How To Become A Dental Assistant Extern: What It Is and Career Path

What is a dental assistant extern and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted experts

Aaron Benitez CDA, RDA, RDHAP, MSDH,

Carol Donohue

A dental assistant externship is a short but intensive learning period that gives students practical insight into working in a dental care facility. As this is an integral part of a degree program, it is not a paid position. On the contrary, students practically pay for this experience themselves and gain academic credit for completing it.

During the externship, the students follow dentists and observe their work, ask questions, and listen to explanations. They can examine dental equipment and sit in dental surgeries as observers. They also have the chance to get familiar with dental imaging technologies.

As a dental assistant extern, you might be expected to perform minor tasks such as preparing patients for procedures, sterilizing equipment, or setting up trays, preparing materials, and assisting during procedures. Creating the documentation of case histories and patient information might also be on your to-do list.

What general advice would you give to a dental assistant extern?

Aaron Benitez CDA, RDA, RDHAP, MSDH

Dental Assisting Faculty, Articulation Officer, Website

In California, it is an exciting time to be a Dental Assistant. The industry has been gradually adding more technologically advanced procedures like 3-D printing, intra-oral scanning, along with Artificial Intelligence (AI) assistance. A Dental Assistant needs to possess the traditional knowledge to be able to learn these new advanced procedures. In order to make themselves more competitive, the Dental Assistant must possess the knowledge and hands-on experience of these new procedures.
Also, since in California the minimum wage is increasing beyond the amount that a starting Dental Assistant could potentially earn, learning new advanced techniques is more relevant.

ScoreDental Assistant ExternUS Average

Salary

3.0

Avg. Salary $38,679

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.8

Growth rate 8%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

5.4

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.76%

Asian 10.39%

Black or African American 7.45%

Hispanic or Latino 23.67%

Unknown 5.01%

White 52.73%

Gender

female 73.88%

male 26.12%

Age - 36

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 36

Stress level

6.8

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

6.4

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance

10.0

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a dental assistant extern

Explore dental assistant extern education requirements

Most common dental assistant extern degrees

Bachelor's

38.6 %

Diploma

21.3 %

Associate

14.0 %

Start to develop specific dental assistant extern skills

Skills	Percentages
Patients	34.92%
Dental Procedures	11.31%
Patient Care	5.52%
Instrument Trays	4.60%
Infection Control	4.07%

Complete relevant dental assistant extern training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New dental assistant externs learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a dental assistant extern based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real dental assistant extern resumes.

Gain additional dental assistant extern certifications

Dental assistant extern certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific dental assistant extern certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for dental assistant externs include Dental Assistant (RDA) and Certified Dental Technician.

More About Certifications

Research dental assistant extern duties and responsibilities

Help dentist to manage dental and medical emergencies by maintaining CPR certification, emergency drug and oxygen supply.
Input front office information into EagleSoft software.
Use of Patterson EagleSoft for patient information.
Perform administrative and customer service duties relate to dental activities, including in-processing of patients and scheduling appointments.

Prepare your dental assistant extern resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your dental assistant extern resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a dental assistant extern resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable dental assistant extern resume templates

Build a professional dental assistant extern resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your dental assistant extern resume.