Expanded Functions

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On November 21, 2022, the Iowa Dental Board adopted rulemaking related to expanded functions.  The notification of adoption was published as ARC 6733C in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin on December 12, 2022.  The rule changes will be effective January 18, 2023.  You can view the complete rules in IAC 650--Chapter 23.

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Eligibility Requirements for Dental Assistants

In order to be eligible to complete training in expanded functions, registered dental assistants must qualify based on one of the following. Note: Dental assistant trainees are not eligible to train in expanded functions.

      1.   Be a graduate of an ADA-accredited dental assistant program; or
      2.   Be currently certified by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB); or
      3.   Have at least three months of clinical practice as a registered dental assistant; or
      4.   Have at least three months of clinical practice as a dental assistant in a state that does not require registration.

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Certificate of Completion

Board-approved expanded function training providers are required to issue certificates of completion following the successful conclusion of the training.  Dental hygienists and registered dental assistants must keep the certificate of completion or equivalent documentation on file in each office where expanded functions are provided.   Licensees and registrants who do not have proof of Board-approved training are prohibited from providing expanded function services.

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Level 1 Expanded Functions

A dentist may delegate to dental hygienists or registered dental assistants those Level 1 expanded function procedures for which training has been successfully completed.  Dental hygienists or registered dental assistants may train in any of the Level 1 expanded function procedures and are not required to train in all of the procedures.

  1. Taking occlusal registrations.
  2. Placement and removal of gingival retraction material.
  3. Fabrication, temporary cementation, and removal of provisional restorations following review of the fit and function by the supervising dentist, and temporary recementation of provisional restorations.
  4. Applying cavity liners and bases.
  5. Applying bonding systems, which may include the placement of the attachments used in clear aligner systems, following review of the fit and function by the supervising dentist.
  6. Placement, bonding, and removal of provisional orthodontic restorations as follows:
    a.   Placement or bonding of orthodontic brackets and bands or provisional orthodontic appliances following review of the fit and function by the supervising dentist; and
    b.   Removal of adhesive, orthodontic brackets and bands, or provisional orthodontic appliances using nonmotorized hand instrumentation.
  7. Monitoring of patients receiving nitrous oxide inhalation analgesia, which may include increasing oxygen levels as needed, pursuant to the following:*
    a.   A dentist shall induce a patient and establish the maintenance level;
    b.  A dental assistant may make adjustments that decrease the nitrous oxide concentration during the administration of nitrous oxide;
    c.   A dental assistant may turn off the oxygen delivery at the completion of the dental procedure.
  8. Taking final impressions;
  9. Removal of adhesives using nonmotorized hand instrumentation.*
  10. Placement of temporary restorative materials following preparation of the tooth by a dentist;
  11. Extraoral adjustment to acrylic dentures without making any adjustments to the prosthetic teeth; and
  12. Tissue conditioning (soft reline only).

*Expanded functions for registered dental assistants.  Scope of practice for licensed dental hygienists.

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Level 2 Expanded Functions

A dentist may delegate to dental hygienists or dental assistants those Level 2 expanded function procedures for which training has been successfully completed.  Dental hygienists or dental assistants are not required to train in all of the Level 2 procedures.

Please Note: Before beginning Level 2 training, expanded function dental hygienists or dental assistants must have successfully completed the prerequisites, for which training will be completed, as established by the Board-approved Level 2 expanded function training provider.

  1. Placement and shaping of amalgam following preparation of a tooth by a dentist. 
  2. Placement and shaping of adhesive restorative materials following preparation of a tooth by a dentist. 
  3. Polishing of adhesive restorative material using a slow-speed handpiece. 
  4. Fitting of stainless steel crowns on primary posterior teeth, and cementation after fit verification by a dentist.
  5. Placement of sealants.* 

*Level 2 expanded function for registered dental assistants.

Level 2 expanded function procedures refer to both primary and permanent teeth except as otherwise noted.  Training in Level 2 expanded functions may be separated between application of the services on primary or permanent teeth as determined by the accredited training provider.

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Expanded Functions Training Approval

Pursuant to IAC 650--Chapter 23, expanded function training shall be eligible if the training has been prior-approved by the Board.  Licensees interested in becoming a Board-approved training provider, may submit the request online here.

1.   An initial assessment to determine the base entry level of all participants in the program.
2.   A didactic component in accordance with IAC 650--23.7(3);
3.   A laboratory component, if necessary, in accordance with IAC 650--23.7(3);
4.   A clinical component, which may be obtained under the personal supervision of the participant’s supervising dentist while the participant is concurrently enrolled in the training program in accordance with IAC 650--23.7(3); and
5.   A post-course competency assessment at the conclusion of the training program.

You may find a list of Board-approved expanded function training providers below.

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Approved Expanded Function Training Providers

Level 1 Expanded Functions

The following providers have been approved to provide training in all Level 1 expanded functions unless otherwise noted.  Approved expanded functions training courses are available to both registered dental assistants and dental hygienists who wish to train in expanded functions.  The following training providers have received approval for the current expanded functions and have been updated for the new minimum training standards.

David Davidson, D.D.S.
8573 Urbandale Ave
Urbandale, IA  50322
Phone:  515-279-3848
drbeaverdale@hotmail.com
http://www.davidsondentaleducation.com/

Impact Dental Training
5965 Merle Hay Road, Suite D
PO Box 434
Johnston, IA 50131
Phone: 515-321-5942
impactdentaltraining@gmail.com
http://www.impactdentaltraining.com

Gentle Family Dentists
Contact: Carol Moreno, D.D.S.
1205 N Columbus St.
West Liberty, IA 52776
Phone: 563-288-2612
DrCarol@gentlefamilydentists.com
www.gentlefamilydentists.com

Community College Programs

Hawkeye Community College
Contact: Emily Boge, R.D.H.
1501 E Orange Rd.
Waterloo, IA 50704
Phone: 319-296-4302
emily.boge@hawkeyecollege.edu
www.hawkeyecollege.edu

Indian Hills Community College
Contact: Carol Sexton-White, R.D.H.
525 Grandview Ave.
Ottumwa, IA 52501
Phone: 641-683-5298, 800-726-2585 x 5298
Carol.Sexton-White@indianhills.edu
www.indianhills.edu

Iowa Valley Community College
Contact: Kristy Parker
3700 S Center St.
Marshalltown, IA 50158
Phone: 641-622-4748, 866-622-4748
Kristy.Parker@iavalley.edu
www.mcc.iavalley.edu

Iowa Western Community College 
2700 College Rd.
Council Bluffs, IA 51503
Phone: 712-325-3351, 800-432-3469; Fax: 712-325-3736
www.iwcc.edu

Kirkwood Community College
Contact: Kristi Hanson
6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
Phone: 563-398-5626; Fax: 319-398-7741
Kristi.Hanson@Kirkwood.edu​
www.kirkwood.edu/ce

Northeast Iowa Community College
Contact: Dawn Klostermann, R.D.A.
8342 NICC Drive
Peosta, IA 52068
Phone: 844-642-2338 x 2227
Klostermannd@nicc.edu
www.nicc.edu

Scott Community College
Contact: Barb Nichol, R.D.A.
500 Belmont Rd.
Bettendorf, IA 52722
Phone: 563-441-4259; Fax: 563-441-4204
bnichol@eicc.edu
www.eicc.edu

Western Iowa Tech Community College
Contact: Joni Miller, R.D.A.
4647 Stone Ave.
Sioux City, IA 57106
Phone: 712-274-6400 x 3240; Fax: 712-274-6448
Joni.Miller@witcc.edu
www.witcc.edu

Level 2 Expanded Functions

University of Iowa College of Dentistry*
801  Newton ROAD
Iowa City IA 52242
Email: dentistry-ce@uiowa.edu
Phone: 319-467-4206
Website: www.dentistry.uiowa.edu/CE

Note: Also approved to provide training in the monitoring of nitrous oxide, a Level 1 expanded function for dental assistants.

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Review of Out-of-State Expanded Functions Training

Individuals who completed training in expanded functions in another state may submit information related to the training to the Board for review. 

Application for Review of Level 1 Expanded Functions

Application for Review of Level 2 Expanded Functions

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