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.
Certificate in Dental Assisting
The IUFW Certified Dental Assisting Program curriculum includes didactic, laboratory, and clinical courses, as well as clinical experiences in general and specialty practices throughout northeastern Indiana. The professional curriculum is a structured, full-time program beginning each fall semester that prepares students for a career as a dental healthcare professional. The program offers a full-time curriculum that is accredited by the American Dental Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation.
Dental Clinician
The Dental Clinician Bachelor of Science in Dental Technology embeds the Certificate in Dental Assisting (year one). Following completion of the certificate program, students complete the remaining courses (years two through four), including general education requirements, to finish the degree. The program prepares graduates to work within their scope of practice with the latest advances in the dental profession.
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 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.
