Allied Dental Programs - IU Fort Wayne » Certified Dental Assisting

Allied Dental Programs

Allied Dental Programs - IU Fort Wayne

Certified Dental Assisting

Division of Allied Dental Education

Neff Hall Room 150

260-481-6837

https://www.iufw.edu/dental-education/assisting/index.html

The CDA Program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, 211 E Chicago Ave # 780, Chicago, IL 60611-6983, 312-440-2500.

The required education credits for the Certified Dental Assisting program have been embedded in the curriculum.

The student learning outcomes for the Certified Dental Assisting Program are:

• Develop and incorporate skills in critical thinking, interpretation, reasoning, questioning, and decision-making.
• Apply principles from basic sciences, social sciences, clinical practice, and dental technology to deliver comprehensive care to their patients.
• Practice and apply safe delivery of patient care.
• Develop competence in assessing, evaluating, planning, and treating oral conditions and diseases.
• Develop effective verbal and nonverbal interpersonal communication skills.
• Interpret, evaluate, and synthesize current scientific research and apply evidence-based reasoning skills throughout the program curriculum.
• Recognize good health practices and promote these ideals to others.
• Promote ethical behavior required in the practice of dentistry.
• Assume a leadership and collaborative role in the advancement of the dental assisting profession through community activities and affiliations with professional organizations.
• Recognize the need for life-long learning and professional development.

The Certified Dental Assisting Program curriculum includes didactic, laboratory, and clinical courses. Students are designated as pre-dental assisting students prior to admission to the program. The professional curriculum is a structured, full-time program beginning each fall semester. The curriculum prepares students for a career as a dental health professional. Graduates are required to successfully pass the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB™) examinations to become a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) to obtain a dental radiology license in the State of Indiana.

Application to the Program

Applicants must make an appointment with a CDA program advisor to discuss the program and receive current information regarding admission, prerequisite requirements, preferred admission courses, and future degree completion options. To make an appointment with an advisor, please stop by Neff Hall 150, or call 260-481-6837.

To apply to the Certified Dental Assisting Program, a student must:

• To be eligible to apply you must first be fully admitted to IU Fort Wayne (IUFW). You must apply and be accepted to IU Fort Wayne first as your IU student ID number is required on the CDA application form.
• Admission to IUFW does not confer admission to the CDA program. After accepting IUFW's offer of admission, you must then apply to the CDA program.
• Apply to the CDA program by submitting the program application, observation forms, and official transcripts (high school and/or college). Applications will be accepted each year through the priority application deadline of June 15th.
• All applicants must observe a dental assistant in a minimum of two different general dental offices for a minimum of 4 hours total or two hours at each dental office. Each office will need to verify observation hours. Documentation of observations is required to be submitted with the application via the program's clinical observation form.
• Space in the CDA program is limited to 20 students per year. Admission is competitive, and the number of eligible applicants each year may exceed the number of spaces available.

Acceptance into the Certified Dental Assisting Program is based on the following: 

• The Dental Admissions Committee reviews all qualified applications and evaluates English, Science and the Cumulative GPAs. The applicant must have earned at least a 2.0 on a 4.0 scale in each of these areas. Both high school and college GPAs are considered and evaluated equally. Applicants must have at least two courses in English and two courses in Life Sciences to be considered complete for evaluation. Applicants are ranked by GPA. The Admissions Committee members will review applicant information by the end of June.
• Common courses accepted in English: English Composition, Literature, Etymology, Speech, Medical Terminology, Latin, and Journalism course work.
• Common courses accepted in the Life Sciences: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Anatomy and Physiology, Microbiology, Psychology as a Biological Science.

Students accepted to the CDA Program will receive detailed program information at the July orientation. Students are required to submit evidence they have completed the following before classes begin fall semester:

1. A current physical examination (not earlier than the summer before the program begins).
2. A list of immunizations, including currency with MMR, Tdap, and Varicella.
3. Proof of current two-step TB testing results (not earlier than the summer before the program begins).
4. Hepatitis B titer (blood test) result, proving immunity.
5. Current CPR certification at the healthcare-provider level or professional level from a DANB-approved CPR provider http://www.danb.org.
6. Application to the Indiana State Department of Health for a Radiology Permit. (Students receive the permit application at the July orientation).
7. A criminal background check. (Students will receive online instructions at July orientation).
8. Reading of the official Program Manual. (Students receive the program manual at the July orientation).

Students in the professional dental programs must pass a drug-screening test, if requested.

Admission Policies

Reapplying. Students who have not been accepted, but are qualified may reapply for admission. Students who decline admission two times will no longer be considered.

Criteria for Dismissal from the Certified Dental Assisting Program

A student may be dismissed for failure to meet academic, ethical, or professional standards. The policy is explained after program entry.

Special Academic Regulations for Students

Attendance

Class attendance is essential and mandatory because of the experiential learning process used in all dental assisting courses. Some evening hours are required for additional clinical experiences and professional association meetings. Reliable and punctual transportation to and from classes, clinics, and dental office assignments are the responsibility of the student.

Physicals and Immunizations

IUSD requires proof of immunizations and/or official proof of immunity for Hepatitis B, MMR, Varicella (chicken pox), current Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis (Tdap) booster, and yearly TB test and influenza vaccination.

Before beginning clinical courses, students must submit evidence they have: (1) completed an annual physical examination; (2) obtained ALL required immunizations; (3) hold a current CPR certification at the professional healthcare-provider level from a DANB-approved CPR provider; (4) show proof of medical insurance coverage; and, 5) submit proof of a criminal background check.

Hair Color, Tattoos, Fingernails, and Head / Neck Piercings

The dental profession is conservative. Extreme hair colors, visible tattoos, and piercings are not acceptable in many healthcare settings. If a student plans to color their hair, it must be a naturally occurring color. If a student has visible tattoos, they must be covered by clothing or bandages at their own cost. Fingernails must be manicured, short (not beyond finger pad), and free of polish while in lab, clinic, or dental office settings. All head/neck piercings must be removed, including plugs, for any lab, clinic or dental setting.

Courses 

These are courses for the IUFW Allied Dental Education programs. The number of credit hours is indicated in parentheses following the course title.

 

Dental Assisting Certificate