Dental Assistant Externship in Indiana

Find DA externship opportunities across Indiana. Connect with 3,600+ dental practices, oral surgery centers, and specialty clinics to gain hands-on chairside experience.

3,600+

Dental Facilities

1,010+

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 Indiana

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

🏎️ Indianapolis Metro (Marion, Hamilton, Hendricks, Johnson Counties)

State capital with IU School of Dentistry and diverse dental practices.

🦷 General & Family Dentistry

Aspen Dental Indianapolis, Heartland Dental Carmel, Indiana Dental Group, Fishers Family Dentistry, Greenwood Dental, Avon Dental Care, Noblesville Dental

🔬 Specialty Practices

IU School of Dentistry Clinics, Indianapolis Oral Surgery, Indiana Orthodontics, Indy Periodontics, Riley Children's Dental, Indianapolis Endodontics

🏥 Dental Clinics & Community Health

IU Dental Clinics, Eskenazi Health Dental, HealthNet Dental, Jane Pauley Community Health Dental, Raphael Health Center Dental

💡 Tip: Indianapolis has IU School of Dentistry—excellent externship opportunity with diverse patient population. Corporate groups have strong presence. 50% of Indiana dental jobs in this metro.

🏭 Fort Wayne/Northeast (Allen, Elkhart Counties)

Manufacturing region with regional dental services.

🦷 General & Family Dentistry

Aspen Dental Fort Wayne, Fort Wayne Dental Group, Elkhart Family Dentistry, Goshen Dental Care, Warsaw Dental, Auburn Family Dentistry, Angola Dental

🔬 Specialty Practices

Fort Wayne Oral Surgery, Northeast Indiana Orthodontics, Parkview Dental Specialists, Pediatric Dentistry of Fort Wayne, Allen County Endodontics

🏥 Dental Clinics & Community Health

Parkview Health Dental Clinic, Neighborhood Health Clinics Dental, Fort Wayne Community Health Dental, Matthew 25 Health Dental

💡 Tip: Fort Wayne is Indiana's 2nd largest city. Manufacturing creates stable workforce. Elkhart/Goshen have RV industry. Growing market with less competition than Indianapolis.

🌊 South Bend/Michiana (St. Joseph, LaPorte Counties)

Notre Dame region with regional dental services.

🦷 General & Family Dentistry

Aspen Dental South Bend, Michiana Dental Group, Mishawaka Family Dentistry, Granger Dental Care, Michigan City Dental, LaPorte Dental

🔬 Specialty Practices

South Bend Oral Surgery, Michiana Orthodontics, St. Joseph Periodontics, Pediatric Dental Associates Michiana

🏥 Dental Clinics & Community Health

HealthLinc Dental (multiple locations), St. Joseph Health Center Dental, La Porte Hospital Dental Clinic, Heart City Health Dental

💡 Tip: South Bend serves Michigan border region. Notre Dame creates professional community. Cross-border opportunities with Southwest Michigan available.

🎰 Evansville/Southern Indiana (Vanderburgh, Warrick Counties)

Ohio River region with tri-state dental services.

🦷 General & Family Dentistry

Aspen Dental Evansville, Evansville Dental Group, Newburgh Family Dentistry, Henderson Dental (KY accessible), Owensboro Dental (KY accessible)

🔬 Specialty Practices

Evansville Oral Surgery, Tri-State Orthodontics, Ohio Valley Periodontics, Pediatric Dentistry of Evansville

🏥 Dental Clinics & Community Health

Lampion Family Health Center Dental, Deaconess Community Dental, Southwestern Indiana Health Council Dental

💡 Tip: Evansville serves tri-state region (IN/KY/IL). Access Kentucky and Illinois dental markets. Ohio River communities have steady demand. Lower cost of living.

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.

Indiana Dental Assistant Information

State Regulations

Indiana requires dental assistant registration for radiography and expanded functions. Basic chairside assisting does not require registration. IU School of Dentistry is state's premier dental education program.

Indiana 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 Indiana?
Indiana has 3,600+ dental facilities. IU School of Dentistry (Indianapolis) offers excellent clinical experiences. Heartland Dental and Aspen Dental have many locations. Community health centers serve diverse populations. Contact facilities directly about externships.
Does Indiana require dental assistant registration?
Indiana requires registration for radiography and expanded functions through the State Board of Dentistry. Basic chairside assisting under direct supervision does not require registration. Check current requirements with Indiana board.
What's Indiana's dental assistant salary range?
Indiana DA salaries: Indianapolis metro $30,000-$40,000, Fort Wayne $28,000-$36,000, South Bend $27,000-$35,000, Evansville $26,000-$34,000. Excellent cost of living means wages go further than coastal states.
Can Indiana residents access Ohio or Illinois dental jobs?
Yes—Northwest Indiana is Chicago metro. Fort Wayne is near Ohio. Evansville serves tri-state region. Cross-border commuting expands your job options significantly.

Helpful Resources

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Looking for DA externship opportunities in neighboring states?

Start Your Dental Assistant Career Today

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

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

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