Launch your dental career with free online training. Arkansas dental assistants earn $40,730+ annually. Study at your pace, pay only when you're ready to certify.
Featured Image
800 x 600 recommended
Average Salary
$40,730/year
Job Growth
6 (2024-2034)
Dental Practices
1,800+
Population 65+
18.4
Training Cost
FREE
Natural State offers excellent opportunities for dental assistants with 1,800+ dental practices and a population where 18.4 are over 65.
Arkansas dental assistants earn $40,730 annually on average, with experienced DAs earning $43,000 - $49,000.
6 projected job growth through 2034 as dental care demand increases across Arkansas.
Complete training in 4-8 weeks online. No prior experience needed. Start your dental career fast.
Arkansas requires dental assistants to register with the Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners. Registration requires completion of an approved dental assisting program or equivalent training. Arkansas offers Expanded Duty Dental Assistant (EDDA) permits for those completing additional approved training.
Arkansas requires dental assistants to complete a Board-approved radiography course (minimum 7 hours) and pass the DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam or Arkansas state exam. Radiography permits must be renewed annually with continuing education requirements.
State capital, largest dental market
Fastest-growing region, Walmart HQ area
Western Arkansas hub
Northeast Arkansas center
Rural communities, community health focus
Arkansas offers diverse dental employment opportunities from DSO networks to academic institutions.
Employees: 150+
Facilities: 10 practices
Location: Little Rock metro
Multi-location group practice offering full-service dental care across Central Arkansas.
View Careers →Employees: 300+
Facilities: 15+ locations
Location: Multiple AR locations
National DSO with growing Arkansas presence offering structured career paths.
View Careers →Employees: 200+
Facilities: 1 dental school
Location: 4301 W Markham St, Little Rock, AR 72205
Arkansas's only dental school, providing comprehensive dental education and patient care.
View Careers →Employees: 75+
Facilities: Multiple clinics
Location: Northwest Arkansas
Federally qualified health center serving rural Northwest Arkansas communities.
View Careers →Employees: 50+
Facilities: 8 locations
Location: Northeast Arkansas
Behavioral and dental health services for Northeast Arkansas communities.
View Careers →Employees: 100+
Facilities: Multiple locations
Location: Statewide
Community health center with dental clinics serving underserved Arkansas populations.
View Careers →Employees: 200+
Facilities: Corporate + clinics
Location: Little Rock
State's leading dental benefits provider with community outreach programs.
View Careers →Employees: 2,500+
Facilities: 1,500+ practices
Location: Statewide
Diverse private practices across Arkansas, including rural and urban settings.
View Careers →Jennifer S.
Little Rock • UAMS
"Working at the dental school gave me incredible experience with complex cases and great mentors."
2024-10
Michael R.
Fayetteville • Private Practice
"NW Arkansas is booming. Moved from Texas and found better work-life balance here."
2024-09
Brittany H.
Fort Smith • ARcare
"Serving my community through the health center is meaningful. Great benefits too!"
2024-08
Arkansas dental assistants earn an average of $40,730 annually ($19.58/hour). Entry-level positions start at $32,500-$37,000, while experienced DAs earn $43,000-$49,000. The Northwest Arkansas (Fayetteville/Bentonville) region offers competitive wages due to corporate presence and growth. Source: BLS OEWS May 2024.
Yes, Arkansas requires dental assistants to register with the Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners. Registration requires completion of an approved program or equivalent training. Radiography certification and EDDA permits require additional credentials.
EHired's free online program can be completed in 4-8 weeks at your own pace. After training, complete Arkansas's required registration process and radiography certification (7-hour approved course plus exam) to maximize employability.
Positive outlook with 6% projected growth through 2034. Arkansas has approximately 1,800 dental practices, with strong growth in Northwest Arkansas (Fayetteville/Bentonville/Rogers area). UAMS dental school graduates create steady demand for dental support staff.
Yes! EHired's training is completely free. You only pay for Arkansas Board registration ($25), radiography certification exam, and any optional DANB certifications. Many employers reimburse certification costs after hire.
Little Rock metro leads with $39,000-$45,000 as the state's largest dental market and home to UAMS dental school. Northwest Arkansas (Fayetteville/Bentonville) offers $38,000-$44,000, driven by Walmart, Tyson, and J.B. Hunt corporate presence fueling population growth.
Registered DAs in Arkansas can perform basic chairside duties. With EDDA certification, you can perform coronal polishing, apply topical fluoride and sealants, and take impressions. Radiography certification is required to expose X-rays under dentist supervision.
Arkansas offers healthcare workforce incentives through ARcare and Boston Mountain Rural Health Centers for those working in underserved areas. Federal NHSC loan repayment may be available at qualifying FQHC sites. Check specific employer benefits.
Join thousands of Arkansas residents who launched their dental assisting careers with our free training.
Enroll Free Today — No Credit Card RequiredArkansas's dental workforce serves approximately 3.1 million residents through an estimated 1,800 dental practices. The state's dental employment landscape reflects distinct regional patterns, with Little Rock and Northwest Arkansas representing the primary dental employment markets.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports Arkansas employed approximately 4,800 dental assistants in May 2024, earning a median annual wage of $40,730. While below the national median, Arkansas's lower cost of living provides competitive purchasing power.
UAMS College of Dentistry in Little Rock is Arkansas's only dental school, graduating approximately 50 dentists annually and providing clinical education opportunities for dental assistants. The school's presence elevates Little Rock's dental employment market.
Northwest Arkansas represents the state's fastest-growing region, driven by Walmart, Tyson Foods, and J.B. Hunt corporate headquarters. This growth translates to expanding dental service demand and competitive wages in the Fayetteville/Bentonville/Rogers area.
Community health centers play significant roles in Arkansas healthcare, with ARcare, Boston Mountain Rural Health Centers, and Mid-South Health Systems operating dental clinics in underserved areas. These employers often offer loan repayment and community service opportunities.
The Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners maintains relatively straightforward registration requirements compared to other states, making Arkansas accessible for career changers entering dental assisting.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023; BLS OEWS May 2024; ADA Health Policy Institute; DANB.