Guides · Careers · 5 min read
How to Become a Dental Assistant in Louisiana
By Elizabeth Carr, DHA · 5 min read
The Louisiana State Board of Dentistry does not regulate dental assistants, so there is no registration to file and no entry level training requirement. To take radiographs you must complete a board-approved course in x-ray function and safety within six months of being employed. Verify current rules with the Louisiana State Board of Dentistry before enrolling in any course.
The Louisiana State Board of Dentistry does not regulate dental assistants, so there is no registration to file. Taking radiographs requires a board-approved course, and expanded duties require EDDA certification. This guide comes from DentalReady's fifty-state requirements research: what you can do from day one in Louisiana, the certifications that expand your duties, and the realistic path in. Rules change, so the Louisiana State Board of Dentistry link at the bottom is always the final word.
What you can do from day one
Louisiana 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 (after a board-approved x-ray course, required within six months of employment) |
| Coronal polishing (with certificate) |
| Applying topical fluoride |
| Taking impressions |
| Placing and removing rubber dams |
Certifications and X-rays in Louisiana
No registration with the Louisiana State Board of Dentistry is required. To operate x-ray equipment you must complete a course in x-ray function and safety approved by the board within six months after being employed by a licensed dentist, and work under the direct supervision of a dentist on the premises.
Expanded Duty Dental Assistant certification is available, and the board recognizes the EDDA certificate only from the Louisiana Dental Association, the LSU School of Dentistry, the University of Louisiana at Monroe, and Southern University at Shreveport. Current BLS certification is 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 Louisiana, 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 Louisiana State Board of Dentistry.
Common questions
Do dental assistants need a license in Louisiana?
No. The Louisiana State Board of Dentistry does not regulate dental assistants, and there are no education or training requirements at the entry level. The only credential the board confirms for assistants is the Expanded Duty Dental Assistant.
Can dental assistants take X-rays in Louisiana?
You must complete a course in x-ray function and safety approved by the Louisiana State Board of Dentistry within six months after being employed by a licensed dentist, and work under the direct supervision of a dentist on the premises. Most assistants complete this after being hired, often with employer support.
Where do I verify Louisiana's rules?
The Louisiana State Board of Dentistry publishes the current duty lists and certification requirements for dental assistants. Check it before enrolling in any course.
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Written by Elizabeth Carr, DHA, Program Director, DentalReady; former Dental Hygiene Department Chair, UMMC School of Dentistry
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