The dental assistant is a member of the dental health team and is concerned with the prevention of dental disease. The dental assistant is also trained to aid the dentist in the detection, care, and treatment of already present oral pathology.

Graduate dental assistants have completed a professional, accredited college program that entitles them to take a national certification examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board. Upon successful passage of this examination, the assistant becomes a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA).

The trained dental assistant is qualified to seek employment in private dental practices, both general and specialized, as well as in local, state, or federal health clinics and educational programs. Dental publishing companies and dental sales companies also offer job opportunities.

The dental assisting program is a 10 month, 36 credit hour certificate program. To be eligible to apply to the program, an applicant must be a high school graduate (or GED equivalent) with a minimum grade point average of 2.0 or a C average.

Student Consumer Information about this Program

IU Northwest offers an educational program that allows students to apply their credits toward an associate of science or a bachelor's degree, in another discipline, which is generally required for positions involving the responsibilities of education and/or administration.

Fall Semester 

• DAST H214 Oral Anatomy (3 cr.)
• DAST A112 Medical/Dental Emergencies and Pharmacology (2 cr.)
• DAST A121 Microbiology and Asepsis Techniques (2 cr.)
• DAST A171 Clinical Science I (5 cr.)
• DHYG H303 Radiology (2 cr.)

Total   (14 cr.)

Spring Semester

• DAST A131 Dental Materials I (2 cr.)
• DAST A111 Oral Pathology, Physiology, and Anatomy I (2 cr.)
• DAST A113 Oral Pathology, Physiology, and Anatomy II (1 cr.)
• DAST A141 Preventive Dentistry (2 cr.)
• DAST A172 Clinical Science II (5 cr.)
• DAST A152 Radiology clinic (1cr.)

Total (13 cr.) 

Summer Semester

• DHYG H242 Introduction to Dentistry (1 cr.)
• DAST A161 Behavioral Science (1 cr.)
• DAST A132 Dental Materials II (2 cr.)
• DHYG H224 Oral Histology and Embryology (1 cr.)
• DAST A162 Oral and Written Communications (2 cr.)
• DAST A182 Practice Management, Ethics and Jurisprudence (2 cr.)

Additional information may be obtained by writing to:

IU Northwest
Dental Assisting Program Advisor
Dunes / Medical Professional Building Room 1180
3400 Broadway
Gary, IN 46408
Phone: (219) 980-6770