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Veterinary Dental Assistant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Animal Dermatology Clinic

Veterinary Dentist

Boxborough, MA · On-site

$175K - $200K/yr

Veterinary Dental Services is located 30 miles west of Boston, Massachusetts, in the picturesque town of Boxborough. Enjoy four seasons, and easy access to both the mountains and the beaches of New ...

Animal Dermatology Clinic

Veterinary Dentist

Boxborough, MA · On-site

$175K - $200K/yr

Veterinary Dental Services is located 30 miles west of Boston, Massachusetts, in the picturesque town of Boxborough. Enjoy four seasons, and easy access to both the mountains and the beaches of New ...

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Veterinary Dental Assistant information

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$10

$17

$23

How much do veterinary dental assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average hourly pay for veterinary dental assistant in the United States is $17.24, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.14 and $18.99 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a veterinary dental assistant?

Veterinary Dental Assistants are specialized veterinary professionals who assist veterinarians in performing dental procedures on animals. Their responsibilities include preparing animals for dental exams, cleaning and polishing teeth, taking dental radiographs, maintaining dental equipment, and educating pet owners about proper oral care for their pets. They play a vital role in ensuring animal patients receive safe and effective dental care, contributing to their overall health and well-being.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a veterinary dental assistant?

To thrive as a Veterinary Dental Assistant, you need a basic understanding of animal anatomy, dental procedures, and infection control, often supported by a veterinary assistant certificate or relevant experience. Familiarity with dental radiography equipment, anesthesia monitoring systems, and dental charting software is typically required. Compassion, attention to detail, and effective communication with both veterinarians and pet owners are crucial soft skills in this role. These skills are important to ensure the safety, comfort, and well-being of animal patients while supporting efficient and accurate dental care.

What are some common challenges faced by veterinary dental assistants during dental procedures, and how can they be managed?

Veterinary Dental Assistants often encounter challenges such as managing anxious or uncooperative animals, handling delicate dental instruments, and ensuring proper anesthesia monitoring during procedures. To address these, it's important to develop strong animal-handling skills, stay organized with tools and supplies, and communicate effectively with the veterinary team. Continuous learning and on-the-job training help assistants stay updated on best practices, making procedures smoother and safer for both pets and staff.

What is the difference between Veterinary Dental Assistant vs Veterinary Assistant?

AspectVeterinary Dental AssistantVeterinary Assistant
CertificationsOften requires dental assisting certification or trainingTypically no specific certification required
Work EnvironmentSpecialized in dental procedures, clinics with dental servicesGeneral animal care in various veterinary settings
Job DutiesAssisting with dental cleanings, exams, anesthesiaGeneral animal care, feeding, restraining
Industry UsageCommon in clinics offering dental servicesWidespread across all veterinary practices

Veterinary Dental Assistants focus on dental procedures and often hold specific dental assisting certifications, working primarily in clinics with dental services. Veterinary Assistants provide broader animal care across various settings without specialized dental training. Both roles are essential but differ in scope and specialization.

How to become a veterinary dental assistant?

To become a veterinary dental assistant, individuals typically complete a high school diploma or equivalent and gain on-the-job training or enroll in a veterinary assisting program. Certification, such as the Certified Veterinary Assistant (CVA), can enhance job prospects and demonstrate competence in skills like dental cleaning and animal handling.
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What cities are hiring for Veterinary Dental Assistant jobs?

Cities with the most Veterinary Dental Assistant job openings:

What states have the most Veterinary Dental Assistant jobs?

States with the most job openings for Veterinary Dental Assistant jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Veterinary Dental Assistant jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Veterinary Dental Assistant jobs are:

Veterinary Dental Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Veterinary Dental Assistant job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $35,859 per year, or $17.2 per hour.

Veterinary Assistant, Animal Dental Clinic

Ethos Veterinary Health

Redwood City, CA • On-site

$25 - $33/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

Veterinary Assistant - Dentistry
$25.00-$33.00/hour (DOE)
Full-time opportunity | Animal Dental Clinic
Schedule: Monday-Thursday 7:30am-5:00pm
Build your veterinary career in specialty dentistry at Animal Dental Clinic. We are seeking an experienced Veterinary Assistant to support our doctors and Registered Veterinary Technicians with dental procedures, anesthesia, diagnostic imaging, patient care, and surgical support.
This is an excellent opportunity for a Veterinary Assistant interested in developing advanced skills in veterinary dentistry, dental radiology, anesthesia, and specialty patient care while enjoying a Monday-Thursday schedule.
Why Join Animal Dental Clinic
Animal Dental Clinic is focused on providing advanced dental and oral care while creating an exceptional experience for pets and their families. Veterinary Assistants are an essential part of our clinical team and work closely with veterinarians and RVTs throughout appointments, dental procedures, treatments, and surgical cases.
You'll have opportunities to expand your technical skills, learn new procedures, and develop your veterinary career within a collaborative specialty environment.
In Your Day-to-Day, You Will
  • Assist veterinarians and RVTs with dental examinations, treatments, procedures, and surgical cases.
  • Obtain patient vitals, including temperature, pulse, and respiration (TPR), and assist with patient assessments.
  • Perform dental cleanings and assist with dental radiographs (X-rays).
  • Assist with anesthesia preparation, monitoring, patient recovery, and post-procedure care.
  • Perform venipuncture, IV catheter placement, and laboratory sample collection and processing.
  • Prepare, clean, package, and sterilize dental and surgical instruments.
  • Safely handle, position, and restrain veterinary patients.
  • Maintain clean, organized, and well-stocked treatment and dental procedure areas.
  • Work collaboratively with veterinarians, Registered Veterinary Technicians, and support staff to provide exceptional patient care.

What You Bring
  • Previous Veterinary Assistant experience, veterinary hospital experience, or veterinary education/training preferred.
  • Experience with veterinary dentistry, dental cleanings, dental radiographs, anesthesia monitoring, or surgical assisting is highly desirable.
  • Comfortable handling and restraining dogs and cats.
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills with a client-service mindset.
  • Basic computer and telephone skills.
  • Ability to work collaboratively and learn new veterinary techniques, procedures, and treatments.
  • Strong attention to detail and commitment to patient safety.
  • Ability to occasionally lift or move more than 50 pounds.

Schedule & Compensation
  • Full-time
  • Monday-Thursday
  • $25.00-$33.00/hour, based on experience and technical skill level

Perks & Benefits
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Disability and life insurance
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
  • 401(k)
  • Three weeks accrued paid time off
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Uniforms
  • Continuing education and professional development opportunities
  • VetBloom access to RACE-approved continuing education and training
  • RVT license reimbursement for eligible employees
  • Career growth opportunities within Ethos Veterinary Health

About Ethos Veterinary Health
Ethos Veterinary Health, part of the NVA Group, brings together specialty and emergency veterinary hospitals committed to advancing veterinary medicine through exceptional clinical care, collaboration, education, and innovation.
Our teams provide veterinary professionals with opportunities to expand their technical expertise, learn alongside experienced clinicians, and build rewarding long-term careers in veterinary medicine.
Join Us
If you're an experienced Veterinary Assistant, Dental Veterinary Assistant, Veterinary Dental Assistant, Veterinary Technician Assistant, or Veterinary Anesthesia Assistant interested in developing your skills in veterinary dentistry, dental X-rays, anesthesia monitoring, venipuncture, IV catheter placement, surgical assisting, and specialty veterinary medicine, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply today and grow your veterinary career with Animal Dental Clinic.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Ethos Veterinary Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, competence, merit, and business need.

Apply