Oklahoma has more defined licensing requirements for Dental Assistants than other states.
However, working in this occupation still provides you a stable income once approved, and you can use this experience to become a Licensed Dentist.
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- Licensing Requirements to Become an Oklahoma Dental Assistant
- 5 Dental Assistant Schools in Oklahoma
- Salary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the requirements to become a Dental Assistant in Oklahoma?
- How long does it take to become a Dental Assistant in Oklahoma?
- Where can I find an accredited Dental Assistant program in Oklahoma?
- How much does a Dental Assistant program in Oklahoma cost?
- Do you need a degree to be a Dental Assistant in Oklahoma?
Licensing Requirements to Become an Oklahoma Dental Assistant
Oklahoma Board of Dentistry (OBD) requires you to acquire a permit before you’ve been employed as a Dental Assistant for 30 days.
You must submit an application form and pay the licensing fee, which as of 2022 is $50.
Upon applying for a DA permit, you also will need to show proof of identity and undergo a background check.
Most dental clinic employers also want you to have the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certificate offered by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB).
In addition, the OBD requires you to apply for a Radiation Safety permit, which relates to the RHS DANB certification option.
An Expanded Functions Dental Assistant (EFDA) in Oklahoma must also have the appropriate topical fluoride, coronal polishing, and sealant credentials.
Mandatory training time spent for these duties ranges from 12 to 14 hours, which usually comes with enrolling in a CODA-approved certificate or associate degree Dental Assisting program.
(You should receive training from a school with a Commission on Dental Accreditation credential as established by the American Dental Association.)
5 Dental Assistant Schools in Oklahoma
1. Francis Tuttle Technology
Francis Tuttle has a 10-month Dental Assisting program that usually runs from August to May.
Attend both classroom and lab sessions, and you will be assigned to a clinical site.
Learn chairside patient care, how to create impressions and casts, and how to take X-rays.
This school has the CODA approval, which includes four different expanded functions curriculums.
2. Moore Normal Technology Center
The application period may have ended for the current semester, as of June 2022.
You may have to wait until the following semester or year.
As soon as you are admitted, you would start your basic and expanded dental assisting training.
This includes 300 hours of practice while supervised by real dentists on real patients.
You will receive your radiation, nitrous oxide, sealant, and coronal polish certification training and prepare to take the CDA exam from this CODA-approved learning center.
3. Rose State College
Rose State College offers both a one-year Certificate and a two-year Associate in Applied Science Degree Dental Assisting program.
You will work through several phases, especially if enrolled in the Associate learning plan.
You will have a combination of classroom, laboratory, and clinical sessions five days a week.
Most of your training will occur during the day, but you could have some evening sessions scheduled.
4. Tulsa Tech
Tulsa Tech has a Dental Assisting program that is open to high school students.
You will spend your time in a real dental lab and experience what giving chairside support to dental patients is like.
During enrollment, you will complete the RHS and CDA certifications and prepare yourself for those related DANB exams.
In addition, you will put in the time required by the DANB before you do take your exam.
5. Western Technology Center (WTC)
If you enroll in the WTC Assisting program, you gain 300 hours of practice in a local dental clinic setting.
In addition, you receive foundational information about anatomy, biology, and chemistry as related to dental care.
Furthermore, you receive related computer training and lessons on how to schedule appointments and handle patient charts.
Dental Assistant Schools in Oklahoma – Summary Table
Top 5 Schools in Oklahoma
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Francis Tuttle Technology | 12777 N Rockwell Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73142 |
| Moore Norman Technology Center | 4701 12th Ave NW, Norman, OK 73069 |
| Rose State College | 6420 SE 15th St, Midwest City, OK 73110 |
| Tulsa Tech | 6111 E Skelly Dr, Tulsa, OK 74147 |
| Western Technology Center | 621 Sooner Dr, Burns Flat, OK 73624 |
Salary
In 2022, a $38,463 annual income for Dental Assistants in Oklahoma was reported.
The salary has quite a broad range of $34,114 to $42,676.
That is because you can keep adding to your skill set if you want to earn more money as an assistant.
Your yearly income could eventually total more than $46,512.
Places to look for jobs include Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Broken Arrow, Edmond, or Midwest City.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Dental Assistants in Oklahoma
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | $37,379 |
| Tulsa | $39,257 |
| Norman | $37,133 |
| Lawton | $34,821 |
| Broken Arrow | $39,134 |
| Edmond | $37,256 |
| Altus | $34,700 |
| Enid | $37,010 |
| Mooreland | $35,670 |
| Stillwater | $37,010 |
Regional Salary in Oklahoma
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enid, OK | 60 | $37,940 | $18.24 | $46,490 | $28,090 |
| Lawton, OK | 140 | $39,380 | $18.93 | $48,300 | $29,010 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 2,130 | $41,530 | $19.97 | $50,140 | $30,300 |
| Tulsa, OK | 1,220 | $41,950 | $20.17 | $49,000 | $31,200 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the requirements to become a Dental Assistant in Oklahoma?
To become a Dental Assistant in Oklahoma, you must complete an accredited Dental Assisting program and pass a state-administered examination.
How long does it take to become a Dental Assistant in Oklahoma?
It usually takes about two years to complete an accredited Dental Assisting program and become a Dental Assistant in Oklahoma.
However, you can start working right away as long as you are always supervised by a dentist until you have applied for your necessary state license.
Where can I find an accredited Dental Assistant program in Oklahoma?
The DANB website has a list of accredited Dental Assistant programs in Oklahoma on it.
In addition, you can find information about required continuing education (CE) courses on the Oklahoma State Board of Dentistry website.
How much does a Dental Assistant program in Oklahoma cost?
A college or university Dental Assistant program in Oklahoma usually costs about $10,000-$15,000 per certificate program.
For that, financial aid and scholarships may cover the costs.
Some programs may offer discounts for Oklahoma residents, and they might include an exam voucher.
Workforce-based training may only cost you about half of the university training, but it may only cover basics.
You will need advanced training for an EFDA position.
Do you need a degree to be a Dental Assistant in Oklahoma?
No, you do not need a degree, but you do need to follow all the rules set by the State Board of Dentistry.
This usually requires a minimum of a year of training.
