Dental Assistant Externship in Ohio

Find DA externship opportunities across Ohio. Connect with 6,800+ dental practices, oral surgery centers, and specialty clinics to gain hands-on chairside experience.

6,800+

Dental Facilities

1,910+

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 Ohio

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

🏙️ Columbus Metro (Franklin, Delaware Counties)

State capital with Ohio State College of Dentistry and diverse practices.

🦷 General & Family Dentistry

Aspen Dental Columbus, Heartland Dental Dublin, Ohio State Dental Associates, Westerville Family Dental, Grove City Dental, Hilliard Dental Care, Gahanna Dental

🔬 Specialty Practices

Ohio State College of Dentistry Clinics, Columbus Oral Surgery, Central Ohio Orthodontics, OSU Periodontics, Nationwide Children's Dental, Columbus Endodontics

🏥 Dental Clinics & Community Health

OSU Dental Clinics, Columbus Neighborhood Health Dental, PrimaryOne Health Dental, Lower Lights Christian Health Dental, Nationwide Children's Community Dental

💡 Tip: Columbus has Ohio State College of Dentistry—excellent externship opportunity. State capital with government workforce. Fast-growing metro with abundant opportunities.

🎸 Cleveland Metro (Cuyahoga County)

Case Western Reserve School of Dental Medicine and diverse healthcare sector.

🦷 General & Family Dentistry

Aspen Dental Cleveland, Heartland Dental Beachwood, Cleveland Dental Group, Parma Family Dental, Lakewood Dental, Rocky River Dental Care, Westlake Dental

🔬 Specialty Practices

Case Western Reserve School of Dental Medicine Clinics, Cleveland Clinic Dental, MetroHealth Dental, Cleveland Oral Surgery, University Hospitals Dental Specialists

🏥 Dental Clinics & Community Health

Case Dental Clinics, MetroHealth Dental Services, Neighborhood Family Practice Dental, Care Alliance Health Dental, Cleveland Clinic Community Dental

💡 Tip: Cleveland has Case Western Reserve dental school. Cleveland Clinic and MetroHealth are major employers. Strong healthcare sector with diverse opportunities.

🏈 Cincinnati Metro (Hamilton County)

Ohio River city with access to Kentucky dental market.

🦷 General & Family Dentistry

Aspen Dental Cincinnati, Heartland Dental Mason, Cincinnati Dental Group, West Chester Dental, Kenwood Family Dental, Hyde Park Dental, Florence Dental (KY accessible)

🔬 Specialty Practices

Cincinnati Children's Dental, UC Dental Specialists, TriHealth Dental, Cincinnati Oral Surgery, Queen City Orthodontics, Mercy Dental Specialists

🏥 Dental Clinics & Community Health

Cincinnati Health Department Dental, HealthCare Connection Dental, Primary Care Health Dental, Cincinnati Children's Community Dental

💡 Tip: Cincinnati accesses Kentucky dental market (Northern KY). UC and Cincinnati Children's provide specialty care. Diverse opportunities across tri-state region.

🚗 Toledo/Northwest Ohio (Lucas, Wood Counties)

Auto industry region with regional dental services.

🦷 General & Family Dentistry

Aspen Dental Toledo, Toledo Family Dental, Bowling Green Dental, Findlay Dental Care, Perrysburg Dental, Sylvania Dental Group

🔬 Specialty Practices

Toledo Oral Surgery, Northwest Ohio Orthodontics, Toledo Periodontics, Pediatric Dental Associates Toledo

🏥 Dental Clinics & Community Health

Toledo-Lucas County Health Dental, Neighborhood Health Dental, Wood County Health Dental, ProMedica Dental Clinic

💡 Tip: Toledo serves northwest Ohio with Michigan border access. Auto industry workforce. Bowling Green State University creates young population. Steady demand.

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.

Ohio Dental Assistant Information

State Regulations

Ohio requires dental assistant certification for radiography and expanded functions. Basic chairside assisting does not require certification. Two dental schools provide excellent training. Strong dental infrastructure.

Ohio 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 Ohio?
Ohio has 6,800+ dental facilities—5th largest market. Ohio State (Columbus) and Case Western (Cleveland) dental schools offer excellent clinical experiences. Heartland Dental has strong Ohio presence. Contact facilities directly.
Does Ohio require dental assistant certification?
Ohio requires certification for radiography and expanded dental assistant functions. Basic chairside assisting under direct supervision does not require certification. Check current requirements with Ohio State Dental Board.
Can Ohio residents access other state dental jobs?
Yes—Cincinnati accesses Kentucky. Toledo accesses Michigan. Cleveland near Pennsylvania. Cross-border commuting expands job options significantly from border areas.
What's Ohio's dental assistant salary range?
Ohio DA salaries: Columbus $30,000-$40,000, Cleveland $29,000-$39,000, Cincinnati $30,000-$41,000, Toledo $27,000-$36,000. Excellent cost of living makes wages go further.

Helpful Resources

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Start Your Dental Assistant Career Today

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

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

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