Dental Assisting
Offered at IU Indianapolis by School of Dentistry
About
Are you interested in a traditional, on-campus undergraduate certificate program that leads to a career in a growing field? The Certificate in Dental Assisting might be just what you're looking for.
Dental assistants play a vital role in dental offices. They support dentists with patient care, assist during procedures, manage records, help with scheduling and billing, and more. They may take patients' medical history, blood pressure, and pulse; sanitize dental instruments and help dentists with equipment during procedures; or prep rooms and equipment.
Dental assisting is projected to grow by 8 percent over the next 10 years, faster than the average for many occupations. Most dental assistants work full-time, and the median annual wage approaches $50,000 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025).
If you're a recent high school graduate or have completed some college, this 30-credit-hour, two-semester program could be a great fit for you. Graduates earn a Coronal Polishing and Caries Prevention certificate and are prepared to sit for the Indiana Dental Radiographer's License exam. You can also choose an elective course in restorative procedures to qualify for an additional Dental Auxiliaries Restorative Procedures certificate.
Explore application deadlines and entry requirements at the IU School of Dentistry's website, and take the next step in your dental assisting career.