Dental Assistant Schools in Indiana

Dental assistants perform several administrative and clinical duties in a dental establishment, ensuring that dentists and dental hygienists are not overwhelmed.

In Indiana, as everywhere else across the country, there are set guidelines that candidates must follow before they can become successful dental assistants.

The guide on this page introduces readers to all of these considerations. We aim to facilitate a robust understanding of the process so that state residents can enjoy their career journeys.

The guide articulates basic requirements, licensing and certification options, and top programs, among other vital resources.

How to Become a Dental Assistant in Indiana

The steps below are required to become a dental assistant in Indiana.

Completing Academic Training

Prospective dental assistants in Indiana must complete a training program before they can become fully-fledged professionals. There are several reasons for this.

One of the most important of these is that a training program is the most popular way to build technical skills in the classroom. It is also a great way to understand the fundamental principles of the profession.

However, in addition to raw skills, completing a training program usually gives students a chance to earn a certificate or an associate’s degree. These usually prove very valuable, especially since most of the competitors for entry-level employment also have some form of credentials.

Externships & Real-World Education

Externships and proper education in the real world help prepare candidates for successful dental assistant careers. To facilitate significant real-world education, several training programs incorporate mandatory externships, while some make them optional.

For programs that don’t have such arrangements at all, graduates may obtain practical education through volunteer hours.

Job Placement

Proper education and professional certification can facilitate straightforward job placement in dental assisting. The following section highlights all the major considerations for candidates who want to pursue certification in Indiana.

Explore trades with similar paths:

• Learn how to become a medical assistant in Indiana

Licensure & Certification Requirements

Dental assistants in Indiana do not need a license or permit before they can start working professionally. They don’t even need to be certified, except for those who will be working in a few expanded areas of the profession, including radiation and nitrous oxide administration.

In this case, candidates will have to pursue the Radiation Health and Safety designation and an X-ray certification. The Dental Assisting National Board offers the former, while the Indiana Board of Health offers the latter.

To pursue any of these credentials, you must complete an educational program in radiography. The DANB will then help you pass the RHS examination.

The Dental Assisting National Board offers other general and specialty certifications, including the Certified Dental Assistant credential and the Certified Preventive Functions Dental Assistant credential.

Top Dental Assistant Schools in Indiana

The programs below are suitable for aspiring dental assistants in Indiana.

Explore dental assistant schools in Indiana by city:

• Dental assistant schools in Indianapolis

Salary & Career Outlook

A dental assistant in Indiana who is just starting will naturally not be able to earn as much as those who are already well-established in the profession. Candidates in this category typically start with an annual average salary of $56,240, which is relevant for the bottom 10 percent, or an annual average salary of $72,100, which is relevant for the median earners.

Those who are among the highest-paid can earn as much as $92,433 annually. Apart from experience, one major reason some candidates earn more money than others is the work environment.

Specialty areas, professional credentials, specific employers, and location can also significantly impact the salary of a dental assistant in Indiana. As for the best places to work for significant salaries, we have Greenwood with an annual average salary of $76,261 and Carmel with an annual average salary of $75,745.

Fishers and Bloomington,n, with annual average salaries of $75,492 and $75,3,32, respectively, are also among the top entries.