Dental Assistant Externship in Maine

Find DA externship opportunities across Maine. Connect with 780+ dental practices, oral surgery centers, and specialty clinics to gain hands-on chairside experience.

780+

Dental Facilities

220+

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 Maine

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

🦞 Portland/Southern Maine (Cumberland, York Counties)

Maine's population center with diverse dental practices.

🦷 General & Family Dentistry

Aspen Dental Portland, Maine Dental Group, South Portland Family Dentistry, Scarborough Dental, Saco Dental Care, Biddeford Dental, Kennebunk Dental

🔬 Specialty Practices

Portland Oral Surgery, Maine Orthodontics, Southern Maine Periodontics, Pediatric Dental Associates Portland, Portland Endodontics

🏥 Dental Clinics & Community Health

Greater Portland Health Dental, Community Health Options Dental, Portland Community Health Dental, York County Community Health Dental

💡 Tip: Portland has most Maine dental opportunities. Boston accessible from Southern Maine. Tourism creates seasonal demand. Growing year-round population.

🌲 Central Maine (Androscoggin, Kennebec Counties)

Lewiston-Auburn and Augusta with regional dental services.

🦷 General & Family Dentistry

Aspen Dental Lewiston, Central Maine Dental Group, Augusta Family Dentistry, Waterville Dental, Auburn Dental Care, Gardiner Dental

🔬 Specialty Practices

Central Maine Oral Surgery, Kennebec Orthodontics, Augusta Periodontics, Pediatric Dentistry of Central Maine

🏥 Dental Clinics & Community Health

St. Mary's Dental Clinic, HealthReach Dental (multiple), Kennebec Behavioral Health Dental, MaineGeneral Dental Clinic

💡 Tip: Central Maine serves Lewiston-Auburn and state capital Augusta. Less competition than Portland area. Government workforce in Augusta has dental benefits.

🏔️ Bangor/Eastern Maine (Penobscot County)

Northern Maine's hub with regional dental services.

🦷 General & Family Dentistry

Aspen Dental Bangor, Bangor Dental Group, Brewer Family Dentistry, Orono Dental, Old Town Dental Care, Hampden Dental

🔬 Specialty Practices

Bangor Oral Surgery, Eastern Maine Orthodontics, Penobscot Periodontics, Pediatric Dentistry of Bangor

🏥 Dental Clinics & Community Health

Penobscot Community Health Care Dental, Eastern Maine Medical Center Dental, Brewer Dental Clinic, St. Joseph Hospital Dental

💡 Tip: Bangor serves northern and eastern Maine. UMaine creates young population. Significant workforce shortages. Rural opportunities with incentives.

🏖️ Midcoast/Downeast (Knox, Hancock Counties)

Coastal communities with seasonal and year-round dental needs.

🦷 General & Family Dentistry

Rockland Dental, Camden Dental Care, Belfast Family Dentistry, Ellsworth Dental, Bar Harbor Dental, Blue Hill Dental

🔬 Specialty Practices

Midcoast Oral Surgery, Coastal Orthodontics, Penobscot Bay Periodontics

🏥 Dental Clinics & Community Health

Penobscot Bay Medical Center Dental, Maine Coast Memorial Dental, Island Health Dental, Bucksport Regional Health Dental

💡 Tip: Coastal Maine has seasonal tourism but growing year-round population. Retirees choosing Maine increase demand. Beautiful but isolated communities.

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.

Maine Dental Assistant Information

State Regulations

Maine requires dental radiographer certification for taking X-rays. Basic chairside assisting does not require licensure. Expanded function permits available for additional procedures. Significant workforce shortages statewide.

Maine 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 Maine?
Maine has 780+ dental facilities. Portland area has most opportunities. Community health centers (Greater Portland Health, HealthReach) serve diverse populations. Significant workforce shortages create opportunities. Contact facilities directly about externships.
Does Maine require dental assistant certification?
Maine requires dental radiographer certification for taking X-rays. Basic chairside assisting under direct supervision does not require licensure. Expanded function permits available for additional procedures.
What's unique about Maine's dental job market?
Maine has significant dental workforce shortages, especially in rural areas. Aging population increases demand. Beautiful outdoor lifestyle attracts workers despite lower wages than Massachusetts. Small communities value personal connections.
Can Maine residents access Boston dental jobs?
Yes—Portland is about 2 hours from Boston. Some Maine residents commute or relocate. However, Maine has strong local opportunities with better cost of living than Greater Boston.

Helpful Resources

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Start Your Dental Assistant Career Today

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

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

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