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In Wyoming, dental assistants don’t need to be licensed in order to carry out their duties but they can be trained by their employer.
These professionals, however, have to work under the supervision of a dentist.
Some of the tasks they can perform under general supervision are:
- Take vital statistics and health histories
- Mix dental materials
- Instruct patients in dental care
- Fabricate and cement temporary crowns
- Replace/remove wires and/or elastic ties
- Place/remove orthodontic separators
- Remove broken wires, bands, and appliances in emergency situations
The following tasks can be done under indirect supervision:
- Take impressions and/or digital scan impressions
- Apply topics medications, including pit and fissure sealants
- Place X-rays
- Insert archwires that have been adjusted by the dentist into the brackets or attachments and secure in place
The next tasks need direct supervision:
- Remove sutures
- Assist the dentist in procedures
- Place/remove rubber dams/matrices
- Remove excess cement from the coronal surfaces of the teeth
- Prepare/remove periodontal packs
- Polish the surfaces of the teeth (rubber cup only)
- Performing whitening procedures
- Take impressions for retainers and removable appliances
- Remove direct bond attachments and bands
- Place pit and fissure sealants (Board certificate required)
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Training programs
Certain procedures, however, can only be carried out if the individual meets the requirements set by the Board of Dental Examiners.
These procedures need special training but may mean a higher annual income.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Cheyenne | $34,268 |
| Casper | $35,190 |
| Laramie | $34,676 |
| Gillette | $33,420 |
| Rock Springs | $34,666 |
| Sheridan | $35,608 |
| Green River | $34,666 |
| Evanston | $34,953 |
| Riverton | $34,623 |
| Jackson | $33,771 |
Regional Salary in Wyoming
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casper, WY | 100 | $48,330 | $23.23 | $60,110 | $36,430 |
| Cheyenne, WY | 120 | $46,190 | $22.21 | $59,650 | $34,660 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Placement of Pit and Fissure Sealants
This task requires the direct supervision of a licensed dentist.
To be able to perform this procedure, the individual must meet the following requirements:
- Complete a CODA-accredited or Board-approved training program of at least 8 hours
- Apply for a certification from the Board
Exposing X-rays
Dental assistants who need to take Xrays will work under the direct supervision and need to meet these requirements:
- Accumulate 4 years of recent work experience, with at least 1000 hours per year, and show proficiency
- Pass the Radiation Health and Safety exam
- Apply for the permit
The RHS examination has 3 components:
- General Chairside Assisting
- Infection Control
- Radiation Health and Safety
Some candidates may not meet the first requirement, but they can still obtain this permit if instead, they choose to undergo training.
They also need to attend a CODA-accredited training program that will last for up to 11 months, when they’ll earn either a diploma or a certificate.
Other Training Programs
A few training programs award the students with an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.
These programs are usually for dental hygiene practice, however.
Those who hod such a degree can perform a series of tasks without being supervised.
Even rarer, a degree in medical or business administration is another option, and their holder can supervise a dental office.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Central Wyoming College | 2660 Peck Avenue Riverton Wyoming, 82501 |
Applying for a Certificate in Wyoming
Once the minimum requirements for the Placement of Pit and Fissure Sealants and/or Exposure of Radiographs are met, the candidates need to fill out an application and send it to the Board.
The application for the X-ray permit must be accompanied by the application fee of $30.
DANB Certification for Dental Assistants in Wyoming
The Dental Assisting National Board (or DANB) offers nationally recognized certification for dental assistants.
The National Board also offers the Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam, which can be included in the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) credential.
There are other DANB certifications available to dental assistants:
- Certified Restorative Functions Dental Assistant (CRFDA)
- Certified Preventive Functions Dental Assistant (CPFDA)
- Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA)
Holders of a DANB certification must renew their credentials every year, after the completion of at least 30 continuing education credits.
These are the areas they need to cover:
- Clinical practice
- Dental office management
- DANB and other dental-related exams
- Volunteer service or scholarly activity
To continue to hold their X-ray permits, dental assistants need to pay the renewal fee of $15.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Dental Assistant
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