Dental Assistant Externship in Colorado

Find DA externship opportunities across Colorado. Connect with 3,200+ dental practices, oral surgery centers, and specialty clinics to gain hands-on chairside experience.

3,200+

Dental Facilities

900+

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 Colorado

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

🏔️ Denver Metro (Denver, Arapahoe, Jefferson, Adams Counties)

Colorado's largest metro with CU School of Dental Medicine and diverse practices.

🦷 General & Family Dentistry

Aspen Dental Denver, Comfort Dental (Colorado-based, 100+ locations), Perfect Teeth Denver, Gentle Dental Aurora, Lakewood Family Dentistry, Highlands Ranch Dental, Cherry Creek Dental

🔬 Specialty Practices

University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine Clinics, Denver Oral Surgery, Colorado Orthodontics, Denver Periodontics, Rocky Mountain Pediatric Dentistry, Front Range Endodontics

🏥 Dental Clinics & Community Health

Denver Health Dental, Salud Family Health Dental, Metro Community Provider Network Dental, Inner City Health Dental, Stride Community Health Dental

💡 Tip: Denver has CU School of Dental Medicine—excellent externship opportunity. Comfort Dental is Colorado-based with 100+ locations. Competitive but abundant opportunities.

🏔️ Colorado Springs/Southern Colorado (El Paso, Pueblo Counties)

Military city with diverse dental services.

🦷 General & Family Dentistry

Aspen Dental Colorado Springs, Comfort Dental Springs, Perfect Teeth COS, Fountain Family Dentistry, Pueblo Dental Group, Monument Dental, Security Dental

🔬 Specialty Practices

Colorado Springs Oral Surgery, Southern Colorado Orthodontics, Pikes Peak Periodontics, Children's Dental Colorado Springs, Pueblo Oral Surgery

🏥 Dental Clinics & Community Health

Peak Vista Community Health Dental (multiple locations), El Paso County Dental Clinic, Pueblo Community Health Center Dental

💡 Tip: Colorado Springs has military presence (Fort Carson, Peterson, NORAD). Peak Vista operates multiple community dental clinics. Less competitive than Denver.

🎿 Boulder/Northern Colorado (Boulder, Larimer, Weld Counties)

University region with CU Boulder and CSU influence.

🦷 General & Family Dentistry

Aspen Dental Fort Collins, Comfort Dental Boulder, Gentle Dental Loveland, Boulder Dental Arts, Greeley Family Dentistry, Longmont Dental Care, Windsor Dental

🔬 Specialty Practices

Northern Colorado Oral Surgery, Boulder Orthodontics, Fort Collins Periodontics, Pediatric Dentistry of Northern Colorado

🏥 Dental Clinics & Community Health

Sunrise Community Health Dental (multiple), Salud Fort Collins Dental, Boulder Community Health Dental, Weld County Health Dental

💡 Tip: Northern Colorado has CU and CSU influence. Young, active population. Growing communities (Fort Collins, Loveland, Greeley) expanding dental services.

⛷️ Mountain/Western Slope (Eagle, Mesa, Summit Counties)

Ski resort communities and Western Slope dental services.

🦷 General & Family Dentistry

Aspen Dental Grand Junction, Vail Valley Dental, Aspen Dental Arts, Steamboat Dental, Glenwood Springs Dental, Durango Dental Care, Montrose Family Dentistry

🔬 Specialty Practices

Grand Junction Oral Surgery, Western Slope Orthodontics, Mountain Pediatric Dentistry, Vail Oral Surgery

🏥 Dental Clinics & Community Health

Valley-Wide Health Systems Dental, Mesa County Health Dental, Mountain Family Health Dental, Axis Health System Dental

💡 Tip: Mountain communities have ski industry creating demand. High cost of living but unique lifestyle. Western Slope (Grand Junction) more affordable with steady demand.

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.

Colorado Dental Assistant Information

State Regulations

Colorado does not require dental assistant licensure for basic duties. Expanded duty permits available for additional functions. Radiography certification required for taking X-rays. On-the-job training is common.

Colorado 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 Colorado?
Colorado has 3,200+ dental facilities. CU School of Dental Medicine offers clinical experiences. Comfort Dental is Colorado-based with 100+ locations. Peak Vista and Salud operate community dental networks. Contact facilities directly about externship opportunities.
Does Colorado require dental assistant certification?
Colorado does not require licensure for basic dental assistant duties. Expanded duty permits available for additional functions like coronal polishing. Radiography certification required for taking X-rays. Many employers provide on-the-job training.
What's Colorado's dental assistant salary range?
Colorado DA salaries: Denver metro $36,000-$48,000, Colorado Springs $32,000-$42,000, Mountain resorts $38,000-$52,000 (often with housing assistance). High cost of living in Denver and mountain towns offset wages.
Is there demand in Colorado ski towns?
Yes—ski resort communities (Vail, Aspen, Breckenridge, Steamboat) have dental demand from residents and seasonal workers. Housing assistance often included in compensation. Unique lifestyle but high cost of living.

Helpful Resources

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Start Your Dental Assistant Career Today

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

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

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