About the School
Built Inside a 5-Star Dental Office.
Run by the People Who Live It.
Indiana Dental Assistant Academy isn’t just another training program — it’s an extension of Lakeland Creek Family Dental, a five-star general dentistry office in Merrillville, Indiana.
Led by practicing dentist Dr. Mark Dankowski, our school was designed to fill a real-world need: training dental assistants who are not only book-smart, but chairside-ready. That’s why every aspect of our program is rooted in the pace, culture, and expectations of an actual dental office.
Why We Started This Academy
We saw a gap: too many new graduates from assistant programs were stepping into jobs unprepared for the real pace of modern dentistry. They had completed their coursework — but hadn’t learned to move with a team, anticipate a dentist’s needs, or manage the emotional and physical rhythm of a clinical day.
We built this academy to close that gap — by delivering training inside the environment where dentistry happens.
A True Career Launchpad
We don’t just hand you a certificate — we shape you into a valuable member of a dental team. Our school reflects what modern practices truly need:
By blending structured online learning with immersive clinical training, we prepare you to walk into your first job not as a trainee — but as a trusted professional.
Come See for Yourself
We invite you to visit our home base at Lakeland Creek Family Dental. You’ll see firsthand why our school feels more like the job you want — and less like the classroom you left behind.
How the School Is Regulated
This institution is regulated by:
Department of Workforce Development
Office for Career and Technical Schools
10 N Senate Avenue, Suite SE 308
Indianapolis IN 46204
Email: OCTS@dwd.in.gov