Dental Assistant Requirements in Alaska: Registration, X-Ray Rules & Allowed Duties
Alaska does not require a base-tier dental assistant to register, be examined, or hold a state credential — the statute simply defines a dental assistant as a person employed to provide clinical assistance to a licensed dentist.
The board separately issues two optional certificates, coronal polishing and restorative function, each needing a notarized application and fees.
A dentist may delegate exposing and developing radiographs to any dental assistant under indirect supervision, and the chapter splits most other delegated duties between indirect and direct supervision.
Verify before you rely on this
At a glance
Entry-level assistant
Registration
Some levels
Dental assistant
Credential levels
3
Verified September 2026
Regulated by
Board of Dental Examiners of Alaska
The Short Version
- Registration or licensure
- AS 08.36.370(4) defines a dental assistant as a person employed to provide clinical assistance to a licensed dentist, with no board application or fee named for that base tier; only the coronal polishing and restorative function certificates require a notarized application and fees to the department.
- Taking x-rays
- Under AS 08.36.346(a)(1), a licensed dentist may delegate the exposure and development of radiographs to a dental assistant under indirect supervision, and the statute names no separate radiography permit, course, or certificate for that task.
- Credential titles the state uses
- Dental assistant · Coronal polishing certificate · Restorative function certificate
The dental assistant credentials Alaska defines
The statute defines a base "dental assistant" as anyone employed to provide clinical assistance to a licensed dentist, with no separate registration process spelled out for that tier.
Beyond that, the board issues two optional certificates: a coronal polishing certificate under AS 08.36.342 and a restorative function certificate under AS 08.36.344, each authorizing specific added duties under a dentist's direct supervision.
(4) "dental assistant" means a person employed to provide clinical assistance to a dentist licensed in the state;
Applying for a coronal polishing or restorative function certificate
Neither certificate application is called a "registration," but both go through the department: a complete notarized application, a $60 nonrefundable application fee, and a $60 certification fee, plus proof of an approved course (and, for restorative function, a passing exam or out-of-state authorization).
Students performing dental-assisting procedures as part of a board-approved clinical program are exempt from any registration document under AS 08.36.347 as long as a licensed faculty member directly supervises them.
(b) An applicant for certification under this section must submit to the department (1) a complete, notarized application on a form provided by the department; (2) the following fees: (A) $60 nonrefundable application fee; (B) $60 certification fee; (3) either (A) verification of successful completion of a course of instruction approved by the board under 12 AAC 28.820; or (B) if the applicant is currently licensed or certified in another licensing jurisdiction to perform coronal polishing, evidence showing that the applicant's license or certificate to perform coronal polishing is current and in good standing in that licensing jurisdiction and a list of course of instruction for coronal polishing; the board will only approve the course of instruction under this subparagraph if it substantially complies with the requirements set out in 12 AAC 28.830.
What direct and indirect supervision mean here
Direct supervision means the supervising dentist is in the dental office, personally diagnoses the condition, personally authorizes the procedure, and evaluates the assistant's performance before the patient is dismissed.
Indirect supervision means the dentist is in the dental office, has authorized the procedures, and remains in the office while the assistant performs them — the dentist does not have to watch the procedure itself.
(1) "direct supervision" means a dentist licensed in this state is in the dental office, personally diagnoses the condition to be treated, personally authorizes the procedure, and, before dismissal of the patient, evaluates the performance of the dental assistant; (2) "indirect supervision" means a dentist licensed in this state is in the dental office, authorizes the procedures, and remains in the dental office while the procedures are being performed by the dental assistant.
What a dentist may delegate to a dental assistant
Under indirect supervision, a dentist may delegate exposing and developing radiographs, applying topical preventive agents or pit and fissure sealants, and other dental operations and services that are not reserved to a dental hygienist or a dentist.
Under direct supervision, a dentist may delegate coronal polishing on teeth without calculus to an assistant certified under AS 08.36.342, and placing a restoration into a dentist-prepared cavity and then carving, contouring, and adjusting its contacts and occlusion to an assistant certified under AS 08.36.344.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, a dentist licensed in this state may delegate to a dental assistant under indirect supervision (1) the exposure and development of radiographs; (2) application of topical preventive agents or pit and fissure sealants; and (3) other dental operations and services except (A) those that may be performed by a dental hygienist under AS 08.32.110(a); and (B) those that may not be delegated to a dental hygienist under AS 08.32.110(c).
Taking x-rays
Exposing and developing radiographs is the first item on the list of tasks a dentist may delegate to a dental assistant under indirect supervision, meaning the dentist must be in the office and have authorized the procedure but need not watch it happen.
The statute names no separate radiography permit, certificate, or course for a dental assistant to take x-rays.
(1) the exposure and development of radiographs;
What a dental assistant may never do
A dentist may not delegate to a dental assistant anything reserved to a licensed dentist or a licensed dental hygienist, which by cross-reference to AS 08.32.110(c) includes dental diagnosis and comprehensive treatment planning, writing prescriptions or authorizations for restorative, prosthetic, or orthodontic appliances, operative or surgical procedures on hard or soft tissue, and other procedures requiring a dentist's professional competence and skill.
A dentist also may not delegate anything reserved to a dental hygienist's scope of practice under AS 08.32.110(a).
(c) This section does not authorize delegation of (1) dental diagnosis, comprehensive treatment planning, and writing (A) prescriptions for drugs; (B) authorizations for restorative, prosthetic, or orthodontic appliances; (2) operative or surgical procedures on hard or soft tissues; or (3) other procedures that require the professional competence and skill of a dentist.
Continuing education to renew a certificate
The restorative function certificate must be renewed biennially, and renewal requires two hours of continuing education on materials or techniques used for restoration of teeth, on top of the renewal application and fee.
The regulations name no continuing-education requirement to renew the coronal polishing certificate — its renewal just needs the application and fee.
(b) An applicant for renewal of a dental assistant restorative function certificate shall complete two hours of continuing education approved under 12 AAC 28.410(a) relating to materials or techniques used for restoration of teeth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to register or get certified to work as a dental assistant in Alaska?
Not for the base tier.
AS 08.36.370(4) defines a dental assistant simply as a person employed to provide clinical assistance to a licensed dentist, and the statute names no application, exam, or fee for that role.
If you want to perform coronal polishing or restorative functions, those are separate optional certificates with their own applications and fees.
Confirm current requirements with the Board of Dental Examiners of Alaska.
Can a dental assistant take x-rays in Alaska?
Yes.
AS 08.36.346(a)(1) lists exposing and developing radiographs as a task a dentist may delegate to a dental assistant under indirect supervision, meaning the dentist has to be in the office and have authorized it but doesn't have to watch it happen.
The statute doesn't name a separate radiography permit or course for this.
Check with the Board of Dental Examiners of Alaska for any training a specific practice requires.
Does the dentist have to be in the room while a dental assistant works?
It depends on the supervision level.
AS 08.36.349 defines indirect supervision as the dentist being in the dental office and having authorized the procedure, without requiring the dentist to watch it happen.
Direct supervision, which governs coronal polishing and restorative work, requires the dentist to personally diagnose and authorize the procedure and evaluate the assistant's work before the patient leaves.
Verify current definitions with the Board of Dental Examiners of Alaska.
What can a dental assistant never do in Alaska?
AS 08.36.346 and AS 08.32.110(c) reserve certain acts to a licensed dentist or dental hygienist, including dental diagnosis and treatment planning, writing prescriptions or authorizations for restorative, prosthetic, or orthodontic appliances, operative or surgical procedures on hard or soft tissue, and any other procedure requiring a dentist's professional skill.
A dental assistant also can't perform tasks reserved to a dental hygienist's scope of practice under AS 08.32.110(a).
Ask the Board of Dental Examiners of Alaska before assuming an unlisted task is allowed.
How does a dental assistant become certified to do coronal polishing or restorative work in Alaska?
For coronal polishing, AS 08.36.342 and 12 AAC 28.810 require a board-approved course and a notarized application with a $60 application fee and a $60 certification fee.
For restorative function, AS 08.36.344 and 12 AAC 28.850 add a passing score on the Western Regional Examining Board's restorative exam (or an equivalent), on top of the same application and fees.
Confirm current course lists and fees with the Board of Dental Examiners of Alaska.
Who regulates dental assistants in Alaska?
Dental Assistants in Alaska are regulated by the Board of Dental Examiners of Alaska.
The rules on this page come from the state's own statute and board rules as published on the dates shown; they change over time, so verify current requirements with the board before relying on them.
More Alaska & Dental Assistant Resources
Sourced from Statutes and Regulations Dentists and Dental Hygienists (April 2025 (Rev. 04/04/2025)). Verified September 2026. This page summarizes the state's own statute and board rules as published on the dates shown. It is general information, not legal advice, and rules change: confirm anything you intend to rely on with the state dental board before acting on it.