To write a good dental assistant cover letter, show how you’d support various functions at the office that posted the job. Highlight your skills that overlap with the job posting, such as patient relations, oral care instruction, or treatment scheduling. This guide offers cover letter examples and tips for landing your next dental assistant position.
Dental Assistant Cover Letter Templates and Examples
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
How To Write a Dental Assistant Cover Letter
Your dental assistant cover letter should usually have five sections, outlined below. When possible, connect each section to the employer and its stated hiring needs. The following advice and examples will show you what to include in your dental assistant cover letter so it’s optimized for each application.
1. Heading
At the top of the page, include:
- Your resume contact header, which should give your full name, address, email, phone number, and LinkedIn or other social accounts if applicable
- The date
- The recipient’s name, title, organization, and contact information (when available)
(Note: Feel free to omit this section when sending your letter as an email message, as long as your contact details are part of your email signature.)
Example
Thomas Kirsch
Dental Assistant | [email protected] | (407) 668-1234 | Orlando, FL 32808 | LinkedIn
January 6, 2024
Beau Fergusson
Office Manager
Downtown Dentistry Services
611 Magenta Ave., Orlando, FL 32801
[email protected]
2. Salutation
Address your recipient by name – this is the quickest way to signal you’re sending a job-specific letter and not a boilerplate. If you can’t find the person’s name, use a variation of “Dear Hiring Manager” so your greeting is still tailored somewhat to each dental assistant job opening.
Examples
Dear Ms. Kentgens:
Dear Smile Dental Hiring Manager:
3. “Hook” or introduction
Catch the reader’s attention by citing an achievement from your resume or a key credential the employer seeks in applicants. Then, connect that highlight to your main strengths and overall candidacy for the advertised dental assistant role. Refer to the health organization by name here to further convince the recipient you’re applying to them specifically.
As an alternative to the work highlight approach, you can set yourself apart by networking. Begin your letter by citing any personal or professional connections you have with the hiring manager. If someone at the hiring facility alerted you to the job, use a line like “I was excited to hear from your colleague [Name] about [Organization]’s new dental assistant opening.” Or, if you’ve already met your recipient, mention that with a line like “It was great speaking with you at the [event] last month.”
Example
Earning 100% patient satisfaction in 2023 was my proudest work achievement to date. I hope to provide the same excellent experience for patients at San Francisco Dental Care.
4. Job- or employer-specific paragraph(s)
On a separate document or sheet of paper, take 10 minutes to brainstorm why this dental assistant position or employer interests you. When you’re done brainstorming, review your notes: Do any stand out as important or persuasive? Adapt those points into one or two brief paragraphs that speak to the job opening at hand. By making this description a central part of your letter, you’ll have a better chance of persuading the manager to give you a call.
Following this explanation, cite a few more of your dental assistant skills or achievements, possibly as bullet points.
Example
During my three years of experience, I’ve taken great pride in going the extra mile for patients, my team, and the community. I help cultivate an upbeat atmosphere and attitude toward the dentist’s office by:
- Playing patients’ favorite music before and during a procedure
- Volunteering for unpopular tasks, as commended by the office manager
- Giving dental hygiene presentations at the local Boys and Girls Club, which motivated 20 families to start coming to my office for regular dental care
5. Conclusion
Finally, request an interview and thank the hiring manager for their time and attention. Consider briefly restating why this dental assistant job interests you. You can also use this section to refer to your resume or other application materials. To end your cover letter, use a simple closing like “Sincerely” or “Best regards” and then your name.
Example
I would appreciate the chance to discuss how I can uphold Smile Dental’s high standards of patient care. Please feel free to contact me with a date and time that suits your schedule. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Best regards,
Jennifer Greenhough
Dental Assistant Cover Letter Tips
1. Show you can uphold high care standards
Start your letter with an example of your success and impact as a dental assistant. This example should reflect your focus on patient experiences and outcomes or otherwise speak to the job opening at hand.
Example
According to Google reviews of my current office, patients of all ages have less anxiety about dental visits because of my cheerful, skilled care. I’d love to bring similar success to your growing practice at Downtown Dentistry.
2. Explain why you're a strong fit
When writing your body paragraph(s), consider what this dental assistant job has in common with your background or goals. For instance, maybe it concentrates on patient education and preventive care, a work area you’re eager to return to. Or maybe the office has a stated service approach that resonates with you.
Example
With 12 years of experience as a dental assistant and a talent for putting patients at ease, I’m drawn to San Francisco Dental Care’s reputation for holistic, customer-focused care. My extensive knowledge of dental procedures and clear communication style will make me a great fit with your team.
3. Outline your varied skill set
Use your bullet points list to describe your other key skills or highlights as a dental assistant. This section can be especially helpful given the varied nature of your role. It lets you show the range of your dental knowledge and administrative skills and how you’ve applied that expertise at other health care facilities.
Example
My key achievements include:
- Training and supporting newly-qualified assistants to perform X-rays and basic dental procedures to a high standard
- Receiving positive feedback in every performance review for my organizational skills, initiative, and reliability
- Reorganizing stocking procedures to cut waste by 27%
Dental Assistant Text-Only Cover Letter Templates and Examples
- Example #1
- Example #2
- Example #3
Jennifer Greenhough
Dental Assistant | [email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | 123 Main Street, Los Angeles, CA 12345
January 12, 2024
Kerry Kentgens
Talent Specialist
Smile Dental
(987) 654-3210
[email protected]
Dear Ms. Kentgens,
In my eight years as a dental assistant, I have consistently received 98% or higher for client satisfaction feedback reviews. I hope to bring the same level of dedication to patient care to Smile Dental.
Since earning my dental assistant diploma in 2014, I have worked for a high-volume dental practice that employs nine dentists and 12 dental assistants. During the past six years, I have gained experience in dental health best practices, educating patients on oral hygiene, and processing dental X-rays. I believe that my knowledge of dental care will make me an asset to the team at Smile Dental.
Some of my proudest achievements include:
- Graduating at the top of my dental assistant class at Los Angeles Community College
- Redesigning the inventory and ordering system at the clinic, which resulted in fewer duplications in ordering and a 10% reduction in costs
- Employee of the Year awards in 2015 and 2019
I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss how I can bring a similar high-level of patient care to Smile Dental. Please, feel free to contact me with a date and time that would suit your schedule.
Best regards,
Jennifer Greenhough
Dental Assistant Cover Letter Frequently Asked Questions
What traits are useful to highlight on my cover letter? -
Desired qualities for dental assistants include precision, preparation, organization, and attentiveness to patients’ needs. Consider which of these traits best describe you, then give an example or two of how you’ve shown them in a work setting.
What’s the most important part of a cover letter? -
Any explanation you give for why the specific job opening or employer interests you. These details distinguish the cover letter from your resume and other application materials. They also set the stage for a good discussion about how you fit the role and the dental office’s work culture.
How long should my cover letter be?-
No more than one page, or around 250 words. Resist the urge to tell your whole career story, even if you’re a seasoned dental assistant. Give just enough detail to intrigue hiring managers so they take a closer look at your resume.
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