Iowa’s new law eliminates the registration requirement for dental assistants, making it easier for dental offices to hire and train dental assistants, so dental assistants in the state will no longer need to register with the state dental board.
“IDA is very excited about the passage of HF 805,” said Christopher Bogue, DDS, past president of the Iowa Dental Association and a member of the American Dental Association’s Committee on Dental Practice.
“We have been dealing with workforce issues in Iowa, and dental offices have been challenged to hire dental assistants. HF 805 will provide Iowa dental offices with greater flexibility to hire, train and retain the dental assistant staff they need.”
The Iowa Dental Association worked with two dentists in the Iowa Legislature, Rep. Dr. Steven Bradley and Rep. Dr. Tom Jeneary, to develop the bill, which was signed into law May 1. The registration changes will take effect immediately once the Iowa Dental Board establishes the new rules.
“All of Iowa’s neighboring states allow some form of unregistered dental assistant practice, which puts Iowa at an additional burden,” said Josh Carpenter, JD, director of government affairs for the Iowa Dental Association.
The law would allow unregistered dental assistants to work in dental offices, possibly with the same scope of practice as registered dental assistants, depending on their training.
Mr. Carpenter said unregistered dental assistants might be able to perform more duties and participate in radiology exams, but the state dental board would likely require them to receive additional education and training.
“Dentists need to train unregistered dental assistants to ensure their competence,” he said.
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