Dental Assistant Requirements in Washington State

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 Washington State 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 Washington.

Levels of Dental Assistants in Washington State

There are three levels of dental assistants in Washington:

  1. Registered Dental Assistant (RDA)
  2. Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary (EFDA)
  3. Dental Anesthesia Assistant (DAA)

1. Registered Dental Assistant (RDA)

A registered dental assistant must hold a current and valid health care provider basic life support (BLS) certification. A registered dental assistant in the state of Washington may earn an endorsement in sealant/fluoride varnish solely for the purpose of treating children in school-based and school-linked programs. Applicants must:

  • Have had 200 hours of employment by a Washington State-licensed dentist that has included theoretical and clinical training in the application of dental sealants and fluoride varnish treatments, verified by a declaration provided by the licensed dentist who provided the training, AND
  • Provide proof of completion of a training program meeting Washington state requirements, AND
  • Submit an application and fee.

Note: Registered dental assistants monitoring patients receiving deep sedation or general anesthesia must receive a minimum of 14 hours of documented training in a course specifically designed to include instruction and practical experience in the use of equipment.

Note: A volunteer dental assistant is an individual who, without compensation, provides supportive services in a charitable dental clinic.

2. Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary (EFDA)

To become an Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary (EFDA) in Washington, a dental assistant must:

An EFDA must hold current and valid health care provider basic life support (BLS) certification.

Note: DANB administers the Washington State Dental Hygiene Drug and Law Examination under agreement with the Washington State Department of Health. To obtain an application or for additional information, contact the Washington State Dental Hygiene Program at 360-236-4837 (dental hygiene department). 

3. Dental Anesthesia Assistant (DAA)

Each applicant for certification as a dental anesthesia assistant must submit to the Washington State Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC):

  • An application, on a form provided by the department, AND
  • An application fee, AND
  • Evidence of completion of one of the following:
    • The “Dental Anesthesia Assistant National Certification Examination (DAANCE)” or predecessor program, provided by the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS), OR
    • The “Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Assistants Course” course provided by the California Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (CALAOMS), OR
    • Substantially equivalent education and training approved by DQAC, AND
    • Evidence of completion of training in intravenous access or phlebotomy that includes 8 hours of didactic training and hands on experience starting and maintaining intravenous lines with at least ten successful intravenous starts on a human or simulator/manikin, OR
    • Evidence of completion of substantially equivalent education and training approved by DQAC, AND
  • Current and valid certification for health care provider basic life support (BLS), advanced cardiac life support (ACLS), or pediatric advanced life support (PALS), AND
  • A valid Washington state general anesthesia permit of the oral and maxillofacial surgeon or dental anesthesiologist where the dental anesthesia assistant will be performing his or her services, AND
  • Completion of seven clock hours of AIDS education and training, AND
  • Any other information determined by DQAC.

Note: A certified dental anesthesia assistant shall notify DQAC in writing on a form provided by DQAC of any changes in his or her supervisor. DQAC must be notified of the change prior to the certified dental anesthesia assistant accepting delegation from another supervisor.

Washington State Radiography Requirements

All dental assistants (registered dental assistants and EFDAs) operating x-ray equipment in the state of Washington shall be adequately instructed in safe operating procedures and shall be able to demonstrate competence, upon request from the Washington State Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC), in the correct use of the equipment.

The following are areas in which the DQAC considers it important that an individual have the expertise for the competent operation of x-ray equipment:

(1) Familiarization with equipment

    (a) Identification of controls

    (b) Function of each control

    (c) The use of a technique chart

(2) Radiation protection

    (a) Collimation

    (b) Filtration

    (c) Gonad shielding and other patient protection devices

    (d) Restriction of X-ray tube radiation to the image receptor

    (e) Personnel protection

    (f) Grids

(3) Film processing

    (a) Film speed as relates to patient exposure

    (b) Film processing parameters

    (c) Quality assurance and quality control

A registered dental assistant requires close supervision and an EFDA requires general supervision by a licensed dentist to perform dental radiography procedures. Every dental assistant in the state of Washington must be registered. To be eligible for registration as a dental assistant, one must:

  • Provide a completed application on forms provided by the Washington State Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC), AND
  • Pay applicable fees, AND
  • Provide evidence of completion of seven clock hours of AIDS education and training as required by Chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 8, AND
  • Provide any other information determined by the Washington State Dental Quality Assurance Commission.

The dental assistant registration must be renewed annually on or before the dental assistant’s birthday.

Photo by Cynthia Brown

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.