Dental Assistant Schools in Iowa

Dental assistants in Iowa take significant time to receive the appropriate level of training needed to thrive in the industry. They also follow a few approaches to remain competitive and set themselves apart.

The guide below covers everything that an interested individual must know on this journey. Readers will also learn about additional important areas to focus on, including continuing education and certification opportunities.

Lastly, the guide also covers the top training programs and annual average salary projections for dental assistants in Iowa. In doing so, we also analyze some of the factors that can help professionals manage a higher annual income.

How to Become a Dental Assistant in Iowa

Below are the steps involved in launching a successful dental assistant career in Iowa.

Completing a Program

Completing a training program is absolutely vital to starting a career as a prospective dental assistant in the state of Iowa. Candidates have a great deal of flexibility in their training route as they can choose online programs or hybrid programs for more convenience.

Along with convenience and flexibility, candidates may also have to decide on the specific training arrangement. For instance, while some programs focus entirely on classroom education, others provide practical training in laboratories and even real-world experience, which is the next major issue of concern.

Real-World Experience

Completing a training program is not enough to become a competent dental assistant. Candidates also need to receive training in the real world.

Real-world education builds upon classroom education and allows students actually to practice their duties in a functioning environment.

Educational Advancement

A career as a dental assistant can give candidates insight into other functional areas of dentistry. Many training programs, for instance, allow candidates to return to pursue more advanced programs, including a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene.

Even candidates who would like to remain dental assistants are expected to participate in continuing education to keep up with advancements in the field. One way to achieve this is to become certified by prominent organizations.

Below, we take a more detailed look at certification for dental assistants in Iowa.

Explore trades with similar paths:

• Learn how to become a travel agent in Iowa

Licensure & Certification Requirements

Dental assistants in Iowa are only expected to register with the state if they are performing duties like infection control and radiography. In this case, they would need to acquire the Registered Dental Assistant designation.

This can be obtained by applying online. Applicants are expected to submit a completed application, pay appropriate fees, and forward relevant documentation. Documentation includes proof of graduation from an accredited dental assisting program or work experience under a licensed dentist.

Applicants must pass the Iowa jurisprudence, infection control, and radiology examinations before being considered registered dental assistants.

Top Dental Assistant Schools in Iowa

The institutions below offer top-class dental assistant training programs for individuals in Iowa.

Explore dental assistant schools in Iowa by city:

• Dental assistant schools in Des Moines

Salary & Career Outlook

Data revealed by a survey of dental assistants in Iowa, carried out on the platform Indeed.com, showed that professionals in the state can earn an annual average salary of $93,121. However, this figure is usually reserved for those at the apex of the profession who are already making enough to be among the top 10 percent.

Naturally, anyone just starting may not be so lucky. They may have to start with an annual average salary of $56,504, which is the figure of the bottom 10%, or an annual average salary of $72,537, which is the figure of the median range.

They can improve their yearly returns by working on their experience, location, credentials, and work environment, among other key factors.

Ranking the top places to work as a dental assistant in Iowa for a significant annual salary, we have Fort Dodge, Marion, and Cedar Rapids with annual average salaries of $89,768, $81,225, and $75,678, respectively.

Dental assistants in Urbandale manage an annual average salary of $72,509.