School of Dentistry
Overview
The IU School of Dentistry offers the following dental programs on the Fort Wayne campus: dental assisting, dental hygiene, and dental technology.
Dental Assisting
The IUFW dental assisting curriculum includes didactic, laboratory, and clinical courses, as well as clinical experiences in general and specialty practices throughout northeastern Indiana. The curriculum prepares students for a career as a dental health professional. A graduate of this certificate program may choose to specialize in any of the following areas of dentistry: general dentistry at chairside or in a restorative (expanded functions) role; orthodontics, endodontics, pediatric dentistry, oral surgery, periodontics, assist in general dental procedures at area hospitals, public health dentistry and additional dental business-related positions in management, insurance, research, and dental sales. Graduates take national boards to become a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) making them eligible to obtain a dental radiology license in the State of Indiana.
Dental Hygiene
The B.S. in Dental Hygiene program prepares students for a career as a dental health professional who specializes in educational, preventive, and therapeutic oral healthcare. The dental hygiene B.S. program involves one year of prerequisite courses and three years of dental hygiene courses, and combines didactic, laboratory, and clinical courses. The program offers a full-time curriculum that is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.
Dental Laboratory Technology
The dental technician functions within the dental health team much as a pharmacist functions within the medical care team. The technician fabricates appliances to the specification of a work authorization provided by the dentist. It is recommended anyone interested in a career in dental technology spend some time at local commercial dental laboratories to evaluate the day-to-day operation of the dental technician. The program has maintained full accreditation by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation since its beginning in 1972.
*NEW* Bachelor of Science in Dental Technology
IUFW offers a Bachelor of Science in Dental Technology (BSDT) for CODA program graduates maintaining their CDA credentials. This program offers additional opportunities to receive a degree and continue their education, while engaging in one of the many fields of dentistry as a CDA. This program curriculum builds on the Certified Dental Assisting program graduate’s previous education and includes additional courses over *one to two additional semesters of general education and professional dental assisting courses. The curriculum is a structured through a majority of online, hybrid, and evening course work. The student can choose a full-time or part-time schedule and can start in either fall or spring semesters.
The student chooses one of two tracks:
- Leadership/Sales – courses prepare the graduate for leadership, management, and chairside training positions in single- or multiple-Dentist practices. This track will also prepare for additional dental-related businesses of dentistry including sales, insurance, and dental corporations.
- Dental Education – courses prepare the graduate to teach concepts and skills in dental practices and CDA programs. Background is received in course preparation and delivery, research, and advanced dental technologies.
*additional course work in a track is dependent of transfer of classes and current credit hour accumulation.
