Dental Assistant Externship in Tennessee

Find DA externship opportunities across Tennessee. Connect with 3,800+ dental practices, oral surgery centers, and specialty clinics to gain hands-on chairside experience.

3,800+

Dental Facilities

1,065+

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 Tennessee

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

🎸 Nashville Metro (Davidson, Williamson, Rutherford Counties)

Healthcare capital with Meharry dental school and diverse practices.

🦷 General & Family Dentistry

Aspen Dental Nashville, Heartland Dental Franklin, Nashville Dental Group, Brentwood Family Dental, Murfreesboro Dental, Smyrna Dental Care, Hendersonville Dental

🔬 Specialty Practices

Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry Clinics, Vanderbilt Dental Specialists, Nashville Oral Surgery, Music City Orthodontics, Nashville Periodontics, Monroe Carell Children's Dental

🏥 Dental Clinics & Community Health

Meharry Dental Clinics, Nashville Metro Public Health Dental, Neighborhood Health Dental, Siloam Family Health Dental, Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Dental

💡 Tip: Nashville is America's healthcare industry capital. Meharry dental school serves diverse population. HCA and other healthcare companies headquartered here. Abundant opportunities.

🎵 Memphis Metro (Shelby County)

UT College of Dentistry and blues city dental services.

🦷 General & Family Dentistry

Aspen Dental Memphis, Heartland Dental Germantown, Memphis Family Dental, Collierville Dental, Bartlett Dental Group, Cordova Dental Care

🔬 Specialty Practices

UT College of Dentistry Clinics, Memphis Oral Surgery, Bluff City Orthodontics, Memphis Periodontics, Le Bonheur Children's Dental, UT Pediatric Dentistry

🏥 Dental Clinics & Community Health

UT Dental Clinics, Church Health Dental, Memphis Health Center Dental, Christ Community Health Dental, Shelby County Health Dental

💡 Tip: Memphis has UT College of Dentistry—excellent externship opportunity. Diverse patient population. St. Jude nearby. Mississippi accessible across border.

🏔️ Knoxville/East Tennessee (Knox, Blount Counties)

UT Knoxville region with regional dental services.

🦷 General & Family Dentistry

Aspen Dental Knoxville, Heartland Dental Maryville, Knoxville Family Dental, Farragut Dental, Oak Ridge Dental Care, Sevierville Dental

🔬 Specialty Practices

Knoxville Oral Surgery, East Tennessee Orthodontics, UT Medical Center Dental Specialists, Pediatric Dental Associates Knoxville

🏥 Dental Clinics & Community Health

Knox County Health Department Dental, Cherokee Health Dental, Remote Area Medical Dental, Volunteer Ministry Center Dental

💡 Tip: Knoxville serves East Tennessee and Smoky Mountains region. UT Knoxville creates young population. Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge tourism nearby.

💬 Chattanooga/Southeast Tennessee (Hamilton County)

Scenic city with regional dental services.

🦷 General & Family Dentistry

Aspen Dental Chattanooga, Heartland Dental Ooltewah, Chattanooga Family Dental, Signal Mountain Dental, Cleveland Dental Care, Hixson Dental

🔬 Specialty Practices

Chattanooga Oral Surgery, Scenic City Orthodontics, Chattanooga Periodontics, Pediatric Dentistry of Chattanooga

🏥 Dental Clinics & Community Health

Erlanger Health Dental Clinic, Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Dental, Volunteer Health Dental

💡 Tip: Chattanooga serves tri-state region (TN/GA/AL). Outdoor recreation hub. Growing market with less competition than Nashville or Memphis.

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.

Tennessee Dental Assistant Information

State Regulations

Tennessee requires dental assistant registration for expanded duties. Basic chairside assisting does not require registration. Radiography certification required. Two dental schools provide training.

Tennessee 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 Tennessee?
Tennessee has 3,800+ dental facilities. Meharry (Nashville) and UT (Memphis) dental schools offer excellent clinical experiences. Heartland Dental has strong presence. Contact facilities directly about externships.
Does Tennessee require dental assistant registration?
Tennessee requires registration for expanded dental assistant duties through the Tennessee Board of Dentistry. Basic chairside assisting does not require registration. Radiography certification required separately.
What's unique about Tennessee's dental job market?
Tennessee is America's healthcare industry capital—HCA and others headquartered in Nashville. Two dental schools provide training. No state income tax is major benefit. Growing population drives dental demand.
What's Tennessee's dental assistant salary range?
Tennessee DA salaries: Nashville $29,000-$40,000, Memphis $27,000-$37,000, Knoxville $26,000-$35,000, Chattanooga $26,000-$35,000. No state income tax improves take-home pay. Excellent cost of living.

Helpful Resources

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

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

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