An externship offers hands-on training for dental assisting (DA) students, essential for their career readiness. These students need to fulfill a set number of hours to complete their program.
Advantages for Dental Offices:
Gain extra assistance at potentially no cost - externs can complete their hours without an hourly rate, or some may choose to set an hourly rate.
When an extern lists an hourly rate, treat it the same as any other professional — message them first to confirm. If you’re considering hiring an extern as a Dental Assistant after graduation, it’s also a good moment to discuss the post-graduation rate; many externs are flexible early on and will appreciate transparency from an office they already know.
Enhance office productivity, especially during busy periods.
Increase your recruitment pipeline to hire DAs after graduation.
Offer valuable hands-on training while receiving support customized to your practice.
How to find an extern:
Go to "Find Professionals" tab and select "Type of Professional" and finally "DA Externs" - see Search Features for Offices for more information on filters
Connect with externs through messaging or booking directly from the dashboard.
While not guaranteed, externships can lead to job offers.
Save on training and recruitment costs by hiring a trained extern who fits well into your office.
Preparing for your Extern:
Ensure a suitable working environment for the extern.
Document their hours and possibly fill out evaluation forms provided by the school.
Cloud Dentistry offers ongoing support throughout the process.