Working in a dentist’s office does not have to take six to eight years like it would if you were to become a licensed dentist.
You can at least start working in a field that will generate a steady income for you after only a year or two if you decide to become a Dental Assistant.
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Licensing Requirements to Become a Hawaii Dental Assistant
There is no license required to perform X-rays as a Dental assistant in Hawaii.
You also can perform basic duties as long as you learn proper sterilization methods.
In addition, you will need CPR training and to have taken and passed ethics courses that demonstrate trust.
That is because you will have patient records and personal information in your hands.
Your DA training emphasizes the importance of keeping all that patient information private.
To fulfill this requirement, you must learn about HIPAA patient privacy laws.
Your infection control training will have to meet Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health and the national OSHA health and safety agency standards.
In addition, you should seek education on topics that the Center for Disease Control would cover.
Your training also must meet the standards set by American Dental Association Guidelines and the ADA’s Commission on Dental Accreditation (Coda).
The ADA also has the Continuing Education Recognition Program (ADA CERP) that approves the training for CE students seeking to refresh their current certifications while those credentials are still active.
In addition, the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) will provide you information about what classes to take to become certified in Hawaii.
If you are not sure what training track to take, contact the DANB first.
By the way, the DANB does offer a popular credential called the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA), for which you would take an exam.
It covers all necessary state-required topics, including sterilization, sanitation and ethics issues.
5 Dental Assistant Schools in Hawaii
1. Hawaii Dental Assisting Academy
Hawaii Dental Assisting Academy offers both clinical and office dental assistant training that will prepare you for real-world dental work.
It includes the state-required OSHA and HIPAA (patient confidentiality) training that teaches you proper infection control and ethical dentistry information.
Your time spent in this Academy will also make you familiar with handling patient charts and using dental records software.
Radiology machine safety and practice are also included.
In addition, you will receive chairside assisting experience during the 15-week hands-on training portion.
Your schooling will provide you with 80 total hours of externship experience in a dental office, which will set you in the direction of working full time in Hawaii.
2. Kapi‘olani Community College
The school does have a CODA accreditation and offers you the chance to prepare for the DANB CDA certification that some Hawaii dental employers want their assistants to have.
You can start out with entry-level dental assistant training, which takes about one semester.
This will earn you the Certificate Of Competence (CO) when you complete it.
Your time spent in this program will offer you both classroom and hands-on training here.
3. Hawaii School of Dental Arts
At the Hawaii school of dental arts, you can register for the 10-week art of dental office administration certificate program, or you can sign up for the clinical chairside assisting program that lasts 12 weeks.
The school usually has a schedule on its website that indicates within a year when the next training sessions will start.
You would either prepare yourself for working with doctors, patients, and insurance company records, or you would become proficient in equipment sterilization X-ray taking, and hygiene principles.
The office training will prepare you to become a bookkeeper receptionist salesperson and insurance specialist or administrative dental assistant.
The clinical certificate program would prepare you for chairside dental assistance in addition to learning how a dental office operates.
4. The DALE Foundation
DALE Foundation provides continuing education (CE) resources for people in every state, including Hawaii.
Some classes teach you sterilization and disinfection and CPR.
Otherwise, you can refresh your ethics, record keeping, and patient confidentiality certifications.
The instruction may fulfill your CE hours required to keep your Dental Assistant certificate current.
5. University of Hawaii
The University of Hawaii provides a dental assisting program through the Ed2Go website.
This 12-month educational track prepares you for radiology, infection control, and other Hawaii certification requirements.
You can use the exam voucher included for the CDA exam through the DANB or apply the voucher to the NELDA (National Entry Level Dental Assistant) certificate exam.
Dental Assistant Schools in Hawaii – Summary Table
Top 5 Schools in Hawaii
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Hawaii Dental Assisting Academy | 1425 Dillingham Blvd Ste 301, Honolulu, HI 96817 |
| Kapi‘olani Community College | 4303 Diamond Head Rd, Honolulu, HI 96816 |
| Hawaii School of Dental Arts | 1441 Kapiolani Blvd # 905, Honolulu, HI 96814 |
| The DALE Foundation | |
| University of Hawaii | 2500 Campus Road • Honolulu, HI 96822 |
Salary
A May 2020 report revealed that Dental Assistants in Hawaii can make an average of $42,931 per year.
Annual incomes range from 38,077 to $47,634.
If you continue your education and earn additional certifications, you can make $47,634 to $51,915 or more per year.
Cities besides Honolulu where you can find jobs include Waianae, Kihei, or Aiea.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Dental Assistants in Hawaii
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Honolulu | $42,416 |
| Hilo | $42,129 |
| Ewa Beach | $42,416 |
| Kaneohe | $42,416 |
| Waipahu | $42,397 |
| Pearl City | $42,416 |
| Waimalu | $42,416 |
| Mililani Town | $42,339 |
| Kahului | $42,129 |
| Kihei | $42,129 |
Regional Salary in Hawaii
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI | 200 | $44,900 | $21.59 | $57,410 | $34,990 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | 960 | $42,340 | $20.36 | $48,320 | $32,120 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a degree to be a Dental Assistant in Hawaii?
No, you do not have to have a degree to become a Dental Assistant in Hawaii.
However, you must make sure you enroll in courses approved by both the state of Hawaii and CODA.
The DANB also provides exams, but you may want to contact potential employers before you enroll in your program to see if they recommend any schools.
Is certification required in Hawaii?
The health and safety training that meets OSHA standards is required.
Other certifications, such as the CDA are not mandatory by the state but dental facilities hiring assistants usually require them.
You would have very limited employment chances and not have much authority if you did get hired if you do not seek at least a CDA or take the minimum recommended radiology or OSHA training.
How long does a dental assistant have to stay in school?
Training for the first entry-level position may only take you as little time as a few weeks.
However, that just allows you to perform basic office duties and does not give you much chance in a dentist’s office.
You can, however, receive paid training from a real dentist while in classes, but you must remain under close rather than direct supervision at all times.
Before you sign up for school, you may want to explore a few certificate or associate degree programs, which take an average of about one or two years.
Are there career advancements for Hawaii dental assistants?
Yes, you could pursue a career in healthcare management or eventually become a licensed dentist.
Otherwise, you could keep adding skills to your repertoire, which will make you more marketable to employers and raise your salary.
Are there career advancements for Hawaii dental assistants?
Yes, you could pursue a career in healthcare management or eventually become a licensed dentist.
Otherwise, you could keep adding skills to your repertoire, which will make you more marketable to employers and raise your salary.
