All instructors at the Indiana Dental Assistant Academy meet minimum qualifications that include relevant clinical experience and professional credentials in the dental field.
The program is led by a licensed dentist (DMD) in the State of Indiana, ensuring direct oversight of clinical training and adherence to current standards of care. Instructors are required to have hands-on experience in dental assisting and/or dental practice operations, with demonstrated competency in chairside assisting, infection control, radiography fundamentals, and patient care.
Where applicable, instructional staff may hold certifications such as dental assisting credentials, radiography permits, or equivalent on-the-job experience in a dental setting. All faculty are selected based on their ability to provide practical, skills-based instruction aligned with real-world dental practice expectations.
The Indiana Dental Assistant Academy is a hybrid, skills-focused training program designed to prepare students for entry-level employment as dental assistants in a real-world clinical setting.
The program combines flexible online learning with hands-on, in-person training conducted within an active dental practice. Students learn essential chairside assisting techniques, infection control protocols, dental anatomy, radiography fundamentals, and patient communication skills. Emphasis is placed on practical application, allowing students to gain confidence and competency through guided clinical experience rather than purely theoretical instruction.
The program is structured to be efficient and career-oriented, enabling students to develop job-ready skills in a shorter timeframe while aligning with the needs of modern dental practices. Graduates are prepared to transition directly into dental assisting roles in general and specialty offices.
This program includes preparation for the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) Radiation Health & Safety (RHS) certification exam.
In addition to standard enrollment requirements, applicants to the Indiana Dental Assistant Academy are required to complete an interview process, which may be conducted either remotely or in person.
The purpose of the interview is to assess the applicant’s level of interest in the dental field, commitment to completing the program, and overall readiness for a hands-on clinical training environment. This helps ensure that students entering the program are motivated, engaged, and prepared to succeed in a fast-paced healthcare setting.
The interview also provides an opportunity for applicants to ask questions, understand program expectations, and confirm that the program aligns with their career goals.
The Indiana Dental Assistant Academy operates on a rolling, ongoing enrollment model and does not have fixed application deadlines.
Because the program includes both online didactic components and scheduled in-person clinical training sessions, students may begin the program at multiple points throughout the year. Enrollment is open until available seats for a given training cycle are filled.
Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible to secure placement in the next available cohort.