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Chestnut Dental
Needham, Massachusetts

Certified Dental Assistant - PEDIATRICS

DentalFull-Time

Listed compensation

$25-$39/hr

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about call expectations, weekend coverage, nights and shift pattern and time off.

Posted 1mo ago · Verified live

Job Description

About Chestnut Dental Associates

Chestnut Dental Associates is a patient-centered dental practice committed to providing exceptional care in a welcoming, supportive, and team-oriented environment.

Position Summary

The Pediatric Dental Assistant supports dentists in delivering high-quality patient care while ensuring a safe, efficient, and comfortable experience for patients. Reports To: Clinical Supervisor.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

  • Prepare treatment rooms, instruments, materials, and equipment for patient care.
  • Review patient charts, histories, and treatment plans before appointments.
  • Assist dentists during procedures and maintain efficient clinical flow.
  • Take and process dental radiographs and perform coronal polishing as permitted.
  • Provide patient education and review post-operative instructions.
  • Maintain sterilization, infection control, OSHA, and HIPAA compliance.
  • Maintain accurate documentation and communicate scheduling needs to front office staff.
  • Manage supplies, inventory, and equipment maintenance.
  • Participate in training, meetings, and continuing education.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

  • Current DANB Certification / School Certification or degree
  • MUST BE FORMALLY TRAINED
  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • Current CPR Certification
  • Current X-Ray Certification
  • Proficiency in spoken and written English

Core Competencies

  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
  • Ability to work effectively with patients of all ages
  • Strong multitasking, organization, and problem-solving abilities
  • Knowledge of dental assisting procedures and infection control
  • Manual dexterity and attention to detail

Compensation & Benefits

  • Competitive hourly compensation based on experience and qualifications
  • Potential sign-on bonus
  • Additional $3/hour evening shift differential
  • 35-hour work week
  • Summer hours
  • Medical and vision insurance beginning Day 1
  • 401(k) with employer match
  • 9 paid holidays
  • Paid sick time
  • Employer-paid annual CPR renewal
  • Pet insurance
  • Continuing education opportunities

Equal Employment Opportunity

Chestnut Dental Associates is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Chestnut Dental Associates reserves the right to modify this job description at any time. This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position.

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Key Responsibilities

The Pediatric Dental Assistant supports dentists by preparing treatment rooms, assisting during procedures, and maintaining clinical flow. They are also responsible for patient education, maintaining infection control standards, and managing clinical inventory.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a current DANB or school certification, along with CPR and X-Ray certifications. A high school diploma or equivalent is required, and proficiency in English is essential.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure

Key Skills

RadiographyOSHA complianceChart reviewClinical flow managementInventory managementInterpersonal skills

Pediatrics Career Context

The cost-of-living index for Massachusetts is 105.8 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$67k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $63k in an average-cost state. 63.2% of Massachusetts clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Pediatrics Jobs

3 matches · ranked by pay
#1

Certified Pediatric Dental Assistant

Kids Teeth – Dr. Mike and Dr. Will · Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina

$26-$30/hr
#2

Pediatric Dental Assistant

Vitana Pediatric & Orthodontic Partners · Orlando, Florida

$18-$22/hr
#3

Pediatric Dental Assistant III

$21.51 hourly
+ 1 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 3.0this job 3.9
Better work-life than 60% of Dental Assistant listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 342 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • On-site

Living in Needham

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$1.26M
Typical market rent
$3,453/mo
Residents’ average commute
28 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
108.3
State income tax
Up to 5%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

Benefits & Perks

Potential sign-on bonus
Additional $3/hour evening shift differential
35-hour work week
Summer hours
Medical and vision insurance beginning Day 1
401(k) with employer match
9 paid holidays
Paid sick time