Find DA externship opportunities across Virginia. Connect with 4,600+ dental practices, oral surgery centers, and specialty clinics to gain hands-on chairside experience.
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Virginia Dental Assistant
4,600+
Dental Facilities
1,290+
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 Virginia that may accept externship students. Contact facilities directly to inquire about externship opportunities.
DC suburbs with federal workforce and premium practices.
Aspen Dental Fairfax, Heartland Dental Reston, Northern Virginia Dental, Alexandria Dental Group, Arlington Dental, Tysons Corner Dental Care, Ashburn Dental
DC-area oral surgery accessible, Fairfax Orthodontics, NoVA Periodontics, Inova Dental Specialists, Virginia Hospital Center Dental
Fairfax County Health Dental, Arlington Free Clinic Dental, Loudoun Community Health Dental, Prince William Health Dental, HealthWorks Northern Virginia Dental
💡 Tip: Northern Virginia is DC metro with federal workforce dental benefits. Very competitive but premium wages ($36,000-$48,000). High cost of living. DC and Maryland accessible.
VCU School of Dentistry and state capital.
Aspen Dental Richmond, Heartland Dental Midlothian, Richmond Family Dental, Short Pump Dental, Glen Allen Dental Care, Chester Dental Group
VCU School of Dentistry Clinics, Richmond Oral Surgery, Virginia Orthodontics, VCU Periodontics, VCU Pediatric Dentistry
VCU Dental Clinics, Daily Planet Health Dental, CrossOver Healthcare Ministry Dental, Richmond City Health Dental, Chesterfield Health Dental
💡 Tip: Richmond has VCU School of Dentistry—excellent externship opportunity. State capital with government workforce. More affordable than Northern Virginia with strong opportunities.
Military region with diverse dental services.
Aspen Dental Virginia Beach, Heartland Dental Norfolk, Tidewater Dental, Chesapeake Family Dental, Newport News Dental Group, Hampton Dental Care
Eastern Virginia Dental Specialists, Hampton Roads Oral Surgery, Tidewater Orthodontics, Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters Dental
Eastern Virginia Medical School Dental, Portsmouth Naval Hospital Dental, Langley AFB Dental, Hampton VA Dental Clinic
💡 Tip: Hampton Roads has massive military presence (Naval Station Norfolk, Langley AFB). Military dental opportunities. Diverse metropolitan area with steady demand.
Appalachian region with regional dental services.
Aspen Dental Roanoke, Heartland Dental Lynchburg, Roanoke Family Dental, Bristol Dental Care, Blacksburg Dental, Radford Dental Group
Carilion Dental Specialists, Centra Dental, Southwest Virginia Oral Surgery, Roanoke Orthodontics, Appalachian Periodontics
Carilion Clinic Dental, Free Clinic of the New River Valley Dental, Health Wagon Dental, Stone Mountain Health Dental
💡 Tip: Southwest Virginia has Appalachian communities with significant workforce shortages. Virginia Tech in Blacksburg. Rural areas have incentive opportunities. Lower cost of living.
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.
Virginia requires dental assistant registration for expanded duties. Basic chairside assisting does not require registration. Radiography certification required. VCU is state's dental school.
Virginia 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 Virginia.
$0 to enroll • $850 to complete • Self-paced online training
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