How To Write an Entry-Level Dental Assistant Resume
To write a compelling entry-level dental assistant resume, you need to showcase your knowledge of oral medicine and ability to provide quality care to patients. Highlight your experience educating patients on dental procedures and collaborating with medical and office teams to enhance patient satisfaction. This guide provides valuable tips and insights to help you craft an accomplishment-driven resume and land your next job interview.
1. Write a dynamic profile summarizing your qualifications
Job seekers have a minimal window to make a strong first impression. Due to the sheer volume of applicants, hiring managers often won’t have the time to read through every document thoroughly. To grab the hiring manager’s attention, write a strong professional summary at the top of your resume that encapsulates key skill sets the organization is looking for.
In the example below, the candidate draws attention to their expertise in patient education, restorative dentistry, and OSHA safety, all of which are essential skill sets that dental offices look for during the hiring process.
Profile
A Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) with entry-level experience specializing in patient education, dental care, OSHA safety, and restorative dentistry. A proven track record of interfacing with diverse patient populations to deliver education on dental care procedures and hygiene.
2. Add an accomplishment-driven professional experience section
As a dental assistant, one of your primary responsibilities is communicating with patients during medical procedures. Keeping patients calm and comfortable is important during dental operations, so be sure to highlight your pleasant chairside manner.
However, providing insights into your knowledge of dental procedures, regulations, and medical equipment is also important. There are instances to avoid jargon, but this isn’t one of those places. Referencing specific procedures and tools can help prove to the hiring manager you’re knowledgeable despite your relative lack of experience.
In the example below, the job seeker effectively demonstrates their industry knowledge at the entry level by specifying specific medical procedures they supported and the instruments they utilized. They also emphasize their experience interfacing effectively with patients, providing education on procedures, and improving patient satisfaction scores:
Professional Experience
Dental Assistant, Smile Pros, Boston, MA | June 2021 – present
- Deliver dental care services to patients under the supervision of dentists, including utilizing suction hoses to provide assistance for various dental procedures
- Ensure compliance with COVID-19 safety guidelines and infection prevention procedures, including sterilizing instruments and operating rooms
- Perform X-rays to aid dentists in identifying cavities, decay, and long-term dental issues and provide support for tooth extractions, fillings, and root canals
3. Include relevant licenses and certifications
While certification may not always be required at this level, it’s always a great way to set yourself apart from a crowd of potential applicants. Without a certification, you’ll also be limited in terms of your job responsibilities, which could stunt your career growth. The CDA and Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) are both strong options to consider when pursuing entry-level roles.
Depending on their state and scope of practice, dental assistants may also obtain additional certifications in specific areas such as nitrous oxide monitoring, coronal polishing, sealant application, and orthodontic assisting.
These certifications may require completing additional courses, exams, or clinical hours. For example, in Texas, dental assistants who want to monitor nitrous oxide must complete a course approved by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners and obtain a Nitrous Oxide Monitoring certificate.
Education
Template:
[Degree Name]
[School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] | [Graduation Year]
Example:
Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Dental Assisting
Boston College, Boston, MA | 2021
Certifications
Template:
[Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
Examples:
Certified Dental Assistant (CDA), DANB | 2021
Radiation Health and Safety Certificate (RHS), DANB | 2021
4. List pertinent key skills
Companies rely on applicant tracking systems (ATS) to analyze resumes for specific keywords using software algorithms. If your document is missing a certain number of key terms the organization is looking for, it’s unlikely you’ll advance to the next stage of the hiring process. To mitigate this risk, incorporate keywords and dental industry terminology into your professional profile, work experience, and skills section. Below, you’ll find a list of potential key terms you may encounter during the job hunt:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Administrative support | CDA |
| Communication | Cosmetic dentistry |
| Dental assisting | Dental care |
| Dental hygiene | Dentistry |
| HIPAA | Infection prevention |
| Intraoral procedures | Invisalign |
| Oral surgery | OSHA safety |
| Patient education | Restorative dentistry |
| Root canals | Sterilization |
| Tooth extraction | X-rays |
How To Pick the Best Entry-Level Dental Assistant Resume Template
When selecting your template, choose a design that is easy to read and edit. Your resume should be clear, concise, and error-free. Avoid using templates that have too many colors, fonts, or graphics that might distract from your content. Use simple and consistent formatting, such as bullet points, headings, and margins. Make sure you can customize the template to fit your specific information and needs.
Entry-Level Dental Assistant Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
Years of Experience
- #1
- #2
- #3
Amar Singh
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Carpenter Street, Philadelphia, PA, 12345
Profile
A Certified Dental Assistant with entry-level experience specializing in patient care, communication, administrative support, and HIPAA compliance. Adept at coordinating with dentists and office teams to enhance the delivery of dental care services to patients.
Professional Experience
Dental Assistant, Smile Makers, Philadelphia, PA
June 2021 – Present
- Provide support to a team of three Dentists in delivering dental care services to patients, including performing teeth cleanings and gathering patient medical history
- Conduct X-rays to identify dental issues and create medical documentation for dentists to evaluate patient condition and determine appropriate treatment plans
- Ensure compliance with Covid-19 safety protocols, oversee sanitation of operating rooms, and maintain medical equipment to prevent infection and ensure optimal functionality
Administrative Assistant, South Philly Dental, Philadelphia, PA
May 2020 – June 2021
- Fielded phone inquiries from new and existing patients, conducted scheduling for appointments, obtained outstanding payments, and performed intake interviews prior to appointments to obtain patient data and medical history
- Conducted data entry for health insurance benefits, filed appeals, and submitted claims to insurance agencies to secure payment for services
Education
Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Dental Assisting
Philadelphia Community College, Philadelphia, PA September 2019 – June 2021
Key Skills
- Dental Care Services
- Administrative Support
- Patient Care
- Communication
- Inventory Management
Certifications
- Certified Dental Assistant, DANB, State of Pennsylvania, 2021
- Radiation Health and Safety Certificate (RHS), DANB, State of Pennsylvania, 2021
Aliya Jackson
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Bridge Street, Boston, MA 12345
Profile
A Certified Dental Assistant with entry-level experience specializing in intra-oral techniques, patient care, dentistry, and OSHA safety. A strong background in providing administrative and medical support to dental teams to ensure patient safety and satisfaction.
Professional Experience
Dental Assistant, Smile Pros, Boston, MA
June 2021 – Present
- Deliver dental care services to patients under the supervision of dentists, including using suction hoses to assist with various dental procedures
- Ensure compliance with Covid-19 safety guidelines and infection prevention procedures, including sterilizing instruments and operating rooms
- Perform X-rays to aid dentists in identifying cavities, decay, and long-term dental issues and provide support for tooth extractions, fillings, and root canals
Administrative Assistant, Rosenbaum Dental Office, Boston, MA
May 2020 – June 2021
- Managed patient scheduling, fielded phone inquiries, performed data entry for customer insurance information, benefits, and claims, and contacted patients to create payment plans and discuss outstanding balances
- Coordinated with dentists, certified dental assistants, and dental hygienists to manage schedules, and change appointment times
- Managed purchase orders for equipment
Education
Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Dental Assisting
Boston College, Boston, MA September 2019 – June 2021
Key Skills
- Intraoral Procedures
- Medical Support
- Dentistry
- Patient Care
- OSHA Safety
Certifications
- Certified Dental Assistant (CDA), DANB, 2021
- Radiation Health and Safety Certificate (RHS), DANB, 2021
Sarah Johnson
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Windermere Rd., Seattle, WA 12345
Profile
A Certified Dental Assistant with entry-level experience specializing in patient education, dental care, OSHA safety, and restorative dentistry. A proven track record of interfacing with diverse patient populations to deliver education on dental care procedures and hygiene.
Professional Experience
Dental Assistant, Seattle Dental Associates, Seattle, WA
June 2021 – Present
- Provide dental care support for cleanings, fillings, root canals, and tooth extractions, educate patients on dental procedures and hygiene best practices for long-term care
- Communicate with patients to ensure comfort and ease anxiety during procedures involving needles and drills, resulting in a patient satisfaction rating of 89%
- Build relationships with patients and provide empathetic care during painful procedures and cosmetic dentistry operations
Administrative Assistant, Dr. Marcus Campbell Dental Office, Seattle, WA
May 2020 – June 2021
- Interfaced with patients, dentists, CDAs, and dental hygienists, managed appointments, coordinated patient flow, and ensured the efficiency of office operations
- Managed phone inquiries from existing patients and new customers, resolved issues related to billing and insurance claims, and created patient profiles in the office database
Education
Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Dental Assisting
Seattle Central College, Seattle, WA September 2019 – June 2021
Key Skills
- Patient Education
- Restorative Dentistry
- OSHA Safety
- Patient Care
- Medical Support
Certifications
- Certified Dental Assistant (CDA), DANB, 2021
- Radiation Health and Safety Certificate (RHS), DANB, 2021
Frequently Asked Questions: Entry-Level Dental Assistant Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for entry-level dental assistant resumes?+
You may run short on action verbs as you build your bullet points on your resume. This can be especially challenging within the health care field, as sometimes only a limited number of verbs can describe your professional experience accurately. To help you enhance the readability of your document and keep your language fresh, we’ve compiled a list of action verbs to craft your work experience section:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Administered | Analyzed |
| Collaborated | Conducted |
| Coordinated | Developed |
| Diagnosed | Drove |
| Enhanced | Evaluated |
| Identified | Improved |
| Interfaced | Led |
| Managed | Oversaw |
| Performed | Provided |
| Resolved | Supported |
How do you align your resume with an entry-level dental assistant job description?+
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for dental assistants was $44,820 in May 2022, with a projected growth rate of 7% over the next decade. This occupation can open various opportunities and career paths within the dental field. To break into the industry at the entry level, you’ll need to align your resume with the job description tactically.
Start by incorporating skill sets, industry terminology, and accomplishments that match the needs of the organization you’re applying to. Even at the entry level, where you may not have substantial hands-on work experience, you can still draw attention to key specializations demonstrating why you’re a qualified candidate.
For example, while pursuing a dental assistant position, obtaining a Radiation Health and Safety Certificate (RHS) in addition to your CDA might differentiate you from other applicants during the job search. An additional safety certification for X-rays will grab the hiring manager’s eye and may encourage you to get an interview over an applicant with limited licensure. As you craft your resume, research the organization before you apply and incorporate as many relevant skill sets as possible to help mitigate your lack of work experience. This will maximize your chances of landing your next big job opportunity.
What is the best entry-level dental assistant resume format?+
The best entry-level dental assistant resume format depends on your personal preference, experience level, and the impression you want to make on potential employers. However, most hiring managers prefer the reverse chronological format, which lists your most recent professional experience first. This format can help you emphasize your current skills and achievements and show your career progression.
Expert advice: include a cover letter with your resume
Once you’re done with your resume, a good way to finish it before sending it to your prospective employer is to add a cover letter. This is a great opportunity to speak directly to the hiring manager and make a case for why you’re the best candidate for the job.
Remember, a cover letter should be fairly succinct. Don’t exceed more than 400 words — 250 to 300 is ideal. For more information and ideas, view our dental hygienist cover letter examples.
