What is the average hourly wage for a dental assistant in eastern Massachusetts?

It is a possibility. There are dentist who are willing to train dental assistants on the job. However, I must say they do prefer those individuals who have completed formal training. Without formal training your salary will typically be less than if you had graduated from an accredited program. In addition, you should strive to become registered, certified, and acquire an X-ray license. Without these, you will not be as marketable, and again you will be subject to less of a salary rate. I would urge you to pursue formal training in a community college or other accredited program that leads to the credentials I indicated above. In the long run it will be well worth the effort.