A dental assistant in Iowa CAN do the following under direct supervision of the supervising dentist:
– A dental assistant in Iowa can provide support to a dentist under the supervision of a properly licensed dentist.
– There are radiography (x-ray) licensing requirements. They are (from the Dental Assisting National Board website):
- Be 18 years of age and a Dental Assistant Trainee or Registered Dental Assistant with an active registration status, or Be a graduate of an accredited dental assisting program, or Be a nurse who holds an active Iowa nursing license, AND
- Provide proof of successful completion of an Iowa Board-approved course of study in dental radiography within the two years prior to application, AND
- Provide proof that he/she successfully completed an Iowa Board-approved exam in the area of dental radiography (the national DANB CDA exam or Radiation Health and Safety [RHS] exam meets this requirement, if taken after January 1, 1986), AND
- Apply to the IDB for Qualification in Dental Radiography.
– Chart and inspect the mouth and teeth.
– Apply fluoride topically.
– Place a rubber dam.
– Take blood pressure, temperature and pulse.
– Give oral hygiene instructions.
A dental assistant in Iowa CANNOT do the following:
– Remove stains and deposits from teeth (clean teeth).
– Place sealants on the teeth.
– Apply stainless steel crowns or fillings
– Repair or fill cavities.
– Give or administer anesthetics (shots).
– Any other activities or duties of dentistry that are specifically limited to dentists or dental hygenists.
There are two types of expanded duty dental assistant in Iowa:
- RDA – Registered Dental Assistant
- QDA – Qualified/Registered Dental Assistants
- XDA – Qualified/ Non-registered Dental Assistants
To qualify to register as a dental assistant, a person must:
- Work in a dental office for six months as a dental assistant trainee; or
- Have had at least six months of prior dental assisting experience under a licensed dentist within the past two years; or
- Be a graduate of an accredited dental assisting program approved by the Board; and
- Be a high school graduate or equivalent; and
- Be 17 years of age or older. (From the Iowa Dental Board website).
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