Dental Assistant Requirements in Kansas

By: Natalie Kaweckyj, LDA, RF, CDA, CDPMA, COA, COMSA, CPFDA, CRFDA, MADAA, BA

Are you looking to become a dental assistant or are moving as a current dental assistant? Make sure to check the dental assistant requirements in Kansas to see if you are still qualified in the state to practice.

Each state has different requirements for dental assistants, here are the levels, and functions permitted for dental assistants in Kansas.

Levels of Dental Assistants in Kansas

  1. Dental Assistant
  2. Dental Assistant with Expanded Duties Training

1. Dental Assistant

A dental assistant in the state of KS may perform basic supportive dental procedures specified by the state dental practice act under the supervision of a licensed dentist. There are no education or training requirements for this level of dental assisting.

2. Dental Assistant with Expanded Duties Training

To perform expanded functions under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist in the state of KS, a dental assistant must become qualified as follows:

Coronal Polishing: The dental assistant must undergo appropriate training by a Kansas-licensed dentist.

Coronal Scaling: The dental assistant must successfully complete a Kansas Board-approved course of instruction. The supervising dentist must verify proof of completion of required training and must report to the Kansas Board the name and practice location of each dental assistant who is performing coronal scaling by April 3, 2016, or within 30 days of the dental assistant first performing coronal scaling, whichever is later.

Assisting in the Administration and Monitoring of Nitrous Oxide and/or Oxygen: The dental assistant must be certified in CPR and successfully complete a Kansas Board-approved course of instruction which includes 16 hours of instruction at a CODA-accredited teaching program that includes both didactic and clinical instruction in: (A) theory of pain control, (B) anatomy, (C) medical history, (D) pharmacology and (E) emergencies and complications.

Kansas Dental Board

Radiography Requirements in Kansas

There are no radiography requirements for dental assistants in the state of Kansas.

All dental assistants may legally operate dental x-ray equipment and perform dental radiographic procedures under the supervision of a licensed dentist.

Photo by David McBee

Natalie Kaweckyj

Natalie Kaweckyj

Natalie Kaweckyj, BA, LDA, CDA, RF, CDPMA, COA, COMSA, CPFDA, CRFDA, MADAA, is a senior moderator of the Dental Peeps Network and a past president of the ADAA.