Iowa Western Community College

Are you the type of person that likes fast-paced, hands-on experience with the opportunity to help the public? The Dental Assisting Program at Iowa Western is just what you’re looking for! Your hands-on experience begins as soon as the first week of class when you’ll be working with other students in the dental clinic at Iowa Western.   

Iowa Western’s small class size combined with a tight-knit dental community allows for one-on-one interaction with the faculty as the students work their way through the program. Before the student graduates, they will gain hands-on experience as a chairside assistant in area dental schools and private dental offices. Graduates have the opportunity to work in private dental practices, specialty dental practices, dental colleges, dental product sales, insurance claims departments, and public health institutions and clinics, and dental laboratories. 

The Dental Assisting Program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation and the United States Department of Education. This accreditation ensures that the Dental Assisting program is up to date on the latest curriculum and techniques in the dental industry. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at (312) 440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago 60611, or visit the website at www.ada.org/coda.

To learn more about the program or see what we’ve been up to, visit our program Facebook page.

If becoming a dental hygienist appeals to you, Iowa Western’s Dental Hygiene program can help you do just that. Successful candidates earn an Associate of Applied Science degree that prepares them to complete both the National Board Examination and a state or regional exam. Working with Creighton University, Iowa Western offers clinical experiences off-campus.

Graduates of Iowa Western’s Dental Hygiene program are some of the most prepared in the area, boasting a 99 percent board pass-rate on national exams, a 95 percent board pass-rate on regional and state exams, and 100 percent pass-rate on the jurisprudence exam.

After completing your Iowa Western requirements, you’ll have the option of transferring to a four-year institution to complete a bachelor’s degree.

To become a licensed professional, graduates must successfully complete both the National Board Examination, a state or regional exam, and a jurisprudence exam. CPR certification is required.

The program in dental hygiene is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and has been granted the accreditation status of “approval with reporting requirements”. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at (312) 440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611.