Dental Assistant Pathway Program (DAPP)
Dental Assistant Pathway Program Heading link
The UIC College of Dentistry was awarded a three-year grant from the Otho S. A. Sprague Memorial Institute to support the launch of a Dental Assistant Pathway Program (DAPP), an employee training program that provides young adults, community members, and other individuals interested in the oral health field with a pathway to advance their career as a dental assistant. This program was created to address the crucial need for skilled and experienced dental assistants to support oral healthcare delivery within the college as well as through the city, state and surrounding areas.
The Otho S.A. Sprague Memorial Institute was founded in 1911 as a non-profit foundation with a mandate to pursue “the investigation of the cause of disease and the prevention and relief of human suffering in the City of Chicago, County of Cook, State of Illinois.”
Program Description Heading link
Through a combination of asynchronous online instruction, in-person classroom lectures, and clinical rotations, participants will receive 15 weeks of foundational training that will prepare them for the National Entry Level Dental Assistant (NELDA) exam through the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) while employed at the College of Dentistry as an Extra Help Dental Assistant I – DAPP.
Upon successful completion of the program, candidates will receive a certificate of completion from the University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry. Participants will be eligible to take the Dental Assisting National Board National Entry Level Dental Assistant (NELDA) certification exam. The cost of the certification exam ($400) will be covered by the college.
Curriculum
Areas of Study:
- Dental Terminology
- General Dental Assisting
- Anatomy
- Morphology
- Physiology
- Infection Control
- OSHA guidelines for infection control and sterilization
- Radiology
- Radiation Health and Safety
- Operating X-ray machines and arranging/mounting X-rays
- Creating impressions and models
- Prevention and patient education
- Laboratory procedures
- Developing chair-side etiquette as part of a dental team
- Chairside assisting
- Dental ethics/jurisprudence
Specialty rotations will be assigned in addition to the learning modules to include sterilization, radiology, restorative dentistry, periodontics, endodontics, oral surgery, pediatrics, implant dentistry and orthodontics.
DAPP Pilot Heading link
DAPP pilot program participants received their certificate from the college and are ready to take the national board exam.
Application Requirements Heading link
Minimum requirements: High school diploma or equivalent. No previous knowledge or work experience in dentistry or healthcare profession is necessary.
How to Apply
Submit your application for the Extra Help Dental Assistant I- Dental Assistant Pathway Program (DAPP) – Dental Clinics online here.
Summer 2025 Cohort Application Deadline: January 15, 2025
Candidate Interviews: February/March 2025
Notification of Intent to Hire/Intent to Admit to Program: April 2025
Employment Clearances: April – May 2025
Program Start Date: May 2025
Quick Links Heading link
Course Instructors Heading link
Robert M. Bara, DDS
Director of Dental Auxiliary Programs
Clinical Assistant Professor
Valerie Kuhl, CDA
Instructor
Grisel Romero-Delgado, CDA
Dental Assistant Coordinator
Andres Felipe Giraldo Ledesma, MHA, COA
Instructor
I heard about the program during my first week at the college. The program is designed for those who have little to no experience as a dental assistant and providing a solid foundation to not only grow, but also build upon. I decided I wanted to be a part of it. For 14 weeks, I learned and studied the fundamental basics of dental assisting. Now looking back, I am grateful for the opportunity and the new knowledge that I gained to not only further my career in dental assisting, but also allowing me a new perspective overall. It opened my eyes to what this career can give – stability, flexibility and joy. I encourage others to allow themselves to give it a chance. It will be worth it in the end.
| Dental Assistant
Contact Us Heading link
For more information on how to apply for the Dental Assistant Pathway Program, please contact denthr@uic.edu.