How to Get Your Dental Assistant Radiology Certification in Georgia

Posted 15 Oct, 2025, by Dr. Rhea Haugseth

If you’re a Georgia dental assistant, earning your dental assistant radiology certification is a required step before you can take X-rays in the dental office. Employers expect assistants to have this skill, but state law says you must first complete an approved course in radiation safety.

At Atlanta Pediatric Dental Assistant School (APDAS), we offer the exact training the Georgia Board of Dentistry requires. When you finish, you’ll receive a Georgia Radiology Certificate that proves you’ve met the standards to operate X-ray equipment safely and confidently.

Key Takeaways

Georgia law requires a minimum of six hours of radiation safety instruction for anyone operating dental X-ray machines.
The law lists specific subject areas that must be covered, from radiation protection to machine safety.
APDAS’s Radiation Safety for Dental Assistants course is approved by the Georgia Board of Dentistry and satisfies every requirement.
The program is completed in one Saturday, with classroom and hands-on training.
Graduates receive their Georgia Radiology Certificate upon successful completion of the course.

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Why Dental Assistant Radiology Certification Matters

Dental X-rays are essential for diagnosing cavities, bone loss, and other oral health problems. According to the CDC, nearly 90% of adults aged 20-64 have had decay in their teeth, many first spotted on X-rays.

In Georgia, assistants cannot legally take X-rays until they’ve completed the required training. This makes radiation safety training not just a career booster, but a legal necessity.

CareerOneStop projects that dental assisting jobs in Georgia will grow 11% from 2022 to 2032. Having a dental radiology certificate makes you more competitive in this landscape.

Pediatric dental assistant explaining x ray's to child.

Who Should Take This Course?

The APDAS Radiation Safety for Dental Assistants course is designed specifically for:

Dental assistants who want to expand their skills and become qualified to take X-rays legally.
Dental assistants aiming to increase their value in the workplace and prepare for future certifications, such as Expanded Duties or Coronal Polishing.
Individuals exploring a dental assisting career who want to add radiology training to their resume before applying for jobs.

This course is your pathway to meeting Georgia’s legal requirement for X-ray training and ensuring you remain compliant, more employable, and ready to take on expanded responsibilities.

Step 1: Meet Georgia’s Training Requirements

Georgia law states: “The registrant shall require persons operating his radiation machine and associated equipment to receive, at a minimum, six hours of instruction.”

The rule also specifies the subject categories that must be taught:

Protection Against Radiation

Protective clothing
Patient holding
Time, distance, shielding
Radiation protection standards

Dark Room Techniques

Developing chemicals
Film protection
Cassettes
Screens

Patient Protection

Beam limitation
Setting up techniques
Biological effects of radiation

Machine Safety

Machine functions
Safety procedures
Recognizing problems

Any program you choose must cover all of these areas.

Step 2: Enroll in APDAS’s Radiation Safety Course

The APDAS dental assistant radiology certification course satisfies every one of these state requirements.

You’ll learn all of the Georgia-mandated topics listed above, with instruction designed to be practical and easy to apply in the dental office.

Additionally, you’ll spend time practicing with real equipment under supervision.

Step 3: Earn Your Georgia Dental Assistant Radiology Certificate

After successfully completing the APDAS program, you’ll receive a Georgia Radiology Certificate. This certification and radiology training show you’ve met Georgia’s standards.

Pediatric dental assistant radiology training.

Step 4: Apply Your Training in the Workplace

Once you’ve finished, you’ll be able to:

- Legally take dental X-rays in Georgia.
- Increase your earning potential.
- Take on expanded responsibilities that free dentists for more complex procedures.
- Position yourself for future training, such as expanded functions dental assistant courses.

FAQs

What is a dental radiology certification?

It’s proof that you’ve completed the six hours of radiation safety training required by Georgia law. At APDAS, you’ll receive a Georgia Radiology Certificate after finishing the program.

How do I get dental radiology certification in Georgia?

Enroll in a Georgia Board of Dentistry–approved course like APDAS’s Radiation Safety program. It covers all required subject areas and includes hands-on practice.

Where to get dental X-ray certification in Georgia?

APDAS in Atlanta offers the one-day course approved by the Georgia Board of Dentistry with a focus on pediatric care.

Why Choose APDAS?

Choosing where to complete your radiology training matters. APDAS has built its reputation on providing focused, hands-on education that prepares students for real success in the dental field. Because the program is designed around Georgia’s exact requirements, you can feel confident that every subject the law mandates is thoroughly covered.

All APDAS courses place a strong emphasis on pediatric care, giving students the added advantage of learning how to work with children and families in a dental setting. Instructors bring both professional experience and a supportive teaching style, making the course approachable for beginners and valuable even for those already working in the field.

Program Highlights

- - Approved by the Georgia Board of Dentistry.
  - Meets every subject category required by law.
  - One-day program combining lecture and hands-on practice.
  - Convenient Atlanta location with Saturday scheduling.
  - Focus on pediatric care.

Conclusion: Earn Your Dental Assistant Radiology Certification at APDAS

Getting your dental assistant radiology certification in Georgia is simple when you choose the right program. The law requires a minimum of six hours of instruction in specific safety topics, and APDAS’s Radiation Safety for Dental Assistants course checks every box. In just one Saturday, you’ll complete the state’s training requirement, gain hands-on experience, and acquire your Georgia Radiology Certificate.

Ready to advance your career? Secure your spot in the next APDAS dental assistant radiology course and take the step that Georgia law requires for every dental assistant who operates X-ray equipment.

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Dr. Rhea Haugseth

Rhea M. Haugseth, DMD maintained a private practice in Marietta, GA from 1982- 2017. She attended the University of Louisville Dental School and completed her pediatric dental residency at Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital / Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. She is proud to be a Fellow the American College of Dentists, the International College of Dentists, and the Pierre Fauchard Academy – National Honorary Organizations for Dentists.

Dr. Haugseth is a Past President of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), the Southeastern Society of Pediatric Dentistry (SSPD), and the Georgia Academy of Pediatric Dentistry(GaPD). Dr. Haugseth has been a National Spokesperson for the AAPD since 1989 and has been frequently interviewed for radio, print, and national television.

Dr. Haugseth is the Founder (2013) and Director of the Atlanta Pediatric Dental Assistant School in Atlanta Georgia. She is also the Founder (2014) and Director of the Pediatric Dental Team Association. She is committed to pediatric dental team members and continues to develop ways to enhance their knowledge and skills both in and out of the dental office.

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