How To Write a Dental Assistant Resume
To create a strong dental assistant resume, you’ll want to highlight the most compelling achievements from throughout your healthcare career. As you craft your resume, reflect on your career within the dental field and the impact you’ve had on patients, teams, and organizations. By detailing your own unique story within healthcare, you’ll be sure to make a lasting impression on the hiring manager. Throughout this guide, we’ll help you translate your professional experience into an impactful dental assistant resume.
1. Write a compelling profile summarizing your qualifications
Your professional profile is often the first thing that hiring managers read on your resume. To make a lasting impression, you’ll want to create a compelling snapshot of your career within the dental field. Start by listing your title, years of experience, and three to four specializations that align with the job posting in your opening sentence. This will show prospective employers that you have the ideal qualifications that the organization is looking for. Patient education is especially important here, as one of the key aspects of being a dental assistant is providing education on oral health best practices for your patients.
Senior-Level Profile Example
A Certified Dental Assistant with six years of experience specializing in oral hygiene, dental surgical procedures, communication, and infection prevention. A strong history of educating patients on dental care best practices to promote long-term oral health.
Entry-Level Profile Example
A Certified Dental Assistant with three years of experience specializing in intra-oral techniques, patient care, dentistry, and communication. Adept at delivering medical support to dentists and keeping patients calm during oral surgeries and procedures.
2. Add an accomplishment-driven professional experience section
You want to highlight your strongest career achievements in your professional experience section. Rather than simply listing vague job descriptions, you should be specific about the types of dental procedures you have performed. This will show hiring managers that you have a comprehensive knowledge of dentistry and oral health. It’s also important to showcase your ability to interface effectively with patients. For instance, many patients suffer from anxiety before dental procedures, so you may want to draw attention to your ability to calm patients during oral surgeries.
Senior-Level Professional Experience Example
Dental Assistant, Orson & Crowell Dental Practice, New York, NY
May 2019 – Present
- Support a practice of five dentists and three dental hygienists during fillings, tooth extractions, and oral surgeries
- Prepare patients for dental procedures by providing education on dental conditions, oral surgeries, and potential discomfort to reduce anxiety
- Prevent the risk of infection and disease by sterilizing instruments and ensuring compliance with Covid-19 and health safety protocols
Entry-Level Professional Experience Example
Dental Assistant, Rockstar Smiles, Seattle, WA
October 2021 – Present
- Conduct panoramic dental X-rays to diagnose cavities, impacted wisdom teeth, and other dental conditions and provide education to patients on findings
- Provide support to dentists during root canals, extractions, and other dental procedures, including sterilizing instruments to prevent infection
- Create dental impressions, mix compounds in the laboratory, assist with denture fittings, and maintain inventory levels for dental equipment and supplies
3. Include relevant education and certifications
In addition to obtaining your initial dental assistant credentials, it may be beneficial to pursue other industry certifications. This will show prospective employers that you have specialized knowledge in key areas of oral care. For example, dental assistants perform X-rays on a regular basis, so you may want to obtain a certification in radiation health and safety.
Certifications
Template: [Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
Examples:
- Certified Preventive Functions Dental Assistant (CPFDA), DANB, 2020
- Certified Dental Assistant – Radiation Health and Safety (RHS), DANB, 2019
Education
Template:
- [Degree Name]
- [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] [Dates Enrolled]
Example:
- Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Dental Assisting
- SEATTLE CENTRAL COLLEGE, Seattle, WA September 2018 – June 2020
4. List relevant key skills and proficiencies
Companies sometimes receive hundreds of applications in response to a single job advertisement, leaving them looking for ways to streamline the screening process. As a result, many companies use ATS software to scan resumes for specific keywords related to the job. If your resume doesn’t contain the right keywords, there’s a chance the software will reject it before a hiring manager sees it. To maximize your odds of landing the interview, you’ll want to incorporate as many key terms as possible from the job description. Below, you’ll find a list of potential skills you may encounter during the job search:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Administrative Support | Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) |
| Communication | Cosmetic Dentistry |
| Dental Assisting | Dental Care |
| Dental Hygiene | Dentistry |
| HIPAA | Infection Prevention |
| Invisalign | Intra-Oral Procedures |
| Oral Surgery | Patient Care |
| Patient Education | Root Canals |
| Restorative Dentistry | Sterilization |
| Tooth Extraction | X-rays |
How to Pick the Best Dental Assistant Resume Template
Selecting a well-organized and straightforward template is the best approach for dental assistant resumes. Many candidates make the mistake of using modern templates that use bulky graphics and flashy colors. This can often be distracting for the hiring manager. Remember, the most important aspect of the resume is your content, so you want to select a template that delivers key information as efficiently as possible.
Dental Assistant Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
Years of Experience
- Entry-level
- Mid-career
- Senior-level
Allison Rosenberg
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
LinkedIn | Portfolio
Seattle, WA 12345
Profile
A Certified Dental Assistant with three years of experience specializing in intra-oral techniques, patient care, dentistry, and communication. Adept at delivering medical support to dentists and keeping patients calm during oral surgeries and procedures.
Key Skills
- Oral Care
- Patient Education
- X-ray Exams
- Surgical Support
- Intra-oral Techniques
Professional Experience
Dental Assistant, Rockstar Smiles, Seattle, WA
October 2021 – Present
- Conduct panoramic dental X-rays to diagnose cavities, impacted wisdom teeth, and other dental conditions and provide education to patients on findings
- Provide support to dentists during root canals, extractions, and other dental procedures, including sterilizing instruments to prevent infection
- Create dental impressions, mix compounds in the laboratory, assist with denture fittings, and maintain inventory levels for dental equipment and supplies
Dental Assistant, Smile Better Dentistry, Seattle, WA
June 2020 – October 2021
- Delivered support to dental teams for a variety of oral procedures, including wisdom teeth extractions, fillings, and root canals
- Educated patients on proper dental hygiene, brushing, and flossing techniques to prevent cavities and gum disease
Certifications
- Certified Dental Assistant, DANB, State of Washington, 2020
Education
Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Dental Assisting
Seattle Central College, Seattle, WA September 2018 – June 2020
Joseph Corbin
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
LinkedIn | Portfolio
Minneapolis, MN 12345
Profile
A Certified Dental Assistant with five years of experience providing oral care to adult and pediatric patients. A proven track record of communicating effectively with patients to reduce anxiety during oral procedures and ensure client satisfaction.
Professional Experience
Dental Assistant, Handley Dental Practice, Minneapolis, MN
July 2020 – Present
- Deliver medical support to dentists for cleanings, fillings, root canals, and tooth extractions and ensure compliance with Covid-19 safety protocols
- Educate patients on dental conditions, surgical procedures, oral care, and hygiene best practices to promote long-term dental health
- Communicate effectively with patients to reduce anxiety during oral surgeries and ensure comfort during procedures, resulting in a 93% satisfaction rating
Dental Assistant, Mariotti Dental, Minneapolis, MN
June 2018 – July 2020
- Performed routine cleanings, conducted panoramic X-ray exams, utilized suction hoses, and supported dentists during oral surgeries by maintaining instruments
- Educated patients on oral hygiene care best practices and dental procedures to ease anxiety and ensure comfort during surgeries
Certifications
- Certified Dental Assistant, DANB, State of Minnesota, 2018
Key Skills
- Dental Care
- Infection Control Procedures
- Patient Education
- Oral Hygiene
- Communication
Education
Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Dental Assisting
Minneapolis Community College, Minneapolis, MN September 2016 – June 2018
Yaling Zhang
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
LinkedIn | Portfolio
New York, NY 12345
Profile
A Certified Dental Assistant with six years of experience specializing in oral hygiene, dental surgical procedures, communication, and infection prevention. A strong history of educating patients on dental care best practices to promote long-term oral health.
Professional Experience
Dental Assistant, Orson & Crowell Dental Practice, New York, NY
May 2019 – Present
- Support a practice of five dentists and three dental hygienists during fillings, tooth extractions, and oral surgeries
- Prepare patients for dental procedures by providing education on dental conditions, oral surgeries, and potential discomfort to reduce anxiety
- Prevent the risk of infection and disease by sterilizing instruments and ensuring compliance with Covid-19 and health safety protocols
Dental Assistant, Better Smiles Dentistry, New York, NY
June 2017 – May 2019
- Performed X-ray exams to diagnose cavities, tooth decay, and dental problems and delivered support to dentists performing root canals, fillings, and extractions
- Communicated effectively with patients to lower anxiety prior to sedation and administration of local anesthetics
- Maintained and distributed instruments to dentists during procedures and applied dressings to the gums and palate to encourage clot formation
Certifications
- Certified Dental Assistant, DANB, State of New York, 2017
Key Skills
- Oral Health
- Dental Care
- Patient Relations
- Clinical Workflows
- Patient Education
Education
Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Dental Assisting
Kingsborough Community College, New York, NY September 2014 – June 2016
Frequently Asked Questions: Dental Assistant Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for dental assistant resumes?+
It’s easy to find yourself running short on action verbs during the resume-building process. Often, there’s only a limited number of verbs you can use to convey your professional experience accurately. Differentiating your usage of action verbs can enhance the reading experience and keep your content fresh. Below, you’ll find a list of verbs you can use to build out your bullet points:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Administered | Analyzed |
| Conducted | Coordinated |
| Collaborated | Delivered |
| Developed | Diagnosed |
| Drove | Enhanced |
| Evaluated | Executed |
| Identified | Interfaced |
| Improved | Led |
| Managed | Oversaw |
| Performed | Provided |
| Resolved | Supported |
How do you align your resume with a job description?+
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, dental assistant jobs are expected to grow 8% over the next decade. This amounts to 56,400 new openings each year. Despite the positive outlook for the dental industry, you’ll still need to align your resume with the job description to differentiate yourself from the competition.
Before submitting your resume, you should carefully analyze the job description for the company you’re applying to. You want to ensure that your document captures key terms and qualifications to match the needs of that organization. Be sure to prioritize key skills that are featured towards the top of the job posting, as these tend to have added weight.
What is the best dental assistant resume format?+
Reverse chronological is the recommended format for dental assistant resumes. This ensures that your most recent and relevant experience is featured at the top of your document. A functional approach is generally considered to be a poor approach by most recruiters, as skill-based resumes lack depth and have minimal content.
Expert Advice: Include a cover letter with your resume
Including a matching cover letter can help bolster your chances of landing the interview. If you choose to submit a cover letter for a job opening, you should be sure to customize it to that opportunity. You also should make a point to mention something about the dental practice’s reputation or culture and why it draws you to apply for the position. For more insights, visit our dental assistant cover letter guide.