How to Become a Dental Assistant in Arkansas (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Arkansas employs about 2,950 dental assistants earning a median $42,830 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Dental Assistant here means completing a short dental assisting program or on-the-job training where allowed, then DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit the board requires, then applying through Arkansas Department of Health - Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners.

Compare Dental Assistant Schools in Arkansas

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Tuition is the published annual figure for the latest reported year and excludes room, board, books and fees. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)Tuition (published, per year)Median grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
163.8$7,334 in-state / $12,182 out-of-state$49,99838%Yes*117 mi
252.6$3,342 in-state / $5,238 out-of-state$48,05631%Yes*139 mi
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347.6$3,740$42,36845%Yes*138 mi
444.4Contact school for pricing$36,02571%—134 mi
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544.0Contact school for pricing$34,50165%—135 mi
641.8$3,540$37,96031%Yes*150 mi
Sponsored Ad
741.7$6,300 in-state / $9,450 out-of-state$41,80736%Yes*13 mi
836.0Contact school for pricing$34,50155%—141 mi
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934.2Contact school for pricing$40,34055%—133 mi
1021.8$17,083$33,67738%—134 mi
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Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

Arkansas employs approximately 2,950 dental assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $42,830 1. Nationally, dental assistant employment is projected to grow 6.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 52,900 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Dental Assistant in Arkansas, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Quick Answers About How to Become a Dental Assistant in Arkansas

How to become a Dental Assistant in Arkansas? Complete a short dental assisting program or on-the-job training where allowed, then DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit the board requires. Apply through Arkansas Department of Health - Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners.

How long does it take? Most people finish a short dental assisting program or on-the-job training where allowed, then DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit the board requires. Confirm current hour totals with the program and Arkansas Department of Health - Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners.

Do I need a license in Arkansas? Yes. Arkansas credentials this role through Arkansas Department of Health - Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners 3. See the licensing section below.

What do dental assistants earn in Arkansas? The median annual wage for dental assistants in Arkansas is $42,830 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $35,060 and experienced professionals can earn $48,330 or more 1.

How to Become a Dental Assistant in Arkansas

  1. Meet basic requirements. Most Arkansas dental assisting programs expect a high school diploma or GED. Confirm age and background rules with Arkansas Department of Health - Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners.
  2. Complete a dental assisting program or on-the-job training if the state allows it. Finish a certificate (often under a year) or associate program in Arkansas. Prefer a CODA-accredited program. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
  3. Earn CDA and any state assistant credential. DANB CDA is the national exam. Some states also require RDA, a radiography permit, or expanded-functions (EFDA). Confirm current permits with Arkansas Department of Health - Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners.
  4. Apply to the state dental board when registration is required. Some states register assistants; others only permit X-ray or expanded duties; some allow OJT with no statewide license. Do not treat a hygienist or dentist license as the assistant path.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Dental Assistant License Requirements in Arkansas

Dental assistants in Arkansas typically complete a short program or on-the-job training where allowed, then earn DANB CDA and any RDA or radiography permit Arkansas Department of Health - Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners requires. See Arkansas Department of Health - Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners 3.

Typical path

  1. Meet the program’s entry rules.

  2. Complete a dental assisting program or OJT if the state allows it.

  3. Earn DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit.

  4. Apply to Arkansas Department of Health - Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners when registration or licensure is required.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Arkansas Department of Health - Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners before you enroll.

Dental Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Arkansas

Dental Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Arkansas

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), dental assistants wages in Arkansas vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Memphis1,200$48,200$49,340$36,940$61,790
Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway920$45,140$42,900$36,020$47,620
Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers680$47,050$44,010$35,330$48,890
Fort Smith220$37,160$40,150$31,420$45,840
Jonesboro170$36,720$40,080$34,900$47,260
Texarkana120$38,180$39,990$31,110$46,340
Hot Springs100$37,440$39,680$30,850$46,540

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for dental assistants in Arkansas? Arkansas currently employs approximately 2,950 dental assistants 1. Nationally, dental assistant employment is projected to grow 6.4% from 2024 to 2034 2.

Can I work as a dental assistant in Arkansas with an out-of-state license? Contact the Arkansas Department of Health - Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in Arkansas? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Arkansas.

How much do dental assistants earn in Arkansas compared to the national average? The median annual wage for dental assistants in Arkansas is $42,830, which is $4,470 below the national median of $47,300 according to BLS data 1.

In Arkansas

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Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. Arkansas Department of Health - Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners - Licensing Information: https://healthy.arkansas.gov ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)