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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Full time
Shift:
12 Hour Day Shift
Description:
Sign on Bonus Starting at $10,000
Full Time
Day Shift
7:00am-7:30pm
Position Purpose:
This position accepts the responsibility and accountability for the delivery of patient care with the multidisciplinary team while using the nursing process and maintaining professional nursing standards.
What you will Do:
- Assesses and evaluates the patient’s physical, psychosocial, environmental, spiritual, social and education needs and documents patient/family responses to nursing interventions while working collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team to achieve desired patient care outcomes. (Adherence to policy, Problem Solving, Teamwork)
- Develops and implements patient’s plan of care, including the discharge plan, based on standards of nursing practice, health center policy, and patient/family needs using clinical/critical thinking skills Reviews and updates the plan of care based on changes in patient’s condition ((Problem identification, Problem solving). ).
- Guides and directs patient care activities for the above-indicated population, by utilizing clinical/critical thinking skills and evidence-based practice (Problem Solving, Problem Identification).
- Provides daily direction and guidance to Licensed Practical Nurse and Nurse Assistant
- Provides, facilitates, and/or implements learning opportunities to meet the educational needs of patient/family by assessing the learning needs and formulating and initiating a teaching plan to meet those needs (Initiative, Adherence to Policy)
Full Time
36 Hours Per Week
7am - 7:30pm,
Every other holiday, every third weekend
Minimum Qualifications:
- Current RN licensure in the state of Iowa, or qualified multistate licensure required.
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing preferred.
- Previous experience in acute care preferred.
- Preferred professional certification in related to clinical specialty (from the Magnet approved certifications)
- Ability to work on multiple projects at one time and flexibility to meet department needs.
- Self-motivated, detail oriented individual able to work with minimum supervision.
- Education Assistance offered
- Effective Day 1 Benefit Package (Medical, Dental, Vision, and more) for positions 16 hours per week or greater
- Competitive wages; including weekend and night differentials
- Generous paid time off program
- Retirement Savings program with employer match starting on Day 1
Ministry/Facility Information:
MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center provides expert health care to 15 counties.
MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center is a 342 bed, regional referral teaching hospital in Mason City, Iowa.MercyOne New Hampton Medical Center is an 11 bed, rural access hospital in New Hampton, Iowa. Our service area spans 15 counties across northern Iowa and southern Minnesota. We serve a population over 260,000.
With more than 3,000 colleagues and a medical staff of almost 500 physicians and allied health professionals, MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center is the largest employer in the region.
MercyOne Medical Group – North Iowa is part of Iowa’s largest multispecialty clinic systems. In north Iowa, our clinics are made up of more than 25 primary care, pediatric, internal medicine and specialty clinics.
Our Commitment
Rooted in our Mission and Core Values, we honor the dignity of every person and recognize the unique perspectives, experiences, and talents each colleague brings. By finding common ground and embracing our differences, we grow stronger together and deliver more compassionate, person-centered care. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.
See All 133+ Surgical Dental Assistant Jobs in Iowa
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Find JobsSurgical Dental Assistant Jobs by City in Iowa
Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Surgical Dental Assistant Job Market in Iowa
A snapshot from current Iowa openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- MercyOne64

- The University of Iowa18

- FirstChoice6

- UnityPoint Health6

- 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.
See All 133+ Surgical Dental Assistant Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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