Guides · Careers · 5 min read
How to Become a Dental Assistant in Delaware
By Elizabeth Carr, DHA · 5 min read
Delaware requires a radiography certificate to operate dental x-ray equipment, and it comes from the state's radiation control authority rather than the dental board. Delaware has no expanded function dental assistant credential. Common duties for assistants include chairside assisting and taking radiographs (with certificate). Verify the dental duty rules with the Delaware Board of Dentistry and Dental Hygiene, and the certificate requirements with the Office of Radiation Control, before enrolling in any course.
Delaware requires a radiography certificate to operate dental x-ray equipment, issued by the state's radiation control authority rather than the dental board. There is no expanded function dental assistant credential in Delaware. This guide comes from DentalReady's fifty-state requirements research: what you can do from day one in Delaware, the one certificate the state actually requires, and the realistic path in. Rules change, so the Delaware Board of Dentistry and Dental Hygiene link at the bottom is always the final word.
What you can do from day one
Delaware 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 certificate) |
| Applying sealants |
| Placing temporary restorations (expanded) |
| Taking impressions |
Certifications and X-rays in Delaware
Radiography certification required, issued by the state's radiation control authority under the Department of Health and Social Services. You must be at least eighteen, and you qualify either by passing the authority's approved certification examination or by holding a current DANB credential. The certificate renews every three years. There is no expanded function certification in Delaware.
CPR certification required.
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 Delaware, 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 Delaware Board of Dentistry and Dental Hygiene.
Common questions
Do dental assistants need a license in Delaware?
Not from the dental board, which issues no credential for dental assistants. What Delaware does require is a radiography certificate from the state's radiation control authority before you operate dental x-ray equipment on patients.
Can dental assistants take X-rays in Delaware?
Yes, with a certificate from the state's radiation control authority, not from the dental board. You must be at least eighteen and either pass the authority's approved certification examination or hold a current DANB credential. Many assistants complete this after being hired, often with employer support.
Where do I verify Delaware's rules?
The Delaware Board of Dentistry and Dental Hygiene 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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