How to Become A Dental Assistant in Maine
Maine employs approximately 1,550 dental assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $60,070 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 Maine, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Dental Assistant in Maine
How do I become a dental assistant in Maine? Maine requires credentials such as Dental Radiographer, Dental Hygienist (and Temporary), Dental Hygienist, Public Health. The licensing authority is the Maine Board of Dental Practice 3. 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 Maine? Yes. Maine has licensing or registration requirements for dental assistants. The Maine Board of Dental Practice oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do dental assistants earn in Maine? The median annual wage for dental assistants in Maine is $60,070 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $47,290 and experienced professionals can earn $62,660 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Maine Board of Dental Practice
- Median wage (Maine): $60,070 per year 1
Dental Assistant License Requirements in Maine
The Maine Board of Dental Practice oversees dental assistant licensing in Maine 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Dental Radiographer | Dental radiographer means an individual licensed by this board to practice dental radiography under the supervision of a dentist or a dental hygienist practicing with an independent practice dental hy… |
| Dental Hygienist (and Temporary) | Dental hygienist means an individual licensed by this board who engages in the practice of dental hygiene. A dental hygienist practices under the general and direct supervision of a dentist. |
| Dental Hygienist, Public Health | Public health dental hygiene means a dental hygienist licensed by this board is authorized to practice public health dental hygiene. |
| Dental Hygienist Local Anesthesia, Authority | Local anesthesia authority is granted to a dental hygienist to administer local anesthesia under the direct supervision of a dentist. |
| Dental Hygienist, Independent Practice | Independent practice dental hygienist means an individual licensed by this board who is authorized to practice independent dental hygiene. |
| Dental Hygiene Therapist, Authority and Authority Provisional | Dental hygiene therapy authority means a dental hygienist licensed by this board who is authorized to practice dental hygiene therapy. |
| Dental Hygienist Nitrous Oxide Analgesia, Authority | Nitrous oxide analgesia authority is granted to a qualified dental hygienist to administer nitrous oxide analgesia under the direct supervision of a dentist. |
| Dental Assistant, Expanded Function (EFDA) | Expanded function dental assistant means an individual licensed by this board who performs duties under the direct and general supervision of a dentist. |
| Dental Faculty (Dentist, Dental Hygienist, Denturist) | A faculty license means a license issued to an individual who teaches dentistry, dental hygiene or denturism as part of a clinical and didactic program and is authorized to practice only within the sc… |
| Dental Sedation, Deep/General Anesthesia | A permit issued to a dentist to administer all levels of sedation and general anesthesia in accordance with Chapter 14 of the board’s rules. |
| Dental Sedation, Moderate I & II | A permit issued to a dentist to administer moderate sedation at the level permitted in accordance with Chapter 14 of the board’s rules. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Dental Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Maine
Dental Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Maine
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), dental assistants wages in Maine vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portland-South Portland | 830 | $61,240 | $59,380 | $49,160 | $62,660 |
| Bangor | 190 | $49,160 | $52,640 | $45,970 | $60,490 |
| Lewiston-Auburn | 100 | $57,650 | $55,980 | $48,250 | $62,540 |
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 2025.
Top Metros for Dental assistants in Maine
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest dental assistant employment within Maine according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-South Portland | 830 | $61,240 |
| Bangor | 190 | $49,160 |
| Lewiston-Auburn | 100 | $57,650 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for dental assistants in Maine? Maine currently employs approximately 1,550 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 Maine with an out-of-state license? Contact the Maine Board of Dental Practice for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Maine? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Maine.
How much do dental assistants earn in Maine compared to the national average? The median annual wage for dental assistants in Maine is $60,070, which is $12,770 above the national median of $47,300 according to BLS data 1.
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
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Maine Board of Dental Practice - Licensing Information: https://www.maine.gov/dental/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
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) |