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Primary Health Care
Des Moines, Iowa

PRN Dentist - Des Moines Dental Clinics

Dental Above average in Dentistry (Dental)Per Diem

Listed compensation

$160K - $240K

Listing transparency3 of 6 stated

Ask the employer about the work setting, weekend coverage and nights and shift pattern.

Employment & setting
Per Diem · on_site
Call expectations
Includes call
Weekends
Not specified
Posted 1mo ago

Job Description

Are you looking for an opportunity to do amazing work helping others? You've come to the right place. Let's make a difference! 

Primary Health Care (PHC) was founded in 1981 by Dr. Bery Engebretsen in Des Moines, IA.  Our mission has remained unchanged since that time, to provide healthcare and supportive services to all, regardless of insurance, immigration status, or ability to pay.  

Based on the needs of the communities we serve, PHC offers a spectrum of medical and dental services including family practice, behavioral health, HIV care and services, and pharmacy. PHC’s Homeless Support Services is the entry point for serving people experiencing homelessness in Polk County. Enabling services are available to help patients with benefits enrollment, case management, transportation, translation, and patient education. We currently have locations in Ames, Des Moines, & Marshalltown. 

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As a Dentist, you will work with a Patient Care Team and provide comprehensive and emergency oral care to patients of Primary Health Care, Inc. to enhance the holistic approach to patient care. The dentist works cooperatively with the physicians and other health care team members, providing leaderships within the health center in the are of oral health. Meets ever changing oral care challenges while engaging patients in holistic care. Utilizes established workflows to ensure patient and staff satisfaction and organizational financial success. Demonstrates iCare values in daily work. 

What's Great About this Position?

* Earn 5 weeks of PTO throughout your first year of employment and enjoy paid holidays as well. 

* Continue to develop your skills and grow your career through PHC’s training opportunities including: PHC University, Emerging Leaders, and medical and dental assistant training programs. 

What You Will Do

1. Assesses patients presenting to the dental clinics and orders necessary procedures for the diagnosis of oral-related diseases considering the patient’s age-related, physical, psychosocial and cultural needs. Plans and sequences oral/dental treatment based on the diagnosis and needs.  Develops treatment modalities to enable patients with compromising factors & needs to receive oral care.  Delivers comprehensive and emergency oral care in the dental clinics and the operating room. Completes dental x-rays pursuant to all regulations.

2. Educates the patient and family regarding the oral diagnosis, treatment plan, pre and postoperative instructions and prevention of disease that is understandable to the patient and family.

3. Adheres to organizational policies and procedures to minimize risk of radiation exposure to employees and patients. 

4. Advises medical staff on the diagnosis and treatment of patients with oral-related conditions via written consultations, face-to-face interaction and participation in medical staff activities.

5. Provides after-hours call coverage and follow-up care for patients.

6. Assists the Dental Director in the development of clinical protocols for the department.  Assists the Dental Director in the training and supervision of students participating in the dental clinic educational programs.  Supports and assists with the department’s community outreach program, as requested.

7. Acts as a leader and role model for members of the Patient Care Team. Participates in department and medical staff meetings.  Participates in the department and health center performance improvement activities.

8. Performs other duties as assigned.   

Required Qualifications and Skills

  • DDS/DMD degree from an approved dental school.
  • Experience with and working knowledge of third-party payers and associated regulations.
  • Eligible for hospital privileges.
  • Basic computer skills with proficiency using Microsoft Office applications with willingness and ability to learn and computer applications.
  • Strong organization and time management skills.
  • Effective verbal and written communication skills
  • Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively and serve a diverse population.
  • Teamwork and collaboration skills.
  • Strong problem-solving, analytic and critical thinking skills.
  • Adaptive and resilient with ability to handle stress effectively.
  • License and Certifications: Current license to practice dentistry in the state of Iowa. Current registration with the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Iowa Board of Pharmacy Examiners (CSA). *Current Basic Life Support (BLS) for Health Care Providers Certification recognized by the American Heart Association. *Current Mandatory Reporter Training: Child and Dependent Adult Abuse recognized by the Iowa Department of Public Health. * Must be obtained with Introductory Period (first 90 days of employment) if not current.

Preferred Qualifications and Skills

  • Completion of a hospital-based general practice residency program or experience in hospital dental protocols.
  • Community Health Center experience.
  • Minimum of two years of experience as a dentist.
  • Bilingual, verbal and written language proficiency.

We Take Care of Our People

* Generous PTO accrual (equal to 5 weeks at the end of 1st years) plus paid holidays. 

* License/certification fee reimbursement

* Paid time off for continuing education & continuing education reimbursement

* Tuition reimbursement program

* 401k with company match

* Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance

* Life & disability insurance

* Flexible spending & health savings accounts

* Supplemental accident & critical illness insurance

* Discounts on pet insurance

Visit https://phciowa.org/careers [https://phciowa.org/careers] for a summary of PHC’s benefits.

Join the PHC Community

|  PHC Talent Community [https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=1a81e9ec-0004-4bf2-aadc-f982de3a9509&ccId=19000101_000001&lang=en_US&selectedMenuKey=CurrentOpenings]  |  Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/primaryhealthcareiowa]  |  Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/phciowa/]  |  LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/primary-health-care-iowa/mycompany/verification/]  |  TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@phciowa?_t=8Wy7yQMltsI&_r=1&fbclid=IwAR3eYN31kfbNlQj1vmHoMlkGwCN5oZkmlwmxOs1OSAGcM7pdbykWuiulBqs]

Key Responsibilities

Provide comprehensive and emergency oral care to a diverse patient population within a holistic healthcare team. Responsibilities include diagnosing oral diseases, developing treatment plans, and collaborating with medical staff to enhance patient outcomes.

Requirements

Requires a DDS/DMD degree and a current license to practice dentistry in Iowa, along with DEA and CSA registrations. Candidates must hold BLS certification and have experience with third-party payer regulations.

Qualifications

Education
Doctoral or professional degree (postgraduate degree)
Experience
2+ years of experience

Certifications

DEA License

Key Skills

Dental Treatment PlanningClinical Protocol DevelopmentInterpersonal Communication

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates PRN Dentist - Des Moines Dental Clinics at Primary Health Care a 6.3 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the Above average in Dentistry (Dental) — ranked against 1,576 active Dentistry (Dental) listings on WeekdayDoc.

Dentistry Career Context

Primary Health Care holds silver-tier status on WeekdayDoc's Top Employers work-life index, composite score 77/100, 10 active listings.

Of the 50 active Dentist listings this role was benchmarked against, 2% are remote, 50% have no call, 74% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for Iowa is 87.8 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$200k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $228k in an average-cost state. 59.8% of Iowa clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Dentist Jobs

26 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution26 jobs · 19 employers

7
<$250k
3
$250k-300k
6
$300k-350k
4
$350k-400k
6
$400k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks23 jobs · 19 employers

CME allowance
87% this job
401k / retirement match
74% this job
Sign-on bonus
39%
Loan repayment
39%
PSLF eligible
17%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Dentist - $35,000 Commitment Bonus

Westphalia Holdings · Topeka, Kansas

$230k-$461k
#2

Dentist

Smilist · Medford, New Jersey

$225k-$425k
#3

General Dentist Focused on Endodontics

$200k-$400k
#4

Endodontist 1099

$200k-$400k
+ 24 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

6.3/ 10
Listing-based score

Above average in Dentistry (Dental)

  • On-site
  • Includes call

Living in Des Moines

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$227k
Typical market rent
$1,126/mo
Residents’ average commute
20 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
91.7
State income tax
Up to 6%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

Primary Health Care logo

About Primary Health Care

Hospitals and Health Care
Des Moines, IA
1,001-5,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

5 weeks PTO
Paid holidays
License/certification fee reimbursement
CME time and reimbursement
Tuition reimbursement
401k with company match
Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
Life & disability insurance