Dental Assistant Externship in Idaho

Find DA externship opportunities across Idaho. Connect with 980+ dental practices, oral surgery centers, and specialty clinics to gain hands-on chairside experience.

980+

Dental Facilities

275+

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 Idaho

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

🏙️ Boise Metro (Ada, Canyon Counties)

Idaho's largest city and fastest-growing metro in America.

🦷 General & Family Dentistry

Aspen Dental Boise, Meridian Dental Group, Boise Family Dental, Eagle Dental, Nampa Dental Care, Caldwell Family Dentistry, Star Dental, Kuna Dental

🔬 Specialty Practices

Boise Oral Surgery, Idaho Orthodontics, Treasure Valley Periodontics, Pediatric Dental Associates Boise, Boise Endodontics

🏥 Dental Clinics & Community Health

Terry Reilly Health Services Dental, Family Health Services Dental, Genesis Community Health Dental, Saint Alphonsus Dental Clinic

💡 Tip: Boise metro is one of America's fastest-growing areas. New dental practices opening regularly. Corporate chains and independent practices competing for talent. Excellent opportunities.

🥔 Eastern Idaho (Bonneville, Bannock Counties)

Idaho Falls and Pocatello with regional dental services.

🦷 General & Family Dentistry

Idaho Falls Dental Group, Pocatello Family Dental, Rexburg Dental Care, Blackfoot Dental, Shelley Family Dentistry, Ammon Dental

🔬 Specialty Practices

Eastern Idaho Oral Surgery, Snake River Orthodontics, Idaho Falls Periodontics, Pediatric Dentistry of Eastern Idaho

🏥 Dental Clinics & Community Health

Eastern Idaho Public Health Dental, Southeastern Idaho Public Health Dental, Portneuf Health Trust Dental

💡 Tip: Eastern Idaho serves vast rural region. Idaho National Laboratory nearby drives professional population. BYU-Idaho (Rexburg) creates young community. Growing opportunities.

🌲 North Idaho (Kootenai County)

Coeur d'Alene and lake communities with growing dental services.

🦷 General & Family Dentistry

Coeur d'Alene Dental Group, Post Falls Dental, Sandpoint Family Dentistry, Hayden Dental Care, Moscow Dental, Lewiston Dental Group

🔬 Specialty Practices

North Idaho Oral Surgery, Panhandle Orthodontics, Lake City Periodontics, Pediatric Dentistry of North Idaho

🏥 Dental Clinics & Community Health

Heritage Health Dental (multiple locations), North Idaho Community Health Dental, Kootenai Health Dental Clinic

💡 Tip: North Idaho is growing rapidly with Spokane spillover. Beautiful lake region attracts workers. Less expensive than Spokane with cross-border job access.

🏔️ Twin Falls/South Central (Twin Falls, Jerome Counties)

Agricultural region with regional dental services.

🦷 General & Family Dentistry

Twin Falls Dental Group, Magic Valley Dental, Jerome Family Dentistry, Burley Dental Care, Rupert Dental, Gooding Dental

🔬 Specialty Practices

Twin Falls Oral Surgery, Magic Valley Orthodontics, South Central Idaho Periodontics, Pediatric Dentistry of Magic Valley

🏥 Dental Clinics & Community Health

Family Health Services Dental (Twin Falls), South Central Public Health Dental, St. Luke's Community Dental

💡 Tip: South Central Idaho serves agricultural communities. Significant workforce shortages. Bilingual Spanish valuable for agricultural workforce. Employers offer incentives.

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.

Idaho Dental Assistant Information

State Regulations

Idaho does not require dental assistant licensure for basic duties. Expanded function permits available for additional procedures. Radiography certification required for taking X-rays. On-the-job training is common throughout Idaho.

Idaho 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 Idaho?
Idaho has 980+ dental facilities. Boise metro has most opportunities in this fast-growing market. Community health centers (Terry Reilly, Family Health Services) serve diverse populations. Rural areas have significant shortages. Contact facilities directly about externships.
Does Idaho require dental assistant certification?
Idaho does not require licensure for basic dental assistant duties. Expanded function permits available for additional procedures like coronal polishing. Radiography certification required for taking X-rays. On-the-job training is common.
What's Idaho's dental assistant salary range?
Idaho DA salaries: Boise metro $30,000-$40,000, Eastern Idaho $28,000-$36,000, North Idaho $29,000-$38,000, Rural areas $26,000-$34,000. Lower wages but excellent cost of living—wages go further than in coastal states.
Can Idaho residents access Washington dental jobs?
Yes—North Idaho (Coeur d'Alene) is part of Spokane's healthcare market. Many workers commute across state lines. This expands your job options significantly from North Idaho locations.

Helpful Resources

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

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