Pediatric Dentist Job Description Template
Copy it, edit the bracketed parts, and check the license-vs-certification line before posting.
Most pediatric dentist job descriptions get one thing wrong: they blur the license every dentist must hold with ABPD board certification, which is voluntary. Getting that line right — plus being specific about your patient population — changes who applies and how qualified they actually are.
At a glance
directional — no pediatric-specific BLS figure, see the salary guide
Budget band to quote
$170,950–$224,990/yr
plus CODA-accredited pediatric residency
License line
Active state dentist license
voluntary, not a license
Certification line
ABPD Diplomate — state whether required or preferred
What to include
License and residency, precisely. "Active [STATE] dentist license, completion of a CODA-accredited pediatric dentistry residency." State separately whether ABPD board certification is required, preferred, or not a factor — conflating the two is the single most common error in templates for this role.
A pay range or structure. If the role is an associate position, say whether pay is a percentage of production or collections, a daily-rate guarantee, or a DSO base-plus-bonus — see what to pay a pediatric dentist for how those structures compare.
Ranges are increasingly required by law, and listings without one get fewer applicants regardless.
Patient population and case mix. Age range, share of special-needs patients, whether the practice offers in-office sedation or refers out, and the preventive-versus-restorative split.
This describes the actual day better than any adjective about being "kid-friendly."
Sedation scope, if relevant. If sedation is part of the role, say what level and under what permit — this is a separate, state-regulated credential from both the license and ABPD status.
The template
Paste this and replace the bracketed parts. The license-vs-certification line is the one to get right before posting.
[PRACTICE NAME] — Pediatric Dentist ([FULL-TIME / PART-TIME]) Pay: [PRODUCTION % / DAILY RATE / BASE + BONUS] — see notes below Schedule: [DAYS AND HOURS] Location: [CITY, STATE] About the role We are hiring a pediatric dentist to join a [SIZE]-operatory practice in [CITY], treating patients from [AGE RANGE] through the teen years. Our patient mix is roughly [X]% preventive, [Y]% restorative, and [DESCRIBE ANY SPECIAL-NEEDS OR SEDATION CASELOAD]. What you'd do - Exams, cleanings, fillings, sealants, and monitoring growth and development - Behavior management for young, anxious, or special-needs patients - [IN-OFFICE SEDATION, IF OFFERED — specify level and permit] / [REFER OUT FOR SEDATION CASES] - Early orthodontic assessment and referral - Parent education and treatment planning What we're looking for - Active [STATE] dentist license, in good standing - Completion of a CODA-accredited pediatric dentistry residency - ABPD board certification: [REQUIRED / PREFERRED / NOT REQUIRED] - [YEARS] experience preferred, new graduates [WELCOME / NOT CONSIDERED] What we offer - [PAY STRUCTURE AND RANGE] - [BENEFITS: health, PTO, malpractice coverage, CE allowance, retirement] - [EQUIPMENT/SETTING: digital radiography, dedicated pediatric operatories, sedation suite] To apply: [HOW TO APPLY]
License and board certification are not the same check
The license — issued by your state dental board — is what makes a pediatric dentist legal to practice, and it requires completing dental school plus a CODA-accredited pediatric residency (a minimum of 24 months of full-time training, per CODA's accreditation standard).
ABPD board certification is a separate, voluntary step some pediatric dentists complete afterward, on a fixed annual exam calendar with a multi-year window to finish — see ABPD board certification, explained for the specifics.
A job description that requires ABPD certification when the practice would in fact accept a strong, residency-completed, non-certified candidate needlessly shrinks the pool.
Decide which you actually need and say so plainly.
After you post
Verify the dental license with the state board before the first shift — by name and license number.
If ABPD status matters to the role, confirm it directly with the board rather than taking a résumé claim at face value.
Expect strong candidates to ask about patient mix, sedation protocols, and — if the role is an associate position — the specific comp structure rather than a headline number.
Those questions are a good sign, not a red flag.
Ready to post it?
Your listing goes in front of pediatric dentists actively looking, and you can edit it after it is live.