Register for our virtual event on Tuesday, 04/01: Dental Assistant Program: Show & Tell

Ready to change your life?

Our 12-week hybrid program combines online learning and in-person practice. Weekly homework prepares students to master technical skills in Saturday classes.
Students spend 4.5 hours practicing hands-on skills each week in an actual dental office.

By combining online learning and in-person, hands-on practice, we offer the fastest path to becoming a high-quality Dental Assistant.
Apply Now
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Externship
South Bend Dental Assistant School's 40-hour externship program provides our students with the real-world experience they need to become confident and qualified dental assistants.
The externship portion of our course allows our students the opportunity to work under the direct guidance of experienced dental professionals in a local dental office. Students at South Bend Dental Assistant School are eligible to begin their externships after class 3. Although we encourage our students to find their own externships, our Academic Advisors are here to help guide students in identifying potential opportunities in the area and assist with applications.
LEARN AND EARN IN 12 WEEKS
Licensure and Certification
South Bend Dental Assistant School is authorized by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, Office for Career and Technical Schools located at 10 N. Senate Avenue, Suite SE 308, Indianapolis, IN 46204. Email: OCTS@dwd.in.gov. Website: http://www.in.gov/dwd/2731.htm. Students who complete this program receive a Certificate of Completion and a Basic Life Support (BLS) certification card through the American Heart Association. During the program, students obtain a provisional radiology permit to take X-rays during their externship. The school staff assists students with completing their Proficiency application and puts them in touch with the state radiology department to help with Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam steps and obtaining a Limited Radiographic License. Limited is a state term that means limited to the dental field.
PROGRAM OUTLINE
Week #1
Students explore the world of dental assistant responsibilities, growing familiar with critical fields like infection control, dental anatomy, and the layout of a dental office.
Flexible Options
Affordable tuition and flexible payment plans to help you graduate debt-free.
Career Support
Career support and guidance to help you succeed in the dental field.
PROGRAM OUTLINE
Week #2
Add instrument transfer, moisture control, and impressions to your growing list of new dental skills. Explore digital charting in both a virtual and real-life dental environment. Learn the basics of restorative dentistry and radiography.
Flexible Options
Affordable tuition and flexible payment plans to help you graduate debt-free.
Career Support
Career support and guidance to help you succeed in the dental field.
PROGRAM OUTLINE
Week #3
Continue your education in radiography, alginate impressions, and charting. Participate in hands-on labs that teach skills in anesthetics, bitewings, and pouring impressions.
Flexible Options
Affordable tuition and flexible payment plans to help you graduate debt-free.
Career Support
Career support and guidance to help you succeed in the dental field.
PROGRAM OUTLINE
Week #4
Learn the best ways to manage patient anxiety and various dental emergencies. Explore the specifics of digital charting and review various professional and legal aspects of dental assisting.
Flexible Options
Affordable tuition and flexible payment plans to help you graduate debt-free.
Career Support
Career support and guidance to help you succeed in the dental field.
PROGRAM OUTLINE
Week #5
Learn more about charting specific dental procedures within a specific digital charting solution. Explore composite procedures, finger rest exercises, and instrument transfer. Begin education in periodontal probing and crown/bridge instruments.
Flexible Options
Affordable tuition and flexible payment plans to help you graduate debt-free.
Career Support
Career support and guidance to help you succeed in the dental field.
PROGRAM OUTLINE
Week #6
At the midway point, students learn to apply their knowledge of crown and bridge instruments in a procedural setting. Explore the details of oral and pediatric surgery. Continue your education in pouring impressions and identifying instruments for specific operations.
Flexible Options
Affordable tuition and flexible payment plans to help you graduate debt-free.
Career Support
Career support and guidance to help you succeed in the dental field.
PROGRAM OUTLINE
Week #7
Explore new concepts in rubber dam setup and temporary crowns. Spend considerable time growing familiar with endodontics and different types of cement used across various dental procedures.
Flexible Options
Affordable tuition and flexible payment plans to help you graduate debt-free.
Career Support
Career support and guidance to help you succeed in the dental field.
PROGRAM OUTLINE
Week #8
Learn more about the fields of preventative dentistry and orthodontics. Explore exposure equipment and materials in radiography and how to add a treatment plan to a patient’s digital chart.
Flexible Options
Affordable tuition and flexible payment plans to help you graduate debt-free.
Career Support
Career support and guidance to help you succeed in the dental field.
PROGRAM OUTLINE
Week #9
Learn strategies to improve the quality of X-rays and patient experience during the radiography capture process. Review specifics in tooth numbering, surfaces, and composite procedures. Explore more advanced concepts in composite procedures, including matrice use and the difference between restoration classes.
Flexible Options
Affordable tuition and flexible payment plans to help you graduate debt-free.
Career Support
Career support and guidance to help you succeed in the dental field.
PROGRAM OUTLINE
Week #10
Review the details of coronal polishing, dental sealants, and sealants. Begin education in your upcoming job search, including strategies for optimizing your resume, finding the right positions, and nailing your job interview.
Flexible Options
Affordable tuition and flexible payment plans to help you graduate debt-free.
Career Support
Career support and guidance to help you succeed in the dental field.
PROGRAM OUTLINE
Week #11
Review dental anatomy, dental instruments vocabulary, and dental technologies in anticipation of your certification. Continue your education in fields like FMX, temporary molar crowns, charting, and diagnostic models.
Flexible Options
Affordable tuition and flexible payment plans to help you graduate debt-free.
Career Support
Career support and guidance to help you succeed in the dental field.
PROGRAM OUTLINE
Week #12
Conclude your program with a review of dental trays and procedures, along with a review of dental instruments. Participate in final hands-on lessons in FMX, temporary molar crowns, and instrument identification.
Flexible Options
Affordable tuition and flexible payment plans to help you graduate debt-free.
Career Support
Career support and guidance to help you succeed in the dental field.
PROGRAM OUTLINE

Students explore the world of dental assistant responsibilities, growing familiar with critical fields like infection control, dental anatomy, and the layout of a dental office.
Flexible Options
Affordable tuition and flexible payment plans to help you graduate debt-free.
Career Support
Career support and guidance to help you succeed in the dental field.

Add instrument transfer, moisture control, and impressions to your growing list of new dental skills. Explore digital charting in both a virtual and real-life dental environment. Learn the basics of restorative dentistry and radiography.
Flexible Options
Affordable tuition and flexible payment plans to help you graduate debt-free.
Career Support
Career support and guidance to help you succeed in the dental field.

Continue your education in radiography, alginate impressions, and charting. Participate in hands-on labs that teach skills in anesthetics, bitewings, and pouring impressions.
Flexible Options
Affordable tuition and flexible payment plans to help you graduate debt-free.
Career Support
Career support and guidance to help you succeed in the dental field.

Learn the best ways to manage patient anxiety and various dental emergencies. Explore the specifics of digital charting and review various professional and legal aspects of dental assisting.
Flexible Options
Affordable tuition and flexible payment plans to help you graduate debt-free.
Career Support
Career support and guidance to help you succeed in the dental field.

Learn more about charting specific dental procedures within a specific digital charting solution. Explore composite procedures, finger rest exercises, and instrument transfer. Begin education in periodontal probing and crown/bridge instruments.
Flexible Options
Affordable tuition and flexible payment plans to help you graduate debt-free.
Career Support
Career support and guidance to help you succeed in the dental field.

At the midway point, students learn to apply their knowledge of crown and bridge instruments in a procedural setting. Explore the details of oral and pediatric surgery. Continue your education in pouring impressions and identifying instruments for specific operations.
Flexible Options
Affordable tuition and flexible payment plans to help you graduate debt-free.
Career Support
Career support and guidance to help you succeed in the dental field.

Explore new concepts in rubber dam setup and temporary crowns. Spend considerable time growing familiar with endodontics and different types of cement used across various dental procedures.
Flexible Options
Affordable tuition and flexible payment plans to help you graduate debt-free.
Career Support
Career support and guidance to help you succeed in the dental field.

Learn more about the fields of preventative dentistry and orthodontics. Explore exposure equipment and materials in radiography and how to add a treatment plan to a patient’s digital chart.
Flexible Options
Affordable tuition and flexible payment plans to help you graduate debt-free.
Career Support
Career support and guidance to help you succeed in the dental field.

Learn strategies to improve the quality of X-rays and patient experience during the radiography capture process. Review specifics in tooth numbering, surfaces, and composite procedures. Explore more advanced concepts in composite procedures, including matrice use and the difference between restoration classes.
Flexible Options
Affordable tuition and flexible payment plans to help you graduate debt-free.
Career Support
Career support and guidance to help you succeed in the dental field.

Review the details of coronal polishing, dental sealants, and sealants. Begin education in your upcoming job search, including strategies for optimizing your resume, finding the right positions, and nailing your job interview.
Flexible Options
Affordable tuition and flexible payment plans to help you graduate debt-free.
Career Support
Career support and guidance to help you succeed in the dental field.

Review dental anatomy, dental instruments vocabulary, and dental technologies in anticipation of your certification. Continue your education in fields like FMX, temporary molar crowns, charting, and diagnostic models.
Flexible Options
Affordable tuition and flexible payment plans to help you graduate debt-free.
Career Support
Career support and guidance to help you succeed in the dental field.

Conclude your program with a review of dental trays and procedures, along with a review of dental instruments. Participate in final hands-on lessons in FMX, temporary molar crowns, and instrument identification.
Flexible Options
Affordable tuition and flexible payment plans to help you graduate debt-free.
Career Support
Career support and guidance to help you succeed in the dental field.
Apply Now
View Tuition
Job Placement Assistance
We’re with you from start to finish! We’ll help you transition from student to professional by offering:
Interview Preparation
Ace your interviews with confidence! Our interview preparation covers a wide range of job roles, and we’ll provide common interview questions and other tools to ensure you’re a standout candidate.
Resume Review
Your resume is your ticket to landing your dream job, and we’ll help you make it shine! Our experienced team offers personalized resume reviews, with feedback and suggestions to ensure your resume will catch the attention of potential employers.
Partner Employers
Access to exclusive job opportunities from our network of partner employers in South Bend and the surrounding areas. Our connections can open doors to your new career!
We're committed to empowering you to reach your career goals, and our team will provide the support and resources you need in a competitive job market to unlock your future!
Program Requirements
To enroll in this program, you must provide:
Proof of high school completion
We can accept a U.S. high school diploma, GED, or U.S. college transcript with your high school graduation date.
U.S. government-issued photo ID.
You must be at least 17 years old. If you're under 18, we will require written permission from a parent or legal guardian to enroll.
U.S. government-issued photo ID.
You must be at least 17 years old. If you're under 18, we will require written permission from a parent or legal guardian to enroll.
Proof of U.S. citizenship.
This can be your Social Security Number or a TIN with a valid work permit.

Download a course guide to learn more

Our course guide contains all of the information you need to make an educated decision to become a Dental Assistant.

Frequently Asked Questions

We don't accept financial aid, but we have some pretty great reasons why! The founder of our school, Dr. Ince, decided that he wanted to create an amazing opportunity for those who desire to enter the field. He believed that students not only deserve a great education, but also an affordable and convenient option. Rather than opting to make our school more expensive in order to allow for financial assistance, Dr. Ince chose to implement affordable tuition prices; providing our students with the opportunity to graduate with little to no student loan debt. If none of our payment plan options work for you, please give us a call. We are more than happy to customize a plan!

The time it takes to become a Dental Assistant varies between schools and certificate programs. Our curriculum is 12-weeks long and fully prepares students to start working as a Dental Assistant.

Yes, you can pay by check. Checks must be sent two weeks before your start date, and you must call our admissions team to provide a tracking number. They should be addressed to Zollege Management Inc., 715 Discovery Blvd. Suite 412, Cedar Park, TX, 78613.

This is a hands-on program, a different approach from traditional education. Our classes take place in a dental office rather than a classroom. Classes begin with a lecture/discussion, but most of the class time is spent in labs learning the essential dental assisting skills. When our students graduate, they feel at home in a dental office.

Dentists expect newly hired dental assistants to know fundamental skills. Our program focuses on helping you master those skills to set you up for success in your new career.

When you graduate from any dental assisting school you receive a certificate of completion. Many students ask if they can expect to make a higher starting salary if they attend a longer program. The starting salary for a Dental Assistant does not have anything to do with how long you spent in school or how much you paid for your schooling.

Dental Assistants perform a variety of duties, including but not limited to assisting the dentist, carrying out clinical tasks, and completing administrative work.

Dental assistants may perform many different clinical duties including preparing patients and the work area for treatments and procedures, sterilizing dental instruments, assisting the dentist during procedures, administrative/front office tasks, working with patients on billing and payment, taking molds and impressions, performing x-rays, & more.

Dental Assistants are responsible for making patients feel at ease while also preparing them for treatment. During dental visits, assistants often work alongside the dentist.

Per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of dental assistants is projected to grow 19 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. For more information, please visit https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dental-assistants.htm#tab-1.

As of May 2023, the median annual wage for dental assistants is $46,540. For more information, please visit https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes319091.htm.

Benefits vary by practice and should be discussed with the hiring practice.