Coronal Polishing Certification in Illinois and Indiana: Everything You Need to Know
If you're a dental assistant in Illinois or Indiana looking to expand your skills and earn more, coronal polishing certification is one of the most valuable - and most straightforward - credentials you can add to your resume. In this guide we cover exactly what coronal polishing is, who needs certification, what the course covers, and how it fits into your long-term career path as a dental assistant.
What Is Coronal Polishing?
Coronal polishing is the removal of plaque and stain from the visible surfaces of the teeth (the crown, or coronal portion) using a slow-speed handpiece with a rubber cup or brush and polishing paste. It is a common procedure performed at dental hygiene appointments and is one of the key expanded functions that dental assistants in Illinois and Indiana can be trained and certified to perform.
It is important to understand that coronal polishing is not the same as a prophylaxis (prophy). A prophy is performed by a licensed dental hygienist and includes the removal of calculus (tartar). Coronal polishing only addresses soft deposits and surface stains - calculus removal is outside the scope of a dental assistant's certification.
Do Dental Assistants in Illinois Need a Coronal Polishing Certification?
Yes. In Illinois, the Dental Practice Act specifies that dental assistants must complete an approved coronal polishing course before they are legally permitted to perform this procedure in a dental office. This is not optional - performing coronal polishing without the proper certification is a violation of state law.
The course must be provided by either a CODA-accredited educational institution or a statewide dental association approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). Dental AssistEd's course meets both requirements and is fully recognized by IDFPR.
View the Illinois Coronal Polishing Certification Course →
What About Indiana?
Indiana dental assistants are also required to complete state-approved training before performing coronal polishing. Indiana's course goes one step further - it also includes fluoride application techniques, making it a coronal polishing and fluoride certification. Indiana's Professional Licensing Agency (PLA) oversees the certification requirements for expanded functions in the state, and Dental AssistEd's course is fully approved and aligned with Indiana state guidelines.
View the Indiana Coronal Polishing & Fluoride Certification Course →
Eligibility Requirements
Before enrolling, you need to meet your state's eligibility criteria.
Illinois: To enroll in the Illinois coronal polishing course, you must meet one of the following:
Have 1,000 hours (6 months) of clinical dental assisting experience, OR
Have completed a CODA-accredited dental assisting program, OR
Hold a current DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certification
Indiana: To enroll in the Indiana coronal polishing and fluoride course, you must meet one of the following:
Have 2,000 hours (1 year) of clinical dental assisting experience, OR
Have completed a CODA-accredited dental assisting program, OR
Hold a current DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certification
What Does the Course Cover?
Both courses combine online didactic study with hands-on clinical training. Each participant will act as a patient during clinical sessions and must follow OSHA guidelines including wearing gloves, mask, eyewear, and a clinic gown.
Illinois course curriculum:
Ethics & Jurisprudence
Patient Assessment & Charting
Plaque & Materia Alba
Stain Types (Intrinsic & Extrinsic)
Abrasive Agents & Polishing Paste
Theory of Selective Polishing
Slow-Speed Handpiece Techniques
Prophy Cup & Brush Application
Infection Control Best Practices
Hands-On Clinical Training
Indiana course curriculum:
Ethics & Jurisprudence
Plaque & Materia Alba
Stain Types (Intrinsic & Extrinsic)
Abrasive Agents
Use of Slow-Speed Handpiece
Prophy Cup & Occlusal Polishing Brush
Theory of Selective Polishing
Infection Control Best Practices
Fluoride Application Techniques
Patient Role-Play Sessions
Hands-On Clinical Training
State Approval & Accreditation
Illinois: Dental AssistEd's coronal polishing course is consistent with guidelines outlined in the Illinois Dental Practice Act and is recognized by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). The course is delivered by a PACE-approved dental assistant training provider, fully aligned with Illinois state guidelines for coronal polishing procedures.
Indiana: The Indiana course is fully aligned with the Indiana Dental Practice Act. Educational and clinical requirements are approved and recognized by the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (PLA). Delivered by a PACE-approved provider, the course is fully aligned with Indiana state guidelines for coronal polishing and fluoride application procedures.
Coronal Polishing and Sealants: Why Most Dental Assistants Do Both
You may have noticed that coronal polishing and pit and fissure sealants certifications are frequently paired together - and there is a good reason for that. Both are entry-level expanded functions in Illinois and Indiana, both are offered on the same course schedule at Dental AssistEd, and completing both at the same time saves you time and money compared to taking them separately.
More importantly, both coronal polishing and sealants certifications are required prerequisites if your goal is to eventually pursue EFDA Restorative certification - the most advanced and highest-earning certification available to dental assistants in Illinois and Indiana.
How Coronal Polishing Fits Into the EFDA Certification Path
In Illinois, becoming a fully certified Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA) requires completing three sequential steps:
Coronal Polishing Certification - your first expanded function credential
Pit and Fissure Sealants Certification - your second prerequisite
EFDA Restorative Course - the advanced certification that allows you to place, contour, and carve direct restorations under dentist supervision
Dental assistants who complete all three steps are among the most in-demand dental team members in Illinois and Indiana. EFDAs consistently earn higher hourly wages than non-certified dental assistants, and many dental offices actively seek them out.
Where Is the Course Held?
Dental AssistEd's courses are held at our training center at 8755 West Higgins Rd, Chicago, IL 60631 - conveniently located near O'Hare International Airport and accessible from major highways serving Chicago, the surrounding suburbs, and dental assistants commuting from Indiana. Sessions are offered monthly so you don't have to wait long to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is coronal polishing certification required in Illinois? Yes. Illinois law requires dental assistants to complete an IDFPR-approved coronal polishing course before legally performing the procedure in a dental office.
Can Indiana dental assistants take this course? Yes. Dental AssistEd offers a state-approved coronal polishing and fluoride certification course specifically for Indiana dental assistants. View the Indiana course here.
How many hours of experience do I need before enrolling? Illinois requires 1,000 hours (6 months) of clinical dental assisting experience, or completion of a CODA-accredited program, or a current DANB CDA certification. Indiana requires 2,000 hours (1 year), or the same alternative credentials.
How often are sessions offered? Sessions are offered monthly. Check the course page for upcoming dates.
Is coronal polishing the same as a cleaning? No. A dental cleaning (prophylaxis) is performed by a licensed dental hygienist and includes calculus removal. Coronal polishing only removes soft deposits and surface stains.
Can I take coronal polishing and sealants at the same time? Yes, and we recommend it. Both are required prerequisites for EFDA Restorative certification, and taking them together is more efficient.
Ready to Get Certified?
Coronal polishing certification is one of the quickest ways to add a recognized credential to your dental assisting career.
Illinois dental assistants: Enroll in the Illinois Coronal Polishing Certification Course →
Indiana dental assistants: Enroll in the Indiana Coronal Polishing & Fluoride Certification Course →
Monthly sessions mean you don't have to wait long, and with EFDA Restorative certification as the next milestone on your career path, the sooner you complete this step the sooner you can advance.
