Dental Assistant Externship in Arkansas

Find DA externship opportunities across Arkansas. Connect with 1,400+ dental practices, oral surgery centers, and specialty clinics to gain hands-on chairside experience.

1,400+

Dental Facilities

390+

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 Arkansas

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

🏛️ Little Rock Metro (Pulaski, Saline Counties)

State capital with UAMS and regional dental services.

🦷 General & Family Dentistry

Aspen Dental Little Rock, Dental Depot Bryant, Arkansas Family Dental, Pleasant Valley Dental, Chenal Family Dentistry, Maumelle Dental, Cabot Dental Care

🔬 Specialty Practices

UAMS Dental Clinic, Little Rock Oral Surgery, Arkansas Orthodontics, Central Arkansas Periodontics, Pediatric Dental Associates Little Rock

🏥 Dental Clinics & Community Health

UAMS Dental Hygiene Clinic, ARcare Dental Clinics, East Arkansas Family Health Dental, Lee County Cooperative Dental

💡 Tip: Little Rock has UAMS—Arkansas's academic dental facility. State capital provides diverse opportunities. Dental Depot and Aspen Dental have multiple locations.

🐗 Northwest Arkansas (Washington, Benton Counties)

Fastest-growing region with Walmart, Tyson, and expanding dental services.

🦷 General & Family Dentistry

Aspen Dental Fayetteville, Dental Depot Rogers, Bentonville Family Dentistry, Springdale Dental Care, Bella Vista Dental, Siloam Springs Dentistry

🔬 Specialty Practices

Northwest Arkansas Oral Surgery, Ozark Orthodontics, NWA Periodontics, Pediatric Dentistry of Northwest Arkansas, Fayetteville Endodontics

🏥 Dental Clinics & Community Health

Community Health Centers of Arkansas Dental (multiple), Boston Mountain Rural Health Dental, NWA Community Dental Clinic

💡 Tip: Northwest Arkansas (Fayetteville, Bentonville, Rogers) is Arkansas's fastest-growing region. Walmart HQ and corporate growth driving dental expansion. Competitive but abundant.

🌲 Northeast Arkansas (Craighead, Mississippi Counties)

Jonesboro hub with St. Bernards and regional dental services.

🦷 General & Family Dentistry

Aspen Dental Jonesboro, Jonesboro Family Dentistry, Paragould Dental, Blytheville Dental Care, NEA Dental Associates

🔬 Specialty Practices

NEA Oral Surgery, Jonesboro Orthodontics, Northeast Arkansas Periodontics, Pediatric Dentistry of NEA

🏥 Dental Clinics & Community Health

St. Bernards Community Dental, NEA Baptist Dental Clinic, ARcare Dental Jonesboro, Lee County Cooperative Dental

💡 Tip: Northeast Arkansas serves Delta region. Significant dental workforce shortages. St. Bernards is regional anchor. Employers may offer incentives.

⛰️ Fort Smith/River Valley (Sebastian, Crawford Counties)

Oklahoma border region with diverse dental services.

🦷 General & Family Dentistry

Aspen Dental Fort Smith, Fort Smith Family Dentistry, Van Buren Dental, Russellville Dental Care, River Valley Dental Group

🔬 Specialty Practices

Fort Smith Oral Surgery, River Valley Orthodontics, Western Arkansas Periodontics, Pediatric Dentistry of Fort Smith

🏥 Dental Clinics & Community Health

Boston Mountain Rural Health Dental, Crawford County Health Dental, Community Health Centers Fort Smith

💡 Tip: Fort Smith borders Oklahoma—access both states' dental markets. River Valley has steady demand with less competition than Little Rock or NWA.

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.

Arkansas Dental Assistant Information

State Regulations

Arkansas requires dental assistant registration with the State Board of Dental Examiners for certain expanded duties. Basic chairside assisting may be performed without registration. Radiography certification required for taking X-rays.

Arkansas 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 Arkansas?
Arkansas has 1,400+ dental facilities. UAMS in Little Rock offers clinical dental experiences. Dental Depot and Aspen Dental have multiple locations. Rural areas have significant shortages. Contact facilities directly about externship opportunities.
Does Arkansas require dental assistant registration?
Arkansas requires registration for expanded dental assistant duties. Basic chairside assisting under direct supervision may be performed without registration. Radiography (X-ray) certification is required. Check current requirements with Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners.
What's unique about Arkansas's dental job market?
Arkansas has workforce shortages, especially in rural Delta region. Northwest Arkansas is booming with corporate growth. Lower cost of living means wages are moderate but go further. Rural practices may offer incentives for qualified assistants.
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 Arkansas.

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

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