Dental Assistant Requirements in Connecticut: Registration, X-Ray Rules & Allowed Duties
Connecticut does not license or register dental assistants.
Instead, Connecticut General Statutes Sec. 20-112a lets a dentist delegate procedures to two categories: a dental assistant, trained on the job or through an accredited program, and an expanded function dental assistant (EFDA), who must pass Dental Assisting National Board exams and complete further training.
A dental assistant may take x-rays only after passing a radiography exam or competency assessment.
Delegated duties run under direct or indirect supervision depending on the task and tier, and both tiers must complete an infection-control exam plus ongoing training.
Verify before you rely on this
At a glance
Entry-level assistant
Registration
Not required
Dental assistant
Credential levels
2
Verified September 2026
Regulated by
Connecticut State Dental Commission
The Short Version
- Registration or licensure
- Connecticut does not require a dental assistant or expanded function dental assistant to be licensed or registered by the state; a dentist may delegate procedures based on the assistant's training and, for certain tasks, completion of national board exams or competency assessments.
- Taking x-rays
- A dental assistant may take dental x-rays only after demonstrating successful completion of the Dental Assisting National Board's dental radiation health and safety exam, or a radiation health and safety competency assessment from a CODA-accredited dental education program in the state, performed under the dentist's direct supervision.
- Credential titles the state uses
- Dental assistant · Expanded function dental assistant
The two categories Connecticut defines
Sec. 20-112a defines two categories: a dental assistant, who has completed on-the-job training under direct supervision or a dental-assistant education program accredited by CODA or a recognized national or regional accrediting agency, and an expanded function dental assistant (EFDA), who has passed the Dental Assisting National Board's certified dental assistant or certified orthodontic assistant exam and then completed a CODA-accredited EFDA program and a further DANB written exam.
Neither category is a state-issued license.
"Dental assistant" means a person who: (A) Has (i) completed on-the-job training in dental assisting under direct supervision, (ii) successfully completed a dental assistant education program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation, or (iii) successfully completed a dental assistant education program that is accredited or recognized by any national or regional accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education; and (B) meets any requirements established by the Commissioner of Public Health in regulations adopted pursuant to subsection (f) of this section;
No state license or registration — credentialing runs through exams
Connecticut does not license or register dental assistants at the state level.
A person qualifies as a dental assistant by completing on-the-job training under direct supervision or an accredited dental-assistant education program, and meeting any further requirements the Commissioner of Public Health may adopt by regulation.
To use the expanded function dental assistant title, the person must also maintain Dental Assisting National Board certification, conspicuously display that certificate at the workplace, and carry professional liability insurance of at least five hundred thousand dollars per occurrence with a one million five hundred thousand dollar aggregate while working as an EFDA.
Each expanded function dental assistant shall: (1) Maintain dental assistant or orthodontic assistant certification from the Dental Assisting National Board; (2) conspicuously display his or her dental assistant or orthodontic assistant certificate at his or her place of employment or place where he or she provides expanded function dental assistant services; (3) maintain professional liability insurance or other indemnity against liability for professional malpractice in an amount not less than five hundred thousand dollars for one person, per occurrence, with an aggregate liability of not less than one million five hundred thousand dollars while employed as an expanded function dental assistant; (4) provide expanded function dental assistant services only under direct or indirect supervision; and (5) meet any requirements established by the Commissioner of Public Health in regulations adopted pursuant to subsection (f) of this section.
What direct and indirect supervision mean here
The statute defines two supervision levels.
Direct supervision means the dentist has authorized the specific procedure, remains on-site in the office or treatment facility while it is performed, and reviews and approves the treatment before the patient leaves.
Indirect supervision means the dentist is in the office, has personally diagnosed the condition and planned and authorized the treatment, remains in the office while the procedure is performed, and evaluates the assistant's performance.
"Direct supervision" means a licensed dentist has authorized certain procedures to be performed on a patient by a dental assistant or an expanded function dental assistant with such dentist remaining on-site in the dental office or treatment facility while such procedures are being performed by the dental assistant or expanded function dental assistant and that, prior to the patient's departure from the dental office, such dentist reviews and approves the treatment performed by the dental assistant or expanded function dental assistant;
What a dentist may delegate to each tier
To a dental assistant, under direct supervision, a dentist may delegate: taking dental x-rays if the assistant has passed a radiography exam or competency assessment, taking impressions of teeth for study models, and providing fluoride varnish treatments.
To an expanded function dental assistant, under direct or indirect supervision except where the statute specifies otherwise, a dentist may delegate: placing, finishing and adjusting temporary restorations and long-term fillings, capping materials and cement bases; oral health education for patients; dental sealants; coronal polishing if not billed as prophylaxis; topical anesthetic under the dentist's direct supervision; and alginate impressions for study models, orthodontic appliances, whitening trays, mouth guards or temporary crowns.
A licensed dentist may delegate to dental assistants such dental procedures as the dentist may deem advisable, including: (A) The taking of dental x-rays if the dental assistant can demonstrate successful completion of the dental radiation health and safety examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board or a radiation health and safety competency assessment administered by a dental education program in the state that is accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation; (B) the taking of impressions of teeth for study models; and (C) the provision of fluoride varnish treatments. Such procedures shall be performed under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist and the dentist providing direct supervision shall assume responsibility for such procedures.
Taking x-rays
A dental assistant may take dental x-rays only if the assistant has demonstrated successful completion of the Dental Assisting National Board's dental radiation health and safety exam, or a radiation health and safety competency assessment given by a CODA-accredited dental education program in the state.
X-rays are performed under the dentist's direct supervision, and the supervising dentist assumes responsibility for the procedure.
The statute names no separate radiography permit for an expanded function dental assistant.
(A) The taking of dental x-rays if the dental assistant can demonstrate successful completion of the dental radiation health and safety examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board or a radiation health and safety competency assessment administered by a dental education program in the state that is accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation;
Acts a dental assistant may never perform
Except for the delegable duties listed in subsection (c), a dental assistant or expanded function dental assistant may never diagnose dental conditions or treatment, cut or remove any hard or soft tissue or suture, prescribe drugs requiring a dentist's or physician's order, administer local, parenteral, inhalation or general anesthetic agents for a dental operative procedure, take a final impression for fabricating an appliance or prosthesis, or practice dental hygiene as defined in Sec. 20-126l.
Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, under no circumstances may a dental assistant or expanded function dental assistant engage in: (1) Diagnosis for dental procedures or dental treatment; (2) the cutting or removal of any hard or soft tissue or suturing; (3) the prescribing of drugs or medications that require the written or oral order of a licensed dentist or physician; (4) the administration of local, parenteral, inhalation or general anesthetic agents in connection with any dental operative procedure; (5) the taking of any final impression of the teeth or jaws or the relationship of the teeth or jaws for the purpose of fabricating any appliance or prosthesis; or (6) the practice of dental hygiene as defined in section 20-126l.
Infection control exam and ongoing training
Before a dentist may delegate any procedure, the dental assistant or EFDA must show completion of DANB's infection control exam or an infection control competency assessment from a CODA-accredited dental education program in the state; a dental assistant may train on the job under a dentist for up to fifteen months while preparing for that exam.
Starting January 1, 2018, each dental assistant or EFDA must then complete at least one hour of infection-control training or education every two years, through courses from an accredited dental school or other accredited institution, a dental association or society affiliated with the American Dental Association, or the American Dental Assistants Association.
On and after January 1, 2018, upon successful completion of the Dental Assisting National Board's infection control examination or an infection control competency assessment administered by a dental education program in the state that is accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation, each dental assistant or expanded function dental assistant shall complete not less than one hour of training or education in infection control in a dental setting every two years, including, but not limited to, courses, including online courses, offered or approved by a dental school or another institution of higher education that is accredited or recognized by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, a regional accrediting organization, the American Dental Association or a state, district or local dental association or society affiliated with the American Dental Association or the American Dental Assistants Association.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to register or get a license to work as a dental assistant in Connecticut?
No. Connecticut General Statutes Sec. 20-112a does not require a dental assistant to be licensed or registered by the state.
A dentist may delegate procedures to you once you have completed on-the-job training under direct supervision or an accredited dental-assistant education program.
An expanded function dental assistant must also maintain Dental Assisting National Board certification and liability insurance.
Confirm current requirements with the Connecticut State Dental Commission.
Can a dental assistant take x-rays in Connecticut?
Yes, but only after the assistant demonstrates successful completion of the Dental Assisting National Board's dental radiation health and safety exam, or a radiation health and safety competency assessment from a CODA-accredited dental education program in the state, per Sec. 20-112a(c)(1)(A).
X-rays are performed under the dentist's direct supervision, and the supervising dentist assumes responsibility for the procedure.
Verify current exam options with the Connecticut State Dental Commission.
Does the dentist have to be in the office while a dental assistant works?
It depends on the supervision level for the task.
Direct supervision, which governs x-rays, study-model impressions and fluoride varnish, requires the dentist to remain on-site while the procedure is performed and to review and approve the treatment before the patient leaves.
Indirect supervision, which governs some expanded function duties, requires the dentist to be in the office, have already diagnosed and planned the treatment, and evaluate the assistant's performance.
Ask the Connecticut State Dental Commission about a specific procedure.
What can a dental assistant never do in Connecticut?
Sec. 20-112a(d) bars a dental assistant or expanded function dental assistant from diagnosing dental conditions, cutting or removing hard or soft tissue or suturing, prescribing drugs, administering local, parenteral, inhalation or general anesthetic agents, taking a final impression for an appliance or prosthesis, or practicing dental hygiene.
These acts are off-limits regardless of supervision level.
Contact the Connecticut State Dental Commission with questions about a specific task.
How does someone become an expanded function dental assistant in Connecticut?
An EFDA must first pass the Dental Assisting National Board's certified dental assistant or certified orthodontic assistant exam, then complete a CODA-accredited expanded function program including preclinical coursework, at least four hours of ethics and professional-standards education, and a clinical exam, plus DANB's written exam on preventive and restorative functions.
The EFDA must also maintain DANB certification and carry professional liability insurance.
Verify current program options with the Connecticut State Dental Commission.
Who regulates dental assistants in Connecticut?
Dental Assistants in Connecticut are regulated by the Connecticut State Dental Commission.
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 Connecticut & Dental Assistant Resources
Sourced from Chapter 379 - Dentistry (Note on page: "Readers should refer to the 2026 Supplement, revised to January 1, 2026, for updated versions of statutes amended, repealed or added during the 2025 legislative sessions." Sec. 20-112a text carries a legislative history through P.A. 23-97 (2023).). 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.