Which entity writes the rules that regulate dental assistants?

• A. OSHA
• B. FDA
• C. Iowa dental board
• D. DEA

Answer: (C)

Rules for dental assistants in Iowa are written by the Iowa dental board. This board administers the Iowa Dental Practice Act and adopts detailed rules that define what dental assistants may do, under what supervision, what certifications are needed (like radiography), continuing education requirements, and how licensure is renewed or disciplinary actions are handled. Essentially, the board translates state law into the practical rules you must follow to practice in Iowa.

Federal agencies like OSHA, the FDA, and the DEA regulate different aspects of dentistry—OSHA focuses on workplace safety and infection-control practices, the FDA oversees dental materials and devices, and the DEA regulates controlled substances—but they do not set the specific practice rules for dental assistants in Iowa.