Cumberland Dental Specialists (CDS) is a pediatric and orthodontic specialty practice in Cumberland, Rhode Island, serving families since 1982. Our team includes a board-certified orthodontist and pediatric dentists, and our doctors teach at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. We see children from their first visit through the end of orthodontic treatment, and often their parents too.

We run the practice around one idea: Everyone who works here and everyone who comes to us for care should leave better than when they arrived. For you, that means we invest in your skills, tell you clearly how you are doing, and give you room to grow into more responsibility.

Position: Orthodontic & Pediatric Dental Assistant, full-time Location: Cumberland, RI Reports to: Clinical lead and Office Manager

The role

You will work chairside in both our orthodontic and pediatric clinics. We cross-train every assistant on both sides, so your days vary and your skills grow faster than they would in a single-specialty office.

Orthodontic clinic

Seat patients, review hygiene and appliance care, and keep the schedule moving on time
Prepare teeth for bonding of brackets and aligner attachments; place separators and bands
Remove and place wires, ligatures, and elastic chains as directed by the orthodontist
Take records: intraoral and extraoral photos, digital scans, and radiographs
Deliver and adjust removable appliances and retainers as directed
Support debond appointments and retention visits

Pediatric clinic

Assist the pediatric dentists with exams, sealants, restorative care, and emergency visits
Help children feel safe in the chair using the behavior-guidance approach our doctors teach
Take radiographs and keep charting accurate and complete
Explain home care and next steps to parents in plain language

Across the practice

Turn over and sterilize operatories and instruments to OSHA and CDC standards
Keep supplies stocked so the next appointment starts ready
Pass on what you learn to newer teammates

What you need

Required

Completion of a dental assisting program, or at least 1 year of chairside experience
Current CPR/BLS certification
Radiography credential that meets Rhode Island requirements [confirm current RI rule before posting]
Comfort working with children and with anxious patients and parents

Preferred

Orthodontic or pediatric dental experience
DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) or Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA)
Experience with digital intraoral scanners and practice-management software

If you meet most of this and want to learn the rest, apply. We train new assistants on the specialty skills.

Pay and benefits

Pay is $22–$28 per hour, set by your skill step at hire.

Health insurance
Retirement plan: 401(k) / match
Paid time off and paid holidays
Paid continuing education and certification exam fees
Dental care for you and your family

How you grow here

Structured training. You learn the ortho and pediatric sides from our written chairside protocols, with a named teammate assigned to train you.
Clear feedback. You get regular, specific feedback on how you are doing and what the next step requires. You will always know where you stand.
Paid credentials. We pay for the CDA or COA exam and the continuing education that leads to it.
Growth projects. Once you are independent, you can take on a defined practice-improvement project, such as building a system that fixes a recurring problem in the clinic. These projects come with a set target, a time frame, and a bonus we design with you.
A path upward. Assistants who reach Step 3 can move toward clinical lead, trainer, or treatment-coordinator roles as the practice grows.

Cumberland Dental Specialists is an equal opportunity employer.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $22.00 - $28.00 per hour

Expected hours: 36.0 per week

Benefits:

401(k)
Employee discount
Health insurance
Paid time off
Professional development assistance
Retirement plan

Work Location: In person

Cumberland Dental Specialists jobs

Orthodontic and Pediatric Dental Assistant