Become a Dental Assistant

About the Career

The role of a dental assistant offers individuals the chance to help patients directly by providing in-person oral health care, while also enjoying job security, flexible hours, and opportunities for career advancement in the healthcare industry.

What Is the Role All About?

A career in the fast-growing dental assisting field offers a pathway into the healthcare profession, opportunities to be an important part of a team, and the ability to connect with patients. Check it out!

Responsibilities

Benefits
  • Preparing and organizing dental instruments needed by dentists for patient procedures
  • Taking X-rays and making impressions*
  • Ensuring patient comfort and education
  • Taking medical histories and providing post-care instructions
  • Scheduling appointments and working closely with front office staff 

*certification required

  • Job security & competitive wages
  • Flexible hours
  • Opportunities to help people
  • On-the-job training & mentoring
  • Learning from dentists, hygienists,  etc.
  • Licensed professional with career pathways
  • In-demand profession in the healthcare field

Why Dental Assisting?

Learn the Day-to-Day

Dental assistants play a valuable role in the dental office.

Become Part of the Team

Practice owners are dedicated to providing competitive wages and benefits.

Make People Smile

Make a difference in the lives of your patients.

Career Pathways

woman at laptop

The role of a dental assistant provides people with an opportunity to help patients by offering in-person oral health services and working in the healthcare industry that offers job security, flexible hours, and career advancement. You can choose from two pathways—OJT or Formal Training.

On-the-Job (OJT) Training Programs

Note: You are paid to use this pathway.

Start now! No prior training is needed.

An OJT dental assistant receives direct training in a dental office under the supervision of a licensed dentist. There are two OJT pathways.

Formal Training Programs

A formally trained dental assistant completes an accredited dental assisting program.

Note: There may be a cost associated with this pathway.

CODA Accredited Training Programs

For formal training, please contact a program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.

*Denotes American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA) Student Member Program.

Non-CODA Approved Training Programs

MA Chapter 74 & 112 Approved Dental Assisting Programs

*Denotes American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA) Student Member Program.

Resources

Dental Assistant

Additional resources, including a list of required courses and how to register for them. Plus, materials for high school guidance counselors to use to communicate effectively about the position, including a slide show, a poster, a list of dental organizations, and more.

Required Courses
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Infection Control
CPR Course with Basic Life Support
  • Check your local hospitals and fire stations.
Radiology for Dental Assistants

OPTIONAL RADIOLOGY COURSE 

Take one of these courses 

Check for course offerings hosted by the MDS:

See the MDS Learning page for more information. If you still need help finding a course, call the MDS Member Assistance Center (MAC) at 800.342.8747 option 7. 

High School Counselor Resources

Download these materials to get started spreading the word.

To connect job seekers with potential employers, visit MassHire or the Massachusetts Dental Society Career Center.

Get Your Career Started

Two professionals shaking hands

Connect with the Massachusetts Dental Society (MDS) Career Center

Search and find dental assisting jobs with competitive salaries through the MDS Career Center, your one-stop resource for job searching and career planning. Create an account today and get started in your job search.

Upload Your Resume

Create your job seeker account and upload your resume

By creating your job seeker account, you can monitor job application activity, check for alerts and messages, or update your resume for recruiters to view.

  1. Visit https://jobs.massdental.org/
  2. On the career center homepage, under the Job Seeker section, select “My Account.”
  3. Create your account in the “Create a new account” section.
  4. Enter all the required information to complete your profile.
  5. Return to the homepage by clicking the link “Career Center Home” on the left navigation.
  6. Once your account is created, click “Job Seekers” at the top of the page.
  7. Scroll down to “Manager Resumes.”
  8. Click “Upload Resume File” or “Build Resume File” and either upload or input your resume

At the MDS Career Center, you can upload your resume, get to the right jobs faster, set up job alerts, and request a resume review. Get started today and start your new career as a dental assistant. If you have questions, call the Massachusetts Dental Society (MDS) at 800-342-8747, option 5.

Contact Us

Thank you for your interest in dental assisting!

Massachusetts Dental Society
2 Willow Street, Southborough, Massachusetts 01745, United States
Email membership@massdental.org
Call 800.342.8747, option 7