Best Dental Schools in Indiana 2024 | All You Need to Know

Are you seeking the best dentistry schools in Indianapolis or Fort Wayne, Indiana?

Do you want to become a dentist but don’t know how to achieve the educational requirements?

Have you tried finding the perfect dental schools in Indianapolis, and your search has proved abortive, not even in Fort Wayne?

We understand how difficult it can be to scout for the best schools to train you in a course such as dentistry.

And the fact is, for a course such as dentistry, going to school is the only way to become a dentist.

Dentistry requires a lot of training which you can only learn in a dental school. It’s not a course that requires you to go to a trade school.

In dentistry schools, you will learn from professionals with a wealth of experience in theory and practice who introduce you to the theoretical and practical aspects of being a dentist.

You will learn courses that will nurture you in that profession and how to become a professional.

Depending on how far you want to go, you can acquire a bachelor’s degree at the basic level or pursue a master’s or doctoral degree.

Acquiring a degree is a step toward becoming a dentist, and to make that possible, you have to enroll in any accredited dental school in Indiana.

Thankfully, Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and other Indiana counties have some CODA-approved dental schools to train you to become a dental professional.

This article lists dental schools in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and other counties in Indiana based on accreditation, tuition cost, and academic excellence.

Let’s start!!

Is Indiana A Good Place To Study Dentistry? 

Indiana has a lot of schools and colleges for all levels of learning.

Indiana ranked 40th overall for educational attainment based on rates of residents with a high school diploma, some college, bachelor’s degrees, and graduate degrees.

When it comes to quality education, Indiana is actually among the better states, ranking 10th overall.

But compared to other states of the USA, Indiana’s public education isn’t the best nor the worst.

We can say it’s somewhere near the middle.

Furthermore, Indiana has a few dental schools that will train you to become a dentist and qualify for work opportunities in the state.

ALSO READ: 10 Best Dental Schools in Missouri | All You Need To Know

How Long Do Dental Schools Take To Complete in Indiana?

Dental schools take 8 years to complete before you are considered a full-fledged dentist.

How does this work?

First, you must study for a bachelor’s degree in any field. 

Then you must obtain a doctorate, either a Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD) or a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree. 

When you complete the above academic commitments, next is to write the national and state examinations.

Without passing this exam, you cannot be licensed as a dentist anywhere, not even Indiana.

This is why you must scout for accredited Indiana schools of dentistry that will help equip you with the knowledge, skills, and expertise required to become a dentist, enroll and learn.

Important Factors to Consider When Choosing Dental Schools In Indianapolis

Indiana has just one approved school of dentistry, making it very easy to make a choice. 

However, there are important things you must look out for and consider before studying the available options.

If the School of Dentistry in Indianapolis cannot provide you with the best education for your career, then you can look for other options in other states of the US.

So, to assist you in making an informed decision, we have compiled a few pieces of information that will serve as a reference while selecting a dental school.

Here are some things to think about when looking for dental schools in Indiana cities such as Fort Wayne or Indianapolis;

#1. What Type of Dentistry Program Does The School Offer?

Most dental schools offer bachelor’s degrees at the undergraduate level and a doctorate program at an advanced level.

Usually, the doctorate program is accessible to students who want to become general dentists or specialists.

You can also earn a certified dentistry certificate, an alternative to diploma and degree programs. 

Certificate programs have a shorter duration, although they are less than degrees.

So, you must find out what degree the college offers and if that suits your academic needs.

#2. Does The School Have A Good Academic Reputation?

You should look out for a school with a track record of academic excellence.

When it comes to selecting colleges, a high academic reputation is a crucial thing to consider.

You can judge a school’s reputation from rankings and its ability to deliver an excellent education that prepares you for your job.

Therefore, you must check through the years what the school represents in dentistry. 

Also, you can read the alumni reviews. 

#3. What’s The Cost Of Dental Education?

The tuition costs should be considered when selecting a school from the list of dental schools in Indiana.

You should know how much it will cost to attend dental school in Indiana from beginning to completion.

Before selecting from the list of dental schools, keep this in mind.

#4. How Long Is The Dental Program in The School?

As we stated earlier, dentistry programs last 8- years, with 4 years earning a bachelor’s degree as an undergraduate and 4 years earning a DDS or DMD in dentistry schools.

This is a crucial consideration when selecting a school for dental training because it also impacts how much you can spend on tuition.

What Are The Admission Requirements To Enroll Into Indiana Dental Schools?

Here are the admission requirements into dental schools in co divided into sections;

#1. Prerequisite Admission Requirements

The following courses you must take before you apply to dental school:

  • English Composition (3 semester hours)
  • General Chemistry with Lab (8 semester hours)
  • Organic Chemistry with Lab (8 semester hours)
  • General Biology or General Zoology with Lab (8 semester hours)
  • General Physics with Lab, Algebra or Calculus-based (8 semester hours)
  • Microbiology, Lab not required (3 semester hours)
  • General Biochemistry, Lab not required (3 semester hours)
  • 90 semester hours with at least 30 hours of upper-division credit

The minimum requirement for admission is 90 semester hours of academic coursework, but completing a bachelor’s degree is better. 

#2. Application Requirements

Applicants apply through the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) application service. 

Please send the following directly to ADEA:

  • Completed AADSAS application – available online at American Dental Education Association (ADEA)
  • ​Official transcripts from all colleges, universities, and professional schools you attended
  • ​Letters of recommendation
    • Two letters from science instructors AND one letter from a non-science instructor, the dentist you shadowed or employer, OR
    • Pre-Dental Committee letter (must include two science instructors)                                                  

#3. Dental Admission Test (DAT) Requirements

Applicants must complete the Dental Admissions Test (DAT) by the American Dental Association (ADA). 

The official DAT scores must be sent to AADSAS.

#4. Application Fee Requirements

Applicants must pay a $90 supplemental application fee directly to the school. 

This fee is separate from any payments made to AADSAS and can only be made online via credit or debit card. 

ALSO READ: Best Schools For Dental Hygienist In Missouri

How Do I Become A Dentist in Indiana?

Here is a guide on how to become an Indiana dentist;

#1. Earn A Bachelor’s Degree

You must complete at least 90 hours of an undergraduate program.

Any undergraduate program is because you still must enroll in dental programs.

Applicants who choose a pre-dental or a science-related major will complete an unrelated curriculum to meet prerequisite criteria.

This is a prerequisite before reaching dental school.

#2. Get A High Dental Acceptance Test Score.

A dental acceptance test is an important part of applying to dentistry schools in Indiana.

It is a must. 

DAT is a 5-hour test comprising 280 questions across natural science, reading comprehension, and quantitative reasoning.

The American Dental Association runs the test.

At least you require a minimum average of 19 out of 30.

#3. Enroll and Complete Your Doctoral Degree.

Find a doctoral degree program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation to ensure licensure will be possible after graduation.

Enroll and complete the program with good grades.

This program requires you to complete coursework and clinical rotations in the following courses;

  • Endodontics
  • Periodontics
  • Prosthodontics
  • Pediatric Dentistry
  • Dental Public Health
  • Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
  • Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
  • The Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
  • Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics

When you obtain a doctorate, you work on different degrees from home while working full-time.

#4. Undertake the Requirements for Licensure.

Once you have fulfilled the academic requirements to become a dentist in Indiana, you need to obtain your license.

You will only receive a license if you attended any Indianapolis or Fort Wayne dental schools in Indiana as accredited by the dental board.

You must pass two examinations covering written and clinical components.

  • The National Board Dental Examinations are administered by The Joint Commission on National Dental Examination and cover topics ranging from biomedical sciences, dental anatomy, and ethics to clinical dental subjects and patient management.
  • Clinical examinations are overseen by individual state boards of dentistry and use a regional testing center to manage the exam process.

By completing these processes, you become a certified and licensed dentist in Indiana.

Who Can Apply For A Dental License In Indiana?

To get your dental license to practice in Indiana, here are the criteria;

  • Must be at least 18 years old.
  • Must graduate from a dental school accredited by the American Dental Association Commission.
  • Applicants must pass the following exams:
    • Dental National Board Examination
    • The ADEX Dental Licensing Examination

Must I Attend an Accredited Dental School?

Attending an accredited dental school is a must to obtain your license and practice.

Without accreditation by the Indiana Board of Dentistry, you cannot obtain a license to practice.

Because we do not want you to make the mistake of attending an unaccredited school, we have listed the best dental schools in Indiana and some of its cities, such as Fort Wayne and Indianapolis.

Best Dental Schools in Indiana 2023

You will only find one dental school doing dentistry programs in Indiana.

Although there are many Dental Hygiene Schools in Indiana, the School of Dentistry is just one.

Here is what you need to enroll;

Indiana University School of Dentistry

  • Founded: 1879
  • Contact:  (317) 274-7433.
  • Number of Patients Who Receive Care Each Year: 19,000
  • Location: 1121 W. Michigan Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202

In other words, the only school of dentistry in Indiana is in Indianapolis.

With over 140 years of practice, the Indiana University School of Dentistry has advanced oral health in the state and beyond.

Not only do they teach dentistry, but Indiana University School of Dentistry is also the national leader in preparing oral health professionals.

The school conducts innovative research that impacts patients and the profession and provides patient-centered care.

The Indiana University School of Dentistry clinics is open for comprehensive dental care. 

You can schedule an appointment, and students work on real-time clients to practice what was taught in class.

No matter your career goals, the School of Dentistry has an academic program to help you achieve them. 

Indiana University School of Dentistry offers 11 degree and certificate programs to prepare you for a successful career in dentistry or an allied health profession.

ALSO READ: Best Schools For Dental Hygienist In Colorado

Frequently Asked Questions Indiana Dental Schools

What Do Dentists In Indiana Do?

A Dentist’s primary role is to care for your teeth more than the dental hygienist.
Dentists hi, beyond superficial oral care, go carrying out the following responsibilities;
– Tooth extraction
– Denture fitting
– Cavity filling. 
Some may specialize in areas ranging from major oral issues and diseases to straightening teeth.

How Many Dental Schools Are In Indiana?

There is only one dental school in Indiana, the Indiana University School of Dentistry.

What’s DAT in Dental School? Must I Write It?

The Dental Admission Test (abbreviated DAT) is a multiple-choice standardized exam given by prospective dental students to gain admission to dental universities.

So yes, you must write the DAT exam if you are going to gain admission into a dental school in Indiana.

Conclusion

We hope you found value in this article on how to become a dentist by attending any dental school in Indiana.

You can agree that the only dental school in Indiana is in Indianapolis, which means there are not many schools of dentistry in the state.

Remember the important factors to consider when enrolling into any Dentistry school in Indiana.

Best wishes!!!

References

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