How To Write a Dental Hygienist Resume
Whether you’re a seasoned medical professional looking to advance your career or a newly licensed hygienist seeking your first position, your resume should showcase your understanding of dental procedures, patient care, and preventive oral health practices. This guide will equip you with the knowledge and strategies to create a compelling resume that stands out in the dental industry. We’ll provide real dental hygienist resume examples and delve into the key elements that make a standout resume, focusing on dental hygienists’ unique needs and expectations.
1. Write a dynamic profile summarizing your qualifications
A compelling resume profile should highlight your expertise and commitment to supporting dental patients’ overall health and well-being. You can create a strong impression in two to three sentences by incorporating relevant keywords and emphasizing your years of experience. To make your profile even more impactful, consider including an impressive statistic or achievement that showcases your skills and sets you apart.
The focus of your resume profile should be on demonstrating your dedication to providing exceptional patient care, your proficiency in dental procedures and technologies, and your ability to educate and empower patients to maintain optimal oral hygiene.
Professional Profile Example #1
A dental hygienist with three years of experience delivering oral health care services to patients, including cleanings, dental radiology exams, and oral cancer screenings. Adept at educating patients on oral care techniques and communicating effectively to reduce anxiety during procedures.
Professional Profile Example #2
A dental hygienist with 10+ years of experience performing oral care procedures in a high-volume clinical environment. A strong history of educating patients on oral care techniques to promote long-term health. Adept at communicating effectively with many patients to reduce anxiety and discomfort.
2. Add an accomplishment-driven professional experience section
Showcase your practical skills, clinical expertise, and the positive impact you’ve made in your role by creating an accomplishment-driven professional experience section. To make this section impactful, focus on quantifying your experience by including specific achievements and outcomes.
For example, highlight the number of patients you treated daily or the success rate of preventive procedures you performed. Use action verbs as you write to add a dynamic element to your bullet points, emphasizing your active role in patient care. This strategy conveys your ability and creates a sense of professionalism and efficiency. Use this section to demonstrate how you execute your skills and to show employers the value you can bring to their dental health facility.
Professional Experience Example #1
Dental Hygienist
Bright Smiles Dental Clinic, Detroit, MI | October 2021 – present
- Performed hygienic, therapeutic, and preventive procedures on clinic patients, including cleaning teeth and gums using dental tools and equipment
- Provide educational services for patients on oral health and preventative techniques
- Assisted dentist during examinations, communicating findings from initial examination, including potential symptoms of periodontal disease
- Conducted minor oral health treatments, including taking X-rays, applying protective sealants, dental charting, stain removal, and taking impressions
Professional Experience Example #2
Dental Hygienist
Smile Makers Dental Services, Philadelphia, PA | November 2016 – present
- Build positive relationships with patients, communicate empathetically to reduce anxiety during procedures, and achieve a 90% patient satisfaction rating
- Perform oral cancer screenings, administer dental radiographic studies, and conduct routine cleanings for a diverse range of patients
- Conduct teeth cleanings for patients ranging in ages 2 to 18, remove plaque and hard deposits, conduct flossing, and apply fluoride treatments or sealants as needed
3. Include relevant education and certifications
Your academic background serves as concrete evidence of your qualifications and expertise in your field. Employers want to see that you have received proper education and training to perform the responsibilities of a dental hygienist safely and effectively. Outside of the mandatory licensing for your state, you should include all relevant educational information. Starting with your highest level of education, provide the degree name, institution, location, and completion date.
Also, showcase any technical dental hygiene certifications or training you’ve obtained. Whether in periodontics, pediatric dentistry, or nitrous oxide monitoring, these certifications demonstrate your dedication to professional growth and your ability to provide specialized patient care. Create a separate certifications section and format it similarly, listing the certificate title, issuing organization, and date received.
Education
Template:
[Degree Name]
[School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] – [Graduation Month and Year]
Example:
Associate of Science (A.S.) in Dental Hygiene
Youngstown State University, Youngstown, OH – May 2017
Certifications
Template:
[Certification Name], [Awarding Organization] – [Completion Year]
Example:
Dental Hygienist, State of Michigan – 2016, License #12345
Nitrous Oxide Monitoring, Michigan Dental Assistants Association – 2016
4. List pertinent key skills
A skills section demonstrates your ability to perform dental hygiene duties and highlights your qualifications as a dental professional. Include these skills to showcase your ability to provide comprehensive dental care, educate patients on oral hygiene practices, and ensure a safe and sterile clinical environment. Be sure to match your skills with those required for the job you’re applying for.
Below, we’ve compiled a list of skills you could use on your dental hygienist resume:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Anxiety management | Charting |
| Communication | Dental ethics |
| Detail oriented | Intraoral digital imaging and s-rays |
| Local anesthesia administration | Oral cancer screening |
| Oral hygiene instruction | Organization |
| Pain control | Periodontal therapy |
| Plaque and calculus removal | Problem solving |
| Rapport | Scaling and root planing |
| Self direction | Sterilization protocols |
| Time management | Whitening |
How To Pick the Best Dental Hygienist Resume Template
The best resume template for a dental hygienist has a clean and organized design, maintaining a professional appearance. Look for a template that allows you to highlight your most relevant professional accomplishments and key skills prominently. Avoid flashy graphics and overly decorative designs that could distract readers from the content of your resume. It should capture the attention of hiring managers and allow them to navigate your qualifications easily.
Dental Hygienist Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
Years of Experience
- Entry-level
- Mid-career
- Senior-level
Meera Patel
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
LinkedIn | Portfolio
Detroit, MI 12345
Profile
A dental hygienist with three years of experience delivering oral health care services to patients, including cleanings, dental radiology exams, and oral cancer screenings. Adept at educating patients on oral care techniques and communicating effectively to reduce anxiety during procedures.
Key Skills
- Dental hygiene
- Nitrous oxide monitoring
- Patient care
- Dental radiology exams
- Patient relations
Professional Experience
Dental Hygienist, Bright Smiles Dental Clinic, Detroit, MI
October 2021 – Present
- Performed hygienic, therapeutic, and preventive procedures on clinic patients, including cleaning teeth and gums using dental tools and equipment
- Provide educational services for patients on oral health and preventative techniques
- Assisted dentist during examinations, communicating findings from initial examination, including potential symptoms of periodontal disease
- Conducted minor oral health treatments, including taking X-rays, applying protective sealants, dental charting, stain removal, and taking impressions
Dental Hygienist, Allure Dental Practice, Detroit, MI
June 2020 – October 2021
- Delivered high-quality patient care and provided prophylaxis treatment, including teeth cleaning, flossing, gum massage, education, and scaling
- Performed dental exams and interpreted diagnostic and panoramic X-rays and digital imaging to identify signs of cavities and decay
Certifications
- Dental Hygienist, State of Michigan, License #12345
Education
Associate of Science (A.S.) Dental Hygiene
Wayne County Community College, Detroit, MI – June 2020
Sarah Johnson
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
LinkedIn | Portfolio
Boston, MA 12345
Profile
A dental hygienist with six years of experience delivering high-quality patient care to diverse populations, specializing in soft tissue management, whitening procedures, and dental radiography. A proven track record of collaborating with dentists and assistants to improve clinical operations and ensure patient satisfaction.
Professional Experience
Dental Hygienist, Bismarck Dental Services, Boston, MA
May 2020 – Present
- Educate patients on the importance of at-home care, flossing, and electric toothbrushes to prevent cavities, loss of enamel, and decay
- Review patients’ health and oral health history prior to dental hygiene procedures, remove plaque and calculus, and perform debridement and root planing
- Manage patient anxiety through pleasant demeanor, education, and empathy and introduce an innovative cleaning approach to reduce patient discomfort
Dental Hygienist, Hayden Dental Practitioners, Boston, MA
June 2017 – May 2020
- Provided quality dental care services to patients across all ages, counseled patients on at-home care and dental hygiene, and performed teeth whitening and cleaning procedures
- Operated digital X-ray machine to provide intraoral radiographs, prepared digital models for 3D printing, and scanned existing plaster models into digital files
Certifications
- Dental Hygienist, State of Massachusetts, License #12345
- Nitrous Oxide Monitoring, Michigan Dental Assistants Association, 2016
Key Skills
- Dental care
- Patient education
- X-ray examinations
- Soft tissue management
- Dental radiography
Education
Associate of Science (A.S.) Dental Hygiene
Boston Community College, Boston, MA – June 2017
Anthony Gentile
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
LinkedIn | Portfolio
Philadelphia, PA 12345
Profile
A dental hygienist with 10+ years of experience performing oral care procedures in a high-volume clinical environment. A strong history of educating patients on oral care techniques to promote long-term health. Adept at communicating effectively with a wide range of patients to reduce anxiety and discomfort.
Professional Experience
Dental Hygienist, Smile Makers Dental Services, Philadelphia, PA
November 2016 – Present
- Build positive relationships with patients, communicate empathetically to reduce anxiety during procedures, and achieve a 90% patient satisfaction rating
- Perform oral cancer screenings, administer dental radiographic studies, and conduct routine cleanings for a diverse range of patients
- Conduct teeth cleanings for patients ranging in ages 2 to 18, remove plaque and hard deposits, conduct flossing, and apply fluoride treatments or sealants as needed
Dental Hygienist, Smile Right Dentistry, Philadelphia, PA
June 2013 – November 2016
- Delivered compassionate, high-quality dental care to a broad range of patients, provided education on dental hygiene, and communicated with patience and understanding
- Recorded and assessed patient dental health and status, including number of teeth, changes in dental health, and areas of concern
- Cleaned deposits and stains from patients’ teeth and beneath gum margins, conducted oral cancer screenings, and administered dental radiographic studies
Certifications
- Dental Hygienist, State of Pennsylvania, License #12345
Key Skills
- Oral care techniques
- Patient care
- Dental radiography
- Dental hygiene
- Communication
- Patient education
Education
Associate of Science (A.S.) Dental Hygiene
Delaware County Community College, Media, PA – June 2013
Frequently Asked Questions: Dental Hygienist Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for dental hygienist resumes?+
Action verbs create a vivid and engaging narrative that captures the attention of hiring managers, allowing them to envision your capabilities and the value you can bring to their dental practice. But finding the right words to describe your work can be a struggle. To overcome this block, we've curated a comprehensive list of common action verbs for dental hygienists.
Consider using some of these words in your dental hygienist resume:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Administer | Assess |
| Assist | Calm |
| Clean | Collaborate |
| Communicate | Demonstrate |
| Educate | Engage |
| Examine | Instruct |
| Interact | Mentor |
| Record | Remove |
| Restore | Screen |
| Train | Update |
How do you align your resume with a dental hygienist job description?+
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts employment for dental hygienists will increase at a faster-than-average rate of 9% between 2021 and 2031. It expects to see 19,000 new jobs created over the decade. Even though new opportunities will be abundant, applicants still need to make an effort on their resumes to stand out. The best way to position yourself as an ideal candidate is to customize your resume for the position you're interested in.
If you have a specific dental hygienist job opening in mind, it's crucial to tailor your resume to that particular role. Begin by studying the job description to identify the skills, qualifications, and responsibilities the employer seeks. Then, incorporate relevant keywords and phrases into your resume. Adjust your professional summary, skills section, and work experience bullet points to emphasize the most relevant aspects of your dental hygienist background.
What is the best Dental Hygienist resume format?+
Typically, the reverse chronological format for dental hygienists is the best resume format. This format highlights your professional experience, showcasing your employment timeline and development in the field. It lets you emphasize your relevant clinical skills, patient interactions, and specialized knowledge. The chronological format works well for experienced dental hygienists with a consistent work history and notable achievements.
Expert Advice: Include a cover letter with your resume
Writing a complementary cover letter is a great way to increase your chances of securing an interview in your job search. Personalizing your cover letter for the specific organization you’re applying to is essential. Learn how by exploring our cover letter guide for dental hygienists. Check out our dental assistant and entry-level dental assistant cover letter guides for writing examples in related occupations.
