Volunteer Registration Now Open!

Register to volunteer at the Iowa Mission of Mercy (IMOM) 2025 on September 19-20 at the Hyatt Regency Coralville! IMOM has been transforming lives and helping patients since 2008, and we’ve provided over 18,583  patients free dental care totaling over $13.3 million, but we’re not done yet! We are looking for a wide range of volunteers, including dental professionals and general volunteers.

Save With Best Card

Dental offices save an average of $6,671 (28%) per year compared to 
previous processors. Enjoy exclusive low rates, guaranteed for the life of your account, and equipment discounts available only to members.

IADAPT

The Iowa Dental Advocacy for Professional and Personal Thriving (IADAPT) program has officially launched! IADAPT will provide all Iowa dentists three free, confidential, one-hour coaching / therapy sessions with a licensed provider from Flowstate Health. Click the button below to learn more and to schedule your first appointment!

Make Your Voice Heard in Iowa Politics!

While the IDA’s presence at the Iowa Statehouse continues to grow, we need to ensure we can continue to build relationships with key legislators. Our BEST advocacy tool is IDPAC. By contributing to IDPAC, you are investing in our advocacy work and the future of dentistry in Iowa. Help us continue protecting your ability to practice and serve your patients.

Welcome to the Iowa Dental Association

The Iowa Dental Association (IDA) is the premier professional association representing dentists in the state of Iowa. In existence since 1863, the IDA is home to over 1,800 Iowa dentists, which represents approximately 80% of the licensed dentists in the state.  

All IDA member dentists are not only members of the IDA, but also the American Dental Association (ADA) and their local district society.

IDA’s mission is to encourage the improvement of the health of the public, to promote the art and science of dentistry, and to represent the interests of the members of the dental profession and the public which it serves.  

In the News

Law Removes Registration Requirement for Iowa Dental Assistants

Jun 4, 2025

Dental assistants in Iowa will no longer need to register with the state dental board, thanks to a new law that removes the registration requirement for assistants to make it easier for dental offices to hire and train them.

“The IDA is excited about the passage of HF 805,” said Christopher Bogue, D.D.S., immediate past president of the Iowa Dental Association and member of the American Dental Association’s Council on Dental Practice. “We have been dealing with workforce issues in Iowa, and it has been challenging for dental offices to hire dental assistants. HF 805 will provide dental offices in Iowa 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. Steven Bradley, D.D.S., and Rep. Tom Jeneary, D.D.S. — to develop the bill, which was signed into law May 1. The registration change will take effect once new rules are developed by the Iowa Dental Board.

“All of Iowa’s neighboring states allow for some form of unregistered dental assistants to practice, leaving Iowa in a unique position of requiring additional burdens,” said Josh Carpenter, J.D., government affairs director for the Iowa Dental Association.

The law will allow unregistered dental assistants to work in a dental office with potentially the same scope of practice as registered dental assistants, depending on their training. Unregistered dental assistants may be able to perform expanded functions and participate in radiography, but the state dental board can require additional education and training for them, Mr. Carpenter said.

“Dentists will need to train unregistered dental assistants to ensure competency,” he said.

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