How to Become a Dental Assistant in Kansas (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

U.S. employment of dental assistants is projected to change 6.4% from 2024 to 2034 (BLS Employment Projections). 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 Kansas Dental Board.

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Key Facts

  • Projected growth: 6.4% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)
  • Licensing/credentialing body: Kansas Dental Board (Source: State licensing agency, 2025)

Compare Dental Assistant Schools in Kansas

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. 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)TuitionMedian grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
178.9Contact school for pricing$45,24970%Yes*40 mi
275.5Contact school for pricing$52,44268%Yes*48 mi
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355.2Contact school for pricing$48,31133%Yes*164 mi
455.0Contact school for pricing$52,95630%Yes*134 mi
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551.9Contact school for pricing$38,75755%Yes*141 mi
648.7Contact school for pricing$50,75528%Yes*166 mi
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745.8Contact school for pricing$50,12131%Yes*144 mi
843.0Contact school for pricing$44,15061%—142 mi
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940.9Contact school for pricing$38,75769%—144 mi
1037.3Contact school for pricing$44,95265%—168 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.

Kansas offers career opportunities for dental assistants. This page covers how to become a Dental Assistant in Kansas, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Quick Answers About How to Become a Dental Assistant in Kansas

How to become a Dental Assistant in Kansas? 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 Kansas Dental Board.

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 Kansas Dental Board.

Do I need a license in Kansas? Yes. Kansas credentials this role through Kansas Dental Board 1. See the licensing section below.

How to Become a Dental Assistant in Kansas

  1. Meet basic requirements. Most Kansas dental assisting programs expect a high school diploma or GED. Confirm age and background rules with Kansas Dental Board.
  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 Kansas. 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 Kansas Dental Board.
  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 Kansas

Dental assistants in Kansas typically complete a short program or on-the-job training where allowed, then earn DANB CDA and any RDA or radiography permit Kansas Dental Board requires. See Kansas Dental Board 1.

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 Kansas Dental Board when registration or licensure is required.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Kansas Dental Board before you enroll.

Dental Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Kansas

Dental Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Kansas

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

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Kansas City2,470$48,190$47,870$38,190$59,530
Joplin210$43,010$43,140$34,640$49,020
Topeka200$46,780$46,330$37,570$58,090
St. Joseph140$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 .

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 2.

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 state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Kansas.

In Kansas

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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. Kansas Dental Board - Licensing Information: https://www.dental.ks.gov/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. 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.

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)