Allied Dental Programs
Dental Assisting - Indianapolis
Admissions
Applicants must meet all minimum criteria to be considered for admission to the Indiana University School of Dentistry (IUSD) Certificate in Dental Assisting (DA) program. Enrollment is limited to 20 students. All students meeting minimum requirements are encouraged to apply. However, meeting the minimum criteria does not guarantee admission and not all applicants will be accepted. Final selection will be based on a ranking of the applicant pool. If English is not the applicant's primary language, English proficiency must be demonstrated. The English for Academic Purposes Exam (EAP) or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) may be required.
Grade Point Average (GPA)
Four grade point averages will be evaluated as part of the application process: high school cumulative GPA, college cumulative GPA (if applicable), high school life science GPA, and college life science GPA (if applicable). A minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale is required in each of these areas. Applicants are ranked based on the four GPAs and personal statement score, with one bonus point for bi/multilingual applicants, and one bonus point for applicants who have completed dental assisting coursework in high school, or who have at least 200 hours of dental assisting work experience.
The high school cumulative GPA score will be doubled for applicants with less than 12 college credit hours. The high school life science GPA score will be doubled for applicants with less than six college credit hours in life science courses.
Applicants with a cumulative high school GPA below 2.0 will be considered for admission, with a cumulative college GPA of 2.0 or above, with a minimum of 15 college credit hours. Applicants with a high school life science GPA below 2.0 will be considered for admission, with a college life science GPA of 2.0 or above, with a minimum of six college credit hours.
Applicants with 26 or more college credits are not required to submit high school transcripts. The college cumulative and life science GPA scores will be doubled for applicants with 26 or more college credit hours.
Completion of at least two life science courses in high school and/or college is required. Commonly accepted courses for life science GPAs are biology, chemistry, physics, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, and psychology as a biological science. Non–life science courses such as earth space science or astronomy are not accepted.
Admissions Process
1. IU Indianapolis Application
All dental assisting applicants must first be admitted to IU Indianapolis through the IU Indianapolis Office of Admissions. There is an undergraduate application fee to apply to IU Indianapolis.
2. Dental Assisting Observation
Applicants are strongly encouraged to observe a dental assistant in a least two (2) different dental offices for at least four (4) hours total. The requirements for the verification of observation document* are:
- Must be on official letterhead for office(s)/or be sent via office email
- Signed by a dentist or office manager
- Include the applicant name, date & time of observation(s), and dental assistant's name that you observed
- Uploaded with Dental Assisting program application
*Contact the Director of Dental Assisting by emailing dast@iu.edu to request alternatives to observation, if needed.
3. Personal Statement and Recorded Interview
In 500-800 words, write a personal statement to submit with the program application. The personal statement should include the following content:
- Describe your goals and explain why you are pursuing dental assisting education.
- Answer only one (1) of the two (2) questions below:
- Describe any leadership roles, service activities, extracurricular activities, accomplishments, and/or achievements that have influenced your personal growth.
- Describe obstacles or challenges you have faced that impacted your life or educational goals.
4. Dental Assisting Application and Transcripts
The Dental Assisting program application, verification of observation document, and all official transcripts must be received by the IUSD Dental Assisting program director by June 15. However, applications and documents received after this date will be considered until the class is full. Please note applicants applying by June 15 will receive priority consideration for admissions.
To apply to the Certificate in Dental Assisting program, please refer to Dental Assisting "How to Apply" section on the Indiana University School of Dentistry website for the link to the application.
If final high school and college transcripts are on file with IU Indianapolis, the Dental Assisting program does not require additional copies. Applicants must submit an OFFICIAL high school transcript (Grades 9-12) of all academic work completed. If applicable, applicants may submit a copy of GED/TASC Certificate and scores. Applicants who are currently enrolled or have attended a college or university must submit an official transcript from each school attended.
Electronic official transcripts may be emailed to dast@iu.edu. Only official transcripts emailed by the institution will be accepted. Unofficial copies emailed by the applicant will not be accepted.
If electronic official transcripts are not available, the official transcripts should be mailed to: Indiana University School of Dentistry, Dental Assisting Program, 1121 West Michigan Street, Room DS 317, Indianapolis, IN 46202.
Advanced Standing Policy for Admitted Students
Admitted students who have completed a dental assisting program within the last twelve (12) months, passed one (1) or more Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) National Entry Level Dental Assistant (NELDA) exams, and met required competencies may qualify for advanced standing. Upon admission, eligible students may be exempt from certain DA certificate program courses. (Dental Assisting (DA) Admissions Committee Approved: April 24, 2024)
To qualify for advanced standing a student must:
- Be admitted to the IUSD DA Program in Indianapolis.
- Complete a dental assisting vocational program within the previous twelve (12) months before the application deadline.
- Submit an official transcript confirming completion of the dental assisting program.
- Submit official course/program documents verifying equivalent didactic, laboratory and pre-clinical content (i.e., syllabi, schedules, competencies, etc.)
- Pass one (1) or more DANB NELDA exam: Anatomy, Morphology and Physiology (AMP), Radiation Health and Safety (RHS), and/or Infection Control Exam (ICE).
- Provide official documentation of passing DANB exams.
- Successfully complete the in-person IUSD DA Program competencies required for course exemption.
Advanced Standing Awards:
- Exemption from DAST-A 211 Oral Pathology, Physiology, Anatomy I (1 credit hour) and DAST-A 214 Oral Anatomy, Histology and Embryology (3 credit hours) requires passing the DANB AMP exam.
- Exemption from DAST-A 303 Radiology Clinic I (2 credit hours) requires passing the DANB RHS exam and completing in-person at IUSD a full mouth series of radiographs competency.
- Exemption from DAST-A 221 Microbiology and Asepsis Technique (2 credit hours) requires passing the DANB ICE exam and completing competencies in-person at IUSD for handwashing, personal protective equipment, unit cleaning and disinfection, barriers, and instrument processing and sterilization.
Learn more about Indiana University School of Dentistry's Certificate in Dental Assisting program and review the tuition and fees, student learning outcomes, and course descriptions.
Updated April 2025