The Most Underrated Win-Win in the Dental World

Here’s a scenario: a dental office could use some extra hands, but they’re not quite ready to bring on a new hire. Meanwhile, dental assistant students are eager to gain hands-on experience and need to complete the required hours to graduate.

Enter: externships.

Most externships are unpaid, but the experience and skills students gain are truly priceless. If payment is offered, it’s typically modest and reflects their student status, so it’s always a good idea to confirm details ahead of time. 

Whether you're a student looking to grow or an office ready to mentor, externships are flexible, rewarding, and honestly, one of the most underrated opportunities in dentistry today.

Looking to get started? Cloud Dentistry makes it easy to connect, communicate, and get the ball rolling!

What’s an Externship?

An externship is a short-term, real-world training opportunity for dental assistant (DA) students. It involves shadowing, learning, and assisting while completing required program hours.

✔️ For students, it’s a chance to see how things actually run in a dental office.
✔️ For offices, it’s a low-pressure way to meet motivated self-starters, give back to the profession, and get extra help for your team.

Why Offices Shouldn’t Sleep on Externs

Busy days. Short-staffed weeks. Need help turning rooms or sterilizing instruments? Externs can lend support without adding payroll pressure.

Here’s what you gain:

• Hands-on help with daily tasks at no cost
• A potential future hire who already knows your systems
• An opportunity to mentor the next generation of dental professionals
• Increased visibility by opting in as “Interested in Externships” on Cloud

Most importantly, you’re supporting your local dental community in a meaningful way.

👉 Create a free Cloud Dentistry account to get started and start connecting with local externs

Why Students Love It (and Should Be Using It)

You’ve learned the theory. Now it’s time to practice! 

Externships through Cloud Dentistry let you:

• Connect directly with offices that are open to externs
• Start getting positive reviews on your account and build your reputation
• Get your required hours done in a real dental setting
• Build skills, confidence, and connections
• Get your foot in the door; many externships turn into job offers!

Once your profile is activated, you can reach out to offices or respond to those who message you first. It's all done through your Cloud dashboard with no awkward phone calls or email black holes.

👉 Activate your profile now to access externship opportunities in your area

Do Externships Ever Lead to Jobs?

All the time. While they’re technically unpaid learning experiences, externships often become job offers. It’s a chance for offices to see your work ethic, and for you to see if it’s the kind of team you’d want to join long term.

Even if it doesn’t turn into a job, you walk away with real experience, professional references, and a stronger resume. That’s a win in our book.

What to Know Before You Start

🦷 For Students:
Bring your program paperwork so you can log hours. Be proactive, ask questions, and treat this like a working interview.

🏢 For Offices:
Create a supportive environment for learning. You’re not expected to onboard like a full-time employee, but offering guidance goes a long way.

Need support along the way? We’re here to help! 

Everyone Wins

Externships are the most underrated win-win in dentistry. Offices get free, motivated support. Students get meaningful, hands-on experience. And it all happens through a platform you’re already using!

Whether you're mentoring the next great dental assistant or becoming one yourself, it all starts here.

👉 Create your free Cloud Dentistry account and see what externships can do for you