Dental Assistant Externship in Alaska

Find DA externship opportunities across Alaska. Connect with 320+ dental practices, oral surgery centers, and specialty clinics to gain hands-on chairside experience.

320+

Dental Facilities

95+

Job Openings

$0

To Enroll

$850

To Complete

Self-Managed Externship: EHired does NOT place, arrange, or supervise externships. You contact dental facilities directly to arrange your own placement. This approach gives you flexibility to choose sites near your home and build direct relationships with potential employers.

What is a Dental Assistant Externship?

A dental assistant externship provides hands-on clinical experience in real dental settings. You'll work alongside licensed dentists and dental hygienists, applying classroom knowledge to actual patient care situations.

Our externship is optional and flexible—you decide when and where to complete it. Many students find that externship experience significantly improves their job prospects, though it's not required to complete our program.

EHired's training prepares you for entry-level dental assistant positions. Professional certifications such as DANB CDA (Certified Dental Assistant) are offered by independent credentialing organizations and are optional but can enhance your credentials when you're ready.

Skills You'll Practice

  • Chairside assisting during procedures
  • Instrument sterilization & infection control
  • Treatment room setup & breakdown
  • Patient scheduling & dental charting
  • Impression taking & suctioning
  • Patient communication & education

DA Externship Sites in Alaska

Explore dental facilities across Alaska that may accept externship students. Contact facilities directly to inquire about externship opportunities.

🏔️ Anchorage (Anchorage Municipality)

Alaska's largest city with 60% of state dental facilities.

🦷 General & Family Dentistry

Anchorage Dental Center, Midtown Dental, Aspen Dental Anchorage, Northern Lights Dental, Dimond Dental, Dentistry for the Entire Family, Anchorage Midtown Dental

🔬 Specialty Practices

Anchorage Oral Surgery, Alaska Orthodontics, Anchorage Periodontics, Pediatric Dentistry of Anchorage, Endodontic Associates Anchorage, Anchorage Prosthodontics

🏥 Dental Clinics & Community Health

Southcentral Foundation Dental (Alaska Native), Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center Dental, Providence Alaska Dental Clinic, Alaska Native Medical Center Dental

💡 Tip: Anchorage has majority of Alaska's dental opportunities. Southcentral Foundation serves Alaska Native population with excellent benefits. Premium wages due to high cost of living.

❄️ Fairbanks/Interior (Fairbanks North Star Borough)

Interior Alaska hub with military and university presence.

🦷 General & Family Dentistry

Fairbanks Dental Center, Golden Heart Dental, Aspen Dental Fairbanks, Pioneer Park Dental, College Dental Fairbanks, Interior Alaska Dental

🔬 Specialty Practices

Fairbanks Oral Surgery, Interior Orthodontics, Tanana Valley Periodontics, Pediatric Dentistry of Fairbanks

🏥 Dental Clinics & Community Health

Tanana Chiefs Conference Dental (Alaska Native), Chief Andrew Isaac Health Center Dental, Fairbanks Community Health Dental

💡 Tip: Fairbanks serves vast Interior Alaska. Military presence (Fort Wainwright, Eielson AFB) adds dental demand. Extreme cold creates unique challenges but premium compensation.

🌊 Juneau/Southeast Alaska (Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan)

State capital and island communities accessible by air and sea.

🦷 General & Family Dentistry

Juneau Dental, Sitka Dental, Ketchikan Dental Center, Capital City Dental, Island Dental Arts, Mendenhall Dental

🔬 Specialty Practices

Southeast Alaska Oral Surgery, Juneau Orthodontics, Island Periodontics, Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium Dental Specialists

🏥 Dental Clinics & Community Health

SEARHC Dental Clinics (multiple locations), Juneau Public Health Dental, Ketchikan Indian Community Dental, Sitka Community Health Dental

💡 Tip: Southeast Alaska accessible only by air/sea. SEARHC serves Alaska Native communities with dental services. Small communities with steady demand. Housing assistance often included.

🦌 Mat-Su Valley/Kenai Peninsula (Matanuska-Susitna, Kenai Peninsula Boroughs)

Fast-growing Anchorage suburbs and Kenai fishing communities.

🦷 General & Family Dentistry

Wasilla Dental, Palmer Dental Center, Kenai Dental, Soldotna Family Dentistry, Mat-Su Dental, Eagle River Dental, Homer Dental

🔬 Specialty Practices

Mat-Su Oral Surgery, Valley Orthodontics, Kenai Periodontics, Pediatric Dentistry of Mat-Su

🏥 Dental Clinics & Community Health

Mat-Su Health Services Dental, Kenai Peninsula Community Health Dental, Peninsula Community Health Services Dental

💡 Tip: Mat-Su Valley is Alaska's fastest-growing area. More affordable than Anchorage with expanding dental services. Kenai Peninsula has fishing industry and tourism.

How to Arrange Your Externship

1

Research Facilities

Identify dental practices, specialty offices, and clinics in your area that interest you.

2

Contact Directly

Call or email office managers to inquire about externship opportunities and requirements.

3

Schedule & Complete

Arrange hours that work for both parties. Our externship is flexible—no minimum hours required.

4

Build Relationships

Many externships lead directly to job offers. Treat every day as an extended interview.

Alaska Dental Assistant Information

State Regulations

Alaska permits dental assistants to perform duties under dentist supervision. No state registration required for basic DA duties. Expanded functions require additional training. Alaska Native health organizations are major dental employers with unique opportunities.

Alaska Dental Board

About Certifications

Professional certifications such as DANB CDA (Certified Dental Assistant) are offered by independent credentialing organizations. These certifications are optional but can enhance your credentials and earning potential.

EHired training prepares you for entry-level positions and helps build the knowledge foundation for pursuing optional certifications when you're ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find DA externship sites in Alaska?
Alaska has 320+ dental facilities concentrated in Anchorage (60%). Alaska Native health organizations (Southcentral Foundation, SEARHC, Tanana Chiefs) are major employers with excellent benefits. Premium wages offset high cost of living. Contact facilities directly about externship opportunities.
Does Alaska require dental assistant certification?
Alaska does not require state registration for basic dental assistant duties. Expanded functions require additional training and certification. DANB certification is valued given Alaska's workforce challenges. Many employers prefer or require certification.
What's unique about Alaska's dental job market?
Alaska offers premium wages ($40,000-$55,000) due to workforce shortages and high cost of living. Many employers offer housing assistance, relocation packages, and signing bonuses. Alaska Native health organizations provide excellent benefits and cultural experiences.
Will EHired place me in an externship?
No. EHired does NOT place, arrange, or supervise externships. You contact dental facilities directly to arrange your own placement. This gives you flexibility to choose sites and build direct relationships with potential employers.

Helpful Resources

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Free training. Flexible externship. Real career opportunities in Alaska.

$0 to enroll • $850 to complete • Self-paced online training

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