Find DA externship opportunities across Oregon. Connect with 2,400+ dental practices, oral surgery centers, and specialty clinics to gain hands-on chairside experience.
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Oregon Dental Assistant
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.
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.
Explore dental facilities across Oregon that may accept externship students. Contact facilities directly to inquire about externship opportunities.
Oregon's largest metro with OHSU School of Dentistry.
Aspen Dental Portland, Gentle Dental Beaverton, Willamette Dental (Oregon-based, 50+ locations), Portland Family Dental, Lake Oswego Dental, Tigard Dental Care, Gresham Dental
OHSU School of Dentistry Clinics, Portland Oral Surgery, Oregon Orthodontics, Rose City Periodontics, OHSU Pediatric Dentistry, Portland Endodontics
OHSU Dental Clinics, Multnomah County Dental Clinic, Outside In Dental, Wallace Medical Concern Dental, Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Dental
💡 Tip: Portland has OHSU School of Dentistry—excellent externship opportunity. Willamette Dental is Oregon-based with 50+ locations. Competitive but abundant opportunities.
State capital and Eugene with regional dental services.
Aspen Dental Salem, Gentle Dental Eugene, Salem Family Dental, Keizer Dental, Eugene Dental Group, Springfield Dental Care, Corvallis Dental
Salem Oral Surgery, Willamette Valley Orthodontics, Eugene Periodontics, Pediatric Dental Associates Salem, Lane County Endodontics
Salem Health Dental Clinic, Lane County Health Dental, Benton County Health Dental, PeaceHealth Dental Clinic, Capitol Dental Community Clinic
💡 Tip: Willamette Valley has state capital Salem and UO in Eugene. Oregon State in Corvallis. More affordable than Portland with solid opportunities.
Coastal communities with tourism and retiree populations.
Newport Dental, Coos Bay Dental Group, Astoria Family Dental, Florence Dental, Lincoln City Dental, Tillamook Dental Care
Coastal referrals to Portland/Salem for specialty care, limited specialty access locally
Samaritan Health Dental (Lincoln City), Bay Area Hospital Dental, Tillamook County Health Dental, Coastal Family Health Dental
💡 Tip: Oregon Coast has tourism and growing retiree population. Significant workforce shortages. Beautiful lifestyle attracts workers. Seasonal fluctuations in some areas.
High desert resort and agricultural communities.
Aspen Dental Bend, Bend Family Dental, Redmond Dental Care, Pendleton Dental, La Grande Dental, Hermiston Dental Group, Ontario Dental (ID accessible)
Bend Oral Surgery, Central Oregon Orthodontics, High Desert Periodontics, Pediatric Dentistry of Central Oregon
Mosaic Medical Dental (Bend), Community Health Center La Clinica Dental, Umatilla County Health Dental, Good Shepherd Health Dental
💡 Tip: Central Oregon (Bend) is Oregon's fastest-growing region. Outdoor recreation and tourism. Eastern Oregon has agricultural communities with workforce shortages.
Identify dental practices, specialty offices, and clinics in your area that interest you.
Call or email office managers to inquire about externship opportunities and requirements.
Arrange hours that work for both parties. Our externship is flexible—no minimum hours required.
Many externships lead directly to job offers. Treat every day as an extended interview.
Oregon requires dental assistant certification for expanded functions. Basic chairside assisting does not require certification. Radiography certification required. OHSU is state's dental school.
Oregon Dental BoardProfessional 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.
Official salary data, job outlook, and career information for dental assistants.
Visit BLS →State regulations, registration requirements, and scope of practice information.
Visit Board →Dental Assisting National Board—optional professional certifications when you're ready.
Visit DANB →Looking for DA externship opportunities in neighboring states?
Free training. Flexible externship. Real career opportunities in Oregon.
$0 to enroll • $850 to complete • Self-paced online training
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