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.
“Dental hygienist resumes should showcase patient care, preventive treatment skills, and dental software knowledge. Let your clinical impact and patient care shine.”
— Carolyn Kleiman, Resume and Career Advisor
Most Popular Dental Hygienist Resumes
Entry-Level Dental Hygienist Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume effectively showcases early experience while displaying competence in procedures like x-rays, sealants, and patient education. The emphasis on supporting dentists during exams helps show versatility. For more on structuring a skills-based resume, check out how to make a resume.
Mid-Career Dental Hygienist Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume is strong because it communicates the candidate's ability to handle a broad range of procedures, including patient education and advanced care. Including new techniques that reduced discomfort adds meaningful value. Explore resume summary examples to refine your own professional introduction.
Senior Dental Hygienist Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume shows long-term experience and strong communication skills, both of which are important for senior roles in patient care. Refer to resume outline examples to structure your resume for readability and clarity.
Pediatric Dental Hygienist Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume showcases specialized skills in working with children, which requires empathy and patience. It emphasizes educational outreach and preventative care, both key in pediatric dentistry. Learn how to highlight specialized experience in soft skills for a resume.
Licensed Dental Hygienist Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume provides a clear summary of advanced clinical knowledge, from radiography to orthodontic lab work. It’s especially effective in showing how experience with diverse patients translates to versatile care. See how to list certifications on a resume to learn how credentials can strengthen your application.
General Practice Dental Hygienist Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume focuses on experience in general dental practice, showing strong communication and technical skills across a range of procedures. For help presenting diverse experience clearly, review best resume formats.
Cosmetic Dental Hygienist Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume highlights specialization in cosmetic care and whitening, which requires precision and communication. For more on tailoring your resume to niche roles, check out resume skills.
Bilingual Dental Hygienist Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume effectively presents bilingual ability alongside clinical expertise, which is valuable in diverse communities. To show language proficiency in your resume, visit resume language skills.
Community Health Dental Hygienist Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume focuses on public health, showing both technical expertise and a community-centered mission. If you’ve done volunteer work, see how to put volunteer work on a resume to highlight it effectively.
Orthodontic Dental Hygienist Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume is tailored for an orthodontic environment and emphasizes how hygiene care shifts with appliances. To better tailor your resume for specialized roles, review resume objective examples.
Traveling Dental Hygienist Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume demonstrates adaptability and the ability to deliver consistent care in various settings, a valuable trait for temp hygienist roles. To show similar versatility, visit how to list your education on a resume.
Periodontal Dental Hygienist Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume highlights a specialty in periodontal health, which demands technical skill and long-term patient coordination. Learn how to organize your specialties with cv vs. resume.
Entry-level Pediatric Dental Hygienist Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume is ideal for entry-level candidates targeting pediatric roles. It shows relevant clinical training and patient interaction experience. For more beginner resume tips, see what to put on a resume.
Geriatric Dental Hygienist Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume demonstrates expertise in geriatric care, a valuable skill set in aging communities. It shows how adaptability and empathy improve outcomes. Learn more from resume interests section to highlight passion areas.
Dental Hygienist Team Lead Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume is strong because it blends clinical skills with leadership, which is important for candidates stepping into supervisory roles. To emphasize leadership effectively, review how to list relevant coursework on a resume.
Dental Hygienist Educator Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume shows a clear transition from clinical practice to education, a path many experienced hygienists pursue. If you're preparing for a similar shift, review resume objective examples to learn how to reframe your summary.
Dental Hygienist with Military Experience Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume is effective because it highlights military experience and how it translates into civilian clinical environments. To showcase government or service experience, check out how to list references on a resume.
School-based Dental Hygienist Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume works well by focusing on outreach and educational roles in youth programs. It shows how hygienists can make an impact outside traditional clinics. See how to put volunteer work on a resume to add similar experience.
Dental Hygienist with Orthodontic Lab Skills Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume is effective because it integrates hands-on hygiene experience with behind-the-scenes lab skills, showing a strong technical profile. Explore technical skills for a resume to present similar abilities.
Dental Hygienist in Rural Practice Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume demonstrates the ability to provide high-quality care with limited resources. It emphasizes independence and adaptability — essential in rural care. Check out should a resume be one page to keep content concise.
Public Health Dental Hygienist Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume shows meaningful contributions in public health, from individual patient care to program development. Learn how to highlight purpose-driven work in how to list publications on resume or CV.
Temp Dental Hygienist Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume is effective because it shows how the candidate thrives in temp environments, a valuable trait for offices needing flexible coverage. See how to make a resume to craft content that highlights flexibility and fast learning.
Preventive Care Dental Hygienist Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume highlights expertise in preventive care, which is a core part of dental hygiene. It balances clinical skill with patient education. For additional guidance on structure, visit resume outline examples.
Restorative Dental Hygienist Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume works well for roles involving expanded functions or restorative duties. It clearly communicates the candidate’s ability to assist with restorative workflows. Read how to list certifications on a resume to showcase advanced credentials.
Dental Hygienist with Digital Technology Skills Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume showcases technology use in a clinical setting, which is valuable as more practices adopt digital tools. To highlight similar expertise, check out technical skills for a resume.
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Dental Hygienist Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
How To Write a Dental Hygienist Resume
1. Create a profile by summarizing your dental hygienist qualifications
An engaging 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.
Your resume profile should focus 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 over 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. Create a powerful list of your dental hygienist experiences
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. Utilize 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. List any education and certifications relevant to dental hygienists
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, 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. Make a list of your dental hygienist-related skills and proficiencies
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 x-rays |
| Local anesthesia administration | Oral cancer screening |
| Oral hygiene instruction | Organization |
| Pain control | Periodontal therapy |
| Plaque and calculus removal | 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.
Frequently Asked Questions: Dental Hygienist Resume Examples and Advice
How do I ensure my Dental Hygienist resume example is ATS-friendly?-
To make your Dental Hygienist resume example ATS-friendly, focus on including relevant keywords from the job description and avoid using complex formatting like images or non-standard fonts. Keep the document simple and ensure each section is clearly labeled (e.g., Education, Professional Experience, Skills). The use of action verbs and proper section headings will also help your resume get noticed by both ATS and hiring managers.
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.
How long should I make my dental hygienist resume?-
A one-page dental hygienist resume is the best option for most candidates, as it ensures clarity and brevity. If you have significant achievements or over 10 years of experience, extending to two pages is fine—but only if the content is tailored and directly supports your application. Focus on impactful accomplishments and key skills that relate to the job.
Include your most recent 10 to 15 years of work experience. Older roles should only appear if they provide unique insights or align closely with the job requirements. Keeping your resume concise and relevant will maximize its impact.
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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.
