Toolkit
Resources for future dental assistants
Our guides link here rather than bouncing you off mid-sentence. Everything we cite is below, grouped and one click from the original.
Official sources
Government and certification bodies only. We date-stamp what we take from them, and re-check before we publish.
Colorado rules and certification
- Colorado Dental Board (DORA) ↗The state rules for what a dental assistant may and may not do.
- DANB: Colorado radiography requirements ↗What Colorado accepts before you can take x-rays.
- DANB (Dental Assisting National Board) ↗The RHS, ICE and CDA exams, and what each one covers.
- DANB: maintaining your certification ↗Annual renewal, continuing education and the CPR requirement for DANB certificants.
- EPA dental effluent guidelines (amalgam separators) ↗The federal rule requiring most offices that place or remove amalgam fillings to use amalgam separators.
Pay and job outlook
- BLS Occupational Outlook: dental assistants ↗National median pay and the ten-year job outlook.
- BLS occupational wage estimates ↗Official wage figures by state and metro area, including Denver and Colorado Springs.
- BLS Occupational Outlook: dental hygienists ↗Hygienist pay, education and licensing, for comparing the two careers.
- BLS Occupational Outlook: medical assistants ↗Medical assistant pay and outlook, for comparing it with dental assisting.
Schools and student protection
- Colorado Department of Higher Education ↗Check that a private occupational school is approved before you pay a deposit.
- CDHE transcript requests ↗How to get records from a Colorado school that has closed.
- Colorado student and consumer FAQ ↗Your options if a school closed, misled you, or owes you a refund.
Start here
Coming soon: study packs
Colorado radiography (RHS) practice questions, dental terminology flashcards, and an interview and resume kit. Ask to be notified.