The Iowa Dental Board is the state agency charged with the overall responsibility for regulating the professions of dentistry, dental hygiene, and dental assisting in the state of Iowa.
Board Members
The Board consists of nine members appointed by the Governor, and confirmed by the Iowa Senate, to serve three-year terms. Five members are licensed dentists, two members are licensed dental hygienists, and two members represent the public.
State law requires that there be a balance on the Board by gender and political affiliation. Board members are appointed by the governor for a full three-year term or to complete the unexpired term of a member who resigned. Board members may serve up to nine years (or three terms).
Board members who are appointed to a three-year term begin serving on May 1. Those who are appointed to complete an unexpired term begin serving at the time of the appointment.
The Board annually elects a chairperson, vice chairperson and a secretary.
If you would like to serve on the Board, please visit the governor's Boards and Commissions website.
Board Responsibilities
The Board's mission is to ensure that all Iowans receive professional, competent, and safe dental health care of the highest quality. In pursuit of this mission, the Board performs a number of regulatory functions. The Iowa Dental Board adopts rules which govern the profession pursuant to its authority under Iowa Code. The Board issues licenses, registrations and permits to qualified practitioners; establishes requirements for examination for the purposes of licensing and registration; and sets standards for continuing education and renewal.
The Board also enforces Iowa law pertaining to the practice of dentistry, dental hygiene and dental assisting. The Board investigates complaints concerning violations of the dental practice act and Board rules. In the course of an investigation into potential violations of law, the Board may also conduct disciplinary hearings, and take action against a practitioner's license. The Board actively monitors the compliance of licensees under Board order as a result of disciplinary action. Additionally the Board operates a confidential monitoring program for practitioners with impairments.
Board Statutory Committees
Dental Hygiene Committee
The Dental Hygiene Committee is established under Iowa Code section 153.33A. This three-member committee of the Board consists of two dental hygienist members of the Board and one dentist member of the Board. The dentist member of the committee must have supervised and worked in collaboration with a dental hygienist for a period of at least three years immediately preceding election to the committee. The dentist member is elected to the Committee annually by a majority vote of Board members.
The Committee has the authority to adopt recommendations regarding the practice, discipline, education, examination, and licensure of dental hygienists, and carry out duties as assigned by the Board.
Additional Committees Established by the Board
Committees comprised of Board members are used to facilitate the Board’s work at meetings. The following are the current committees established by the Board:
Anesthesia Credentials Committee
The Anesthesia Credentials Committee reviews applications for moderate sedation and general anesthesia, and recommends actions to the full Board on these matters.
Continuing Education Advisory Committee
The Continuing Education Advisory Committee reviews applications for individual course review and sponsor status.
Licensure/Registration Committee
The Licensure/Registration Committee recommends to the Board appropriate action on completed applications for licensure.
Iowa Practitioner Review Committee
The Board established the Iowa Practitioner Review Committee to evaluate, assist and monitor the recovery or rehabilitation of dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants who self-report possible impairments. For more information, please refer to IPRC.