How to hire a pediatric dentist

How to hire a pediatric dentist, step by step

Here's a step-by-step pediatric dentist hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a pediatric dentist job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new pediatric dentist
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a pediatric dentist do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your pediatric dentist job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a pediatric dentist for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a pediatric dentist to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a pediatric dentist that fits the bill.

   This list shows salaries for various types of pediatric dentists.

   Type of Pediatric Dentist	Description	Hourly rate
   Pediatric Dentist	Dentists diagnose and treat problems with patients’ teeth, gums, and related parts of the mouth. They provide advice and instruction on taking care of the teeth and gums and on diet choices that affect oral health.	$47-134
   Endodontist	Endodontists are specialized dentists who are responsible for treating root canal injuries while performing various implant surgeries that are related to endodontics. These endodontists must establish and maintain a harmonious relationship with patients by explaining dental procedures so that they can decrease the anxiety of their patients... Show more	$56-177
   Public Health Dentist	Public Health Dentists have a hefty requirement of a master's or bachelor's degree in public health with licensure in dentistry and experience in the field as a prerequisite for this career. In addition, they will need strong skills in communication, manual dexterity, teamwork, and a great deal of patience, stamina for long hours of work, and an approach that is both thorough and methodological... Show more	$30-136

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Patients
   • Patient Care
   • Diagnosis
   • Infection Control
   • Insurance Coverage
   • Treatment Options
   • Dental Health
   • Dental Procedures
   • Oral Surgery
   • Dentures
   • Chair Side
   • Patient Education
   • Dental Practice
   • Dental Clinic

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage early and moderate periodontal disease, evaluate the results of periodontal treatment and establish maintenance program.
   • Verify insurance and authorization for medical treatment of patients as needed.
   • Register new patients, loading demographic information and collecting patient balances.
   • Manage early and moderate periodontal disease, evaluate the results of periodontal treatment and establish maintenance program.
   • Train as a cerec dentist completing same day crowns, inlays and onlays.
   • Write prescriptions for antibiotics or other medications.

   More pediatric dentist duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your pediatric dentist job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A pediatric dentist salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a pediatric dentist in Virginia may be lower than in Alaska, and an entry-level pediatric dentist usually earns less than a senior-level pediatric dentist. Additionally, a pediatric dentist with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average pediatric dentist salary

   $166,900yearly

   $80.24 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level pediatric dentist salary

   $99,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 5, 2025

   Average pediatric dentist salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Connecticut	$197,003	$95
   2	Delaware	$192,572	$93
   3	Missouri	$186,164	$90
   4	Nevada	$177,265	$85
   5	Washington	$176,979	$85
   6	New York	$175,700	$84
   7	Massachusetts	$174,879	$84
   8	California	$173,750	$84
   9	Oregon	$172,952	$83
   10	Kansas	$170,131	$82
   11	Florida	$169,998	$82
   12	Wisconsin	$163,947	$79
   13	Indiana	$160,673	$77
   14	Colorado	$155,675	$75
   15	Pennsylvania	$145,005	$70
   16	Ohio	$143,168	$69
   17	Virginia	$138,435	$67
   18	Maryland	$137,275	$66
   19	Texas	$131,757	$63
   20	North Carolina	$131,737	$63

   Average pediatric dentist salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Arthur's Enterprises, Inc.	$203,735	$97.95
   2	Gentle Dental	$177,316	$85.25	1
   3	Smiles Dental Care	$177,068	$85.13	3
   4	Dental Care Alliance	$175,949	$84.59	85
   5	Dental Associates	$175,718	$84.48	11
   6	Great Expressions Dental Centers	$175,478	$84.36	28
   7	All Medical Personnel	$171,833	$82.61	53
   8	Pacific Dental Services	$171,256	$82.33	303
   9	Kool Smiles	$169,176	$81.33
   10	University of Maryland Medical System	$164,826	$79.24	11
   11	Heartland Dental	$164,016	$78.85	123
   12	Hennepin Healthcare	$163,461	$78.59	1
   13	Barton Associates	$162,885	$78.31
   14	North American Dental Group	$162,700	$78.22
   15	South Texas Dental	$161,845	$77.81
   16	ARIA HEALTH	$159,825	$76.84	1
   17	Advantage Dental Group	$158,868	$76.38	8
   18	Marquee Dental Partners	$158,234	$76.07	1
   19	Dental One Assoc.	$158,234	$76.07
   20	Akron Children's Hospital	$157,894	$75.91	21

4. Writing a pediatric dentist job description

   A good pediatric dentist job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a pediatric dentist job description:

   Pediatric dentist job description example

   Responsibilities
   Provides pediatric dental care to examine, diagnose, and treat diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth and gums within Seattle Children's Dental Clinic and Operating rooms. May treat diseases of nerve, pulp, and other dental tissues affecting oral hygiene and retention of teeth. May fit dental appliances or provide preventive care. evaluate tooth and jaw development and growth. Provides clinical training and education to pediatric dentistry residents as an affiliate faculty member of the University of Washington, School of Dentistry.
   #LI-SK1
   Requirements
   Required Education/Experience: - DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) - Advanced training in a pediatric dentistry program accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on - Advanced Dental Education in Pediatric Dentistry - Board Certification in Pediatric Dentistry - Previous experience in hospital Pediatric Dentistry - Experience with medically compromised and developmentally delayed pediatric patients - Additional education and/or experience in education and/or research Required Credentials: - Licensed Dentist in the State of Washington - Prior to start of employment, must obtain, and maintain in good standing, Seattle Children's Hospital medical or allied health professional staff privileges that are not limited, revoked, suspended, conditioned, or probationary, except for normal probationary periods due to initial appointment. All medical and allied health professional staff members are provisional for the first year. - Any and all medical or allied health professional staff privileges at Children's will terminate automatically upon the termination of the individual's employment at Children's. Termination of employment does not prohibit the individual from seeking medical or allied health professional staff privileges at Children's as a non-employee in any category for which the individual qualifies. Questions regarding medical or allied health professional staff privileges may be directed to Medical Staff Services.
   In accordance with new Washington law for healthcare workers, Seattle Children's requires that all staff be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 on or before October 18, 2021, or before beginning employment for start dates after October 18th.
   About Us
   Hope. Care. Cure. These three simple words capture what we do at Seattle Children's -- to help every child live the healthiest and most fulfilling life possible. Are you ready to engage with a mission-driven organization that is life-changing to many, and touches the hearts of all? #HOPECARECURE
   Our founding promise to the community is as valid today as it was over a century ago: we will care for all children in our region, regardless of the families' ability to pay. Together, we deliver superior patient care, advance new discoveries and treatments through pediatric research, and serve as the pediatric and adolescent, academic medical center for Washington, Alaska, Montana and Idaho - the largest region of any children's hospital in the country.
   In 2020, U.S. News & World Report once again ranked Seattle Children's among the nation's best children's hospitals - for the 27th year in a row. We received national rankings in all 10 specialty areas evaluated by U.S. News & World Report, and are honored to be the only pediatric medical center in Washington to be ranked.
   As a Magnet designated institution, and classified among America's best large employers by Forbes, we recognize the importance of hiring and developing great talent to provide best-in-class care to the patients and families we serve. Our organizational DNA takes form in our core values: Compassion, Excellence, Integrity, Collaboration, Equity and Innovation. Whether it's delivering frontline care to our patients in a kind and caring manner, practicing the highest standards of quality and safety, or being relentlessly curious as we work towards eradicating childhood diseases, these values are the fabric of our culture and community. The future starts here.
   Covid-19 VaccinationIn accordance with Washington state law, Seattle Children's requires that all employees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. All offers are contingent and your vaccine status will be verified at onboarding.
   Our Commitment to Diversity
   Our community welcomes diverse experiences, backgrounds, and thoughts as this is what drives our spirit of inquiry and allows us to better connect with our increasingly diverse patients and families. Our organization recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.
   The people who work at Seattle Children's are members of a community that seeks to respect and celebrate all the qualities that make each of us unique. Each of us is empowered to be ourselves within this community, which cultivates and promotes equity, diversity, and inclusion at all levels.
   Seattle Children's is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Workplace and Affirmative Action Employer.PDN-9780c669-a617-4786-92cc-e733134d5d24

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find pediatric dentists for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your pediatric dentist job on Zippia to find and recruit pediatric dentist candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites such as healthcarejobsite, health jobs nationwide, hospitalcareers, medreps.com.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit pediatric dentists, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new pediatric dentist

   Once you've found the pediatric dentist candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new pediatric dentist. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a pediatric dentist?