Barbara Carter

DHY 245
Iowa Dental Hygiene Practice Act
April 3, 2019

Iowa Dental Hygiene Practice Act

There are rules and regulations put into place for a reason. The Boards mission is to

ensure that all Iowans receive professional, competent, and safe dental health care of the highest

quality (Iowa Dental Board). There are twenty out of the fifty states that have dental hygiene

advisory committees or varying self-regulation for dental hygiene (ADHA). Iowa has a

committee that was established in 1999 under Iowa Code section 153.33A. This committee

consist of two dental hygienist members and one dentist member of the Board (Iowa Dental Bard

3).

The definition of “Practice of dental Hygiene” in the state of Iowa is as follows: 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 (Iowa Dental Board 2).

In the state of Iowa there are three levels of supervision that are required to perform

certain tasks that will be discussed. These three levels are general supervision, direct supervision,

and direct access supervision. General supervision requires the dentist to authorize prior to

services but need not be present (ADHA 2). Direct supervision requires the dentist to be present

(ADHA 2). And lastly, direct access supervision allows the hygienist to provide services as s/he

determines appropriate without specific authorization (ADHA 2).

Functions that need general supervision in a private setting in the state of Iowa are as

follows: prophylaxis, x-rays, topical anesthesia, fluoride, pit/fissure sealants, root planning, study
cast impressions, place perio dressings, remove perio dressings, remove sutures and treatment

planning(ADHA 2). Functions that need direct supervision are as follows: local anesthesia and

administering nitrous oxide (ADHA 2). Functions that need direct access supervision in a public

setting in the state of Iowa are as follows: prophylaxis, x-rays, topical anesthesia, fluoride,

pit/fissure sealants, and root planning (ADHA 2).

As I stated previously, there are rules and regulations set in place for a reason. Protecting

the public is the main priority of all health occupations paired with many other important

considerations. Each state has their own set of mandates that each dental personnel must follow.

Some states have commonalities amongst the guidelines that are shared, and some states have

less requirements. An example would be neighboring states.

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 References

“Practitioners.” Iowa Dental Board. Retrieved from https://dentalboard.iowa.gov/practitioners

“Dental Hygiene.” Iowa Dental Board 2. Retrieved from

https://www.dentalboard.iowa.gov/practitioners/dental-hygienists

“Board Review.” Iowa Dental Board 3. Retrieved from

https://www.dentalboard.iowa.gov/about/board-overview

“Dental Hygiene Participation in Regulation.” American Dental Hygiene Association. Retrieved

from https://www.adha.org/resources-docs/75111_Self_Regulation_by_State.pdf ADHA

“Dental Hygiene Practice Act Overview: Permitted Functions and Supervision Levels by State.”
American Dental Hygiene Association 2. Retrieved from https://www.adha.org/resources-
docs/7511_Permitted_Services_Supervision_Levels_by_State.pdf