Iowa Code Title IV. Public Health [Chs. 123-158] § 153.38. Dental assistants--scope of practice

A dental assistant may perform those services of assistance to a licensed dentist as determined by the board by rule.  A dental assistant with additional education and training, as provided by the board by rule, may perform expanded functions or participate in dental radiography.  A dental assistant who has successfully completed expanded function training through the university of Iowa college of dentistry or a program certified by the commission on dental accreditation may place dental sealants on teeth.  Services performed by a dental assistant shall be performed under supervision of a licensed dentist, but this section shall not be construed to authorize a dental assistant to practice dentistry or dental hygiene.  The board shall not adopt rules that delegate to a dental assistant the administration of local anesthesia or the removal of plaque, stain, calculus, or hard natural material except by toothbrush, floss, or rubber cup coronal polish.  Every licensed dentist who utilizes the services of a dental assistant for the purpose of assistance in the practice of dentistry shall be responsible for acts delegated to the dental assistant.  A dentist shall delegate to a dental assistant only those acts which are authorized to be delegated to dental assistants by the board.  For the purposes of this section, “dental assistant” includes registered dental assistants and dental assistants without a certificate of registration.