Dental Assistant Externship in Massachusetts

Find DA externship opportunities across Massachusetts. Connect with 4,200+ dental practices, oral surgery centers, and specialty clinics to gain hands-on chairside experience.

4,200+

Dental Facilities

1,180+

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 Massachusetts

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

🏥 Boston Metro (Suffolk, Middlesex, Norfolk Counties)

World's healthcare capital with three dental schools.

🦷 General & Family Dentistry

Aspen Dental Boston, Gentle Dental Cambridge, Dental Associates Brookline, Newton Dental, Quincy Family Dentistry, Medford Dental Care, Somerville Dental

🔬 Specialty Practices

Harvard School of Dental Medicine Clinics, Tufts Dental Clinics, BU Goldman Dental Clinics, Boston Oral Surgery, Mass Orthodontics, Brigham Dental Specialists, Children's Hospital Dental

🏥 Dental Clinics & Community Health

Harvard Dental Clinics, Tufts Dental Clinics, Boston Health Care for the Homeless Dental, East Boston Neighborhood Health Dental, Codman Square Health Dental

💡 Tip: Boston has THREE dental schools (Harvard, Tufts, BU)—unparalleled externship opportunities. Extremely competitive but world-class training. Very high cost of living.

🎓 Cambridge/MetroWest (Middlesex County)

Harvard/MIT corridor with professional dental services.

🦷 General & Family Dentistry

Cambridge Dental Group, Wellesley Family Dentistry, Newton-Wellesley Dental, Framingham Dental, Natick Dental Care, Lexington Dental, Concord Dental

🔬 Specialty Practices

Cambridge Oral Surgery, MetroWest Orthodontics, Newton Periodontics, Pediatric Dental Associates Cambridge

🏥 Dental Clinics & Community Health

Cambridge Health Alliance Dental, Charles River Community Health Dental, Fenway Health Dental, Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Dental

💡 Tip: MetroWest has Harvard/MIT influence creating highly educated professional population. Premium wages but extremely high cost of living. Excellent career advancement opportunities.

🏭 Worcester/Central Mass (Worcester County)

Second largest city with regional dental services.

🦷 General & Family Dentistry

Aspen Dental Worcester, Worcester Dental Group, Shrewsbury Family Dentistry, Leominster Dental, Fitchburg Dental Care, Southbridge Dental

🔬 Specialty Practices

Worcester Oral Surgery, Central Mass Orthodontics, UMass Memorial Dental Specialists, Pediatric Dentistry of Worcester

🏥 Dental Clinics & Community Health

Family Health Center of Worcester Dental, UMass Memorial Dental Clinic, Edward M. Kennedy CHC Dental, Community Health Connections Dental

💡 Tip: Worcester is Massachusetts' 2nd largest city with UMass Medical influence. Lower cost of living than Boston with solid opportunities. Community health centers serve diverse population.

🏔️ Western Mass (Hampden, Hampshire, Berkshire Counties)

Springfield and Berkshires with regional dental services.

🦷 General & Family Dentistry

Aspen Dental Springfield, Western Mass Dental Group, Northampton Dental, Pittsfield Family Dentistry, Amherst Dental, Holyoke Dental Care

🔬 Specialty Practices

Springfield Oral Surgery, Pioneer Valley Orthodontics, Baystate Dental Specialists, Pediatric Dental Associates Springfield

🏥 Dental Clinics & Community Health

Baystate Dental Clinic, Holyoke Health Center Dental, Community Health Center of Springfield Dental, Berkshire Health Dental

💡 Tip: Western Massachusetts has significantly lower cost of living than eastern MA. UMass Amherst creates college town environment. Berkshires attract creative community.

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.

Massachusetts Dental Assistant Information

State Regulations

Massachusetts does not require dental assistant licensure for basic duties. Radiography certification required for taking X-rays. Three major dental schools provide excellent training opportunities.

Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts?
Massachusetts has 4,200+ dental facilities. THREE dental schools (Harvard, Tufts, BU) offer unparalleled clinical experiences—the best in the nation. Community health centers serve diverse populations. Contact facilities directly about externships.
Does Massachusetts require dental assistant certification?
Massachusetts does not require licensure for basic dental assistant duties. Radiography certification required for taking X-rays. Professional certifications like DANB CDA are optional but highly valued in this competitive market.
How competitive is Boston's dental job market?
Boston is extremely competitive with three dental schools producing graduates. However, the large healthcare sector also creates abundant opportunities. Premium wages ($36,000-$50,000) but very high cost of living. Worcester and Western MA less competitive.
Will EHired place me in an externship?
No. EHired does NOT place, arrange, or supervise externships. You contact dental facilities directly to arrange your own placement. This gives you flexibility to choose sites and build direct relationships with potential employers.

Helpful Resources

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

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

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