Can You Become a Dental Assistant Without Going to School?
The short answer is: yes, you can, but how far that gets you depends on what state you're in and what you actually want to do on the job.
This is one of the most common questions people ask before getting into dental assisting, and it makes sense. Traditional school programs can take a year or more and cost thousands of dollars. If there's a faster path, people want to know about it.
Here's the honest breakdown.
What Most States Actually Require
Dental assisting is one of the few healthcare careers where formal schooling is not universally required. In many states, you can legally be hired as a dental assistant with zero prior training, and the dentist can train you on the job.
That's the good news.
The catch is that what you're allowed to do once you're hired varies a lot depending on:
Which state you work in
What specific procedures are involved
Whether the task is a basic support function vs. an expanded function
Basic tasks like handing instruments, suctioning, sterilizing equipment, and charting are generally fine without a formal credential in most states.
But the moment you move into expanded functions (anything where you're directly performing a clinical procedure on a patient), most states require a specific certification. And that's where school vs. no-school becomes a bigger deal.
What Illinois and Indiana Require
If you're working in Illinois, you can get hired as a dental assistant without a formal degree or certificate and start learning basic chairside tasks on the job. However, if you want to perform any of the following expanded functions, you need IDFPR (Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation) approval:
Coronal polishing - cleaning and polishing tooth surfaces
Pit and fissure sealants - applying protective coating to back teeth
Restorative functions - placing and finishing restorations (fillings)
Indiana follows a similar structure. General chairside work doesn't require formal certification, but expanded duties like coronal polishing and fluoride application require a state-approved course.
Performing expanded functions without the proper certification is a legal violation for both you and the dentist, so this isn't something to skip.
What You Need Before You Can Get Certified in Illinois or Indiana
Here's something that surprises a lot of people: in Illinois and Indiana, you can't just walk in off the street and enroll in a coronal polishing or sealants course. The state requires you to meet one of the following before you're eligible:
1,000 hours (approximately 6 months) of clinical dental assisting experience, OR
Completion of a CODA-accredited dental assisting program, OR
A current DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certification
This means the path to performing expanded functions in Illinois or Indiana has a required first step: you need to already be working in the field or have completed a formal training program first.
So the realistic timeline for most people looks like this: get hired as a dental assistant for basic chairside work, build up your 1,000 hours over about 6 months, then enroll in the certification courses you need.
The good news is that once you hit that milestone, the courses themselves are short. Most are completed in a single day.
Why Dentists Prefer Certified Assistants
Here's something worth knowing from the employer side: most dental offices actively prefer to hire certified assistants, even for entry-level positions.
Why? A few reasons:
Less training time. A certified DA can contribute from day one. An uncertified hire needs weeks of coaching before they're fully productive.
Less liability. Dentists are responsible for what happens in their practice. A certified assistant gives them documentation that the person was properly trained.
More flexibility. A certified DA can be assigned more tasks, which means the dentist and hygienist can focus on higher-level work.
If you're applying without any certification, you may still get hired, but you'll likely be competing against people who have certifications and you'll probably start at a lower pay grade.
The Certification Courses: What They Are and When You Can Take Them
Once you're eligible (1,000 hours, CODA program, or DANB CDA), the certification courses for expanded functions in Illinois and Indiana are short and focused. You don't need a one-year program. Most are completed in a single day.
At Dental AssistEd, we offer IDFPR-approved (Illinois) and Indiana PLA-approved (Indiana) certification courses for dental assistants. Here are the three main certification tracks:
Coronal Polishing and Sealants - Courses for Illinois and Indiana dental assistants covering coronal polishing and pit and fissure sealant placement. Available as individual courses or combined in one day. This is the most common starting point for dental assistants looking to expand their scope of practice.
Coronal Scaling - A more advanced certification that allows Illinois dental assistants to perform coronal scaling procedures. Requires additional eligibility hours beyond the coronal polishing requirement.
EFDA Restorative - The highest-level expanded function certification in Illinois, allowing dental assistants to place and finish restorations. This certification significantly increases what you're qualified to perform and what you can earn.
These are not year-long programs. They're focused, hands-on courses that get you the specific credential you need once you've met the state's eligibility requirements.
So, What's the Right Move?
Here's a practical breakdown depending on where you are:
If you have zero experience and want to get started in dental assisting: Get hired as an entry-level dental assistant in Illinois or Indiana for basic chairside work. No certification is required for that. Start building your hours. Most practices will bring someone on without certifications for general support tasks, especially if you show genuine interest in growing in the role.
If you want to get certified faster without waiting 6 months for experience hours: Complete a CODA-accredited dental assisting program. Graduating from an approved program satisfies the eligibility requirement, meaning you can enroll in coronal polishing and sealants courses without waiting for the 1,000-hour threshold.
If you're already working as a dental assistant and approaching 1,000 hours: Start planning which certifications make the most sense for your office. Coronal polishing is one of the most requested expanded functions in Illinois dental practices and a strong first certification to pursue.
If you're already a dental assistant and want to do more: Look into the EFDA Restorative course. It's the highest-level expanded functions certification in Illinois and significantly increases what you're qualified to perform and earn.
Want to Enter the Field Fully Prepared?
If you'd rather come in with real training instead of piecing things together after getting hired, we offer an 8-Week Become a Dental Assistant Program designed for people starting from zero.
In 8 weeks you'll cover everything you need to work chairside from day one. You'll be a stronger candidate when applying, and you'll start building your hours toward certification eligibility from a more informed position.
Illinois residents: you may be able to attend for $0.
If you qualify for a WIOA grant (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), the state of Illinois can cover your tuition entirely. This is a state-funded program designed to help people enter in-demand careers, and dental assisting qualifies. We guide students through the process so you're not figuring it out on your own.
Learn more about the program and the WIOA grant here
The Bottom Line
You don't need to spend a year in dental assisting school to get started in Illinois or Indiana. You can get hired for basic chairside work without any certification and learn on the job.
But performing expanded functions like coronal polishing and sealants requires meeting the state's eligibility requirements first, which means building 1,000 hours of experience, completing a CODA-accredited program, or earning a DANB CDA certification. There's no shortcut around that step in Illinois or Indiana.
The most realistic path for most people: get hired, build your hours, then get certified. The certification courses are short once you're eligible. A single day of training can meaningfully expand what you're qualified to do and what you earn.
If you're in the Chicago area and ready to get started, explore our courses at Dental AssistEd or reach out to us directly. We'll help you figure out the right starting point based on where you are right now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you become a dental assistant without going to school?
Yes. In Illinois and Indiana, you can be hired as a dental assistant for basic chairside tasks without completing a formal school program. Dentists can hire and train entry-level candidates on the job. However, to perform expanded functions like coronal polishing or sealant placement, you must first meet state eligibility requirements, which include 1,000 hours of clinical experience, a CODA-accredited program, or a DANB CDA certification.
Do you need a degree to work as a dental assistant?
No. Dental assisting does not require a college degree. In Illinois and Indiana, you can begin working in a dental office without a degree. Most dental assistants who pursue expanded function certifications do so through short, focused courses rather than degree programs.
How long do you have to work before you can get a coronal polishing certification in Illinois?
In Illinois, you need approximately 6 months (1,000 hours) of clinical dental assisting experience before you can enroll in the coronal polishing certification course. Alternatively, graduates of a CODA-accredited dental assisting program or those holding a DANB CDA certification are also eligible without the experience hours.
Can dental offices hire and train assistants without any prior schooling?
Yes. Many dental offices, especially smaller practices, hire entry-level candidates and train them on basic chairside tasks. The limitation is that those assistants cannot perform expanded functions like coronal polishing or sealants until they meet the state's eligibility requirements and complete the appropriate certification courses.
What certifications do you need to work as a dental assistant in Illinois?
No certification is required for basic chairside work in Illinois. To perform expanded functions, you need IDFPR approval for each specific procedure. The most common certifications are coronal polishing, pit and fissure sealants, and EFDA restorative. You can view all available certification courses at Dental AssistEd.
Do other states require experience before taking a coronal polishing course?
It varies by state. States like Georgia and Tennessee also require prior experience or completion of a dental assisting program before taking a coronal polishing course. Other states like Arizona and Alaska have less restrictive requirements. If you're practicing in Illinois or Indiana, the 1,000-hour or program requirement applies.
Is it worth getting a dental assistant certification before applying for jobs?
If you already meet the eligibility requirements, yes. Coming in with even one certification, like coronal polishing, puts you ahead of applicants with no credentials at all and typically results in a higher starting pay grade. If you don't yet have the required experience or program completion, focus on getting hired first and building toward eligibility.
