Want To Become A Dental Assistant In Queens?

Oct 16

Want to Become a Dental Assistant in Queens? Everything You Need to Know

Working as a dental assistant in Queens (or anywhere in New York City / New York State) can be a rewarding and stable career path. But before you take that first step, it helps to understand exactly how the process works, what you can legally do in the role, how to get training, and where to find local programs. This guide walks you through the important steps, licensing hurdles, job prospects, and local training options.

1. Understand the Role: Dental Assistant vs. Registered Dental Assistant (RDA)

Unlicensed / entry-level dental assistant: In New York State, you can work in a dental office without a license. You can do many supportive tasks — sterilization, assisting the dentist chairside, infection control, preparing instruments, patient seating, and basic patient care tasks. However, some advanced functions (e.g. x-rays, impressions, removing sutures) require licensing or registration.
Registered Dental Assistant (RDA): With the proper education, training, and credentials, you can become an RDA, which allows you to perform a broader scope of duties (under direct or indirect supervision) such as radiography, certain impressions, assisting in restorative procedures, and more. You’ll need to pass state or national exams and meet NYS education requirements.

2. Basic Eligibility & Requirements to Pursue Certification / Registration

To begin your path:

Be at least 18 years old (or the age required by the program).
Hold a high school diploma or GED (or equivalent).
Have clean background / character standing; serious criminal felony convictions may preclude licensure or restrict your eligibility.
Complete a NYSED-approved or licensed dental assisting program, or meet equivalent criteria via alternate education + supervised work experience.

NY State’s Office of the Professions lays out the legally required coursework and clinical hours.

3. Education & Training Paths in New York State (Relevant to Queens / NYC)

A. Formal Dental Assisting Programs (Preferred route)

To become an RDA, you’ll want to enroll in a program that:

Is registered with the NYSED as a dental assisting program.
Covers core content: biomedical sciences, dental materials & theory, clinical techniques, infection control, office practices, and radiography (if included).
Provides hands-on clinical experience (externships or internships) in actual dental offices or simulation clinics.
Meets the minimum clinical hour requirement (e.g. 200+ hours) per state rules (check your specific program).

B. Alternative Pathway: Work Experience + Coursework

If a program doesn’t fully match the NYSED’s requirements, or you already have partial experience, you may qualify under an alternative pathway by:

Taking required coursework covering biomedical, dental theory, and clinical content (from accredited schools or continuing ed).
Supplementing with 1,000 hours (or the required number) of documented, supervised work experience in a dental setting to fill gaps.

Once your training and experience are approved, you’ll be eligible to take required exams.

4. Licensing & Exams

After training, to become a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) in New York, you typically need to pass one or more of the following exams:

DANB (Dental Assisting National Board) exams:
• General Chairside (GC)
• Infection Control (ICE)
• Radiation Health & Safety (RHS)
If your program isn’t DANB-qualifying, you may instead take the NY Professional Dental Assisting (NYPDA) exam plus DANB ICE and RHS components.

Once exams are passed and credentials verified, apply to the New York State Education Department (NYSED) Office of the Professions to receive your RDA registration.

There is also a limited permit option if you complete training but haven’t yet passed the final exams; this allows you to work under supervision while awaiting full registration.

5. What Licensed RDAs Can Do (and Can’t Do) in NY

Under direct or indirect supervision of a licensed dentist, a properly registered RDA in New York may be authorized to:

Take medical histories and record vital signs
Educate patients on oral hygiene
Pre-fit and remove rubber dams
Take dental impressions for study casts
Assist in certain restorative procedures
Remove sutures (placed by the dentist)
Take dental x-rays (if suitably certified)
Apply topical fluoride, desensitizers, cavity liners, etc.
Place/remove provisional restorations
Remove periodontal dressings

However, RDAs cannot diagnose, perform irreversible procedures, or act beyond the delegation of supervising dentists. Only qualified dentists make final treatment decisions and diagnose.

6. Training / Certificate Programs Around Queens / NYC

If you live in Queens or nearby, here are practical program options to consider. These are more accessible and often tailored to local licensing requirements.

InstitutionLocation / NotesProgram DetailsNew York School for Medical & Dental Assistants (NYSMDA)QueensOffers 9–12 month dental assistant certificate programs with required clinical hours.Hunter College Continuing Ed (CUNY)Manhattan / NYC60-hour dental assistant certificate (hybrid/online + in-person) program.NYU College of DentistryManhattanDental Assisting Certificate Program (6 months) in NYC.Lehman College (CUNY)Bronx80-hour program plus 40-hour externship; accessible by train from Queens.

These schools provide a good balance of classroom learning and hands-on experience. Many grads already working in NYC dental offices connect with employment opportunities in Queens.

7. Timeline & Costs

Timeline: Most full certificate programs span 9 to 12 months. Shorter ones (especially for unlicensed assistants) may take 6 months plus externship.
Cost: Varies widely. For example, Hunter College’s 60-hour certificate is priced at ~$1,499 (in-person) or ~$1,299 (self-paced online). Expect additional fees for textbooks, uniforms, supplies, exam fees, and licensure paperwork.

Also budget for: background checks, CPR certification, licensing fees, testing fees, etc.

8. Job Outlook & Salary in Queens / NYC

Dental assisting in NYC is actively in demand, especially as dentist offices expand or replace retiring staff.
Entry-level assistants generally earn around $20–25 / hour, depending on employer, duties, and licensure.
Licensed RDAs can command higher pay due to broader responsibilities (x-rays, impressions, more advanced duties).
Additional credentials (e.g. certified radiography, CPR, continuing education) enhance employability.

9. Tips for Success

Start in a NYSED-approved program to streamline licensing.
Gain volunteer or shadowing experience in dental offices.
Focus on passing the DANB / NYPDA exams early; some dental offices pay bonuses for RDAs.
Maintain certifications (like CPR) and stay up to date on continuing education.
Join local dental assistant associations or networks in Queens / NYC to find job leads.
Be punctual, professional, and reliable — small offices often favor assistants who show initiative and consistency.

If you're searching for more than just a job, moreover, a career with stability, respect, and long-term potential; then becoming a licensed dental assistant could be your perfect path forward. Furthermore, it's not just a fast-track into the workforce; it's a gateway to a profession that’s always in demand, deeply trusted, and personally rewarding. When you're ready to take that next step, one school rises above the rest: The New York School for Medical and Dental Assistants. Furthermore, with a reputation for hands-on training, dedicated instructors, and real-world readiness, it’s the smart choice for turning ambition into achievement. Lastly, The New York School for Medical and Dental Assistants stands out as the premier institution in the state. It’s the smart choice for anyone ready to invest in a future in healthcare.

Contact NYSMDA today and get your career started!

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