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

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How To Write a Dental Assistant Cover Letter

Your cover letter should usually have five sections, in this order:

1. Heading

At the top of the page, include:

  • Your name and contact information
  • The date
  • The recipient’s name, title, company, and contact information (when available)

(Note: Feel free to omit this section if you send your letter by email and your contact details are part of your 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

If you can’t find the recipient’s name, use a variation of “Dear Hiring Manager.”

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 qualification the employer is looking for.

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. Body paragraph(s)

Explain why you excel as a dental assistant and why the job opening or employer interests you. Then, cite a few more of your key strengths or achievements.

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. Closing

Finally, request an interview and thank the hiring manager for their consideration.

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 strong 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 strongly 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 drawn to the opportunity

On a separate document or sheet of paper, take 10 minutes to brainstorm why this dental assistant job interests you. What does the role have 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.

When you’re done brainstorming, review your notes: Do any stand out as especially important or persuasive? Take another 10 minutes to brainstorm and elaborate on them. Repeat this process until you have at least two or three concise sentences that speak to the job opening. By adding these to your cover letter, you can show hiring managers you read their job posting and are responding to it directly.

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. I believe my extensive knowledge of dental procedures and clear communication style will make me a strong fit with your team.

3. Outline your varied skillset

Consider adding a short list of bullet points 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, 2021

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

P.S. I would love to tell you about the commendations I received for my excellent bedside manner.

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 let you prove you read the job posting and are responding to it specifically. The information also sets 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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Jacob Meade

Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, ACRW)

Jacob Meade is a resume writer and editor with nearly a decade of experience. His writing method centers on understanding and then expressing each person’s unique work history and strengths toward their career goal. Jacob has enjoyed working with jobseekers of all ages and career levels, finding that a clear and focused resume can help people from any walk of life. He is an Academy Certified Resume Writer (ACRW) with the Resume Writing Academy, and a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches.

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