Find DA externship opportunities across South Dakota. Connect with 520+ dental practices, oral surgery centers, and specialty clinics to gain hands-on chairside experience.
DA Hero Image
South Dakota Dental Assistant
520+
Dental Facilities
145+
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 South Dakota that may accept externship students. Contact facilities directly to inquire about externship opportunities.
South Dakota's largest city with Sanford and Avera dental services.
Aspen Dental Sioux Falls, Sanford Dental Clinic, Avera Dental, Sioux Falls Family Dental, Brandon Dental, Harrisburg Dental Care, Tea Dental
Sioux Falls Oral Surgery, South Dakota Orthodontics, Sanford Periodontics, Avera Pediatric Dentistry, Sioux Falls Endodontics
Sanford Community Dental, Avera Community Dental, Falls Community Health Dental, Sioux Falls VA Dental Clinic
💡 Tip: Sioux Falls has 50% of SD dental opportunities. Sanford and Avera compete for talent—both offer excellent benefits. Minnesota accessible across border.
Western SD hub with tourism and regional dental services.
Aspen Dental Rapid City, Black Hills Dental Group, Rapid City Family Dental, Spearfish Dental, Sturgis Dental Care, Hot Springs Dental
Rapid City Oral Surgery, Black Hills Orthodontics, Western SD Periodontics, Pediatric Dentistry of the Black Hills
Monument Health Dental Clinic, Community Health Center of the Black Hills Dental, Rapid City VA Dental, Indian Health Service Pine Ridge Dental
💡 Tip: Rapid City serves Black Hills and western SD. Tourism creates seasonal demand. Mount Rushmore area. Native American communities served by IHS.
Agricultural region with regional dental services.
Aberdeen Family Dental, Watertown Dental Care, Brookings Dental, Huron Dental Group, Mitchell Dental, Yankton Dental
Aberdeen Oral Surgery, Northeast SD Orthodontics, referrals to Sioux Falls for specialty care
Avera St. Luke's Dental (Aberdeen), Prairie Lakes Healthcare Dental, Horizon Health Dental, Lewis & Clark Dental Clinic
💡 Tip: Northeast SD serves agricultural communities. SDSU (Brookings) creates young population. Significant workforce shortages. Employers offer incentives.
State capital with government workforce and regional services.
Pierre Family Dental, Huron Dental Care, Mitchell Dental Group, Chamberlain Dental, Winner Dental
Central SD referrals to Sioux Falls or Rapid City for specialty care
Avera St. Mary's Dental (Pierre), Missouri River Health Dental, Capital City Health Dental
💡 Tip: Pierre is state capital with government workforce. Central SD serves vast rural region. Extreme workforce shortages with excellent incentive packages.
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.
South Dakota does not require dental assistant licensure for basic duties. Expanded function permits available. Radiography certification required. Significant workforce shortages statewide.
South Dakota 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 South Dakota.
$0 to enroll • $850 to complete • Self-paced online training
Find specific resources by program, topic, and state
Popular: MA Training CA · PCT Jobs TX · DA Cert FL