Dental Assistant Scholarship Application

 

The Gary & Deborah Steinberg Dental Assistant Scholarship

Thanks to the generous support of Gary & Deborah Steinberg, in conjunction with the Association for Dental Safety (ADS, formerly OSAP), the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) and the DALE Foundation through the ADS- DANB-DALE Foundation Andrew Whitehead Education and Certification Scholarship, the Dental Trade Alliance (DTA) Foundation is proud to offer Dental Assistant scholarships for students enrolled/accepted into a US-based Dental Assisting program. One of the goals of the Gary & Deborah Steinberg Dental Assistant Program is to help elevate the very important professional role that a Dental Assistant plays in the dental practice of today. Please note that the focus of this scholarship is attaining successful graduation from a Dental Assistant school with a strong understanding of the important function that the Dental Assistant plays in the area of infection control and patient safety.

2-Part Scholarship

  • Part 1: Scholarship to complete Dental Assisting program. ($2,500)
  • Part 2: Voucher to complete the Dental Infection Prevention and Control Certificate developed by ADS and the DALE Foundation. Earning this Certificate is a step towards becoming a fully Certified in Dental Infection Prevention and Control (CDIPC). ($215) 

Note: Scholarship recipients must complete both requirements to retain the scholarship funds:

  • Graduated from their Dental Assisting program with a 3.0 or higher
  • Complete the Dental Infection Prevention and Control Certificate within 6 months of graduating

Any scholarship recipient who does not complete both requirements must return the scholarship funds to the DTA Foundation. Recipients will receive a voucher to access the Dental Infection Prevention and Control Certificate.

*All applicants will receive complimentary membership to ADS for 1 year. 

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About The Gary & Deborah Steinberg Dental Assistant Scholarship

The Steinberg Dental Assistant Scholarship was established through a generous gift from Gary and Deborah Steinberg, who committed $125,000 over five years to the DTA Foundation. Their gift reflects a shared commitment to advancing dental education and supporting the professionals who help ensure safe, effective dental care.

In 2026, the Steinbergs partnered with the DTA Foundation, ADS, DANB and the DALE Foundation to create a scholarship specifically focused on dental assistants and the critical role they play in infection prevention and patient safety. The program was designed to support students pursuing dental assisting careers while strengthening awareness of best practices in dental infection control.

Additional support will be raised through DTA Foundation fundraising initiatives, including the Annual Meeting Paddle Raiser and contributions from DTA member companies and supporters.

Through this program, the DTA Foundation aims to expand educational opportunities for dental assistants while reinforcing the importance of safety and infection control across the dental profession.

ADS-/DANB-DALE Foundation Andrew Whitehead Education and Certification Scholarship

Established in 2023 through a generous family gift from Andrew and Debbie Whitehead, this scholarship supports both dental professionals and industry individuals seeking education in infection prevention and patient safety.

Additional funding has been provided by dental professionals, industry partners, and private organizations committed to advancing infection prevention and safety education in oral healthcare. To date, 157 educational scholarships have been awarded.

This year, the Association for Dental Safety (ADS) partnered with the Steinbergs and the DTA Foundation to expand educational opportunities for dental assistants in infection prevention and patient safety. Fundraising efforts—including paddle raisers at the ADS Annual Conference and contributions from industry partners—continue to support the program’s growth.

About ADS

Founded in 1984, The Association for Dental Safety is the only membership organization dedicated exclusively to dental infection prevention and safety for both patients and providers. ADS equips oral healthcare professionals with evidence-based education, practical resources, and a collaborative professional community focused on making every dental visit a safe visit.

The ADS-DANB-DALE Foundation certificate and certification programs were developed over five years. These initiatives were made possible through fundraising efforts and the generous support of the dental profession, industry leaders, and private organizations that recognized the critical need for comprehensive infection prevention and patient safety training programs.

About DANB and the DALE Foundation

DANB is the national certification board for dental assistants. DANB exams and certifications are recognized or required by 39 states and the District of Columbia. The DALE Foundation — DANB’s official affiliate — advances the dental assisting profession through scholarships, research, and workforce development initiatives.