A bill for an act relating to the practice of dental assistants without registration by the dental board.(See HF 805.)

House File 340 (HF340) was a bill introduced in the Iowa General Assembly on February 12, 2025, by Representative Steven Bradley. The bill aimed to address the practice of dental assistants who were not registered with the Iowa Dental Board. Specifically, it sought to amend existing laws to regulate unregistered dental assistants, ensuring that all individuals practicing as dental assistants were properly registered and adhered to the standards set by the Dental Board. The bill was withdrawn on March 21, 2025, and its provisions were incorporated into House File 805 (HF805), which was signed into law by the Governor on May 1, 2025, and became effective on July 1, 2025.

Supporters of HF340 and its successor, HF805, argued that the legislation would enhance patient safety by ensuring that all dental assistants met standardized qualifications and were subject to oversight by the Iowa Dental Board. Proponents believed that mandatory registration would lead to higher professional standards and accountability within the dental profession, ultimately benefiting public health.

Critics of the legislation expressed concerns that the new registration requirements could impose additional administrative burdens on dental practices, particularly smaller ones. They argued that the process of registering all dental assistants might lead to increased operational costs and could potentially deter individuals from entering the profession due to the added regulatory hurdles.