Dental Assistant Externship in Kentucky

Find DA externship opportunities across Kentucky. Connect with 2,400+ dental practices, oral surgery centers, and specialty clinics to gain hands-on chairside experience.

2,400+

Dental Facilities

675+

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 Kentucky

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

🏇 Louisville Metro (Jefferson County)

Kentucky's largest city with UofL School of Dentistry and diverse practices.

🦷 General & Family Dentistry

Aspen Dental Louisville, Dental Associates Louisville, Louisville Family Dental Group, St. Matthews Dental, Jeffersontown Dental Care, New Albany Dental (IN accessible)

🔬 Specialty Practices

University of Louisville School of Dentistry Clinics, Louisville Oral Surgery, Derby City Orthodontics, Louisville Periodontics, Kosair Children's Dental, Louisville Endodontics

🏥 Dental Clinics & Community Health

Family Health Centers Dental (multiple), Park DuValle Community Health Dental, Shawnee Christian Healthcare Dental, Americana Community Center Dental

💡 Tip: Louisville has UofL School of Dentistry—excellent externship opportunity. Corporate groups and community health centers provide diverse experiences. Southern Indiana accessible.

🐴 Lexington/Central Kentucky (Fayette, Scott Counties)

UK College of Dentistry and horse country dental services.

🦷 General & Family Dentistry

Aspen Dental Lexington, Central Kentucky Dental Group, Georgetown Family Dentistry, Richmond Dental Care, Nicholasville Dental, Frankfort Dental

🔬 Specialty Practices

UK College of Dentistry Clinics, Lexington Oral Surgery, Bluegrass Orthodontics, Central KY Periodontics, UK Pediatric Dentistry, Lexington Endodontics

🏥 Dental Clinics & Community Health

UK Dental Clinics, HealthFirst Bluegrass Dental, Hope Center Dental, God's Pantry Dental Clinic

💡 Tip: Lexington has UK College of Dentistry—premier dental school. Horse industry creates wealthy population. State capital Frankfort nearby. Strong dental market.

🌊 Northern Kentucky (Kenton, Boone, Campbell Counties)

Cincinnati suburbs with cross-border dental access.

🦷 General & Family Dentistry

Aspen Dental Florence, Northern Kentucky Dental Group, Covington Dental, Newport Dental Care, Burlington Family Dentistry, Erlanger Dental

🔬 Specialty Practices

NKY Oral Surgery, Northern Kentucky Orthodontics, Cincinnati-area specialists accessible, Pediatric Dentistry of NKY

🏥 Dental Clinics & Community Health

HealthPoint Family Care Dental, St. Elizabeth Healthcare Dental, Northern Kentucky Community Health Dental

💡 Tip: Northern Kentucky is Cincinnati metro—access Ohio dental jobs. St. Elizabeth Healthcare significant employer. Many NKY residents work in Cincinnati dental.

🏭 Bowling Green/Western Kentucky (Warren, Daviess Counties)

Growing region with WKU and regional dental services.

🦷 General & Family Dentistry

Aspen Dental Bowling Green, Bowling Green Dental Group, Owensboro Family Dentistry, Elizabethtown Dental, Hopkinsville Dental Care, Paducah Dental

🔬 Specialty Practices

Bowling Green Oral Surgery, South Central KY Orthodontics, Green River Periodontics, Pediatric Dentistry of Bowling Green

🏥 Dental Clinics & Community Health

Graves Gilbert Clinic Dental, Family Health Dental Clinics, Owensboro Health Dental, Barren River Health Dental

💡 Tip: Bowling Green is growing with automotive manufacturing. WKU creates young population. Western Kentucky has rural shortages with incentive opportunities.

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.

Kentucky Dental Assistant Information

State Regulations

Kentucky requires dental assistant certification for expanded duties. Basic chairside assisting under direct supervision does not require certification. Radiography certification required for taking X-rays.

Kentucky 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 Kentucky?
Kentucky has 2,400+ dental facilities. UofL School of Dentistry (Louisville) and UK College of Dentistry (Lexington) offer excellent clinical experiences. Community health centers serve diverse populations. Contact facilities directly about externships.
Does Kentucky require dental assistant certification?
Kentucky requires certification for expanded dental assistant duties. Basic chairside assisting under direct supervision does not require certification. Radiography certification required for taking X-rays.
Can Kentucky residents access Ohio dental jobs?
Yes—Northern Kentucky is Cincinnati metro. Many KY residents work in Ohio dental. Cross-border commuting is common and significantly expands job options from NKY.
What's Kentucky's dental assistant salary range?
Kentucky DA salaries: Louisville $28,000-$38,000, Lexington $27,000-$36,000, Northern Kentucky $30,000-$40,000 (Cincinnati influence), Western Kentucky $25,000-$33,000. Excellent cost of living.

Helpful Resources

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

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

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