Dental Assistant Externship in Missouri

Find DA externship opportunities across Missouri. Connect with 3,400+ dental practices, oral surgery centers, and specialty clinics to gain hands-on chairside experience.

3,400+

Dental Facilities

955+

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 Missouri

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

🏙️ Kansas City Metro (Jackson, Clay, Platte Counties)

UMKC School of Dentistry and diverse metropolitan dental services.

🦷 General & Family Dentistry

Aspen Dental Kansas City, Heartland Dental Independence, Midwest Dental Overland Park (KS accessible), KC Family Dental, Lee's Summit Dental, Blue Springs Dental Group

🔬 Specialty Practices

UMKC School of Dentistry Clinics, Kansas City Oral Surgery, KC Orthodontics, Missouri Periodontics, Children's Mercy Dental, KC Endodontics

🏥 Dental Clinics & Community Health

UMKC Dental Clinics, Swope Health Services Dental, Samuel U. Rodgers Health Dental, KC Care Health Center Dental, Truman Medical Center Dental

💡 Tip: Kansas City has UMKC School of Dentistry—excellent externship opportunity. KC spans Missouri/Kansas border—access both states' dental markets. Diverse opportunities.

🏛️ St. Louis Metro (St. Louis City, St. Louis County)

Gateway Arch city with diverse dental practices and Illinois access.

🦷 General & Family Dentistry

Aspen Dental St. Louis, Heartland Dental Clayton, Midwest Dental Chesterfield, St. Louis Family Dental, Kirkwood Dental, Webster Groves Dental, Florissant Dental Group

🔬 Specialty Practices

St. Louis Oral Surgery, Gateway Orthodontics, STL Periodontics, St. Louis Children's Hospital Dental, Washington University Dental Specialists, BJC Dental

🏥 Dental Clinics & Community Health

Grace Hill Health Centers Dental, Affinia Healthcare Dental, St. Louis County Health Dental, Betty Jean Kerr People's Health Dental, BJC Community Dental

💡 Tip: St. Louis accesses Illinois dental market (Metro East). Washington University medical influence. Diverse metro with strong community health networks.

🐻 Columbia/Central Missouri (Boone, Cole Counties)

University of Missouri and A.T. Still dental school region.

🦷 General & Family Dentistry

Aspen Dental Columbia, Columbia Family Dental, Jefferson City Dental, Moberly Dental Care, Fulton Dental, Sedalia Dental Group

🔬 Specialty Practices

A.T. Still University Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health Clinics (Kirksville), MU Dental Clinic, Central Missouri Oral Surgery, Mid-Missouri Orthodontics

🏥 Dental Clinics & Community Health

MU Health Care Dental, Family Health Center Dental (multiple), Capital Region Medical Center Dental, Cole County Health Dental

💡 Tip: Central Missouri has A.T. Still dental school in Kirksville and MU in Columbia. College towns create young populations. State capital Jefferson City has government workforce.

🎣 Springfield/Ozarks (Greene, Christian Counties)

Ozarks region with growing dental services.

🦷 General & Family Dentistry

Aspen Dental Springfield, Ozarks Family Dental, Branson Dental Care, Joplin Dental Group, Nixa Dental, Republic Dental

🔬 Specialty Practices

Springfield Oral Surgery, Ozarks Orthodontics, Southwest Missouri Periodontics, Pediatric Dental Associates Springfield

🏥 Dental Clinics & Community Health

Jordan Valley Community Health Dental (multiple), Cox Health Dental Clinic, Mercy Springfield Dental, Community Health Center of the Ozarks Dental

💡 Tip: Springfield is Ozarks healthcare hub. Branson tourism creates seasonal demand. Joplin serves tri-state region. Growing population with expanding dental services.

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.

Missouri Dental Assistant Information

State Regulations

Missouri does not require dental assistant licensure for basic duties. Expanded function permits available. Radiography certification required for X-rays. Two dental schools provide excellent training opportunities.

Missouri 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 Missouri?
Missouri has 3,400+ dental facilities. UMKC School of Dentistry (Kansas City) and A.T. Still (Kirksville) offer excellent clinical experiences. Jordan Valley and Grace Hill operate community dental networks. Contact facilities directly about externships.
Does Missouri require dental assistant certification?
Missouri does not require licensure for basic dental assistant duties. Expanded function permits available for additional procedures. Radiography certification required for taking X-rays.
Can Missouri residents access Kansas or Illinois dental jobs?
Yes—Kansas City spans Missouri/Kansas. St. Louis borders Illinois. Many workers commute across state lines. This dramatically expands job options from border areas.
What's Missouri's dental assistant salary range?
Missouri DA salaries: Kansas City $28,000-$38,000, St. Louis $28,000-$38,000, Springfield $25,000-$34,000, Columbia $26,000-$35,000. Excellent cost of living means wages go further.

Helpful Resources

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

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

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