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Student & Program Outcomes

Dental Assisting students at graduation

Program Goals

  1. Provide an educational curriculum that prepares graduates for excellence in advancing oral healthcare and wellness.
  2. Provide support to the community through service learning activities and organizational involvement.
  3. Provide a campus community that supports student success and graduation.
  4. Serve as a leader in health care education, scholarly activity, and practice.
  5. Provide an inclusive learning community which values a diverse population of faculty, staff, and students.
  6. Promote and support the professional development of faculty, graduates, and oral health care professionals.

Entry-level Competencies for Graduation

Upon completion of the Dental Assisting Program, graduates should be able to utilize the following skill sets in each category:

  • Apply professional values and ethics in all endeavors.                                                  
  • Adhere to accreditation standards and federal, state and local laws and regulations.
  • Promote quality assurance practices based on accepted standards of care.
  • Demonstrate interpersonal skills to effectively communicate and collaborate with professionals and patients across socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.
  • Comply with local, state and federal regulations concerning infection control protocols for blood-borne and respiratory pathogens, other infectious diseases and hazardous materials.
  • Follow manufacturers’ recommendations related to materials and equipment used in practice.
  • Establish and enforce mechanisms to ensure the management of emergencies.
  • Use security guidelines and compliance training to create and maintain a safe, ecofriendly and sustainable practice compatible with emerging trends.
  • Ensure a humanistic approach to care.
  • Uphold a respectful and emotionally safe environment for patients and practitioners.
  • Demonstrate critical and analytical reasoning to identify and develop comprehensive oral health care solutions and protocols.
  • Apply individual and population risk factors, social determinants of health and scientific research to promote improved health and enhanced quality of life.
  • Support research activities and develop research skills.
  • Use evidence-based decision-making to evaluate and implement health care strategies aligned with emerging trends to achieve high-quality, cost-effective and humanistic care.
  • Integrate accepted scientific theories and research into educational, preventive and therapeutic oral health services.
  • Endorse health literacy and disease prevention.
  • Communicate and provide health education and oral self-care to diverse populations.
  • Facilitate learning platforms for communities of interest by providing health education through collaboration with dental and other professionals.
  • Promote the values of the dental profession through service-based activities.
  • Evaluate outcomes for future activities supporting health and wellness of individuals and communities.
  • Promote an ethical and equitable patient care and practice environment by demonstrating inclusion of diverse beliefs and values.
  • Uphold civic and social engagement through active involvement in professional affiliations to advance oral health.
  • Commit to lifelong learning for professional and career opportunities in a variety of roles and settings.
  • Engage in research, education, industry involvement, technological and professional developments and/or advanced degrees.
  • Demonstrate self-awareness through reflective assessment for continued improvement.
  • Facilitate referrals to and consultations with relevant healthcare providers and other professionals to promote equitable and optimal patient care.
  • Promote economic growth and sustainability by meeting practice goals.
  • Create and maintain comprehensive, timely and accurate records.
  • Protect privacy, confidentiality and security of the patients and the practice by complying with legislation, practice standards, ethics and organizational policies.
  • Develop and use effective strategies to facilitate change.
  • Inspire and network with others to nurture collegial affiliations.
  • Solicit and provide constructive feedback to promote professional growth of self.
  • Recognize the implications of the interrelationship of the following sciences on the diagnosis, treatment, and management of dental diseases:
    • Microbiology
    • Human anatomy and physiology
    • Human cellular biology
    • Embryological and histological development of the hard and soft tissues of the head and neck
    • Anatomical and physiological features for the dentition
    • General and oral pathology
    • Nutrition
    • Pharmacokinetics
  • Relate to patients’ intellectual and psychosocial development and growth throughout their lifespan.
  • Possess a level of background knowledge and skill necessary to be competent with the current dental materials and technologies used for direct restorative procedures, indirect restorative procedures, fixed and removable prostheses and the recognized specialties.
  • Collect, analyze, record and communicate diagnostic data on the general and oral health status of diverse patients and communities.
  • Produce dental images of diagnostic quality using as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA).
  • Identify relevant factors associated with medication dosage and administration for prescription and over-the-counter drugs commonly used in dentistry and medicine.
  • Assist in the development of a comprehensive treatment plan or program that is reflective of the general and oral health needs of the individual patient.
  • Select and assemble the appropriate materials and armamentarium for general and specialized patient care.
  • Demonstrate ergonomic and safe instrument transfer techniques.
  • Manage medical and dental emergencies, including current basic life support and first aid
  • Perform chairside and expanded function procedures as permitted by the state statutes and regulations.
  • Educate patients on caries and periodontal disease prevention.
  • Provide recommendations for nutritional needs as they relate to oral health.
  • Inform patients of pre- and post-operative instructions for preventive, restorative and specialty dental procedures.
  • Demonstrate isolation and evacuation techniques for intraoral procedures.
  • Support administrative roles in the dental practice.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in strategies that support practice management.
  • Possess familiarity with software and hardware used in administrative processes.

Dental Assisting Program Mission

The mission of the University of Southern Indiana Dental Assisting Program is to educate students to be professional, ethical and competent dental assistants. The curriculum includes didactic, laboratory and clinical education to prepare graduates to meet the regional work force needs and to promote dental health within the regional communities.

Pass Rates

The Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (DANB) is the nationally recognized premier certification and credentialing agency for dental assistants. DANB offers national certification examinations including those required to earn the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) credentidal. Graduates of the University of Southern Indiana Certificate and Associate of Science in Dental Assisting programs are required to take the CDA component exams (GC, RHS, ICE). Earning certification shows the candidate has gained the education and experience to deliver a high standard of care. Successful completion of the RHS portion of the CDA exams is required by 23 states, including Indiana, as a pre-requisit to apply state specific Dental Radiographer License.

Learn more about the CDA Exam

Learn more about Dental Assistant Certification

Pass rate on all three components of the Dental Assisting National Board Examination:

Graduation Year GC Board Pass Rate RHS Board Pass Rate ICE Board Pass Rate
2026 88% 100% 100%
2025 79% 100% 93%
2024 75% 100% 92%
2023 83% 100% 100%

Connect With
Dental Assisting

Dr. Jennifer Fehrenbacher
Dr. Jennifer Fehrenbacher
(812) 465-1156