Indiana University School of Dentistry (IUSD) Dental Assisting (DA) Program – Indianapolis
Advanced Standing Policy for Admitted Students
Admitted students who have completed a dental assisting program within the last twelve (12) months, passed one (1) or more Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) National Entry Level Dental Assistant (NELDA) exams, and met required competencies may qualify for advanced standing. Upon admission, eligible students may be exempt from certain DA certificate program courses.
To qualify for advanced standing a student must:
- Be admitted to the IUSD DA Program in Indianapolis.
- Complete a dental assisting vocational program within the previous twelve (12) months before the application deadline.
- Submit an official transcript confirming completion of the dental assisting program.
- Submit official course/program documents verifying equivalent didactic, laboratory and pre-clinical content (i.e., syllabi, schedules, competencies, etc.)
- Pass one (1) or more DANB NELDA exam: Anatomy, Morphology and Physiology (AMP), Radiation Health and Safety (RHS), and/or Infection Control Exam (ICE).
- Provide official documentation of passing DANB exams.
- Successfully complete the in-person IUSD DA Program competencies required for course exemption.
Advanced Standing Awards:
- Exemption from DAST-A 211 Oral Pathology, Physiology, Anatomy I (1 credit hour) and DAST-A 214 Oral Anatomy, Histology and Embryology (3 credit hours) requires passing the DANB AMP exam.
- Exemption from DAST-A 303 Radiology Clinic I (2 credit hours) requires passing the DANB RHS exam and completing in-person at IUSD a full mouth series of radiographs competency.
- Exemption from DAST-A 221 Microbiology and Asepsis Technique (2 credit hours) requires passing the DANB ICE exam and completing competencies in-person at IUSD for handwashing, personal protective equipment, unit cleaning and disinfection, barriers, and instrument processing and sterilization.
DA Admissions Committee Approved: April 24, 2024