Dental Assistant Externship in South Carolina

Find DA externship opportunities across South Carolina. Connect with 2,800+ dental practices, oral surgery centers, and specialty clinics to gain hands-on chairside experience.

2,800+

Dental Facilities

785+

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 South Carolina

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

🌴 Charleston Metro (Charleston, Berkeley, Dorchester Counties)

MUSC College of Dental Medicine and coastal healthcare hub.

🦷 General & Family Dentistry

Aspen Dental Charleston, Heartland Dental Mount Pleasant, MUSC Dental Associates, Summerville Family Dental, North Charleston Dental, James Island Dental Care, West Ashley Dental

🔬 Specialty Practices

MUSC College of Dental Medicine Clinics, Charleston Oral Surgery, Lowcountry Orthodontics, MUSC Periodontics, MUSC Pediatric Dentistry, Charleston Endodontics

🏥 Dental Clinics & Community Health

MUSC Dental Clinics, Fetter Health Care Network Dental, Roper St. Francis Dental Clinic, Beaufort-Jasper-Hampton Health Dental, Sea Island Comprehensive Health Dental

💡 Tip: Charleston has MUSC College of Dental Medicine—excellent externship opportunity. Growing coastal metro. Tourism and medical research create diverse economy.

🏛️ Columbia Metro (Richland, Lexington Counties)

State capital with government workforce and regional services.

🦷 General & Family Dentistry

Aspen Dental Columbia, Heartland Dental Lexington, Columbia Family Dental, Irmo Dental Care, Blythewood Dental, Chapin Dental Group, Cayce Dental

🔬 Specialty Practices

Prisma Health Dental Specialists, Columbia Oral Surgery, Midlands Orthodontics, Palmetto Periodontics, Prisma Children's Dental

🏥 Dental Clinics & Community Health

Prisma Health Dental Clinic, Eau Claire Free Medical Clinic Dental, Richland County Health Dental, Lexington Medical Center Dental

💡 Tip: Columbia is state capital with government workforce. University of South Carolina creates young population. Prisma Health is major employer. Growing market.

🍑 Upstate South Carolina (Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson Counties)

BMW country with growing dental services.

🦷 General & Family Dentistry

Aspen Dental Greenville, Heartland Dental Spartanburg, Greenville Family Dental, Anderson Dental Care, Simpsonville Dental, Greer Dental Group, Easley Dental

🔬 Specialty Practices

Prisma Upstate Dental Specialists, Greenville Oral Surgery, Upstate Orthodontics, Greenville Periodontics, Pediatric Dental Associates Upstate

🏥 Dental Clinics & Community Health

Prisma Health Upstate Dental, New Horizon Family Health Dental, Greenville Free Medical Clinic Dental, AnMed Health Dental Clinic

💡 Tip: Upstate SC has strong manufacturing (BMW, Michelin) creating professional workforce. Fast-growing Greenville. More affordable than Charleston with abundant opportunities.

🏖️ Myrtle Beach/Pee Dee (Horry, Florence Counties)

Beach tourism and regional healthcare hub.

🦷 General & Family Dentistry

Aspen Dental Myrtle Beach, Grand Strand Dental, Conway Dental Care, Florence Family Dental, Hartsville Dental, Marion Dental Group

🔬 Specialty Practices

Grand Strand Oral Surgery, Coastal Carolina Orthodontics, Myrtle Beach Periodontics, Pee Dee Pediatric Dentistry

🏥 Dental Clinics & Community Health

Tidelands Health Dental, HopeHealth Dental (multiple), Pee Dee Community Health Dental, McLeod Health Dental Clinic

💡 Tip: Myrtle Beach has tourism economy with seasonal fluctuations. Growing year-round population. Florence serves Pee Dee region. Rural areas have workforce shortages.

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.

South Carolina Dental Assistant Information

State Regulations

South Carolina does not require dental assistant licensure for basic duties. Expanded duty permits available. Radiography certification required. MUSC is state's dental school. Growing dental market.

South Carolina 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 South Carolina?
South Carolina has 2,800+ dental facilities. MUSC College of Dental Medicine (Charleston) offers excellent clinical experiences. Prisma Health and Heartland Dental have strong presence. Contact facilities directly about externships.
Does South Carolina require dental assistant certification?
South Carolina does not require licensure for basic dental assistant duties. Expanded duty permits available for additional procedures. Radiography certification required for taking X-rays.
What's unique about South Carolina's dental job market?
South Carolina has growing population and economy. MUSC dental school provides training. Upstate manufacturing creates steady workforce. Coastal tourism adds seasonal demand. Lower cost of living than neighboring states.
What's South Carolina's dental assistant salary range?
South Carolina DA salaries: Charleston $29,000-$40,000, Columbia $27,000-$37,000, Greenville $28,000-$38,000, Myrtle Beach $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 South Carolina.

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

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