Dental Assistant Requirements in Hawaii

November 22, 2024
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By: Ronda Holman

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 Hawaii 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 Hawaii.

Levels of Dental Assistants in Hawaii

There is only one level of dental assistants in HI:

  1. Dental Assistant

1. Dental Assistant

A dental assistant in the state of Hawaii may perform basic supportive dental procedures specified by the state dental practice act under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist.

The supervising dentist must appropriately train or provide training to dental assistants, including but not limited to training in the following:

  • Proper sterilization and disinfection procedures
  • Ethics
  • Proper record-keeping and patient confidentiality
  • Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

Training must meet the OSHA and the Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA/HIOSH) bloodborne pathogen standards and CDC and ADA prevention guidelines and recommendations and must be provided by a Hawaii Board of Dentistry-approved continuing education sponsoring organization.

Approved sponsoring organizations include but are not limited to providers approved by the American Dental Association Continuing Education Recognition Program (ADA CERP) and the Academy of General Dentistry Program Approval for Continuing Education (AGD PACE).

Radiography Requirements for Dental Assistants in HI

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

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

 Hawaii Board of Dentistry

Photo by Troy Squillaci

Ronda Holman

Ronda Holman

Ronda Holman found her passion for dental assisting while in the Air Force. She assisted in oral surgery, general dentistry, and ended her four-year service as a prophy tech, the military’s version of a dental hygienist. She married and spent 13 years traveling the country while her husband served in the Air Force. Each time Ronda relocated she got the opportunity to work in a new dental office, where she picked up pearls that have helped her become an expert in educating dental assistants. Her interests are immediate denture/partial fabrication, CEREC technology, patient education, and striving for optimal chairside skills. Ronda believes that every dental assistant has the potential to be a rock star assistant if given the right tools and guidance.

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