Tend is proud to partner with Fortis College in Landover, MD for Dental Assistant Externship opportunities in our DC and VA studios. If you're looking for a modern practice with a supportive team to jump start your Dental Assisting career, apply below to connect with our recruiter. We look forward to speaking with you soon!

DAS190 Externship I

DAS 195 Externship II

Fortis College, MD

Course Description

This course allows the student to apply what they have learned in the program curriculum to practical use in a healthcare facility under the direct supervision of a preceptor on the site. Through the externship experience, the student gain first-hand knowledge of the workplace and perform the assigned duties to meet the expectations in a professional setting. Students are expected to adapt to the work environment and reflect regularly on their learning and observations. The externship work performed, is not to be paid.

Students will be required to meet at the campus a total of 10 hours, 1-1/2 hours a week to review the extern experience and competency checklist. 

Prerequisite:  All Coursework
Total Hours: 160; Externship 150, 10 Lecture Hours; Quarter Credit Hours: 6.0; Out-of-Class Work: 38 hours.

Course Objectives

In this course, students will:

1. Perform all assigned independent duties competently and efficiently as allowed by the state and federal laws. 
2. Apply the knowledge and skills learned at school to the real-life situations in a professional healthcare setting.
3. Use critical thinking and problem-solving skills in performing work duties and responsibilities.
4. Communicate effectively with patients and members of the healthcare team.
5. Demonstrate adaptability to various types of work environments.
6. Demonstrate awareness of cultural diversity and show respect and tolerance in business/professional environments.
7. Articulate the professional and ethical expectations of a professional.

Reflect on personal strengths and weaknesses, strategies for time management, process documentation, assessment of readiness for workforce, and personal/attitudinal changes.

Externship Policy Statements:

1. Externship is an integral part of student educational experience in the program. Each student must complete 100% of the required externship hours as specified in the description of this course. Such required must be all completed on an externship site and may not be substituted by hours spent on campus.
2. A pre-set schedule has been created for the Externship course, which can be viewed on your student portal. That schedule is meant to represent the hours to be completed each week, and it by no means reflects the actual work schedule you would have on the externship site. Students on externship must follow the actual work schedule in full as communicated to you by your instructor of the course and/or Externship Coordinator.  Each week students will be responsible for providing their timesheet to the campus with the site supervisor’s signature.
3. Externship is a part of the program completion requirements; students will not be able to graduate from the program until they have successfully completed this course and met all other graduation requirements.
4. In addition to following the work schedule at the externship site, students are expected to spend certain number of hours on campus regularly to report and reflect on externship experience and complete administrative responsibilities. Such expected hours are to be communicated to students by the Instructor of the course or Externship Coordinator. The hours spent on campus do not count toward the required externship hours for the course. 

Students are expected to report to work punctually and be dependable. Policies and procedures at the externship site must be strictly followed. To maximize the benefits from the externship experience, students must adapt well to the work environment and become a contributing member of the professional team on the site. Failure to abide by policies and procedures and demonstrate respect for the Site Supervisor and other staff on the site may result in disciplinary actions such as removal from the externship site and dismissal from the program.

The Tend Difference

The highest standard of care, anywhere.
At Tend, you’ll work alongside esteemed clinical leaders and experience-obsessed colleagues to deliver care that’s not only top-tier — it’s unforgettable. With access to advanced technology and thoughtfully designed studios, you’ll help create dental experiences that patients actually look forward to. Our hospitality-driven approach makes every visit feel personal, warm, and empowering.

A top-tier clinical team who puts patients first.
We value science over sales and lead with empathy, transparency, and integrity. There are no production quotas here — just a shared commitment to doing what’s right for our patients. We foster a collaborative, inclusive culture where team members go the extra mile for each other and for every patient who walks through our doors.

Innovate Dentistry. Tend to Others. Grow Together.
Tend is redefining what it means to grow a career in dentistry. We offer a modern, patient-first environment backed by cutting-edge tools and systems, industry-leading compensation and benefits, and robust opportunities for continuing education and professional development. Whether you’re clinical or corporate, you’ll be part of something meaningful — and surrounded by people who care.

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