Certified Dental Assistant Position

Grow Your Career in Pediatric Dentistry

Position Overview

Your Role

This is a CDA role — that’s the baseline. You’ll handle the clinical fundamentals: preparing patients, setting up treatment rooms, managing instruments and materials, and supporting safe, efficient patient flow.

Because we are a small, high-performing pediatric team, the right CDA may also cross-train into operational support. Depending on your strengths and interest, this can include:

• Patient scheduling and appointment coordination
• Inventory management and supply ordering
• Patient follow-up calls and reminders
• Insurance and billing support
• Front desk coverage when needed
• General clinic troubleshooting — whatever comes up that day

You’re not “just assisting.” In pediatric dentistry, children borrow our calm. We need a CDA who can think two steps ahead, read the room, and adapt in real time — supporting clinical care and daily operations while keeping the experience safe, steady, and positive for families.

Hours: Start part-time. As you become confident and consistent in our systems, there is opportunity to grow up to 30 hours/week (full-time for us). More responsibility can lead to more hours and higher compensation.

NoteNew Grads Welcome

We care about initiative, coachability, and professionalism — not just years of experience.

NoteProbation Period

First 6 months: Probation period with regular check-ins to ensure proper onboarding and team integration. This is an in-person clinical role.

Important📋 Employment Commitment & Notice Reserve Incentive

Please review our Employment Commitment & Notice Reserve Incentive policy before applying.

NoteWhat to Expect

This is a demanding role in a high-standards pediatric practice. We value initiative, fast learning, and genuine care for children. If you thrive in environments where every day is a learning opportunity, we’d love to hear from you.

Who Thrives Here

🌱 Self-Starter

You take ownership of your learning. You ask good questions, take notes, and practice until you improve.

👨‍👩‍👧 Great With Kids (and Parents)

You can connect with children with patience and warmth. You can support stressed-out parents with calm professionalism.

📋 Strong Prioritizer

You can manage multiple tasks while staying organized and safe. You know what comes first when the clinic is busy.

🧩 Problem-Solver

When something goes wrong, you stay calm and help fix it. You don’t freeze or wait for someone else to rescue the situation.

💻 Tech-Comfortable

You can learn scheduling software, charting systems, and digital workflows efficiently.

🤝 Team Player

You contribute wherever needed because you understand that a great patient experience is a team effort.

How to Apply

TipReady to Get Started?

• Application process and next steps
• Our practice, values, and work environment

Compensation and Benefits

Pay Calibration

Pay is tied to execution capability and clinical judgment, not tenure or credentials alone.

$30–39/hour — Developing CDA

Developing CDA or new graduate with foundational clinical skills and willingness to learn.

• Follow established chairside protocols and workflows
• Set up and break down treatment rooms accurately
• Pass instruments and manage suction under direction
• Maintain sterilization standards and instrument inventory
• Handle basic patient preparation (bibs, protective eyewear, positioning)

$40–49/hour — Independent CDA

Competent, trusted CDA who can execute independently within an established clinical framework.

• Anticipate dentist’s needs and prepare instruments before asked
• Manage full chairside support from seating to dismissal
• Prepare and monitor patients for oral sedation procedures
• Handle anxious children and stressed parents calmly
• Adapt in real-time to procedure changes
• Recognize when escalation to the dentist is required

$50+/hour — Senior / Lead CDA

Clinical–operations hybrid with leadership and systems responsibility. Everything at the Independent tier, plus:

• Train and mentor other CDAs
• Standardize clinical protocols across treatment rooms
• Anticipate issues before they reach the dentist
• Act as proxy decision-maker within defined clinical bounds
• Improve workflows and documentation, not just follow them

Summary

• $30–39/hr → Developing CDA — learning and growing with guidance
• $40–49/hr → Independent CDA — trusted clinical execution
• $50+/hr → Senior / Lead CDA — leadership and systems stewardship

Pay is calibrated to what you can reliably own and deliver.

Skill Progression Matrix

Skill Area	$30–39/hr	$40–49/hr	$50+/hr
Chairside Assistance	Guided execution	Independent anticipation	Teaching others
Sedation Support	Observing only	Preparing and monitoring	Managing protocols
Emergency Response	Assisting	Responding independently	Leading response
Equipment/Sterilization	Following procedures	Troubleshooting	Optimizing systems
Patient Management	Basic comfort	Behavioral handling	Training staff
Admin Support	Minimal	Full scope when needed	Process improvement

Hours Progression Pathway

Hours are earned through demonstrated capability, not tenure.

Stage	Hours/Week	Requirement
Entry	8–12 hrs	Demonstrate reliability and foundational skills
Intermediate	15–20 hrs	Consistent independent execution
Full Capacity	25–30 hrs	Full independent operation, minimal supervision

More responsibility = more hours = more pay.

What You Get

• Hands-on training in a specialized pediatric environment
• Growth opportunities as you develop your skills
• Flexible scheduling within a structured work week

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