Dental Assistant Externship in Arizona

Find DA externship opportunities across Arizona. Connect with 4,200+ dental practices, oral surgery centers, and specialty clinics to gain hands-on chairside experience.

4,200+

Dental Facilities

1,180+

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 Arizona

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

🌵 Phoenix Metro (Maricopa County)

Arizona's largest metro with 65% of state dental facilities.

🦷 General & Family Dentistry

Aspen Dental Phoenix, Gentle Dental Mesa, Western Dental Glendale, Bright Now Dental Chandler, Arizona Family Dental, Scottsdale Dental Arts, Tempe Modern Dentistry

🔬 Specialty Practices

AT Still Arizona School of Dentistry Clinics, Phoenix Oral Surgery, Arizona Orthodontics, Valley Periodontics, Pediatric Dental Specialists Phoenix, Southwest Endodontics

🏥 Dental Clinics & Community Health

Mountain Park Health Center Dental, Valle del Sol Dental, Adelante Healthcare Dental, Native Health Phoenix Dental, Neighborhood Outreach Access to Health Dental

💡 Tip: Phoenix has AT Still Arizona School of Dentistry—excellent externship opportunity. Massive market with Aspen, Western, and Bright Now chains. Bilingual Spanish is highly valuable.

🏜️ Tucson Metro (Pima County)

Southern Arizona hub with University of Arizona influence.

🦷 General & Family Dentistry

Aspen Dental Tucson, Gentle Dental Tucson, Oro Valley Dental, Catalina Foothills Dentistry, Green Valley Dental, Arizona Family Dentistry Tucson, Tucson Smiles

🔬 Specialty Practices

Tucson Oral Surgery, Southern Arizona Orthodontics, Tucson Periodontics, Pediatric Dentistry of Tucson, Desert Endodontics

🏥 Dental Clinics & Community Health

El Rio Community Health Center Dental, Marana Health Center Dental, United Community Health Center Dental, Banner University Dental Clinic

💡 Tip: Tucson has UA influence. Border region means bilingual Spanish is extremely valuable. Lower cost of living and less competition than Phoenix.

🏔️ Flagstaff/Northern Arizona (Coconino, Yavapai Counties)

Mountain communities with NAU and tourism influence.

🦷 General & Family Dentistry

Flagstaff Dental, Aspen Dental Prescott, Sedona Dental Arts, Cottonwood Family Dentistry, Prescott Valley Dental, Williams Dental Care

🔬 Specialty Practices

Flagstaff Oral Surgery, Northern Arizona Orthodontics, Prescott Periodontics, High Country Pediatric Dentistry

🏥 Dental Clinics & Community Health

North Country HealthCare Dental (multiple locations), Flagstaff Community Health Dental, Canyonlands Community Health Dental

💡 Tip: Northern Arizona serves tourists and locals. Seasonal fluctuations but steady year-round demand. NAU creates young population. More affordable lifestyle than Phoenix.

🌅 East Valley/Southeast Arizona (Pinal County, Cochise Counties)

Fast-growing Phoenix suburbs and border communities.

🦷 General & Family Dentistry

Aspen Dental Gilbert, Queen Creek Dental, Casa Grande Dentistry, Sierra Vista Dental, Douglas Family Dental, Maricopa Dental Center

🔬 Specialty Practices

East Valley Oral Surgery, Gilbert Orthodontics, Sierra Vista Oral Surgery, Southeast Arizona Pediatric Dentistry

🏥 Dental Clinics & Community Health

Horizon Health Dental (Casa Grande), Mariposa Community Health Dental (Nogales), Chiricahua Community Health Dental

💡 Tip: East Valley (Gilbert, Queen Creek, Mesa) is fast-growing with new dental practices opening. Border communities have bilingual Spanish requirements.

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.

Arizona Dental Assistant Information

State Regulations

Arizona requires dental assistant certification through the Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners. Basic certification allows limited duties. Expanded function permits available for additional procedures. Radiography certification required separately.

Arizona 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 Arizona?
Arizona has 4,200+ dental facilities. AT Still Arizona School of Dentistry in Mesa offers clinical experiences. Major chains include Aspen Dental, Western Dental, Gentle Dental, and Bright Now Dental. Community health centers serve diverse populations. Contact facilities directly about externship opportunities.
Does Arizona require dental assistant certification?
Yes, Arizona requires dental assistant certification through the State Board of Dental Examiners. Basic certification allows limited duties under direct supervision. Expanded function permits available for coronal polishing and other procedures. Radiography certification required separately.
Is bilingual Spanish important for Arizona dental jobs?
Yes—bilingual Spanish/English is extremely valuable throughout Arizona, especially in Phoenix, Tucson, and border communities. Many employers prefer or require bilingual staff to serve Arizona's large Hispanic population.
What's Arizona's dental assistant job outlook?
Excellent outlook due to population growth and aging demographics. Phoenix metro is competitive but abundant. Tucson and Northern Arizona have good opportunities with less competition. Large retiree population drives restorative and prosthodontic dental demand.

Helpful Resources

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

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

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