Dentists

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.

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.edu or 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
Success Center, 3200 College Drive
Emmetsburg, IA 50536
Contact: Sara Kerr, (Tester Center Coordinator) 
Email: skerr@iowalakes.edu
Phone: 800.242.5108 ext. 5227 or 712.362.5315
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: Kerry Dalbey, M.Ed
Email: kdalbey@eicc.edu
Phone: 563.288.6013 
(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 dentistry” as defined in Iowa Code section 153.13, includes persons who publicly claim to be dentists, dental surgeons, or skilled in the science of dentistry and are deemed to be practicing dentistry. Performance of, or assistance with, any of the following also constitutes the practice of dentistry: examination, diagnosis, treatment, or attempted correction of any disease, condition, disorder, lesion, injury, deformity, or defect of the oral cavity and maxillofacial area, or any phase of any operation incident to tooth whitening, including the instruction or application of tooth whitening materials or procedures. “Tooth whitening” is any process to whiten or lighten the appearance of human teeth by the application of chemicals, whether or not in conjunction with a light source.

“Conscious sedation” means moderate sedation.

“Deep sedation” means drug-induced depression of consciousness during which patients cannot be easily aroused but respond purposefully following repeated painful stimulation. The ability to independently maintain ventilatory function may be impaired. Patients may require assistance in maintaining a patent airway, and spontaneous ventilation may be inadequate. Cardiovascular function is usually maintained.

“General anesthesia” means a drug-induced loss of consciousness during which patients are not arousable, even by painful stimulation. The ability to independently maintain ventilatory function is often impaired. Patients often require assistance in maintaining a patent airway, and positive pressure ventilation may be required because of depressed spontaneous ventilation or drug-induced depression of neuromuscular function. Cardiovascular function may be impaired.

“Minimal sedation” means a minimally depressed level of consciousness produced by a pharmacological method that retains the patient’s ability to independently and continuously maintain an airway and respond normally to tactile stimulation and verbal command. Although cognitive function and coordination may be modestly impaired, ventilatory and cardiovascular functions are unaffected. A patient whose only response reflex is withdrawal from repeated painful stimuli is not considered to be in a state of minimal sedation.

“Moderate sedation” means a drug-induced depression of consciousness, either by enteral or parenteral means, during which patients respond purposefully to verbal commands, either alone or accompanied by light tactile stimulation. No interventions are required to maintain a patent airway, and spontaneous ventilation is adequate. Cardiovascular function is usually maintained. A patient whose only response reflex is withdrawal from a painful stimulus is not considered to be in a state of moderate sedation.

“Nitrous oxide inhalation analgesia” refers to the administration by inhalation of a combination of nitrous oxide and oxygen producing an altered level of consciousness that retains the patient’s ability to independently and continuously maintain an airway and respond appropriately to physical stimulation or verbal command.

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 481—572.

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.

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.

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.

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 481—572 for specific requirements.

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.

Remediation Requirements

Please note that applicants who fail the clinical licensing examination two or more times must complete additional formal remedial education prior to each subsequent exam attempt. Evidence of remedial education must be submitted upon request. See Iowa Administrative Code 481—572 for more information.

The following laws apply to professional licensing boards.

• Chapter 17A — Iowa Administrative Procedure Act
• Chapter 147 — General Provisions, Health-Related Professions
• Chapter 272C — Regulation of Licensed Professions and Occupations

The following chapters from Iowa Administrative Code 481 apply to professional licensing boards within the Department of Inspections, Appeals, Inspections, and Licensing.

• Ch. 3 — Declaratory Orders
• Ch. 4 — Agency Procedures for Rulemaking
• Ch. 5 — Public Records and Fair Information Practices
• Ch. 6 — Uniform Waiver Rules
• Ch. 7 — Military Service, Veteran Reciprocity, and Spouses of Active-Duty Service Members
• Ch. 500 — Model Rules for Board Administrative Processes
• Ch. 501 — Model Rules for Licensure by Verification or Work Experience
• Ch. 502 — Model Rules for Use of Criminal Convictions in Eligibility Determinations and Initial Licensing Decisions
• Ch. 503 — Model Rules for Complaints and Investigations
• Ch. 506 — Model Rules for Contested Cases Before Licensing Boards and Information Settlements
• Ch. 507 — Professional Licensing Division Fees

• Administrative Bulletin

Rulemaking notices, along with adopted rule changes, are published in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin. 

The preamble for each notice includes a summary of the proposed rule changes. The notice includes information about how to submit public comment when applicable. All comments are forwarded to the board for review prior to making a final decision on the outcome of rule change proposals.