Indianapolis has several dental assistant training options, including public college programs, 10 to 12-week courses, and university-based dental assisting education.
Costs range from about $2,999 to more than $10,000.
Dental Assistants annual average salary in Indiana is $39,871 - ABOVE U.S. AVERAGE!
#1 Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College is one of the strongest dental assisting options in Indianapolis.
It is a public community college and is a good fit for students who want a recognized college pathway with lower tuition than many private schools.
Programs Offered
Ivy Tech offers a Dental Assisting Technical Certificate and an Associate of Applied Science pathway.
The program includes chairside assisting, dental radiography, infection control, dental materials, expanded functions, dental office procedures, and patient care.
Tuition and Cost
Tuition is about $178.38 per credit hour for part-time students.
Students may qualify for Indiana’s Workforce Ready Grant, which can make the Dental Assisting Technical Certificate tuition-free for eligible students.
A practical budget may include:
- Tuition: about $0 to $6,000, depending on grant eligibility and credits
- Books and supplies: about $500 to $1,200
- Uniforms: about $75 to $200
- CPR and health requirements: about $100 to $300
- Exam or certification fees: about $200 to $700
- Program and miscellaneous fees: vary
Program Length
The technical certificate can often be completed in about 1 year.
The associate degree path may take closer to 2 years.
Address: 50 W. Fall Creek Parkway N. Dr., Indianapolis, IN 46208
#2 Indiana University School of Dentistry
Indiana University School of Dentistry is located in Indianapolis and offers a university-based dental assisting certificate.
It is a strong fit for students who want training connected to a major dental school.
Programs Offered
The school offers a Certificate in Dental Assisting.
The program includes 15 required courses, clinical training, dental radiography, chairside assisting, infection control, dental materials, office skills, and patient care.
Students complete more than 300 hours of clinical practice.
Tuition and Cost
Students should request the current tuition sheet before applying.
A realistic university-based budget may include:
- Tuition and fees: about $7,000 to $12,000
- Books and supplies: about $500 to $1,200
- Uniforms and shoes: about $100 to $300
- Health requirements and CPR: about $150 to $400
- Exam or certification costs: about $200 to $700
- Transportation and parking: varies
Program Length
The program includes 33 credit hours and runs full-time from mid-August to May.
Each cohort has about 20 students.
Address: 1121 W. Michigan StreetIndianapolis, IN 46202
#3 Indianapolis Dental Assistant School
Indianapolis Dental Assistant School is a short-term program for students who want a faster and lower-cost route into dental assisting.
It is designed for beginners who want hands-on training without a long college schedule.
Programs Offered
The school offers a 12-week Dental Assistant program.
Students learn chairside assisting, dental instruments, sterilization, patient care, dental materials, dental office basics, coronal polishing, sealants, and career preparation.
The program includes a 40-hour externship.
Tuition and Cost
Tuition is about $3,650.
Students should ask what is included, but a typical budget may include:
- Tuition: about $3,650
- Weekly payment plans: as low as about $100 per week
- Books and supplies: ask if included
- Scrubs or uniform: about $50 to $150 if separate
- CPR or exam fees: about $75 to $300 if separate
Program Length
The program takes about 12 weeks, plus a 40-hour externship.
Address: 7265 Shadeland Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46250
#4 Dental Assisting School of Indianapolis
Dental Assisting School of Indianapolis offers dental assistant training for students who want a local, hands-on program.
It also offers an expanded functions option for students who want additional skills.
Programs Offered
The school offers a Dental Assisting Program and an Expanded Functions Dental Assisting Program.
The Dental Assisting Program includes chairside assisting, dental terminology, clinical skills, sterilization, patient care, dental materials, and office procedures.
Tuition and Cost
The Dental Assisting Program costs about $4,100.
That includes:
- Tuition: about $3,250
- Registration fee: about $100
- Consumable supplies: about $750
The Expanded Functions Dental Assisting Program costs about $2,100.
That includes:
- Tuition: about $1,518
- Registration fee: about $100
- Consumable supplies: about $482
Program Length
Students should confirm the current schedule before enrolling.
Short dental assisting programs often run about 10 to 12 weeks.
Address: 5110 Commerce Square Dr., Suite B, Indianapolis, IN 46237
#5 Indy Dental Assisting
Indy Dental Assisting is a short dental assistant training program in the Indianapolis area.
It is a good fit for students who want a local program with a clear tuition price and payment options.
Programs Offered
The school offers a Dental Assistants Curriculum that prepares students for entry-level chairside assisting work.
Training may include dental instruments, sterilization, patient care, dental materials, office basics, dental terminology, and clinical assisting skills.
Tuition and Cost
Pay-in-full tuition is about $3,399.
A payment plan may include:
- Initial deposit: about $100
- Deposit before class: about $1,500
- 10 weekly payments: about $199.90
- Payment plan fee: about $100
Students should also ask about books, scrubs, CPR, and exam-related fees.
Program Length
The program runs for about 10 weeks.
Address: 5685 Lafayette Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46254.
#6 Indiana Dental Assistant Academy
Indiana Dental Assistant Academy offers a short dental assistant program for students who want flexible payments and a fast schedule.
It is also an approved provider for WorkOne funding.
Programs Offered
The school offers entry-level dental assisting training.
Students learn chairside assisting, dental instruments, sterilization, patient care, dental materials, dental office basics, and clinical procedures.
Tuition and Cost
Pay-in-full tuition is about $3,615, plus a $100 registration fee.
Payment plan pricing may include:
- Tuition: about $3,615
- Payment plan fee: about $184
- Total payment plan cost: about $3,799
- Start payment: about $500
- 12 weekly payments: about $275
- Registration fee: about $100
Program Length
The program takes about 12 weeks.
Address: 8080 Utah St, Merrillville, IN 46410
#7 Hoosier Dental Assisting School
Hoosier Dental Assisting School is a short-term dental assistant school serving Indianapolis-area students.
It is a good fit for students who want a lower-cost program with supplies included.
Programs Offered
The school offers a Dental Assisting program and EFDA training.
The Dental Assisting program includes chairside assisting, dental instruments, sterilization, patient care, dental materials, office procedures, and beginner clinical skills.
Tuition and Cost
Dental Assisting tuition is about $3,499.
Pay-in-full pricing may be about $2,999.
The tuition includes:
- Textbooks
- Notebooks
- Writing utensils
- Program supplies
- Snacks
Students need to bring scrubs, usually starting in week 2.
Program Length
Students should confirm the current schedule before enrolling.
Short dental assisting programs often run about 10 to 12 weeks.
Address: 7007 US-31, Suite C, Indianapolis, IN 46227
Schools Summary Table
Indiana Salary by Metro Area
This table provides a breakdown of average salaries by metro area, showing how wages differ across regions within the state using recent BLS data.
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington, IN | 110 | $48,250 | $23.20 | $59,320 | $36,770 |
| Columbus, IN | 110 | $45,660 | $21.95 | $56,740 | $35,430 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | 150 | $53,860 | $25.90 | $72,370 | $35,690 |
| Evansville, IN | 240 | $46,630 | $22.42 | $58,190 | $35,170 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | 630 | $48,420 | $23.28 | $59,520 | $37,040 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | 2,070 | $50,880 | $24.46 | $61,450 | $36,660 |
| Kokomo, IN | 130 | $49,080 | $23.60 | $59,740 | $36,930 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | 190 | $46,080 | $22.16 | $56,880 | $37,400 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | 70 | $47,790 | $22.97 | $59,670 | $36,410 |
| Muncie, IN | 110 | $48,160 | $23.16 | $60,660 | $36,380 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | 350 | $50,160 | $24.12 | $60,570 | $36,960 |
| Terre Haute, IN | 100 | $44,550 | $21.42 | $56,480 | $34,080 |
* Employment conditions may vary by location.
Schools by City in Indiana
