University of Southern Indiana
DentalAssisting

Dental Assisting

The dental assistant is a valued member of the dental health team, assisting the dentist in performing professional duties at chair-side, in the laboratory, and the business office. Dental assistants learn the legal, ethical, and professional standards of dental assisting along with clinical skills to function as a member of the dental team.

The median national salary is $17.76/hr. More information is available here US Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Our program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association and 95% of our graduates pass the Dental Assisting National Board Certification Examination on the first try.

Students should expect roughly $4,000 in additional costs for books, uniforms, the certification exams, CPR certification, supplies, and student membership in the ADAA.

For additional information, including full course layout, visit the Dental Assisting Homepage

Admission Requirements

Potential Dental Assisting students must be accepted to USI and have completed the prerequisite courses with a minimum letter grade of a "C" or above. 

The student must have at least a 2.5 GPA in the prerequisite courses

Admission Process

Students must submit the following application materials to the Dental Assisting Administrative Assistant by March 1:

  • Application to the Dental Assisting Program - found here 
  • Dental Office Observation Form verifying 8 hours of observation of a dental assistant - found here

FAQ  

What is the average accepted GPA?
Students should strive to have a 3.09 GPA on a 4.0 scale in the prerequisite admission courses.


When is the application deadline? Is admission multiple times a year?
March 1 for admission into the program for the following fall term. Admission is once a year.


How many students are accepted each year?
A total of 24 students are accepted each year for the Dental Assisting Program.


How many applications do you typically receive for Dental Assisting?
Approximately 40 applications are received each year for the Dental Assisting Program.


When will I know if I am accepted?
Notifications from the Dental Assisting Program are sent by postal mail after June 1 of the calendar year the applicant is applying. To ensure receipt of your notification, please ensure the Dental Assisting Department has your current mailing address.


Who can I contact for more information?
Please contact the Health Professions Advising Center for additional information regarding the Dental Assisting Program. You may email us at  or call at 812-228-5042

Prerequisite Courses

Contact Mr. Michael (Brody) Broshears

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