Guides · Careers · 5 min read
How to Become a Dental Assistant in Colorado
By Elizabeth Carr, DHA · 5 min read
Colorado does not license dental assistants. However, dental assistants must meet training requirements to perform certain expanded duties. Common duties for assistants include chairside assisting and taking radiographs (with training). Radiography training required for X-rays. Verify current rules with the Colorado Dental Board before enrolling in any course.
Colorado does not license dental assistants. However, dental assistants must meet training requirements to perform certain expanded duties. This guide comes from DentalReady's fifty-state requirements research: what you can do from day one in Colorado, the certifications that expand your duties, and the realistic path in. Rules change, so the Colorado Dental Board link at the bottom is always the final word.
What you can do from day one
Colorado practices hire entry-level assistants and grow their duties with training. The table below lists duties the state allows dental assistants to perform, with training or certification requirements noted where they apply.
| Allowed duty |
|---|
| Chairside assisting |
| Taking radiographs (with training) |
| Coronal polishing |
| Applying topical fluoride and sealants |
| Placing and removing rubber dams |
| Taking impressions |
Certifications and X-rays in Colorado
No state licensure required. Radiography training required for X-rays.
CPR certification recommended. DANB CDA certification voluntary.
The fastest realistic path
Step 1: Build real preparation first: instruments, procedure flow, infection control, and patient communication, so a hiring dentist sees you as useful in week one.
Step 2: Apply to entry-level and willing-to-train postings across Colorado, and ask each practice which certifications they sponsor.
Step 3: Complete the certifications above as your duties grow, starting with radiography, and confirm every requirement with the Colorado Dental Board.
Common questions
Do dental assistants need a license in Colorado?
Colorado does not license dental assistants. No state licensure required.
Can dental assistants take X-rays in Colorado?
Radiography training required for X-rays. Many assistants complete this after being hired, often with employer support.
Where do I verify Colorado's rules?
The Colorado Dental Board publishes the current duty lists and certification requirements for dental assistants. Check it before enrolling in any course.
Walk into your first interview already knowing the room.
Start your preparationSources
Written by Elizabeth Carr, DHA, Program Director, DentalReady; former Dental Hygiene Department Chair, UMMC School of Dentistry
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