The University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine Department of Dental Anesthesiology facilitates an Externship Program for third- and fourth-year dental students and alumni of any CODA-accredited U.S. dental school who are interested in learning more about the dental anesthesiology specialty and are seeking to actively experience the full scope of anesthesia and surgery procedures.
Students who participate in this exciting program will study anesthetic management of patients for a variety of dental and medical procedures in various clinical settings with our renowned anesthesiologists and residents. You will be able to talk with our students and residents about life as a dental anesthesiology (DA) resident and what it is like to live and study in Pittsburgh. The program also affords the DA faculty with an opportunity to evaluate you as a potential candidate for our esteemed DA Residency Program.
The DA externship program takes place only between March 1 and August 31 of each year.
Your personalized externship may be from one to five days in length.
Please see our application form for specific available dates.
The clinical experiences you may be able to experience during your externship are:
- observation of clinical anesthetics
- management of patients in conjunction with our attending anesthesiologists and residents
- observe and participate in the full scope of anesthesia and surgery
Eligibility
The University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine Dental Anesthesiology Externship Program is open only to third- and fourth-year students who currently are enrolled in DMD and DDS programs in the U.S. that are accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Education (CODA).
Students must be in good academic standing at their parent school and must have a Letter of Good Standing from their school in order to participate in the desired elective(s).
Additionally, you must complete an application form and include all required documentation (such as insurance coverage, and credential completion. Please see the application form for a complete list of required documents.)
How to Apply
Complete and submit your application no less than two weeks prior to the requested externship time.
Application forms must be completed by both the student and the appropriate dean of the student's school and include original signatures.
Applications are accepted only from January 6, 2025-July 31, 2025.
Incomplete applications will be returned to the student's school student affairs office.
Upon receipt, the completed application will be reviewed and the student applicant notified about acceptance status.
If you need assistance, more information, or have questions about the application process, please email the Dental Anesthesia Externship Program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Will a T-spot TB blood test satisfy the TB test requirement of a negative two-step TB test?
A. Yes, that will satisfy this requirement.
Q. Am I required to send you my three available dates for the externship on the application?
A. Dates of availability must be submitted as part of the application form.
Q. Will an infection control course that I took as part of my schools curriculum satisfy the OSHA Training requirement? What kind of documentation should I provide?
A. Yes. You may submit your training completion certificate in lieu of the OSHA Training.
Please see the application form for more information.
Q. Does Pitt Dental Medicine provide housing for DA externs? Are there hotels or Air BNB’s near the school?
A. The University of Pittsburgh does not provide housing. You may choose to stay in any accommodation of your preference.
Housing
Many visiting students require short term housing while they complete their DA Externship. Securing housing is the responsibility of each visiting student. We are unable to obtain or guarantee housing for individual students.
Below are some recommended housing options that are within walking or a short distance of the School of Dental Medicine.
Hampton Inn Pittsburgh University/Medical Center
3315 Hamlet St.; Pittsburgh, PA; 15213
412-681-1000
Please enter Pitt Dental Medicine ID#2733583 to receive a discounted rate.
Shuttle service available 7am-10pm.daily on an hourly basis.
Free parking.
Courtyard by Marriott Pittsburgh University Center
100 Lytton Ave.; Pittsburgh, PA; 15213
412-682-6200
Please mention that you are interviewing at Pitt Dental Medicine to receive a discounted rate.
Within walking distance to the School of Dental Medicine
Shuttle service is available upon request 7:30 am – 9:30 pm
The Hilton Garden Inn Pittsburgh University Place
3454 Forbes Ave.; Pittsburgh, PA; 15213
412-683-2040
toll free 877-662-6242
Please enter the Pitt Dental Medicine code ID 102 to receive a discounted rate.
Within walking distance, shuttle service is available upon request. Please see their website for up-to-date parking cost information