How to Become A Dental Assistant in Kansas
Kansas offers career opportunities for dental assistants. This page covers how to become a dental assistant in Kansas, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Dental Assistant in Kansas
How do I become a dental assistant in Kansas? Kansas requires credentials such as Dental Hygienist. The licensing authority is the Kansas Dental Board 1. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Kansas? Yes. Kansas has licensing or registration requirements for dental assistants. The Kansas Dental Board oversees licensing 1. See the licensing section below for details.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Kansas Dental Board
- Exam requirement: Both state and third-party exams required
Dental Assistant License Requirements in Kansas
The Kansas Dental Board oversees dental assistant licensing in Kansas 1.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist | Dental hygienists clean teeth and examine oral areas, head, and neck for signs of oral disease. May educate patients on oral hygiene, take and develop x-rays, or apply fluoride or sealants. |
Additional Requirements
- Exam: Both state and third-party exams required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 2.
Dental Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Kansas
Dental Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Kansas
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), dental assistants wages in Kansas vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | 2,470 | $48,190 | $47,870 | $38,190 | $59,530 |
| Joplin | 210 | $43,010 | $43,140 | $34,640 | $49,020 |
| Topeka | 200 | $46,780 | $46,330 | $37,570 | $58,090 |
| St. Joseph | 140 | $43,500 | $44,860 | $36,120 | $56,230 |
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 2025.
Top Metros for Dental assistants in Kansas
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest dental assistant employment within Kansas according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Topeka | 200 | $46,780 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for dental assistants in Kansas? Nationally, dental assistant employment is projected to grow 6.4% from 2024 to 2034 3.
Can I work as a dental assistant in Kansas with an out-of-state license? Contact the Kansas Dental Board for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Kansas? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Kansas.
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
Kansas Dental Board - Licensing Information: https://www.dental.ks.gov/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / 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) |