Surgical Dental Assistant Jobs in Iowa

Surgical Dental Assistant jobs in Iowa are concentrated in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Iowa City, where large oral surgery and periodontics practices alongside academic dental clinics keep demand steady at every experience level from new graduate to senior surgical specialist. Well-established employers with a consistent Iowa presence include University of Iowa Health Care, UnityPoint Health, and Hy-Vee Health, each of which maintains dental or specialty clinic operations across the state. The most in-demand subspecialties are oral and maxillofacial surgery support, implant placement assistance, and IV sedation monitoring. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.

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Overview

Open roles133+
Top employerMercyOne
Top cityMason City, IA
Cities hiring29
Work type94% On-site
Top industryHealthcare

Showing 5 of 133+ Surgical Dental Assistant jobs

MercyOne
Registered Nurse-Post Surgical Unit-RN
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MercyOne
New 18h ago
Registered Nurse-Post Surgical Unit-RN
MercyOne
Mason City, Iowa
Healthcare Administration
Nursing
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Bachelor of Science

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The University of Iowa
Staff Nurse - Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center (Surgical Oncology) (100%)
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The University of Iowa
Added 1d ago
Staff Nurse - Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center (Surgical Oncology) (100%)
The University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa
Healthcare Administration
Nursing
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Nursing Diploma
10,000+

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MercyOne
Charge Nurse-Post Surgical Unit
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MercyOne
Added 1d ago
Charge Nurse-Post Surgical Unit
MercyOne
Mason City, Iowa
Project Management
Solutions Engineering & Architecture
Technical Product & Program Management
Managed Registered Nurses (RNs)

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The University of Iowa
Surgical Technologist I - Urology Clinic-OR/Lithotripsy (50%-100%)
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The University of Iowa
Added 1d ago
Surgical Technologist I - Urology Clinic-OR/Lithotripsy (50%-100%)
The University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa
Allied Health
Clinical Support
Healthcare Administration
10,000+

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The University of Iowa
Patient Care Technician - Surgical & Trauma Care Unit (3RC) - 90% Day Shifts
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The University of Iowa
Added 1d ago
Patient Care Technician - Surgical & Trauma Care Unit (3RC) - 90% Day Shifts
The University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa
IT Support
Project Management
Technical Program Management
10,000+

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See All 133+ Surgical Dental Assistant Jobs in Iowa

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Surgical Dental Assistant Jobs by City in Iowa

Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Mason City
25 jobs
Iowa City
18 jobs
Des Moines
18 jobs
Waterloo
12 jobs
Davenport
10 jobs
Dyersville
9 jobs
Dubuque
4 jobs
Council Bluffs
4 jobs
West Burlington
4 jobs

Surgical Dental Assistant Job Market in Iowa

A snapshot from current Iowa openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • MercyOne
    MercyOne64
  • The University of Iowa
    The University of Iowa18
  • FirstChoice
    FirstChoice6
  • UnityPoint Health
    UnityPoint Health6
  • Great River Health
    Great River Health6

Top Industries Hiring

  • Healthcare & Medical Services64
  • Education9
  • Insurance2
  • Technology & Software1

What Iowa Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in surgical dental assistant jobs across Iowa.

  • Active Iowa DANB Certified Dental Assistant credential or equivalent state-recognized certification
  • Demonstrated experience assisting with oral surgery or other invasive dental procedures
  • Proficiency in sterile technique, instrument sterilization, and surgical tray setup
  • Current BLS or CPR certification from an accredited provider
  • Familiarity with dental practice management software such as Dentrix or Eaglesoft
  • Strong patient communication skills for pre-operative and post-operative instruction

Surgical Dental Assistant Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a surgical dental assistant in Iowa?

Iowa does not mandate a state-issued license for dental assistants, but most surgical practices require the Certified Dental Assistant credential issued by the Dental Assisting National Board. To sit for that exam, candidates typically complete an accredited dental assisting program, such as those offered at Kirkwood Community College or Des Moines Area Community College. Gaining hands-on experience in an oral surgery or periodontics setting after certification is the standard path into surgical roles across Iowa.

Which companies hire surgical dental assistants in Iowa?

Employers hiring surgical dental assistants in Iowa right now include MercyOne, The University of Iowa, and FirstChoice, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Iowa's academic and integrated health systems tend to post the most consistent surgical dental assistant openings throughout the year.

Which Iowa cities have the most surgical dental assistant jobs?

Mason City, Iowa City, and Des Moines lead Iowa for surgical dental assistant openings. Des Moines drives the largest share of listings as the state's most populous metro and home to major health systems and specialty dental groups, while Cedar Rapids and Iowa City benefit from the University of Iowa's academic dental and health care operations that generate steady surgical support demand in those markets.

Are there remote surgical dental assistant jobs in Iowa?

Yes, but they are rare. Surgical dental assisting is a hands-on chairside role that requires direct patient contact, so remote work is not a realistic option for most positions. About 6% of surgical dental assistant openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, and those tend to involve administrative or patient coordination duties rather than direct clinical assistance.

How can I get hired as a surgical dental assistant in Iowa with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry point is completing an accredited dental assisting program at Kirkwood Community College or Des Moines Area Community College and applying directly to general dentistry practices for a chairside assistant role. From that foundation, candidates move into oral surgery settings by requesting exposure to surgical procedures and pursuing the DANB Certified Dental Assistant credential. University of Iowa Health Care and larger Iowa dental service organizations regularly bring on new graduates willing to train into surgical workflows, so applying to their entry-level dental assistant postings is a strong first step.

Where can I find and apply to surgical dental assistant jobs in Iowa?

You can find and apply to surgical dental assistant jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current Iowa openings across oral surgery practices, health systems, and specialty dental clinics. Search the listings to find roles that fit your experience and credentials, then apply directly to the ones that match.

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