Launch your dental career with free online training. Rhode Island dental assistants earn $53,900+ annually. Study at your pace, pay only when you're ready to certify.
Featured Image
800 x 600 recommended
Average Salary
$53,900/year
Job Growth
6 (2024-2034)
Dental Practices
650+
Population 65+
18.5
Training Cost
FREE
Ocean State offers excellent opportunities for dental assistants with 650+ dental practices and a population where 18.5 are over 65.
Rhode Island dental assistants earn $53,900 annually on average, with experienced DAs earning $57,000 - $65,000.
6 projected job growth through 2034 as dental care demand increases across Rhode Island.
Complete training in 4-8 weeks online. No prior experience needed. Start your dental career fast.
Rhode Island requires dental assistants to register with the Rhode Island Board of Examiners in Dentistry. Registration requires completion of an approved program or DANB certification. Rhode Island offers Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA) credentials for additional clinical procedures through approved training.
Rhode Island requires dental assistants to complete a Board-approved radiography course and pass the DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam. Radiography certification is part of DA registration requirements and must be renewed with continuing education.
Largest market, Brown affiliation
Affluent coastal community
Suburban Providence
Northern RI, diverse community
Coastal suburban region
Rhode Island offers diverse dental employment opportunities from DSO networks to academic institutions.
Employees: 100+
Facilities: Dental residencies
Location: Providence
Brown-affiliated dental residency programs and clinical services.
View Careers →Employees: 150+
Facilities: 8 locations
Location: Multiple RI locations
National DSO with Rhode Island presence.
View Careers →Employees: 150+
Facilities: 4 locations
Location: West Warwick area
Major community health center serving Rhode Island communities.
View Careers →Employees: 200+
Facilities: 8 locations
Location: Providence area
Community health center serving Providence's diverse populations.
View Careers →Employees: 75+
Facilities: 3 locations
Location: Cranston/Warwick
Community action agency with dental services.
View Careers →Employees: 50+
Facilities: 2 locations
Location: Pawtucket/Central Falls
Community health center serving Blackstone Valley.
View Careers →Employees: 40+
Facilities: 2 locations
Location: Hope Valley/South County
Community health center serving Southern Rhode Island.
View Careers →Employees: 950+
Facilities: 540+ practices
Location: Statewide
Private practices throughout Rhode Island's compact geography.
View Careers →Jennifer M.
Providence • Providence CHC
"Community health work serves Rhode Island's diverse families. Compact state means easy commutes!"
2024-11
Michael T.
Newport • Private Practice
"Newport's affluent patients expect quality care. Premium pay in beautiful setting!"
2024-10
Sarah K.
Warwick • Thundermist Health
"Community health center serves those who need care most. Great mission-driven work!"
2024-09
Rhode Island dental assistants earn an average of $53,900 annually ($25.91/hour)—well above the national median. Entry-level positions start at $43,500-$49,000, while experienced DAs earn $57,000-$65,000. Newport pays premiums up to $62,000. Source: BLS OEWS May 2024.
Yes, Rhode Island requires dental assistants to register with the Board of Examiners in Dentistry. Registration requires completion of an approved program or DANB certification. EFDA credentials require additional approved training for expanded functions.
EHired's free online program can be completed in 4-8 weeks at your own pace. Rhode Island registration requires proof of training plus radiography certification. The complete process typically takes 2-3 months from enrollment to employment.
Stable outlook with 6% projected growth through 2034. Rhode Island's compact geography and 1.1 million population create a manageable market with 650 dental practices. Strong community health center presence provides additional opportunities.
Yes! EHired's training is completely free. You pay for Rhode Island registration fee, radiography certification exam, and any optional certifications when ready. Many RI employers reimburse certification costs.
Newport leads with $52,000-$62,000 serving affluent coastal community. Providence metro offers $50,000-$59,000 as state's largest market. South County coastal communities provide $48,000-$56,000 with beach lifestyle benefits.
Rhode Island offers: (1) Highest wages regionally with above-national-median pay, (2) Compact geography making entire state accessible, (3) Strong community health center network, (4) Boston job market accessible, (5) Coastal New England lifestyle.
Yes! Rhode Island's compact size makes Boston and Connecticut accessible. Many RI residents work across state lines. Verify credential requirements as each state has different registration rules. DANB certification facilitates multi-state employment.
Join thousands of Rhode Island residents who launched their dental assisting careers with our free training.
Enroll Free Today — No Credit Card RequiredRhode Island's dental workforce serves approximately 1.1 million residents through an estimated 650 dental practices. As America's smallest state, Rhode Island's compact geography means the entire state is accessible from any location within 45 minutes.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports Rhode Island employed approximately 2,000 dental assistants in May 2024, earning a median annual wage of $53,900—significantly above the national median, reflecting New England's competitive healthcare wages.
Rhode Island lacks a dental school, though Brown University operates dental residency programs through Rhode Island Hospital. The state relies on graduates from regional schools, particularly those in Massachusetts and Connecticut.
Rhode Island's strong community health center network—including Providence CHC, Thundermist Health, and others—serves diverse populations throughout the state. These organizations provide mission-driven employment with potential loan repayment benefits.
Rhode Island's position between Boston and New York creates regional labor market dynamics. Dental assistants can access employment opportunities in Massachusetts and Connecticut, though credential requirements vary by state.
Newport's affluent community and tourism industry create premium dental service demand. Coastal Rhode Island communities attract seasonal populations, creating dynamic practice environments with potential for varied patient experiences.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023; BLS OEWS May 2024; ADA Health Policy Institute; DANB.