Dental Hygienists

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List of Testing Sites

Complete list of community college testing sites that regularly administer the board examinations in jurisprudence, infection control, and dental radiography.

Iowa Community College Testing Sites

To schedule a dental, dental hygiene, or dental assistant examination, please contact the testing site of your choice at least 10 days prior to the exam date. A proctor fee will be paid directly to the community college testing site. A PDF of the following list is also available here.

ANKENY:
Des Moines Area Community College
Testing Center Bldg. 6, Room 23
2006 S. Ankeny Blvd.
Ankeny, IA 50023-8995
Joanne Purtill
Email: jmpurtill@dmacc.edu or ankenytestingcenter@dmacc.edu
Phone: 515.964.6595

BETTENDORF:
Eastern Iowa Community College
Scott Community College Testing Center
500 Belmont Road
Bettendorf, IA 52722
Email: scctestcenter@eicc.edu
Phone: 563.441.4088

BURLINGTON:
Southeastern Community College
1500 West Agency Road
West Burlington, IA 52655
Email: successcenter@scciowa.edu
Phone: 319.208.5155

CALMAR:
Northeast Iowa Community College
Wilder Business Center
Highway 150 South, Box 400
Calmar, IA 52132
Contact: Kathy Donovan
Email: donovanka@nicc.edu
Phone: 844.642.2338 ext. 1495

CARROLL:
DMACC Carroll Campus
Testing Center, 906 N Grant Road #157
Carroll, IA 51401
Contact: Holly Hoffman
Email: carrolltestingcenter@dmacc.eduor hlhoffman3@dmacc.edu
Phone: 712.792.1755

CEDAR RAPIDS:
Kirkwood Community College
2055 Cedar Hall on the Kirkwood Campus
6301 Kirkwood Blvd. S.W.
P.O. Box 2068
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
Email: testcenter@kirkwood.edu
Phone: 800.332.2055

CENTERVILLE:
Indian Hills Community College
Success Center, 721 N. First St.
Centerville, IA 52544
Contact: Tom Davis
Email: tommy.davis@indianhills.edu
Phone: 800.670.3641 ext. 2207 or 641.856.2143 ext. 2214

CLINTON:
Clinton Community College
Testing Center, 1000 Lincoln Blvd
Clinton, IA 52732
Email: ccctestcenter@eicc.edu
Phone: 563.244.7090

CORALVILLE:
Kirkwood Regional Test Center at Univ. Iowa
2301 Oakdale Blvd. Rm. 126
Coralville, IA 52241
Email: test.center.ic@kirkwood.edu
Phone: 319.887.3642

COUNCIL BLUFFS:
Iowa Western Community College
2700 College Rd.
Council Bluffs, IA 51503
Contact: Cara Trede
Email: testing@iwcc.edu
Phone: 712.325.3277 or 800.432.5852
Fax: 712.388.6803

CRESTON:
Southwestern Community College
1501 West Townline St.
Creston, IA 50801
Contact: Lisa Shawler
Email: shawler@swcciowa.edu
Contact: Casie Klejch (Director)
Email: klejch@swcciowa.edu
Phone: 800.247.4023 ext. 330 or 641.782.1320
Fax: 641.782.1320

DES MOINES
DMACC Urban Campus
1100 7th St, Bldg 1, Room 117
Des Moines, IA 50314
Contact: Roberta Morgan
Email: rmmorgan@dmacc.edu
Phone: 515.697.7809
Schedule online at uctestingcenter@dmacc.edu

DES MOINES
DMACC Southridge Center
1111 E Army Post RD, Suite 2004, Room 3A
Des Moines, IA 50315
Contact: Jane Rogers
Email: jerogers@dmacc.edu or southridgetestingcenter@dmacc.edu
Phone: 515.287.8720

DUBUQUE/PEOSTA
Northeast Iowa Community College
700 Main St., Dubuque, IA 52001
Contact: Russell Bahl
Email: bahlr25104@nicc.edu
Phone: 844.642.2338 ext. 3251

EMMETSBURG
Iowa Lakes Community College
Allied Health, 3200 College Drive
Emmetsburg, IA 50536
Contact: Oscar DeLong, (Director of Library Services)
Email: odelong@iowalakes.edu
Phone: 800.242.5108 ext. 5227 or 712.362.7936
Fax: 712-852-2152

FORT DODGE
Iowa Central Community College
1500 W Agency Road
Fort Dodge, IA 50501
Contact: Amy Moffitt
Email: moffitt_a@iowacentral.edu
Phone: 515.574.1044

KEOKUK
Southeastern Community College
335 Messenger Rd.
Keokuk, IA 52632
Email: kktesting@scciowa.edu
Phone: 319.313.1943

MARSHALLTOWN
Iowa Valley Community College
Iowa Valley Education & Training Center
206 E Church St.
Marshalltown, IA 50158
Contact: Jon Nunez
Email: Jon.Nunez@iavalley.edu
Phone: 641.754.1348
Fax: 641-754-1349

MASON CITY
North Iowa Area Community College
Student Learning Center, 500 College Drive
Mason City, IA 50401
Contact: Leah Wipf
Email: testing.center@niacc.edu
Phone: 888.466.4222 ext. 4237 or 641.422.4237

MUSCATINE
Muscatine Community College
152 Colorado St
Muscatine, IA 52761
Email: mmctestcenter@eicc.edu
Contact: Bethany Owens
Email: blowens@eicc.edu
Phone: 563.288.6056
(An Eastern Iowa Community College - EICC)

OTTUMWA
Indian Hills Community College
Attn: Testing Center
525 Grandview Ave.
Ottumwa, IA 52501
Contact: Chuck Allen
Email: callen@indianhills.edu
Phone: 641.683.5142 or 641.683.5233

SHELDON
Northwest Iowa Community College
603 West Park St.
Sheldon, IA 51201
Contact: Mariah Oliver (Director)
Email: moliver@nwicc.edu
Contact: Keri Siebrecht
Email: ksiebrecht@nwicc.edu
Phone: 800.352.4907 or 712.324.5061 ext. 112

SIOUX CITY
Western Iowa Tech Community College
Testing Center,
4647 Stone Ave., Building A
Sioux City, IA 51106
Email: testcenter@witcc.edu
Phone: 800.352.4649 or 712.274.6443

WATERLOO
Hawkeye Community College
Student Services, Hawkeye Center, 2nd Floor,
1501 E. Orange Rd., P.O. Box 8015
Waterloo, IA 50701
Contact: Marcy Gosse
Email: marcy.gosse@hawkeyecollege.edu
Phone: 800.670.4769 or 319.296.4014

Practice of Dental Hygiene Defined

“Practice of dental hygiene” means the performance of the following educational, therapeutic, preventive and diagnostic dental hygiene procedures which are delegated by and under the supervision of a dentist licensed pursuant to Iowa Code chapter 153.

  1. Educational.Assessing the need for, planning, implementing, and evaluating oral health education programs for individual patients and community groups; conducting workshops and in-service training sessions on dental health for nurses, school personnel, institutional staff, community groups and other agencies providing consultation and technical assistance for promotional, preventive and educational services.
  2. Therapeutic.Identifying and evaluating factors which indicate the need for and performing (1) oral prophylaxis, which includes supragingival and subgingival debridement of plaque, and detection and removal of calculus with instruments or any other devices; (2) periodontal scaling and root planing; (3) removing and polishing hardened excess restorative material; (4) administering local anesthesia with the proper permit; (5) administering nitrous oxide inhalation analgesia in accordance with IAC 650--Chapter 29; (6) applying or administering medicaments prescribed by a dentist, including chemotherapeutic agents and medicaments or therapies for the treatment of periodontal disease and caries.
  3. Preventive.Applying pit and fissure sealants and other medications or methods for caries and periodontal disease control; organizing and administering fluoride rinse or sealant programs.
  4. Diagnostic.Reviewing medical and dental health histories; performing oral inspection; indexing dental and periodontal disease; making occlusal registrations for mounting study casts; testing pulp vitality; analyzing dietary surveys.

Local Anesthesia & Nitrous Oxide

Dental hygienists who apply for and are issued an active local anesthesia permit, may administer local anesthesia in Iowa.

Dental hygienists who have completed board-approved training in the administration or monitoring of nitrous oxide may do so without a permit.

Expanded Functions

Pursuant to IAC 650--Chapter 23, “a dentist may delegate an expanded function duty to a licensed dental hygienist if the hygienist has completed Board-approved training. ” Certain other restrictions and limitations apply. Find additional information on expanded functions training here.

Licensure and Examination Requirements

Overview of licensing & examination requirements in Iowa for a dental or dental hygiene license.

Eligibility for a Permanent License

A permanent dental or dental hygiene license authorizes the holder to practice in the state of Iowa. Requirements for obtaining an Iowa license are found in Iowa Administrative Code 650--Chapter 11.

Note: Students enrolled in a CODA-accredited dental or dental hygiene school are exempt from the requirements for licensure for all activities directly related to the curriculum and activities of the accredited program.

Dentists and dental hygienists enrolled in a residency program in Iowa must hold an active license, or apply for and be issued a resident license before practicing clinically.

Licensure by Examination

Graduates of a CODA-accredited dental or dental hygiene school and who have successfully completed a board-approved clinical examination within the previous five (5) years may apply for a dental or dental hygiene license in Iowa on the basis of examination.

Note: Applicants who have been licensed for one year or longer in another state, district or territory must apply by credentials or verification.

By Credentials

Graduates of a CODA-accredited dental or dental hygiene school and who have a current, valid license in another state that was issued on the basis of clinical examination OR has at least three years of current, active practice in that state may be eligible may apply for license by credentials.

Note: Applicants who have been licensed for one year or longer in another state, district or territory must apply by credentials or verification.

By Verification

A dentist or dental hygienist who holds an active license in another state may be eligible for licensure on the basis of verification. Refer to Iowa Administrative Code 650--Chapter 11 for specific requirements.

Board-Approved Clinical Examinations

Applicants for a permanent dental or dental hygiene license issued on the basis of examination must have successfully completed one of the following clinical examinations:

Central Regional Dental Testing Service, Inc. (CRDTS)

Western Regional Examining Board, Inc. (WREB)

States Resources for Testing & Assessments (SRTA)

Commission on Dental Competency Assessments (CDCA)

Council of Interstate Testing Agencies, Inc. (CITA)

American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX) as administered by CDCA, WREB, SRTA or CITA.

*Beginning in May 2021, the Iowa Dental Board accepts the patient-based and manikin-based clinical examinations.

Information about taking a clinical exam, including the exam schedule and testing procedures, should be obtained directly from the testing agencies.

Please note that applicants who fail the clinical licensing examination two or more times must submit proof of additional formal remedial education that is approved in advance by the Board prior to each subsequent exam attempt. See Iowa Administrative Code 650--Chapter 12 for more information.

Dental Board Application & Renewal Fees

A list of fees related to the application and renewal of licenses and registrations in Iowa.

Application Fees for Dentists

DDS/DMD: Dental License on the Basis of Exam:* $200

DDS/DMD: Dental License on the Basis of Credentials or Verification: $550

Fee for Background Check Packet: $46

DDS/DMD: Faculty Permit: $200

MS: Moderate Sedation Permit: $500

GA: General Anesthesia Permit: $500

DDS/DMD: Resident License: $120

Resident License Extension : $40

*Applicants who were issued and held a license in another state for more than 12 months must apply on the basis of credentials or verification.

Application Fees for Dental Hygienists

RDH: Dental Hygiene License on the Basis of Exam:* $100

RDH: Dental Hygiene License Application on the Basis of Credentials or Verification: $200

Fee for Background Check Packet: $46

LA: Local Anesthesia Permit Application: $70

RDH: Faculty Permit: $200

RDH: Resident License: $120

Resident License Extension Application: $40

*Applicants who were issued and held a license in another state for more than 12 months must apply on the basis of credentials or verification.

Application Fees for Dental Assistants and Nurses

RDA: Dental Assistant Registration (without Radiography Qualification): $40

QDA: Dental Assistant Registration & Radiography Qualification (combined): $60

QDA or XDA: Dental Radiography Qualification: $40

Fee Waiver Policy

Effective Jan. 1, 2021, pursuant to HF 2627, individuals whose household adjusted gross income does not exceed 200% of the federal poverty level may request a waiver of application fees related to an initial application for license or registration. Please note: The fee waiver does not extend to applications for renewal, reinstatement or reactivation.

To determine eligibility, you must first identify the number of individuals in your household. Once this is determined, reference the Federal Poverty Level and identify the income that matches the number of individuals in your household. If your household adjusted gross income, as reported on your most recent federal tax return, is less than the identified value, you are eligible for the one-time fee waiver.

DOCUMENTATION FOR QUALIFICATION OF WAIVER

If you wish to apply for a fee waiver you must attest that your household adjusted gross income does not exceed 200% and agree to submit documentation of one of the following to verify your household income:

1. If you are married and filed separately, you will need to submit the Federal Tax Return for both your spouse and yourself.

2. If you were claimed as a dependent on another person’s tax return, you will need to submit the Federal Tax Return for the tax filer who claimed you as a dependent.

Questions can be directed to IDB@iowa.gov.

Renewal Fees for Dentists

DDS/DMD: Dental License: $315

DDS/DMD: Faculty Permit: $315

MS: Moderate Sedation Permit: $125

GA: General Anesthesia Permit: $125

Late Fee: September of Renewal Year: $100

Late Fee: October of Renewal Year: $150

Renewal Fees for Dental Hygienists

RDH: Dental Hygiene License: $150

RDH: Faculty Permit: $315

LA: Local Anesthesia Permit: $25

Late Fee: September of Renewal Year: $100

Late Fee: October of Renewal Year: $150

Renewal Fees for Dental Assistants

RDA: Dental Assistant Registration (without Radiography Qualification): $75

QDA: Dental Assistant Registration & Radiography Qualification (combined): $115

QDA or XDA: Dental Radiography Qualification: $40

Late Fee: September of Renewal Year: $20

Late Fee: October of Renewal Year: $40

Reinstatement Application Fees

Reinstatement applications require payment of a reinstatement application fee and one past-due renewal fee. Additionally, dentists and dental hygienists must submit a background check packet for which the fee is $46.

DDS/DMD: Dental License: $150 + $315 + $46 = $511

RDH: Dental Hygiene License: $100 + $150 + $46 = 316

RDA: Dental Assistant Registration (without Radiography Qualification): $50 + $75 = $125

QDA: Dental Assistant Registration & Radiography Qualification (combined): $50 + $115 = $165

XDA: Dental Radiography Qualification: $40 + $40 = $80

Temporary Permits

VOLUNTEER

If you will be volunteering dental services at a non-profit and you do not hold an active Iowa dental or dental hygiene license, you may apply for a temporary permit on the basis to volunteer. There is no fee for this application; though a completed application must be submitted via the Iowa Dental Board online services website.

EDUCATIONAL or URGENT NEED

Temporary permits on the basis of educational purpose or urgent need may be issued for up to three months at a predetermined location of practice. Applicants are limited to a maximum of three temporary permits in total. Thereafter, applicants would be required to apply for a permanent dental or dental hygiene license.

Note: Temporary permits on the basis of educational purpose or urgent need are not intended for individuals who will make application for a permanent dental license.

Fee for Educational Purpose or Urgent Need: $100

Iowa Dental Board

The Iowa Dental Board licenses and regulates the practice of dentistry, dental hygiene & dental assisting in Iowa.