Dental Assistant Requirements in Massachusetts

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 Massachusetts 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 MA.

Here is how to become a dental assistant in Massachusettes.

Levels of Dental Assistants in Massachusetts

  1. Dental Assistant Trained on the Job (OJT)
  2. Formally Trained Dental Assistant (FTDA)
  3. Certified Assistant
  4. Expanded Functions Dental Assistant

1. Dental Assistant Trained on the Job (OJT)

To qualify as a Dental Assistant Trained on the Job (OJT), one must:

  • Be 18 years of age or older, of good moral character, and not licensed as a dentist or dental hygienist, AND
  • Complete a course in CDC guidelines, AND   
  • Hold current certification in CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer from the American Red Cross or Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (BLS) from the American Heart Association, AND
  • Apply to the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Dentistry for licensure, AND
  • Take and pass the Massachusetts Board’s ethics and jurisprudence exam. To request a copy of the exam, send an email to dentistry.admin@state.ma.us; a copy of the exam will be sent to you as an email attachment. 

A person who is at least 18 years of age or older, who has not been previously licensed or registered as a dentist, dental hygienist, or dental assistant, and who is not in violation of any rule or regulation adopted by the board may practice as a dental assistant under the supervision of a Massachusetts licensed dentist without being registered by the Board for a preliminary, one-time period of up to six consecutive months to commence from the beginning of the initial period of on-the-job training.

Prior to the commencement of unlicensed on-the-job training, the prospective dental assistant must complete a course in CDC Guidelines and must notify the Board of his or her intent to commence such training on a form prescribed by the Board and submit the following documentation to the Board:

  • A complete, accurate, signed, and notarized notice of intent;
  • Attestation that the person named in the notice of intent has never practiced or been licensed as a dentist, dental hygienist, or dental assistant;
  • Certification by the supervising dentist that such dentist is licensed to practice dentistry, is responsible for supervising the person named in the notice of intent, has verified that the person has completed education in CDC Guidelines, and is not in violation of any rule or regulation adopted by the Board;
  • Date when the six-month non-licensed on-the-job training period will start.

2. Formally Trained Dental Assistant (FTDA)

To qualify as a Formally Trained Dental Assistant (FTDA), one must:

  • Be 18 years of age and of good moral character, AND
  • Successfully complete a dental assisting program accredited by CODA or authorized, approved, accredited, licensed or certified by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education (DHE), or the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) or complete a state-approved vocational dental assisting program, AND
  • Hold current certification in CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer from the American Red Cross or Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (BLS) from the American Heart Association, AND
  • Apply to the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Dentistry for licensure, AND
  • Take and pass the Massachusetts Board’s ethics and jurisprudence exam. To request a copy of the exam, send an email to dentistry.admin@state.ma.us; a copy of the exam will be sent to you as an email attachment. 

3. Certified Assistant

To qualify as a Certified Assistant (CA), one must:

  • Be 18 years of age or older and of good moral character, AND
  • Hold any current national certification from DANB (CDA, COA, CPFDA or CRFDA) or certification from another Board-approved certifying body at the time of registration, AND
  • Hold current certification in CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer from the American Red Cross or Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (BLS) from the American Heart Association, AND
  • Apply to the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Dentistry for licensure, AND
  • Take and pass the Massachusetts Board’s ethics and jurisprudence exam. To request a copy of the exam, send an email to dentistry.admin@state.ma.us; a copy of the exam will be sent to you as an email attachment. 

4. Expanded Functions Dental Assistant

To qualify as an Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA), one must:

  • Be 18 years of age or older and of good moral character, AND
  • Hold any current national DANB certification (CDA, COA, CPFDA or CRFDA) or certification from another Board-approved certifying body at the time of registration, AND
  • Complete a formal program in the Massachusetts delegable expanded functions at a CODA-accredited program, AND
  • Hold current certification in CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer from the American Red Cross or Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (BLS) from the American Heart Association, AND
  • Apply to the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Dentistry for licensure, AND
  • Take and pass the Massachusetts Board’s ethics and jurisprudence exam. To request a copy of the exam, send an email to dentistry.admin@state.ma.us; a copy of the exam will be sent to you as an email attachment. 

Radiography Requirements in Massachusetts

To legally operate dental x-ray equipment and perform dental radiographic procedures in the state of Massachusetts, a dental assistant must:

  • Be a Dental Assistant Trained on the Job (OJT), AND
  • Complete a course in radiological techniques and safeguards, AND
  • Pass the DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam or other exam approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Dentistry, within one year of the course completion,

OR

  • Be a Massachusetts Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA), Certified Assistant (CA), or Formally Trained Dental Assistant (FTDA) [see requirements below], AND
  • Successfully complete a course with a curriculum that complies with Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) standards for radiological techniques and safeguards in dentistry.

Additional Resources:

Photo by THE MACDUFFIE SCHOOL

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.