Dr. Barbara Mousel

Dr. Barbara Mousel’s path into dentistry didn’t begin with a grand plan. It began with a job.

After high school, she started working as a dental assistant for a dentist who would end up changing the course of her life. This dentist, also an educator, encouraged her to continue her education, even accommodating her work schedule so she could attend classes one night a week at City Colleges of Chicago. So for two years, Dr. Mousel took classes on Monday nights while maintaining a full-time job.

She began her journey at what is now Harold Washington College, later continuing coursework at Harry S Truman College and Wilbur Wright College. Balancing work and school wasn’t easy, but it was possible.

“That’s what was special about City Colleges,” she says. “You don’t have to finish in two or four years. You can take one or two classes at a time and still build a future.”

Through a rigorous and supportive dental assisting program, Dr. Mousel gained the knowledge and hands-on experience she needed to succeed. Her training included externships at VA dental clinics and prepared her to earn Certified Dental Assistant certification through the Dental Assisting National Board, a credential she has held since 1975.

After City Colleges, she transferred to Loyola University Chicago for dental hygiene and then dental school. What began as a practical step forward became a lifelong career rooted in purpose and service. Years later, that journey has come full circle.

Today, Dr. Mousel serves as Chair of the Dental Assisting National Board, helping shape the future of the very profession where she got her start. With experience spanning clinical practice, education, and leadership, including roles with the American Dental Association and regulatory boards, she now advocates for expanded opportunities and recognition for dental assistants nationwide.

“I feel like I’ve come home,” she says. “It’s incredibly rewarding to give back to a profession that gave me so much.”

Reflecting on her time at City Colleges, Dr. Mousel credits not only the flexibility of the programs, but also the quality and dedication of the faculty.

“My professors were invested in me. They knew my name. They wanted me to succeed,” she says. “That kind of support stays with you.”

Her advice to today’s students is simple but powerful: Dream big and don’t worry about the timeline.

“It doesn’t matter how long it takes,” she says. “Set your goal and keep moving forward. Whether you’re working, supporting a family, or figuring out your path, City Colleges allows you to make it happen.”

Dr. Mousel’s story is a testament to where determination, access, and encouragement can lead: from evening classes in Chicago to national leadership in dentistry.