Dental assistant training ยท Indianapolis, IN

Dental Assistant Schools in Indianapolis, IN

Dental assistant schools in Indianapolis offer different training paths, including IU Indianapolis's local CODA-accredited certificate. You can compare its two-semester format, weekday classes and dental radiography requirements here, then check the next application window and your actual tuition.

Compare programs How to pay for training
Local certificateIU Indianapolis: 33 credits over 2 semesters
Next application windowFall 2027 applications open February 2027
General assisting licenseIndiana PLA does not license general dental assisting
Dental x-raysIDOH education, clinical permit, exam and license requirements apply

CODA-accredited dental assisting in Indianapolis

This table lists the local entry-level program verified against the CODA standard used for this guide. The check line under the school names its programmatic accreditor; a separate dental radiographer license is handled by Indiana's Department of Health.

1 local program listed

SchoolProgramCredentialLengthScheduleCost
Indiana University School of DentistryIndianapolis, INCommission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), Approval without Reporting Requirements
CODA directory lists Approval without Reporting Requirements; last visit 2021, next visit 2028. At least 300 clinical hours; DANB CDA exam components required. Fall 2027 applications open February 2027. Ask for current tuition and fees.
School page 		Certificate in Dental AssistingUndergraduate certificate2 semesters; 33 credit hoursFull-time, in-person; Monday-Friday; mid-August through MayAsk school

Indianapolis campuses first, then nearby cities. Details come from each school's website; costs and start dates change, so confirm with the school.

Dental assistant schools near Indianapolis: campus details

Indiana University School of Dentistry Indianapolis, IN

IU's downtown dental school teaches assisting through lectures, laboratories and supervised clinical experience within the School of Dentistry.

Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), Approval without Reporting Requirements
Program
Certificate in Dental Assisting
Credential
Undergraduate certificate
Length
2 semesters; 33 credit hours
Schedule
Full-time, in-person; Monday-Friday; mid-August through May
Address
1121 West Michigan Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202
Phone
(317) 274-7801
Program page

From dental assisting classes to x-rays

  1. 1

    Check the training credential

    IU's program page identifies CODA accreditation and an undergraduate certificate. Ask which clinical and expanded-function certificates are included in the curriculum you will take.

  2. 2

    Apply to the university

    IU's 2026-2027 admissions bulletin requires undergraduate admission before dental assisting admission. It lists a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 and a personal statement as parts of the selection process.

  3. 3

    Meet the program deadline

    The current admissions page says Fall 2027 applications open in February 2027. June 1 is the annual priority deadline; later applications are considered until the class fills.

  4. 4

    Arrange your radiography permit

    IDOH's dental radiographer instructions require an active student permit for clinical x-ray training in a CODA-accredited program. Have the program director explain when to obtain it before clinical work begins.

  5. 5

    Finish exams and licensing

    IDOH requires completed education, clinical training and an approved exam before a dental radiographer license application. Its instructions direct first-time dental applicants to apply by mail; ask the program director which documents your route requires.

Dental assistant employment and wages in the metro

BLS reported 2,200 dental assistant jobs (SOC 31-9091) in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area in its May 2025 OEWS estimates. The median wage was $23.54 per hour and $48,970 per year. These are metro-wide estimates for the occupation, not a starting-pay figure for certificate graduates.

The BLS survey guidance explains that employment estimates describe jobs held and wages paid. They do not count available positions. When comparing dental office openings, ask about paid hours, benefits, radiography duties and any expanded functions the dentist expects. A posted hourly rate needs to be considered alongside those job details.

Dental assisting tuition and funding

The 2026-2027 dental assisting bulletin gives no fixed tuition total. It directs you to IU's cost guidance, so the table leaves that price blank. Get a quote for your residency and course load, plus supplies, health insurance if needed, parking and exam charges.

IU's financial aid page says dental assisting students can receive aid after admission to the program; pre-dental assisting status does not qualify. File the FAFSA to check grants, including Pell. Veterans can verify the program in the VA GI Bill Comparison Tool and speak with IU's veterans office. Ask WorkOne Indy about WIOA eligibility before committing to training. If you already work in a dental office, ask your employer whether it will pay tuition or reimburse exam fees.

Read the full guide to paying for training

Ask before choosing dental assisting classes

  • Is CODA accreditation current for this exact program?
  • What is the next cohort accepting applications?
  • What will my tuition, supplies and exams cost together?
  • Which days require campus or clinical attendance?
  • Who handles the student dental radiography permit?
  • Which expanded-function certificates are included?
  • Does my funding cover this certificate after admission?

How to check a school

Common questions

Does Indiana require a dental assistant license?

The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency does not issue a general dental assisting license, permit or certification. Dental x-rays have separate rules through the Indiana Department of Health. Before accepting duties that involve radiographs, ask the program director or employer which permit or license you need and whether your training meets that route.

Why is only one dental assisting program in the table?

This page uses CODA programmatic accreditation for entry-level listings within about 30 miles of downtown. IU Indianapolis reports that accreditation. Ivy Tech's dental assisting locations are Anderson, Columbus, Kokomo, Lafayette and Sellersburg. Other local courses may teach assisting, but state school authorization or radiography approval alone does not establish CODA accreditation.

When can you apply to IU's next cohort?

The current dental assisting admissions page lists February 2027 as the opening for Fall 2027 applications. The priority deadline is June 1, with later applications considered until the class fills. You must also complete university admission. Use the program's current checklist to plan transcripts, your personal statement and any required health documentation.

Does the CDA exam replace the x-ray license?

No. IDOH's instructions list DANB's Radiation Health and Safety exam or CDA exam as an exam route for dental radiography. Education, clinical training under the correct permit and a state license application are also required. Passing a national exam is one step, so confirm the remaining documents before performing dental x-ray duties.

Does IU include expanded-function training?

IU's certificate description lists laboratory and clinical expanded restorative functions, coronal polishing and caries prevention certificates, plus a nitrous oxide didactic course among graduate options. Ask which competencies and certificates you will complete. A didactic course covers classroom content; confirm any further supervised clinical requirements for the particular duty you want to perform.

Other programs near Indianapolis

HVACElectricianWeldingMedical AssistantCNALPNPhlebotomySurgical TechCDLCosmetologyBarberEstheticianNail TechFree CNA TrainingPaid CDL Training
Sources (20)

We check these pages when we update this guide. If something has changed, tell us.

Compare the full dental assisting route

Ask the program for its next application dates, a complete price sheet and the steps from classroom training to dental radiography licensure.

Compare programs
Compare programs