.), and pass the DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam (for radiography); DANB Infection Control (ICE) exam (for radiography); DAANCE certification (for maxillofacial surgery assisting).

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

No state license is needed to work as a dental assistant in Rhode Island. Note: Rhode Island does not license dental assistants for basic duties. To perform radiography, an assistant must complete a CODA-accredited radiography course or pass the DANB RHS and ICE exams. To perform specified maxillofacial surgery assisting functions, an assistant must be licensed by the Rhode Island Board of Examiners in Dentistry as a DAANCE-Certified Maxillofacial Surgery Assistant, which requires being 18 years or older, of good moral character, successful completion of a DAANCE-certified training course, DAANCE certification, and current ACLS certification. All dental assistants in Rhode Island must hold a current Basic Life Support (BLS) for the Healthcare Provider certificate and receive a minimum of one hour per year of training in CDC Infection Control Guidelines.

How much do dental assistants make in Rhode Island? expand_more

dental assistants in Rhode Island earn a median of $48,060 annually. That's roughly in line with the $47,300 national median. Wages range from $38,500 (10th percentile) up to $75,940 (90th percentile).

What's the timeline to become a dental assistant in Rhode Island? expand_more

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