Now Enrolling · Indianapolis, IN

Begin Your Dental Career
in Just 16 Weeks

Excel Dental Academy delivers career-ready dental assisting training in a focused, hands-on 16-week program — designed for people serious about building a meaningful future in healthcare without sacrificing their current job.

📞 855-955-EFDA
16Week Program
FlexFits Your Work Schedule
$0Hidden Fees

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Takes less than 2 minutes. No commitment required.

🔒 Your information is 100% confidential. No spam, ever.

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Clinical Training
Students training chairside in active Indianapolis dental offices every week
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Online Coursework
Flexible self-paced learning built around the skills dental offices actually need
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Graduation Day
Our graduates walk out ready to work — confident, certified, and connected
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Hands-On Skills
From instrument setup to digital X-rays — real procedures, real confidence from day one
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Career Placement
We partner with dental offices across Indianapolis to connect graduates with opportunities
Dental assistant working chairside with a patient in a modern dental office
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Hands-on clinical training inside active dental offices · Every week

Real Training. Real Offices.

Train Where Dental Assistants Actually Work

From your very first week, you’ll be working chairside in real dental offices — not a mock classroom. You’ll handle actual instruments, assist with real procedures, and interact with real patients under the guidance of licensed professionals.

By the time you graduate, you’ve already done the job. That’s what makes Excel Dental Academy graduates so attractive to employers — they walk in with genuine, hands-on confidence that classroom-only programs simply can’t provide.

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Clinical sessions every week — not just at the end
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Real patients, real instruments, real dental environments
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Supervised by licensed, practicing dental professionals
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Externship in final weeks for full immersion before graduation
The Opportunity

Why Dental Assisting Is One of the Smartest Career Moves You Can Make

Healthcare is one of the most stable industries in the country. Dental assisting puts you inside that world — with a schedule built around your life, a lucrative pathway forward, and work that genuinely matters.

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Built Around Your Life

Our learning schedule adapts to your work schedule — train for a new career without sacrificing your current income.

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Strong Job Market

Employment for dental assistants is projected to grow significantly faster than average over the next decade.

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Meaningful Work

You’ll help patients overcome fear, restore confidence, and leave every appointment smiling.

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Lucrative Pathway

Dental assisting opens doors to a well-compensated career with real room to grow in pay and specialization.

16Weeks to Career-Ready
FlexSchedule Works Around Your Job
✓Partnered with Dental Offices
100%Hands-On Clinical Training
The Curriculum

What You’ll Learn in 16 Weeks

Our curriculum is built with practicing dental professionals so every skill you learn translates directly to what dental offices actually need.

Weeks 1–2

Foundations of Dental Care

Dental anatomy, oral health terminology, infection control protocols, and patient communication essentials.

Weeks 3–5

Chairside Skills & Instruments

Instrument identification, chairside assisting techniques, tray setup, and four-handed dentistry fundamentals.

Weeks 6–9

Radiology & Clinical Procedures

Digital X-ray techniques, exposure principles, dental charting, and common restorative procedure assisting.

Weeks 10–12

Specialty Procedures

Assisting in oral surgery, orthodontics, endodontics, and prosthodontics — the areas where great assistants shine.

Weeks 13–14

Office Systems & Administration

Patient scheduling, dental billing basics, insurance terminology, and practice management software orientation.

Weeks 15–16

Clinical Externship & Job Readiness

Hands-on experience in an active dental office, resume building, interview coaching, and placement support.

Throughout

DANB Exam Preparation

Integrated exam prep woven through all 16 weeks so you’re ready to pursue national certification at graduation.

Post-Graduation

Career Placement Support

We partner directly with dental offices across Indianapolis to connect our graduates with practices that are actively hiring.

A Hybrid Format Built Around Your Life

We know you’re probably already working. That’s exactly why Excel Dental Academy is designed so your learning schedule adapts to your work schedule — not the other way around. Train for your future without disrupting your present.

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Online coursework you complete on your own schedule
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Weekly in-person clinical sessions in real dental offices
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Dedicated instructors who are active dental professionals
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Small cohort sizes for personalized attention
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Career coaching and job placement support included
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DANB exam preparation built into every week
The Difference

Excel Dental Academy vs. Traditional Programs

Faster, more affordable, and more connected to real dental offices than anything else in Indianapolis.

Category
What matters most
Excel Dental Academy
The modern approach
Traditional Schools
The old way
Program Length
🚀16 Weeks
⏳9–24 Months
Tuition Cost
✓Affordable & Transparent
✗$8,000–$15,000+
Learning Format
✓Hybrid: Online + Clinical
✗Traditional Classroom Only
Real Office Training
✓Included Every Week
✗Limited or End-Only
Hiring Network
✓We Partner with Dental Offices
✗You’re On Your Own
DANB Prep
✓Built In Throughout
✗Separate / Extra Cost
Career Coaching
✓Included
✗Rarely Offered
Curriculum Design
✓Built by Working Dentists
✗Textbook-Based
Student Stories

What Our Graduates Are Saying

Real people. Real careers. Real results — straight from the students who came before you.

★★★★★

“I was working full-time as a server when I enrolled. The flexible schedule made it possible to train without quitting my job. Within two weeks of graduating I had three interview offers.”

M
Madison T.
Dental Assistant, Indianapolis
★★★★★

“I was skeptical that 16 weeks would be enough. It was more than enough. The hands-on clinical training made the difference — my employer said I was the most prepared new hire they’d seen.”

D
Derek R.
Dental Assistant, Carmel
★★★★★

“The instructors genuinely care. They’re actual dental professionals who gave us real insight into what the job is like day to day. Excel Dental Academy opened a door I didn’t think was possible.”

A
Alexis K.
Dental Assistant, Fishers
Questions & Answers

Honest Answers to Your Biggest Questions

No runaround. No fine print. Just clear, direct answers about your future.

We price our program to be genuinely accessible — not a financial burden that follows you for years. Contact us at 855-955-EFDA or fill out our enrollment form to get exact tuition details and payment plan options. We believe cost should never be the reason someone can’t access a better career.
No — and that’s exactly why we built it this way. Our program is specifically structured so your learning schedule adapts to your work schedule. Online coursework is self-paced and flexible, and clinical sessions are scheduled around working hours so you never have to choose between training and your paycheck.
Dental assisting is one of the most in-demand positions in healthcare, and Indianapolis has a strong and growing dental market. We partner directly with dental offices across the city to connect our graduates with practices actively looking to hire. We also provide resume preparation and interview coaching to make sure you walk in ready.
Absolutely. Dental assisting offers competitive pay from day one, and your earning potential grows steadily with experience and specialization. Many assistants move into office management, specialty assisting, or use the experience as a stepping stone to dental hygiene — all with significant income growth.
We offer flexible payment plans to make enrollment accessible. We don’t participate in federal FAFSA programs — which come with restrictions that limit how we design our curriculum — but we’ve structured our tuition and payment options to keep this program within reach for anyone committed to their future.
Find Us

Conveniently Located in Indianapolis

Excel Dental Academy is based in Indianapolis’s northwest corridor — accessible from I-465, I-65, and major surface roads throughout the metro area.

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Campus Address8660 Purdue Rd, Suite 300 · Indianapolis, IN 46268
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Phone855-955-EFDA (855-955-3332)
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Email[email protected]
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Office HoursMonday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Your New Career Starts With One Decision

Join the next cohort of Excel Dental Academy and be working in a dental office in just 16 weeks.

📞 Call 855-955-EFDA
Our Program

The Excel Dental Academy 16-Week Program

A focused, career-driven curriculum built by dental professionals — designed to get you working in 16 weeks without disrupting your current job or life.

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Program Overview Photo

A Program Designed for Real Life

Most dental assisting programs were built around academic calendars, not your life. Excel Dental Academy was built differently. We start with one question: how do we get someone career-ready as efficiently as possible, without making them choose between school and their current responsibilities?

The answer is our hybrid model — self-paced online coursework paired with weekly hands-on clinical sessions inside active dental offices. You study when you have time. You practice when it fits your schedule. You graduate in 16 weeks ready to work.

  • Self-paced online modules covering theory, terminology, and procedures
  • Weekly in-person clinical sessions in real dental offices
  • DANB exam preparation woven into every week
  • Career coaching and job placement support included
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Clinical Training Photo

Clinical Training That Counts

The biggest gap between dental assisting graduates and what offices actually need is hands-on experience. That’s why we embed real clinical training into every single week of the program — not just at the end.

Students spend time inside active dental offices learning alongside working professionals. By the time you graduate, you’ve already done the job. You’re not a student hoping someone will hire you — you’re a trained professional walking in with confidence.

  • Weekly clinical sessions in active dental practices
  • Real patient interactions under professional supervision
  • Instrument handling, X-rays, tray setup, and chairside assisting
  • Final externship block for full immersion before graduation
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Online Learning

Flexible, self-paced digital coursework covering everything from dental anatomy to office administration — accessible anytime, from anywhere.

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In-Person Clinical

Weekly hands-on sessions inside real dental offices. You’ll work alongside professionals and gain experience that textbooks simply can’t replicate.

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DANB Prep

National Board exam preparation is built into the program from week one — so you graduate ready to pursue certification without additional prep time or cost.

Ready to Get Started?

Seats fill quickly. Reserve your spot in the next cohort today.

📞 855-955-EFDA
About Us

We Exist to Open Doors

Excel Dental Academy was built on one belief: that a high-quality dental assisting education shouldn’t take years, cost a fortune, or require you to put your life on hold.

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Academy Building Photo

Our Story

Excel Dental Academy was founded by dental professionals who saw a gap in the market — not a shortage of dental assisting programs, but a shortage of good ones. Programs that were fast enough to be practical, affordable enough to be accessible, and connected enough to the real dental world to actually prepare graduates for it.

We built the program we wished existed. Rooted in Indianapolis and expanding nationally, our mission is simple: take motivated people and give them the skills, credentials, and connections they need to launch a meaningful dental career — in 16 weeks.

  • Founded by practicing dental professionals
  • Curriculum reviewed and updated by working clinicians
  • Deeply connected to the Indianapolis dental community
  • Expanding to serve students across the United States
Our Team

Meet the People Behind the Program

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Dr. Sarah Holloway, DDS

Program Director & Co-Founder

With over 18 years of clinical experience, Dr. Holloway designed the Excel curriculum to reflect what dental offices actually need from their assistants — not what fills a semester.

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Marcus Webb, RDA

Lead Clinical Instructor

A registered dental assistant with 12 years of chairside experience across general dentistry and oral surgery, Marcus leads our hands-on clinical training sessions.

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Jennifer Okafor

Director of Career Services

Jennifer built our dental office partner network and manages student career placement. She’s personally helped hundreds of graduates land their first dental assisting roles.

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Our Mission

To make high-quality dental assisting education accessible, affordable, and fast — so anyone motivated to build a healthcare career can do it without barriers.

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Our Vision

A national network of Excel Dental Academy campuses connecting thousands of graduates to dental offices that need skilled, career-ready assistants.

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Our Values

Accessibility, excellence, and community. We believe the best dental assistant programs are built by people who actually know what happens inside a dental office every day.

Career Services

We Don’t Just Train You. We Help You Get Hired.

Career support isn’t an afterthought at Excel Dental Academy — it’s built into the program from day one. We partner with dental offices so our graduates have real opportunities waiting for them at the finish line.

The Process

From Student to Employed in 4 Steps

1

Complete the Program

16 weeks of focused training — online coursework plus real clinical hours inside active dental offices.

2

Resume & Interview Prep

We help you build a strong resume and coach you through dental-specific interview questions and real scenarios.

3

Connect with Partner Offices

We introduce you to dental offices in our partner network that are actively looking to hire graduates like you.

4

Start Your Career

Accept your offer, start your first day, and begin building a career with real earning potential and room to grow.

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Career Services Photo

What Our Career Services Include

Job placement in dental assisting isn’t a mystery — it’s a process. We’ve built that process into our program so graduates don’t have to figure it out alone after finishing their coursework.

  • Professional resume writing and review
  • Interview preparation and mock sessions
  • Direct introductions to partner dental offices
  • Salary negotiation guidance
  • Ongoing support even after you’re placed
  • DANB exam registration assistance
Earning Potential

A Lucrative Pathway — From Day One

Dental assisting earnings grow steadily with experience and specialization. Here’s what you can realistically expect.

Entry-Level DA
$35–40K
Experienced DA (2–4 yrs)
$42–50K
Specialty Assisting
$50–62K
Office Manager Path
$58–75K+

* Salary ranges are estimates based on national and local market data. Actual earnings vary by employer, location, and experience.

FAQ

Real Questions. Honest Answers.

No jargon, no runaround — just the facts about our program, your career, and what to expect every step of the way.

We price our program to be genuinely accessible — not a financial burden that follows you for years. Contact us directly at 855-955-EFDA or fill out our enrollment form to get exact tuition details and learn about available payment plans. We believe cost should never be the reason someone can’t access a better career.
No — and that’s by design. Our learning schedule adapts to your work schedule. Online coursework is self-paced so you complete it when it fits your life. In-person clinical sessions are scheduled to avoid standard working hours. You should be able to complete this program without quitting your current job or losing significant income.
Absolutely. Traditional programs stretch content over months because of institutional calendars, not because the material requires it. Our curriculum is built around what dental offices actually need. When you’re focused, hands-on, and training inside real dental offices every week, 16 weeks is more than enough to become career-ready.
Dental assisting is one of the most in-demand positions in healthcare, and Indianapolis has a strong and growing dental market. We partner directly with dental offices across the city to connect our graduates with practices actively looking to hire. We also provide resume preparation and interview coaching so you walk in ready.
Yes — dental assisting is a genuinely lucrative pathway. Entry-level assistants in Indianapolis earn $35–40K, with experienced assistants and specialty roles reaching $50–65K or more. Office management tracks can exceed $70K. The earning potential grows significantly with experience and certification.
Yes — dental assisting is one of the most strategic entry points into a hygiene career. Hygiene programs are highly competitive and favor applicants with real chairside experience. Completing our program gives you a genuine advantage when applying, and you’ll earn an income in the meantime rather than spending more years in school unpaid.
We offer flexible payment plans to make enrollment accessible. We don’t participate in federal FAFSA programs — which come with restrictions that would limit how we design and deliver our curriculum — but we’ve structured our tuition and payment options to keep the program within reach. Reach out and we’ll walk you through exactly what’s available.
Earnings depend on your employer, experience level, and the type of practice. National data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics at bls.gov gives a solid benchmark — and searching active listings on LinkedIn and Indeed will show you real-time Indianapolis salary ranges. Skilled, reliable dental assistants are well compensated, and your earnings grow with experience.
Each week combines self-paced online coursework covering theory, terminology, and procedures with scheduled in-person clinical sessions inside active dental offices. You build knowledge online and immediately apply it in a real clinical environment. It’s designed to be manageable alongside existing work and personal responsibilities.
No prior healthcare experience is required. Our program is designed to take motivated beginners and turn them into competent, confident dental assistants in 16 weeks. The curriculum starts from the ground up and builds systematically. Many of our best graduates came in with no medical or dental background at all.
Blog & Resources

Insights for Future Dental Assistants

Career tips, industry insights, student stories, and practical guidance to help you navigate your path into the dental field.

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Career Tips

5 Things Dental Offices Look for When Hiring a New Dental Assistant

Beyond certification and training, the soft skills and practical knowledge that make a candidate stand out from the pack.

March 12, 2025 · 5 min read
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Student Life

How to Balance a Full-Time Job and Dental Assisting School

Practical strategies our current students use to manage work, training, and life without burning out.

February 28, 2025 · 4 min read
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Salary Guide

What Dental Assistants Actually Earn in Indianapolis in 2025

A realistic breakdown of entry-level, mid-career, and specialty dental assisting salaries in the Indianapolis market.

February 14, 2025 · 6 min read
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Certification

DANB Certification: What It Is and Why It Matters for Your Career

Everything you need to know about the Dental Assisting National Board exam and why certified assistants earn more.

January 30, 2025 · 5 min read
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Industry

Why Dental Assisting Is One of the Fastest-Growing Healthcare Jobs

The data behind the demand — and what it means for anyone entering the dental assisting field today.

January 15, 2025 · 4 min read
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Student Story

From Server to Dental Assistant: Madison’s 16-Week Journey

How one student balanced a full-time restaurant job and graduated into a dental career she genuinely loves.

December 20, 2024 · 7 min read
Contact Us

We’d Love to Hear From You

Have questions about the program, tuition, or your eligibility? Reach out and our admissions team will get back to you within one business day.

Send Us a Message

Get in Touch Directly

Our admissions team is friendly, knowledgeable, and ready to answer every question you have — no pressure, no sales pitch, just honest information to help you make the right decision for your future.

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Campus Address8660 Purdue Rd, Suite 300
Indianapolis, IN 46268
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Office HoursMonday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM