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15 Dental Assistant Resume Examples That Work in 2024

Dental Assistant

Best for mid and entry-level candidates.

Our classic resume template is anything but basic. A classic look can bring out your best work—whether projects or traditional work experience.

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• Dental Assistant Resume
• Dental Assistant Resumes by Experience
• Dental Assistant Resumes by Role

Writing Your Dental Assistant Resume

Dental assistants are a tremendous asset to any dental office, but it’s not always easy coming up with what to say when you’re applying for a job. After all, how are you supposed to put all your expertise on one page?

If this sounds familiar, then know that the goal of this post is to lift some of that burden by providing essential tips and showing you exactly what you need to do to  build a professional resume .

These 15 dental assistant resume samples have  helped real dental assistants land jobs,  and our writing guide can help you learn the nitty-gritty of resume writing (or cover letter writing ) so you can land your next great dental assistant role in 2024.

Dental Assistant Resume Example

or download as PDF

Why this resume works

• Some states (like Iowa) have dental assistant programs designed for people specifically with no certification. You learn the skills on the job so you can eventually apply to get certified! 
• Metrics quantify your impact and let your future employer know that you did something special. 

Experienced Dental Assistant Resume

• Certification for dental assistants varies state by state, but nearly all dental assistant jobs require you have either cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification or Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. So if you have either, be sure to mention it on your experienced dental assistant resume.
• We’d recommend having six to eight skills, such as “X-rays” and “4-handed dentistry.”

Inexperienced Dental Assistant Resume

• Be sure to include activities that demonstrate leadership when possible, like being on a sports team or the president of a club.
• If you decide to include a  resume objective , make sure you customize it for each job to which you apply. The most effective way to do that is to include the company name, followed by a sentence or two explaining your strengths that mirror some of the requirements in the  dental assistant job description .

Dental Assistant Externship  Resume Example

• For your projects, add any instances of using dental tools even if it was only at a seminar. Next, use the career objective space to convince the employer that you’re more than ready to be an extern with your current knowledge.

Dental Assistant-In-Training Resume

• Never fear, rely on transferable skills! Positions like office assistant jobs do a great job demonstrating your capacity to provide quality customer service and vast knowledge of electronic medical records.
• We’d also recommend adding a  resume objective  (also called a career objective) to highlight your passion for the role you’re applying to and your relevant skills.
• If you do include an objective, always include the company name and the specific job you’re seeking. Customization is vital!

Lead Dental Assistant  Resume Example

• Remember to include how junior dental assistants have flourished under your supervision as a way of demonstrating your leadership skills and capacity building for future professionals.

Endodontic Dental Assistant Resume

• The next step is giving these skills extra weight by adding quantified bullet points that display how you’ve used each tool to create direct impacts like boosting successful surgery rates or reducing scan-to-report turnaround times.
• Need more space to tell your story? Add the how and why of it all to your dental assistant cover letter .

Chairside Dental Assistant Resume

• Did you earn a high patient satisfaction rating? Are you proficient in cutting-edge dental tools? If yes, highlighting these achievements will add a competitive advantage to your chairside dental assistant resume.

Pediatric Dental Assistant Resume Example

• Colleges around the country offer what are usually 1-year programs in dental assisting, with the goal being certification (usually candidates need to pass the Dental Assisting National Board’s Certified Dental Assistant exam). If you’ve attended such a program, be sure to include it in the “Education” section of your pediatric dental assistant resume .
• If you’re stuck, try using a  resume outline  to get a sense of what your work experience bullet points should look like (and what the rest of your resume should look like, too). 

Oral Surgery Assistant Resume

• If you’re applying to a dental assisting job in oral surgery and you have experience in that field, then create a separate copy of your resume focusing on those aspects of your past work. 
• You’ve already seen some  good resume examples , but it can help to look at other examples within the dental field so you can note specific verbs, metrics, and skills listed there.
• Don’t plagiarize, of course; simply use the examples to give you a boost to write your own resume.

Orthodontic Dental Assistant Resume

• Including numbers on your orthodontic dental assistant resume will demonstrate your value on the job and confirm that you’re the best person for a role requiring specific job skills, like taking impressions and understanding EMR.
• First, that’s a red flag. It speaks strongly of plagiarism (plus it’s not creative).
• Secondly, simply restating the job description doesn’t make a strong sell on why you’re a better choice than the competition. Instead, focus on your accomplishments and achievements (use those numbers we just talked about) to show how you provided value beyond the basic job description.

Dental Hygiene Assistant Resume

• Many people try to emphasize education, but if you’re a few years out from your school days, it’s not relevant. Just include the basics and focus on your work experience.
• Even professional headshots can make a resume look less than professional, and they can even cause bias in the recruitment process.
• Before you go overboard, remember: your resume needs to be easy to read and pleasing to the eye. So use a different font and some color for your section headers, but keep your body text untouched.
• Tip: Find out the color scheme at the dental office you’re applying to, and use that color to complement your application!

Registered Dental Assistant Resume

• For example, a  resume objective  is great for showing off transferable skills and recent experiences if you’re just starting out in your career.
• Once you’ve nailed that content, feel free to add optional sections!
• Be sure to use the exact title widely accepted by your state on your registered dental assistant resume.

Expanded Functions Dental Assistant Resume

• Words   alone can’t provide enough evidence for your skills. Try to include numbers on the number of dental techniques you’ve mastered, or the number of patients you see per hour.
• Aim to include metrics in at least half of your bullet points, but don’t be afraid to add more if you can incorporate them naturally.
• Remember: no matter how pretty your  resume template  is, it won’t make up for content and formatting, so make sure you’re setting yourself up for success!

Certified Dental Assistant Resume

• For example, if you include a waitressing position from a few years ago, discuss responsibilities that highlight your abilities with customer service, time management, and communication. These universal skills can easily translate to a dental assistant role.
• We’d recommend formatting your resume in  reverse-chronological  order, with your most current work experience toward the top of the page. This helps highlight your most recent and, probably, most relevant job title.

Related resume guides

• Medical assistant
• Nursing assistant
• Dental hygienist

Dental assistant job postings reflect the variety of responsibilities this flexible career offers and requires. Since a dental assistant will complete various tasks every day, a strong resume for this position should reveal your abilities and responsibilities on the job. Your dental assistant resume should focus on the quantifiable skills and abilities specified in the job description.

Dental practices typically use Applicant Tracking System (ATS) recruiting software to scan applications for key terms, reducing the need for hands-on application review for the first hiring round. So, your resume may need updating to pass the ATS scanning. When creating your dental assistant resume, pay attention to these four areas to increase your odds of successfully moving on to the interview process:

• Emphasizing specific dental assistant skills
• Formatting your dental assistant resume properly
• Utilizing an objective and summary 
• Using quantifiable points 

Emphasize your dental assistant skills

When recruiters hire dental assistants, they use a three-step process to weed out candidates:

• Hiring directors narrow down candidates for minimum qualifications (usually by using ATS). Filters are set to catch basic qualifications regarding experience and key terms or phrases.
• Next, recruiters look for a set of preferred qualifications. Applicants who meet these criteria remain in the application process.
• Lastly, employers shortlist and rank candidates based on their fit with the minimum and preferred qualifications. 

To pass the ATS filtering and move on to the next phase of the process,  your resume should contain key terms and phrases from the employer’s job description.  The  skills section on your resume  is the place to explain your abilities within the scope of the dental assistant job.

You can add soft skills, like interpersonal communication, or hard skills, which are job-specific abilities learned and perfected in specific careers. Resumes that reflect the soft and hard skills the employer is looking for will pass through the ATS filter and on through the application process. Some of the top soft and hard dental assistant skills employers are looking for are:

• Dental equipment knowledge (hard skill)—shows the applicant can complete basic dental assistant tasks
• Electronic Medical Records (EMR) experience (hard skill)—shows the applicant can utilize an online data system for employer
• Medical licensing (hard skill)—indicates up-to-date, recognized proficiencies (could be a minimum requirement)
• Communication skills (soft skill)—shows abilities with positive patient interactions
• Team player (soft skill)— indicates the ability to work with others in the office
• Customer service (soft skill)—shows applicant will put the patient’s needs first
• Highly organized (soft skill)—indicates applicant can prioritize tasks and complete work on time
• X-ray experience (hard skill)—shows precise (and likely preferred) experience and training
• Vital signs (hard skill)—shows future employer ability to complete routine, necessary tasks
• Patient safety (hard skill)—indicates the ability to follow required safety steps and policies

Don’t feel pressured to put every skill on your resume to pass the ATS scan. Instead, customize your resume to match the  dental assistant job description  by finding keywords in the description and adding some to your own dental assistant resume.

Format your dental assistant resume properly

For most job seekers,  properly formatting a resume  is a huge hurdle. Your resume should of course show important details like experience, education, and applicable skill sets, but resume formatting plays a huge role in how the ATS and the hiring manager read your resume. 

Many job seekers get caught up in stylizing their resume instead of simply making minor changes to a  resume template . You don’t have to go overboard to get your resume noticed, so keep your formatting simple

Let’s look at the most vital aspects when formatting your resume for a dental assistant position:

• Pare things down by using simplified wording, removing stylized lines or graphic additions, deleting extra spacing, and removing redundancies.
• Use  bullet points  to narrow your focus and keep things short.
• Avoid using icons or images . The ATS only searches for keywords, icons and graphics won’t help the application process.
• Include the title of the position you’re seeking  on your resume to emphasize your focus or goal.
• Check, double-check, and recheck your resume to ensure  no errors . Spelling errors and other basic mistakes can be a huge turnoff to a future employer since they highlight an applicant’s lack of attention to detail. Send the resume through our  free resume checker  and have another set of eyes look at it before sending it off in an application.
• Decide if you need to include an objective or summary . If so, prioritize its location on your resume to highlight this standout feature.

Your dental assistant resume objective or summary

For some job seekers, you might want to add an  objective to your resume . Some argue that it’s antiquated, but they can be useful if you know how to use them correctly.

What exactly  is  an objective? A resume objective is a way to show a prospective employer your job aspirations and what kind of job you’re seeking. This section is best for applicants new to a field or with experience that doesn’t exactly relate to their ideal position.

In other words, if your goal is to be a dental assistant, but you don’t yet have experience, you could use an objective statement. Comprise your resume objective with two to three sentences explaining you are seeking a dental assistant position as your current career goal and why.

On the other hand, you could choose to add a  summary to your resume  instead. You use a summary if you have at least 10 years of experience in the field. Per its name, a summary summarizes your best achievements and your top skills. It’s a great way to increase your credibility within two to three sentences.

Boost your dental assistant resume with quantifiable points

Like in many careers, using specific data is a concrete way to show value. Generic, vague statements won’t do anything to help you get a job, so use details that strengthen your accomplishments. (Our tip? Try to answer the “how” in most of your work experience bullet points.) You want to show future employers exactly what you’ve done, what you’re capable of, and what they can expect of you if hired. But what does that look like on a resume? 

Here are some ways a dental assistant can show the quantifiable impact:

• Explain a percentage increase in patient retention
• Convey increase in patient satisfaction
• Relay the number of patients seen per shift
• Detail the percentage of reduced cavities experienced with patient education provided
• Listing the total number of clients assisted in a procedure

Once you pinpoint a valuable action of interest to an employer, quantify the impact you made (aka explain the results of your actions). Here are a few examples of strong job-specific quantified points that might be used as a bullet point on your dental assistant resume:

Tailor your resume for each dental assistant job application

By scanning the job posting, you should customize your dental assistant resume to match what the employer is looking for in a candidate for each of these categories:

• Objective/summary—rework your objective statement to include the company’s name, the job title you’re seeking, and specific skills related to the job description.
• Skills—add your skills to the resume you’ve listed on the job posting. Remove any that are not relevant to the job you’re applying for so you can make room for those the ATS will identify.
• Job description bullet points—some of your quantifiable points should echo what’s listed in the job description by using specific keywords and phrases.

Dental assistant resume

Once you have some expertise as a dental assistant, you can  build your resume  to emphasize your time in the field. This will help you stand out from other applicants. Here are some ways to customize your dental assistant resume with some experience in the field:

• List all certifications you’ve earned
• Include quantifiable points that show increases in revenue for dental practices
• Explain how you improved the dental office revenue, patient volume, or another valuable metric

You can list your certifications toward the bottom of your resume, similar to this:

Entry-level dental assistant resume

• Include basic certifications like CPR, since it’s an expectation for most dental practices
• List relevant experience highlighting soft skills that can be utilized as a dental assistant
• Show hobbies and interests that may indicate leadership or other positive qualities
• Mirror the job description in your resume objective, even noting the company name in the career goal

Pediatric dental assistant resume

For a specialized dental assistant resume at a pediatric office, add in some customized details like these to help you stand out from other applicants:

• Soft skill experience demonstrating any work with youth or children
• Include hard and soft skills that are especially vital to working with children, like patience or safety procedures
• List descriptions of excellent customer service provided to patients

Orthodontic dental assistant resume

When customizing your orthodontic dental assistant resume for a job in an orthodontic office, think about adding specifics to showcase your resume:

• Show soft skills that demonstrate the high-quality patient care you provided
• Include quantifiable points that focus on patient satisfaction or happiness
• Add certifications that are valuable in an orthodontic office, like x-ray qualifications

Certified dental assistant resume

When applying for a job as a certified dental assistant, include such customizations to your resume as:

• Using numbers to show your value above other candidates
• List jobs in reverse-chronological order to focus first on your most relevant job experience
• Include past positions that bring relevant soft skills to a potential employer’s attention, even if the job title isn’t relevant

Your dental assistant resume recap

Congratulations  on taking the first step toward your career as a dental assistant! With a little thoughtful customization, your dental assistant pursuit is easily within reach. 

During the process, use our  online resume builder  to help you create your most effective product right from the start. If you already have a working draft, feel free to use our AI-powered  online resume checker  to polish your product for any future job applications.

Dental Assistant Resume: Templates & Guide

As a dental assistant, you’re used to helping give patients fillings and crowns, but do you know how to plug in gaps in your own resume? Luckily, we’ve pre-poured some impressions of ideal resume templates that you can use to extract your next career opportunity!

Dental Assistant Resume Example MSWord® Download our free Dental Assistant Resume Template in Word and provide proper care to your most important patient – your career!

Dental assistants aid dentists during each operation, ensuring patients leave with a positive experience. If you wish to update your dental assistant resume to seek new employment opportunities, this article is for you.

This content will reveal vital details on what constitutes an effective dental assistant resume produced in interviews within a short time. Also, some examples and templates will be available to ensure complete comprehension of the lessons.

Before proceeding with tips on creating dental receptionist resumes, it’s worth noting that completing this task alone is tricky as you have to keep multiple factors in mind . These elements may include the font, style, size, page format, etc.

For this reason, we recommend easing the hassle with our online resume builder , a platform consisting of several templates and examples, ensuring you complete the task within a short time.

Visit ResumeGiants builder today and make building a dental assistant resume easy.

Let’s begin!

Dental Assistant Resume Sample

As previously mentioned, building a dental assistant resume from scratch is complex. Before providing you with the knowledge to make one, it’s best to look at an example for a better understanding.

Below is an example of a dental assistant resume :

[Charlotte Foster]

[Dental Assistant]

[1225 Crossing Meadows, Dakota, MN 54650 | 453-655-0996| [email protected]]

Dental Assistant with over 5 years of experience offering excellent clinical and customer relations skills gained within high-volume dental practices. Diplomatic, personable, and adept in managing sensitive situations, assisting in instructing patients, monitoring and ordering supplies. Efficient and precise in chairside dental assisting.

Dental Assistant

Marrow Dentalcare | Dakota, MN

2017 – Current

• Efficiently manage patient care, office and laboratory duties within a multispecialty dental group employing 12 dentists and 15 dental assistants.
• Administered sedatives to patients before the procedure and aided the dentist in providing proper care.
• Coordinated emergency referrals, ensuring they reached providers promptly
• Managed the dental facility inventory to provide patient care
• Tracked clinic repairs to equipment supported the upgrade to clinic space
• Gained experience in exposing and processing X-rays; fabricating crowns, pouring impressions, trimming models and preparing orthodontic equipment; and assisting with extractions, impactions, fillings, implants and local anesthesia.

Dymentum Health | Duluth, MN

2016 – 2017

• Worked chairside assisting family dentists with routine cleaning and specialized procedures, making patients feel as relaxed as possible and preparing them for treatment.
• Measured blood pressure and pulse before treatment began
• Provided and reviewed patients’ health histories before treatment commenced
• Provided patients with instructions on personal oral healthcare
• Constructed mouth guards, bleach trays, temporary crowns, and casting models.
• Prepared dental materials like cement when needed.

Hibbing Community College | Hibbing, MN

2015 – 2016

• Clinical Sedation
• Extractions
• Electronic Medical Records (EMR)
• Fabrication
• Dental instrument preparation
• Vital Signs

Certifications

• DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA)
• Intravenous Clinical Sedation
• Certification Nitrous Oxide
• Certification Basic Life Support Certification (ARC)

Hobbies and Interests

Knitting Reading Biking

This resume example is straightforward and letting the hiring manager understand what skills, experience, and qualifications you possess, let them judge whether you’re a valuable asset.

What’s the Best Format for a Dental Assistant Resume?

Besides the document’s content, the resume format immediately decides whether the hiring manager will continue reading your paper or toss it in the bin. For this reason, the first factor to consider is correct formatting , which this section will tackle.

First, format the document in reverse chronological order, allowing recruiters to see your best assets. Essentially, this option presents your most recent and relevant work experience at the top of the page, keeping the recruiter engaged with your value.

Another factor that makes reverse chronology essential is that recruiters tend to skim the latter half of a resume after reading the first half. You want your best to appear first .

Use plenty of big headings, white space, and clear fonts (Arial, Times New Roman, Calibri, Verdana) to improve readability. Unconventional options require more mental effort to read, which may spell doom for your Dental assistant resume.

Additional recommendations include:

• Use bullet points for past jobs
• Assign one-inch margins on all four sides
• Don’t size should be 11 or 12
• Divide your resume with heading (executive summary, education, skills, etc.)
• Don’t use photos

How to Write a Dental Assistant Resume Summary

A resume summary is a brief introduction to the document to highlight your most valuable skills and professional achievements. This section gives the hiring manager a quick overview of your abilities and value, encouraging them to continue reading.

Similar to every part of a resume, a correct way exists to write this summary, and the guidelines include:

• Place it on top: The resume summary functions as the first thing a hiring manager reads before the remaining content. For this reason, please put it on top of the document; else, it serves no meaningful purpose.
• Give it a professional tag: Ensure your resume summary possesses a straightforward label like Qualifications summary, resume summary, Career profile, etc. Anything that falls short of this requirement appears unprofessional or unnecessary.
• Keep it brief: The resume summary is a short overview of your qualifications and professional strength and should exceed a few lines. A brief paragraph is sufficient for the task.

Sample Dental Assistant Resume Summary

Two examples of the concept are here further to understand the structure and format of a resume sample. These include:

👌 Example 1

Detail-oriented Dental Assistant with over five years experience offering service in both the public and private sectors. Diplomatic, personable, and adept at managing sensitive situations. Looking to aid in tasks like instructing patients, monitoring and ordering supplies, and maintaining office appointment calendar.

👌 Example 2

Problem-solving Dental Assistant with strong attention to detail and impeccable hand-eye coordination. Possessing over 15 years of experience in assisting with dental procedures by prepping for surgeries and cleaning, performing X-rays, and completing basic examinations.

How to Write an Effective Dental Assistant Resume

A Dental Assistant resume is crucial for applying as a dentist helper , and this document has specific formats to display your work experience, skills, education, and other essential details.

Keep in mind that the format may change depending on how much information you wish to display; nevertheless, this section aims to present the most common steps for creating an effective dental assistant resume.

These phases include:

1. Outline Your Skills

The “Skills’” section is crucial to your Dental Assistant resume as it allows the employer to understand what makes you a valuable addition to the establishment. Remember that all skills mentioned under this heading must be relevant, and these abilities may include:

Consider including a section that lists your skills that best fit the job description. For a dental assistant, relevant skills include:

• Effective communication
• Cleanliness
• Detail-oriented
• Customer service
• Ability to follow orders
• Positive attitude

You’d also want to add technical skills , such as:

• X-Ray processing
• Understands dental tools
• Teeth Cleaning | Dental Radiographs
• Bleaching Tray & Temporary Crown Fabrications | Instrument Sterilization
• Temporary Fillings | Periodontal Dressings | Operatory Preparation

We recommend writing all your skills on a piece of paper to get a broad understanding of your professional abilities. Consider including skills that you think are unnecessary to the job description as you may discover other talents.

For example, writing down that you have good conversation skills also shows that you’re an excellent listener that can follow instructions.

2. Display Your Work Experience

It’s one thing to have skills in a profession, and it’s another to apply them successfully. Your experience section shows that your abilities were practical when used in your previous place of work.

If you don’t possess work experience as a former dental assistant but have a history with a similar field, consider including it in your resume. For example, a volunteer position at the dentist’s office may show you understand the daily activities in such an environment.

Remember to list your experience in descending order, beginning with your most recent dental assistant job. Most employers prefer knowing about your last 5 or 10 years of work history , so it’s best to save them time and show what they want.

3. Present Certifications

While it’s not impossible to find work as a dental assistant without the relevant certification, having the documents increases your chances of employment . The dentist will indicate whether you need these qualifications in the job description.

Nevertheless, including these pieces of information in your Dental assistant resume will help you stand out against competitors with no qualifications. The most popular certification for dental assistants is the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA), offered by the Dental Assisting National Board.

Aside from that, other relevant certificates are worth mentioning as they demonstrate your qualification for the job. Remember to include the organization that granted the certificate when listing it.

4. Include Your Education

While not having qualifications doesn’t always stop you from employment, most dentists prefer hiring assistants with formal education.

For this reason, it’s best to outline your education on your resume in descending order , starting from the most recent to the farthest. Also, include the institution you attended, the year of admission and graduation, and what certificate(s) you earned.

Understand Your Strenghts

Irrespective of your experience or qualifications as a dental assistant, understanding your strength is vital as it guides the structure and format of your resume.

For example, if you barely have any experience as an assistant but possess skills that are relevant to the profession, consider starting with those abilities and moving your knowledge to the bottom.

On the other hand, if you have significant experience in the field, make those appear first, followed by your skills.

How to Describe Your Dental Assistant Experience

Presenting your previous work experience, projects, and volunteer activities on your resume plays a crucial part in landing an interview with the dentist. However, there are specific ways to outline these factors to ensure they are sufficiently concise and descriptive.

This section should provide the prospective employer with substantial knowledge of your career past, strengths, skills, achievements, and many more. To achieve this goal, here are some tips to follow:

• Begin by staring the name of your previous place of work along with the location, date, and job title
• List your experience in reverse chronological order with your most recent experience first
• Be concise in your descriptions and use strong verbs. Ensure each description is relevant to the job role
• Use the present tense for career activities that are still ongoing and past tense for old experiences
• Avoid pronouns and prepositions like “I” “The” & “And”
• Aim to quantify your accomplishments and responsibilities if possible. For example, “successfully examined an average of 23 patients monthly for three years”.
• Only describe your experience and achievements, and avoid telling the organization’s duties.
• List the organization’s top three or four experiences to keep the document short.

These quick tips are sufficient to help structure the experience section in your resume , ensuring you present the maximum value.

The Best Dental Skills for a Resume

Skills are abilities and talents you develop to complete specific tasks in an establishment. There are several skills, but the two most prominent are soft and hard skills.

This section aims to provide you with information to display these abilities on your resume, ensuring your document appears clean and concise. These tips include:

• Ensure each skill is relevant to the Dental assistant position
• Categorize each skills type (for example, soft skills and hard skills)
• Each skill should appear in bullet points with no more than 10 in each category.
• Ensure the listed skills are also reflected in your experience section
• Start with the most in-demand skill

Now let’s take a look at the best skills for a dental resume :

Soft Skills

Flexibility Empathy Customer service Team player Positive attitude Attention to detail Active listening Patience Organization

Hard Skills

Schedule appointments Dental impressions Dental radiographs CPR Temporary crowns X-rays Dental procedure preparation Payment processing Manual Dexterity

How to Add a Certification in a Dental Resume

A certificate is proof that you possess specific training that has received approval from an authorized organization. This document shows your devotion to your career and provides evidence for your mentioned skills.

Even if the job doesn’t require certification, adding them can boost your resume , draw the employer’s attention, and present you as a competent and valuable hire.

To effectively outline these factors in your dental assistant resume, consider following the tips below:

• Name of Certification
• Name of Certifying Agency or Body
• Dates of Obtainment
• Location (If the certification is location-specific)
• Expiration date (don’t list expired certificates)
• Unfinished (include the expected finishing date)

Follow these steps for each resume certification entry.

Is Your Education Section Full of Cavities? It Might Be

While you won’t always need a formal education to impress a dentist and become their assistant, having such knowledge at your disposal raises your value in the employer’s eyes. In this case, consider assessing and strengthening your education section with additional information.

For example, instead of stating your school name, program length, and program title, include extra details like the degree’s length, hours of lab training, externship, and more. It will help you come across as valuable.

Dental Assistant Program (8 months) Hibbing Community College | Hibbing, MN 2015 – 2016

• Patient education
• Chair-side assistance
• Coronal polishing
• Training and a clinical externship (2 months)

How to Add Contact Info to your Resume?

Your contacts are equally as essential as your experiences, skills, and education as it allows the hiring manager to reach you for clarification or an interview. A well-organized contact section should be complete and include factors like your name, phone number, email address.

When composing this section , ensure to include the following:

• Name (full name)
• Professional Email address
• Physical mailing address (optional except requested)
• Active cell phone number
• Links to a professional profile or portfolio

Write your name in bold letters and proofread the entire section once it’s done.

How to Address a Cover Letter and Who to Address

Knowing how to address and address your cover letter is your first step in writing this vital introductory document. However, finding the right person to mention required research and some work, which may impress the reader.

As a rule of thumb, you should always address your cover letter to the hiring manager of the job or company that’s receiving your application. The salutation should include a “Mr.”, “Ms,” or any relevant title followed by their name.

As for finding the hiring manager’s name for the cover letter, often, it will appear on the job description. However, such detail isn’t included, seek it from other sources, and these may include:

• The company website: Consider visiting the company’s “About US” or “Company Directory” page as it often outlines all the relevant staff members in the organization.
• LinkedIn: The company’s LinkedIn page also contains information about its staff members, so visit the site and use filters to sort out the name.
• Google search: A specified Google search can help uncover the precise name of the hiring manager, and you can do this by inserting the company’s name and the relevant title into Google. The name is guaranteed to appear if the company has an online presence.
• Contact the company: Suppose you can’t find the hiring manager’s name on LinkedIn, the company’s website, or via a Google search. In that case, the last resort is contacting the company directly and asking for the information.

Explain that you want to apply for a position and address your cover letter to the hiring manager. The company will most likely provide the information, as research and respect are commendable traits in the corporate world.

How to Address a Cover Letter Without a Name

Don’t worry if the options presented above prove ineffective at acquiring the hiring manager’s name. You can proceed with your cover letter without their name, as many methods exist for such scenarios.

Below are some standard options for addressing your cover letter to an unknown person:

• Dear Sir/Madam
• Dear Human Resources Director
• Dear Hiring Manager

Key Takeaways

There you have it, all the information you need to create an effective dental assistant resume that convinces employers . However, before applying this information, allow us to build your dental assistant resume with our resume builder.

This tool contains multiple resume templates and guides, ensuring that you construct a well-formatted resume with little to no hassle.

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10 Dental Assistant Resume Examples - Here's What Works In 2024

Dental assistants are on the front lines of working with both dentists and patients to create a clear path forward for dental health. if you want to work in a fast-paced field that contains both clinical and clerical elements, this guide will help you build a dental assistant resume by reviewing three example templates and a list of key skills and action verbs to consider including.

Dental health is considered by many physicians to be the foundation for overall health, meaning those who work in the field as dental assistants are providing a valuable service to the public while simultaneously honing various transferable skills. Dental assistants are in high demand with the Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipating a seven percent annual growth rate through 2029 - or almost double the rate of growth for most jobs. Dental assistants can expect to work directly with patients, including completing registration, handling insurance details, and scheduling appointments. In addition, dental assistants will often perform clinical work such as sterilizing equipment, preparing the patient for the dentist, or assisting the dentist during oral health procedures. Hiring managers are looking for specific skills and responsibilities in their dental assistant applicants, and this guide will help you identify and include the appropriate skills that match your experience. We’ll start by looking at three example resumes for dental assistants at different stages of their careers.

Dental Assistant Resume Templates

Jump to a template:

• Dental Assistant
• Certified Dental Assistant
• Registered Dental Assistant
• Entry Level Dental Assistant
• Experienced Dental Assistant
• Pediatric Dental Assistant
• Lead Dental Assistant

Jump to a resource:

• Keywords for Dental Assistant Resumes

Dental Assistant Resume Tips

• Action Verbs to Use
• Related Medical Resumes

Get advice on each section of your resume:

Template 1 of 10: Dental Assistant Resume Example

As a dental assistant, you play a vital role in supporting dentists and performing various tasks that keep dental practices running smoothly. In recent years, there's been an increased focus on patient comfort and creating a welcoming environment, so dental assistants should emphasize these skills in their resumes. Additionally, dental practices are adopting more advanced technology, so showcasing your familiarity with these tools can set you apart from other candidates. When writing your resume, it's important to highlight your hands-on experience and knowledge of dental procedures, as well as any specific certifications you have obtained. Also, don't forget to mention any administrative duties you've handled, as dental assistants often juggle both clinical and clerical tasks.

We're just getting the template ready for you, just a second left.

Tips to help you write your Dental Assistant resume in 2024

   showcase patient care skills.

Since dental assistants frequently interact with patients, it's crucial to emphasize your communication and interpersonal skills. Highlight any experience that demonstrates your ability to provide comfort and reassurance to patients, manage patient flow, and maintain a clean and organized workspace.

   Highlight dental technology proficiency

As dental practices continue to adopt advanced technology, hiring managers will appreciate applicants who are well-versed in using modern dental equipment and software. Make sure to mention any experience with digital X-rays, dental practice management software, and other relevant technologies.

Skills you can include on your Dental Assistant resume

Template 2 of 10: dental assistant resume example.

Start your resume with a succinct summary that outlines your background as a dental assistant to catch the eye of hiring managers and give them an accurate impression of your personal skill set. Incorporate numerical values in the summary whenever relevant, and make sure to do the same in the body of your resume to impart an affinity for precision.

   Opening summary specifies dental assistant skills

As the background of dental assistants can vary based on their experience working alongside dentists or at the front of the office, you can orient hiring managers to your particular background by including a short summary at the start of your resume. You can opt to include the tasks and skills you have expertise in, the amount of time you've been a dental assistant, or the type or size of office(s) you've worked in.

   Uses numerical values to impart scope and scale of dental experience

Having an eye for details and accuracy is an important aspect of the clerical duties dental assistants are expected to perform. With that in mind, you should aim to use quantitative values in each of your bullet-pointed accomplishments as it will help hiring managers understand exactly how big your previous offices were, how high your satisfaction rating was, how many physicians you’re accustomed to working with, and so on.

Template 3 of 10: Certified Dental Assistant Resume Example

As a Certified Dental Assistant, you'll be an integral part of any dental practice, providing valuable support to dentists and ensuring a smooth patient experience. When crafting your resume, it's essential to showcase your expertise in dental procedures, patient care, and office management. Keep in mind that the dental field is continually evolving, with advancements in technology and shifts towards more patient-centric care. Employers are looking for dental assistants who are adaptable and committed to staying current on industry trends. In your resume, emphasize your technical skills, certifications, and experience working as a dental assistant. Also, highlight your ability to work well with patients of all ages and backgrounds, as well as your strong communication skills. Your resume should demonstrate your ability to effectively manage your time and multitask in a busy dental practice while maintaining a high standard of patient care.

Tips to help you write your Certified Dental Assistant resume in 2024

   showcase your certifications.

As a Certified Dental Assistant, your resume should highlight your relevant certifications, such as your Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certification, radiology certification, or any additional dental assisting licensures. Include these in a dedicated "Certifications" section to demonstrate your expertise and qualifications.

   Emphasize infection control skills

Dental practices prioritize maintaining a sterile environment, and employers value dental assistants who are diligent in infection control protocols. Include any OSHA or HIPAA training you've received, and mention your experience in maintaining a safe and clean workspace within the dental practice.

Skills you can include on your Certified Dental Assistant resume

Template 4 of 10: certified dental assistant resume example.

Certified dental assistants have less formal education than registered dental assistants, but will generally be handling the same role at both the front and back of the dentist office. Their duties include entering medical records and scheduling appointments as well as reviewing dental procedures with patients. You can emphasize your experience in the role by listing your skills in a skill bank, along with a list of your certifications nearby. The body of your resume should support the certifications with practical experience.

   Includes skill bank to emphasize dental breadth and expertise

Hiring managers are typically pressed for time, and so a skill bank is a great way to highlight the technical tools and techniques you are familiar with. You should include the relevant software you’ve used (especially if it is field specific) and the full list of certifications you’ve attained.

   Emphasizes breadth of relevant accomplishments in the dental industry

Along with a skill bank, you should be sure that your bullet pointed accomplishments reflect the skills you’ve mastered by including a variety of dental assistant tasks for your past employers. Don’t just include the number of patients you worked with at past employers, but aim to reference your work compiling guides, performing chairside assistance, and ability to sterilize, for instance.

Template 5 of 10: Registered Dental Assistant Resume Example

As a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA), your resume should showcase your specialized skills and knowledge in dental assisting. Stay updated on industry trends to demonstrate your commitment to providing top-notch patient care. For example, highlight your knowledge of new dental technologies and how they benefit patients and dental practices. In recent years, digital dentistry has taken off, so showcasing your proficiency in using digital equipment and software can help set you apart from other applicants. It's also important to emphasize your ability to work well with others, as RDAs are essential members of the dental team. Highlight your interpersonal skills, such as empathy and active listening, which contribute to a positive patient experience and seamless communication among team members.

Tips to help you write your Registered Dental Assistant resume in 2024

   emphasize specialized skills and certifications.

As an RDA, you should list any specialized skills, certifications, and training courses you've completed that relate to dental assisting. For instance, if you've earned certifications in radiology, CPR, or infection control, make sure to include them on your resume to demonstrate your expertise and commitment to patient care.

   Showcase experience with digital dentistry tools

Highlight your experience using digital dentistry tools and equipment, such as digital X-ray machines, intraoral scanners, and dental practice management software. This shows employers that you're keeping up with technology trends and can easily adapt to a modern dental practice.

Skills you can include on your Registered Dental Assistant resume

Template 6 of 10: registered dental assistant resume example.

Registered dental assistants (RDAs) have the highest educational requirements and will handle virtually everything in a dental office except the duties of the dentist. RDAs conduct administrative and clerical duties (such as scheduling and preparing clinical spaces for patients) and clinical duties such as taking x-rays and administering topical anesthesia. Hiring managers will be looking for advanced responsibilities that have grown over time, which can be augmented through the use of strong action verbs.

   Shows progressive growth in responsibilities and positions across dental professions

As a registered dental assistant, you should be able to indicate that you have been growing in the degree of responsibility in your position over time. You can illustrate that in your resume by ensuring that your most recent position involves your most impressive accomplishments (such as performing procedures or attending professional development workshops).

   Effective use of strong action verbs relevant to the medical field

To emphasize that you are familiar with the role of dental assistant, each one of your accomplishments should begin with an appropriate action verb. You should aim to include verbs like “assisted”, “prepared”, “provided”, or “fabricated” (with others listed below) to hammer in your understanding of the position.

Template 7 of 10: Entry Level Dental Assistant Resume Example

A dental assistant facilitates many tasks within a dentist’s office. These individuals have specialized knowledge in dental health and safety. They may be responsible for administrative tasks, teeth cleanings, taking X-rays, and patient education. They may also assist the dentist in more advanced procedures such as root canals. To become a dental assistant, most hiring managers will require you to have completed a dental assisting program, which is typically 1-2 years. At the end of this course, you’ll need to get certified as a dental assistant. A bachelor’s degree is not required, though if taken in a related field, might give you a leg up. Previous experience in a dental setting, like working as a receptionist in a dentist’s office, will be attractive to hiring managers.

Tips to help you write your Entry Level Dental Assistant resume in 2024

   complete an externship to stand out as an entry level dental assistant.

An externship can be a great way to get hands-on dental assisting experience before entering the field. Your educational institution may have many externship opportunities available. Often, externships are counted toward the completion of the course as voluntary credits. Externships give you exposure and real-world training in a dental setting, which look great on an entry level resume.

   Differentiate your resume with speciality certifications or licenses

Almost all dental assistants have to pass the CDA (Certified Dental Assistant) exam. However, you can obtain speciality certifications and set yourself apart. For example, you can get a certification in orthodontic dental assisting or restorative dentistry. This diversifies your resume and can help you land jobs in more specialized sectors like orthodontics or cosmetic dentistry.

Skills you can include on your Entry Level Dental Assistant resume

Template 8 of 10: experienced dental assistant resume example.

A dental assistant facilitates several procedures within a dentist’s office. They have specialized knowledge in dental health and safety. An experienced dental assistant will be tasked with core elements of the dental assistant role, including teeth cleanings, performing X-rays, and more. An experienced dental assistant may also have other duties, like training new hygienists, assisting with more complicated procedures like oral surgery, or managing patient data. To become an experienced dental assistant, hiring managers will require that you have an educational background in dental assisting, and are a certified dental assistant. To land a role as an experienced dental assistant, you’ll need prior experience as a dental assistant with a track record of competency and excellence.

Tips to help you write your Experienced Dental Assistant resume in 2024

   highlight your successes in previous dental assistant roles.

To land a role as an experienced dental assistant, you’ll need to show hiring managers that you have valuable experience in the field. It’s important to highlight what you have excelled at in previous roles. For example, you can highlight how many patients you successfully committed to a needed course of treatment, or how you successfully secured and organized patient data.

   Get certified in dental office software like Dentrix

When recruiting for an experienced dental assistant, hiring managers will often be looking for someone who has the ability to streamline administrative operations. You can obtain certifications, such as the Dentrix certification, that provide the skills needed to proficiently use the program and how to train others on it. These certifications will make your resume stand out as they show administrative competency and the ability to teach colleagues about office software.

Skills you can include on your Experienced Dental Assistant resume

Template 9 of 10: pediatric dental assistant resume example.

Pediatric dental assistants support pediatric dentists. Though you are not likely to perform procedures on patients, you may still perform clinical tasks like sterilizing equipment, preparing patients, and giving advice to patients on oral healthcare. A lot of your time will also be spent on administrative tasks such as scheduling appointments and maintaining records. To qualify for this job, you will need a dental assistant certification at the very least. Some recruiters will also be looking for experience in dentistry as well. Take a look at this strong resume sample.

Tips to help you write your Pediatric Dental Assistant resume in 2024

   clearly list your certifications and where they were obtained..

You must be certified to work in this position and so recruiters will need to easily find your certifications in your resume. It is also important to clearly list which board or organization you got your certification from because recruiters might have ATS filters that will filter out all resumes that do not list the board certifications that they recognize.

   Have a mixture of dental and administrative tools listed.

In this position, you will be assisting with dental procedures and also performing many administrative tasks. It is therefore important to list industry standard tools for both functions. This applicant does this successfully.

Skills you can include on your Pediatric Dental Assistant resume

Template 10 of 10: lead dental assistant resume example.

As a lead dental assistant, you will be a dentist's second in command. You will assist in many of the procedures and may even perform some procedures like teeth cleaning and taking X-rays. You will also perform administrative tasks like scheduling and record keeping. Your biggest function, however, is to manage and supervise the other dental assistants. You will create schedules, supervise them during procedures, train them, monitor their performance, etc. This position requires you to be at least certified by an accredited program, but recruiters would prefer to see a diploma or degree in dentistry. Additional qualifications like a degree will also increase your chances of getting higher pay. Recruiters will also want to see that you have had successful experience as a manager or leader. Take a look at this strong resume sample.

Tips to help you write your Lead Dental Assistant resume in 2024

   use action verbs to indicate experience in your three main functions..

A lead dental assistant has three main functions: assisting the dentist, administration, and management of other assistants. Action verbs are a great way to shape your experience section to make your experience in all three functions stand out. For your assistant function use action verbs like administered or assisted. For your administrative function use action verbs like scheduled. For your management function use action verbs like trained and managed.

   List industry-specific tools.

There are particular administrative and management tools used in dental practice. Show your knowledge and expertise in the field by listing these industry-specific tools. Some of these tools include Curve Hero and Weave.

Skills you can include on your Lead Dental Assistant resume

As a hiring manager who has recruited for top dental practices like Aspen Dental, Affordable Dentures & Implants, and Western Dental & Orthodontics, I've seen countless resumes for dental assistant positions. In this article, I'll share insider tips on how to make your dental assistant resume stand out and increase your chances of landing an interview.

   Highlight your dental-specific skills

Employers want to see that you have the specific skills required for the dental assistant role. Make sure to highlight your expertise in:

• Chairside assisting
• Dental instrument sterilization
• Taking and developing dental radiographs
• Preparing dental materials (e.g., cements, amalgams, composites)

Don't just list these skills; provide specific examples of how you've used them in your work experience section. For instance:

• Assisted dentists with procedures such as fillings, extractions, and crown placements
• Maintained strict infection control protocols, ensuring proper sterilization of instruments

   Showcase your patient care experience

Dental assistants play a crucial role in patient care and comfort. Highlight your experience in:

• Educating patients on oral hygiene practices
• Helping anxious patients feel at ease
• Taking and recording patient medical histories
• Providing post-operative care instructions

Use specific examples to illustrate your patient care skills:

• Developed rapport with patients, easing anxiety and ensuring comfort during procedures
• Provided clear and concise post-operative care instructions to patients and caregivers

   Include relevant certifications and training

Dental practices often prefer candidates with specific certifications or training. Be sure to include:

• Dental Assistant Certification (e.g., CDA, RDA, EFDA)
• CPR and First Aid certifications
• Continuing education courses related to dentistry

If you have multiple certifications, consider creating a separate 'Certifications' section to make them easy for employers to find. For example:

Certifications: - Certified Dental Assistant (CDA), Dental Assisting National Board, 2019 - CPR and First Aid Certified, American Red Cross, 2020

   Tailor your resume to the specific job

One common mistake job seekers make is using the same generic resume for every application. Instead:

• Sending the same resume to every dental practice without customization
• Including irrelevant skills or experience not related to the dental assistant role

To make your resume stand out, tailor it to the specific job:

• Read the job description carefully and highlight key skills and requirements
• Emphasize the skills and experience that directly match what the employer is seeking
• Use similar language and terminology as the job posting

By customizing your resume for each application, you show the employer that you're a strong fit for their specific needs.

   Quantify your accomplishments

When possible, use numbers and metrics to quantify your accomplishments and make your resume more impactful. For example:

• Assisted with an average of 30 patient procedures per day
• Maintained a 95% patient satisfaction rating based on post-visit surveys
• Trained 5 new dental assistants on office procedures and protocols

Quantifying your achievements helps employers better understand the scope and impact of your work. It also helps your resume stand out from those that only include generic descriptions of responsibilities.

   Proofread and format for readability

Before submitting your resume, make sure to:

• Carefully proofread for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors
• Use a clear, easy-to-read font like Arial or Calibri
• Organize your resume with clear headings and bullet points
• Keep it concise, typically one to two pages

A well-formatted, error-free resume shows attention to detail and professionalism. Consider asking a friend or family member to review your resume for any mistakes or areas for improvement.

By following these tips and tailoring your resume to showcase your dental-specific skills and experience, you'll be well on your way to landing your next dental assistant role.

Writing Your Dental Assistant Resume: Section By Section

  header, 1. put your name on its own line.

Your name should be the most prominent part of your header. Put it on its own line at the top, in a font size that's larger than the rest of your resume (18-24pt is a good range).

Here's an example of what your name line might look like:

• John Smith, CDA

Avoid adding labels or extra details on the same line as your name:

• John Smith - Certified Dental Assistant, 123 Main St, New York, NY 10001

2. Include essential contact details

After your name, add your key contact information:

• Phone number
• Professional email address
• Location (City, State)
• LinkedIn URL (optional)

You can put these details on one line, separated by vertical lines or bullet points to keep your header compact:

[email protected] | 212-555-1234 | New York, NY | linkedin.com/in/john-smith

Avoid cluttering your header with personal details or a full mailing address, which hiring managers don't need at this stage:

• 123 Main St, Apt 2B, New York, NY 10001 | Birthday: Jan 1, 1985 | Marital Status: Single

3. Showcase your dental assistant job title

If you're an experienced dental assistant, consider adding your job title as the last line of your header. This quickly communicates your level and area of expertise. For example:

John Smith, CDA [email protected] | 212-555-1234 | New York, NY Senior Dental Assistant

However, avoid adding multiple job titles or stuffing your header with keywords, which can look cluttered and spammy:

• Dental Assistant | Dental Hygienist | Dental Receptionist | Billing Coordinator
• Dental Assistant with skills in patient care, X-rays, dental instruments, EagleSoft, Dentrix...

Keep your header clean and stick to one clear job title. You'll have space to elaborate on your skills and experience in other resume sections.

  Summary

A resume summary for a dental assistant position is optional, but can be a valuable addition if you have relevant experience or skills that set you apart from other candidates. While an objective statement is outdated and should be avoided, a well-crafted summary can provide context and highlight your most impressive qualifications. Keep your summary concise and tailored to the specific dental assistant role you're targeting.

To learn how to write an effective resume summary for your Dental Assistant resume, or figure out if you need one, please read Dental Assistant Resume Summary Examples , or Dental Assistant Resume Objective Examples .

1. Highlight your dental experience and skills

When crafting your dental assistant resume summary, focus on your most relevant experience and skills. Hiring managers want to see that you have the necessary qualifications to excel in the role.

Rather than using generic statements like this:

Experienced dental assistant looking for a new opportunity. Skilled in various dental procedures and patient care.

Quantify your experience and highlight specific skills:

Certified Dental Assistant with 5+ years of experience in fast-paced dental practices. Skilled in chair-side assisting, dental impressions, and patient education. Proficient in digital X-rays and dental charting software.

2. Showcase your achievements and impact

In addition to listing your skills and experience, use your summary to showcase your achievements and the impact you've made in previous roles. This helps you stand out from other candidates and demonstrates your value to potential employers.

• Assisted dentists with various procedures
• Provided excellent patient care

Instead, quantify your achievements and highlight specific results:

• Assisted in 20+ dental procedures daily, ensuring efficient and high-quality patient care
• Implemented a new patient education program, increasing patient satisfaction scores by 15%

3. Tailor your summary to the specific role

To make your resume summary more effective, tailor it to the specific dental assistant position you're applying for. Research the practice and the job description to identify the key skills and qualifications they're looking for.

For example, if the job description emphasizes pediatric dentistry experience, highlight your relevant skills:

Compassionate Dental Assistant with 3+ years of experience in pediatric dentistry. Skilled in creating a friendly and welcoming environment for young patients and their families. Proficient in behavior management techniques and patient education.

By tailoring your summary to the specific role, you demonstrate your fit for the position and increase your chances of catching the hiring manager's attention.

  Experience

The work experience section is the heart of your resume. It's where you show the impact you've made at your previous dental assistant jobs. Avoid simply listing your daily responsibilities. Instead, think about your proudest accomplishments and the key skills you leveraged to achieve them.

Here are some tips to make your work experience section stand out to hiring managers and paint a memorable picture of what you bring to the table:

1. Highlight your clinical skills and specialties

Dental assistants play a crucial role in supporting dentists with a variety of procedures. Highlight the specific clinical skills and specialties you've developed, such as:

• Assisted with dental implants, veneers, and teeth whitening procedures
• Specialized in pediatric dentistry, helping young patients feel at ease during cleanings and treatments
• Expertise in taking digital dental x-rays and impressions using iTero scanner

Mentioning the procedures and patient populations you have experience with helps employers quickly see if you're the right fit for their practice.

2. Showcase your impact with numbers

When possible, quantify your achievements to give a concrete sense of your impact. Compare this:

• Responsible for sterilizing dental instruments and managing inventory
• Implemented a new inventory management system, reducing supply costs by 15% and ensuring 100% adherence to sterilization protocols for 50+ instruments

The second example paints a much more vivid picture by including specific numbers. No need to quantify everything - focus on your most impressive data points.

3. Feature promotions and added responsibilities

Highlight any promotions, title changes, or times you took on additional responsibilities, as these indicate strong performance and trust from your employer. For example:

Dental Assistant II, 2019-2022 Dental Assistant, 2016-2019

This shows you advanced in your role over time. Even if your title didn't change, you can call out how you expanded your scope, like:

• Took on additional responsibility of training new dental assistants on clinical procedures, terminology, and patient care

4. Demonstrate your soft skills through examples

In addition to clinical abilities, dental assistants need strong communication, organization, and customer service skills. Weave these in naturally by showing how you applied them. For instance:

• Built rapport with patients, clearly explaining procedures to help them feel informed and at ease
• Reorganized supply closet and treatment rooms to maximize efficiency, reducing prep time by 5 minutes per patient

This is more effective than simply listing soft skills without context, like:

• Communication skills
• Organizational abilities

  Education

The education section of your dental assistant resume should be concise and highlight your relevant training and certifications. This section is especially important if you are a recent graduate or have limited work experience. Here are some tips to help you craft an effective education section:

1. List your highest level of education first

Start with your most recent or highest level of education, such as a dental assistant diploma or associate degree. Include the name of the institution, the degree or diploma earned, and the graduation date.

Associate of Applied Science in Dental Assisting XYZ Community College, Anytown, USA Graduated: May 2023

2. Include relevant coursework and awards

If you are a recent graduate, you can include relevant coursework, clinical experience, or academic achievements to showcase your knowledge and skills. This can help you stand out from other candidates who may have similar educational backgrounds.

• Completed coursework in dental anatomy, radiology, and infection control
• Received Dean's List honors for three consecutive semesters

3. Highlight your dental assistant certification

If you have earned a dental assistant certification, such as the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) credential from the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB), make sure to include it in your education section. This certification demonstrates your commitment to the profession and can set you apart from other candidates.

Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) Earned: August 2022

4. Keep it brief for experienced professionals

If you are a seasoned dental assistant with several years of experience, your education section should be brief and focus on your highest level of education and most relevant certifications. Avoid listing outdated or irrelevant information that may distract from your professional experience.

Example of what not to include:

• Online course in basic Microsoft Office skills
• High school diploma, class of 1995

Instead, keep it concise:

Associate of Applied Science in Dental Assisting XYZ Community College

Action Verbs For Dental Assistant Resumes

Dental assistants are expected to be versatile in their ability to assist both physicians and patients, so selecting a range of action verbs to utilize in your resume will help showcase your experience. Along with leading your bullet points with strong action verbs when appropriate, you should work them into the body of the accomplishment as added emphasis.

• Coordinated
• Administered

For more related action verbs, visit Medical Action Verbs .

For a full list of effective resume action verbs, visit Resume Action Verbs .

Action Verbs for Dental Assistant Resumes

Skills for dental assistant resumes.

The skill set for dental assistants will vary between individuals based on their experience, but hiring managers will generally be looking for key skills that will enable you to function effectively in the position. On the left, we’ve listed the most common skills that dental assistants are expected to have. As dental assistants rely on specific technical skills and software to conduct a portion of their duties, you should aim to include a skill bank on your resume to give hiring managers an easy way to determine your capability. Additionally, starting your resume with a summary that incorporates key skills will help you stand out to hiring managers and make it past automatic screening tools.

• Dental Assisting
• Dental Care
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• Patient Education
• Restorative Dentistry
• Cosmetic Dentistry
• Infection Control
• Oral Surgery
• Sterilization
• Coronal Polishing
• Dental Software
• Dental Imaging
• Orthodontics
• Teeth Whitening
• Endodontics

How To Write Your Skills Section On a Dental Assistant Resumes

You can include the above skills in a dedicated Skills section on your resume, or weave them in your experience. Here's how you might create your dedicated skills section:

Skills Word Cloud For Dental Assistant Resumes

This word cloud highlights the important keywords that appear on Dental Assistant job descriptions and resumes. The bigger the word, the more frequently it appears on job postings, and the more 'important' it is.

How to use these skills?

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• Dental Assistant Resume Example
• Certified Dental Assistant Resume Example
• Registered Dental Assistant Resume Example
• Entry Level Dental Assistant Resume Example
• Experienced Dental Assistant Resume Example
• Pediatric Dental Assistant Resume Example
• Lead Dental Assistant Resume Example
• Tips for Dental Assistant Resumes
• Skills and Keywords to Add
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• Dental Assistant Interview Guide
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5 Amazing dental assistant Resume Examples (Updated 2023) + Skills & Job Descriptions

Build your resume in 15 minutes, dental assistant: resume samples & writing guide, jeff robinson, employment history.

• Receive and greet patients
• Assist the dentist during a variety of treatment procedures
• Perform office management tasks such as scheduling appointments
• Provide patients with post-operative instructions
• Prepare materials for whitening and other cosmetic dental treatments
• Instruct patients on proper oral hygiene strategies
• Prepare and administer anesthetics

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Earl Foster

Professional summary.

• Keep patient records up to date
• Prepare materials for impressions and restorations
• Prepare treatment rooms for patient examinations
• Take and develop dental radiographs (x-rays)

Dale Foster

• Provide patient education and treatment counseling
• Monitor patient vital signs during treatment procedures
• Sterilize and disinfect instruments and equipment

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Table of Content

• Introduction
• Resume Samples & Writing Guide
• Resume Example 1
• Resume Example 2
• Resume Example 3
• Resume Example 4
• Resume Example 5
• Jobs Description
• Jobs Skills
• Technical Skills
• Soft Skills
• How to Improve Your Resume
• How to Optimize Your Resume
• Cover Letter Example

Let’s be frank: a dental practice with a highly-skilled dental assistant would be absolute chaos. While much of the glory in a dental practice goes to the dentists, it’s dental assistants who keep the whole office functioning smoothly. 

It’s no doubt a profession that requires wearing many hats. Whether they’re helping dentists to prep equipment for a consultation or surgery, replenishing supplies before they run low, or keeping customer satisfaction levels high, the work of a dental assistant is never done.

However, trying to convince a recruiter you’re an invaluable employee is an entirely different story. While you may know what an asset you are to any dental practice you work at, you need to make a recruiter understand this when you’re on the job hunt. 

The #1 way to do so is to create a dental assistant resume that blows all of the others out of the water. Your resume is your key to scoring your dream job - provided you know how to make one that reflects what recruiters are looking for. 

In fact, there’s never been a better time to get your resume in order, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting that employment of dental assistants will grow by 11 percent from 2018 to 2028. 

If you’re ready to revolutionize your resume , but don’t know what steps to take, we have you covered. Our expert guide below outlines everything you need to know to create the perfect dental assistant resume.

After reading our dental assistant resume writing guide , you will understand:

• What essential sections you need to include and how to make them shine
• Whether it’s best to include a resume objective or resume summary
• How to make your dental assistant resume stand out
• How to cut the time you spend working on your resume by 90% 

1. Template Examples

2. how to write an eye-catching dental assistant resume, how to format your dental assistant resume.

In order to write an eye-catching dental assistant resume, you will need to select the most appropriate format to use. The type of format you choose matters because it can impact how a recruiter reads your resume. While there are a handful of different formats you can choose from, the overwhelming majority of experts agree that reverse-chronological is the most ideal format for a dental assistant. 

The reason it’s strongly recommended you choose this type of format is because it shows recruiters what you’ve achieved during your career in a clear and logical manner. In this format, your professional experience is presented in reverse-chronological order, starting from details about your most recent job, followed by your next most recent job, and so forth.

It’s not only recruiters who will give this format the tick of approval, but also applicant tracking software (ATS), which is now estimated to be used by a whopping 40% of companies . ATS is basically a type of software that was developed to automate parts of the hiring process. It does this by scanning each resume for certain components and in turn approving and rejecting resumes based on whether these components are present. 

The fact of the matter is that if your resume is formatted in a way that the company’s ATS cannot process, your application won’t see the light of day. It may sound harsh, but this is simply how this software works. To avoid getting caught out, be sure to stick to a reverse-chronological format.

You will also need to ensure your resume complies with standard layout guidelines expected by recruiters. We’ve listed the most vital ones below that you should keep in mind:

• Number of Pages: A maximum of 1 page.
• Header size: 14-16 point size.
• Text size: 11-12 point size.
• Margins: 1 inch on all sides.
• Line Spacing: 1 or 1.15.
• Fonts to Use: Only use professional, standard fonts such as Georgia and Calibri.
• Fonts to Avoid: It will hinder your application if you use childlike fonts, such as Allspice and Chalkduster.

Pro tip: If you have significant gaps in your resume or you’re switching careers, it may be preferable to choose a functional resume format instead. You can learn more about different resume formats here .

What recruiters will look for

Recruiters are looking for dental assistants who not only show that they are dedicated to their profession, but also that they can offer the precise skills, education, and experiences needed to excel in the profession. Recruiters are primarily interested in tracking down a candidate who they believe will quickly adapt to the new role, without the need for hand-holding.

Your resume is the primary means of communicating these qualities to a recruiter. Think of your resume as your opportunity to showcase why you’re the perfect dental assistant for the job. Your skills, education, and experiences should simultaneously act as evidence of your suitability.

What skills to mention and how to do it correctly

There is one main rule you will need to remember when it comes to selecting which skills to feature in your resume: only highlight skills which are relevant to the job you’re applying for. Recruiters as well as ATS software will be looking to see if you can offer all, or many of the hard and soft skills that are required in a given job.

You can easily identify which skills are required by analyzing the job ad. Throughout the entire job ad you will see that certain skills are desired by the recruiter. These skills can be divided into two types: hard skills (technical skills) and soft skills (interpersonal and other intangible skills).

We scoured real dental assistant job ads to find some of the most common skills that recruiters are seeking. Take a look to see which ones you already have (and which ones you need to work on!):

Hard skills

• Prepares patients for examination and treatment.
• Assists dentists/ residents during dental procedures.
• Maintains supplies.
• Prepares cements, silicates, and other materials for use.
• Retrieves patient information using a computer.
• Checks for receipt/completion of requisitioned items.

Soft skills

• Communicates effectively in both oral and written English
• Greets and directs patients/family/visitors in a pleasant manner.
• Answers telephones in a timely and professional manner.
• Contributes to the team effort.
• Organizational skills.
• Time management.

Once you have identified which relevant skills you have, you should feature them in a  number of sections:

• List them out in a dedicated skills section titled “Skills”.
• Incorporate one or two into each of your job achievements.
• Mention a few in your resume objective or resume summary.

How to highlight your achievements

In your career as a dental assistant, you’ve no doubt racked up a number of achievements to your name. While it would be great to f eature all of them on your resume , you will need to be highly selective about which ones to focus on.

Just like the process of selecting which skills to feature in your resume, you should only highlight your most relevant achievements. Take a careful look at the “Responsibilities include” section in a job ad and notice which keywords are used. These are the responsibilities you should hone in on in your “Professional Experience” section.

While you may not have had precisely the same responsibilities in your previous roles as the job ad lists, the more connections you are able to make, the better. For example, if a job ad is looking for a dental assistant who, “Prepares restorative materials and dental cements” and you have only assisted the dental assistant lead to do so - state this. It’s always better to have some experience doing a task the job requires than to have none!

In order to effectively highlight your achievements, pay attention to these 3 simple tips:

• Focus on the result/s of each achievement: A recruiter wants to understand what type of impact you have as an employee. The best way to show that you consistently make a positive one is by describing your achievements in a results-driven way. Be sure to follow this simple formula:  

The achievement + the positive result it brought about

• Use numbers and percentages: An easy way to exemplify the results of your actions is to use numbers and percentages e.g. increased efficiency by 40%, decreased wastage by 12%, maintained a 99% positive rating from customers, etc.  
• Incorporate powerful action verbs: You can make your achievements sound even more engaging by replacing bland and uninspiring verbs with powerful action verbs . 

Why mentioning exact duties in your current and previous dental assistant jobs is important

As you may be well aware of, the work of a dental assistant is incredibly varied. While there are standard duties most dental assistants will be responsible for carrying out, many of the duties you undertake in one job will be completely different to the duties of another. For example, one job may require you to focus solely on administrative work, whereas another job will require you to balance administrative work with providing direct support to the dentist.

This is why it’s absolutely essential to mention the exact duties you perform in your current job or have performed in previous dental jobs. A recruiter will want to know if your previous skills and experiences are an ideal match for the job they’re hiring for.

It’s also important to mention the type of dental practices you have worked for, such as private, community, and corporate practices. After all, there is a world of difference between the duties, number of staff, and environments of different types of dental practices. Briefly noting this information for each job will help a recruiter determine if you’ll be able to smoothly transition into the specific role you’re applying for.

How to write a resume objective (including examples)

If you’re yet to begin your career as a dental assistant, or you only have minimal experience in the profession, it’s a wise idea to include a resume objective at the top of your resume. Including one is an effective way to set yourself apart from other applicants who haven’t bothered to do it.

Recruiters look favorably on entry-level resumes that feature a resume objective, because it shows them that you’re enthusiastic about the position. It also shows that you’re someone who’s always willing to go the extra mile. Needless to say, these are qualities in an employee any dental practice would benefit from!

Another major reason recruiters appreciate resume objectives is because it gives them the chance to quickly learn about who you are. This may not seem like a big deal, but considering that research has shown that recruiters spend an average of 6 seconds looking at each resume, putting your best foot forward from the very beginning is essential.

In order to write a winning resume objective, you will need to concisely convey why you’d make a valuable addition to the company. Highlight the key attributes you offer that are relevant to each specific job. If you don’t have any work experience, focus on what soft and hard skills you excel in, and what your career aspirations are.

Take a look at these examples of well-written dental assistant resume objectives:    

• Final year college student with a GPA of 3.5 wishes to secure a dental assistant internship at a community-based dental clinic in Arizona. Offers a genuine passion for helping underprivileged communities access dental care and strong organizational abilities.
• Graduated first in class from a 2-year dental assistant program, I am now seeking a full-time position where I can utilize my strong skills in either dental office administration or dental radiography. Brings strong enthusiasm, precision, and communication skills to every task.  

How to write a resume summary (including examples)

Also called a career summary, this section should be included at the top of your resume if you have already been working as a dental assistant for a few years or more. A resume summary is an easy way to catch a recruiter’s attention because it provides an overview about why you’re a suitable candidate for the job. 

Similar to a resume objective, a resume summary effectively demonstrates your enthusiasm for the position and gives a unique insight into why you think you’re an excellent dental assistant. The difference is that you’ll be able to pack in a lot more about your professional experiences in your resume summary.

To get this right, you’ll need to pinpoint which details about your work history are most worthwhile highlighting. Keep in mind that a recruiter isn’t primarily concerned about why you’re a great dental assistant in general. To the contrary, they are most concerned with why you’d make a great dental assistant at the particular practice they’re hiring for. This is why it’s pivotal to focus on the accomplishments that are most relevant to the job you’re applying to.

The following dental assistant resume summary examples show the high-standard you should aim for when you’re ready to write your own:

• Highly-organized dental assistant specializing in world-class customer service is seeking a full-time position at a private clinic in central Chicago. Consistently held a 96%+ satisfaction rate from customers over 3 years working at Glistening Teeth’s flagship office in Santa Monica.  
• DANB-certified dental assistant with 5 years of experience in large-scale dental practices is seeking a part-time position at a Smile Wide branch in Oregon. Known for having excellent inventory management skills, as exemplified by achieving a 40% reduction in inventory costs.  

How to list any additional details, like certifications, hobbies, interests, volunteer experience.

It’s a fantastic idea to list any additional details regarding your competencies as a professional that are directly relevant to the job. Arguably, the most important additional information you can provide on your resume is about any dental assistant certifications you hold.

The main certification, which is ideal to hold - the national certification provided by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). The American Dental Association points out that in order to obtain it, dental assistants need to take the DANB’s Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) examination. Being certified provides an assurance to the public that “the dental assistant is prepared to assist competently in the provision of dental care.”

In order to feature this certification in your resume, you can list it in a section called “Certifications” using the following format: Certified Dental Assistant

[The year of certification]

Dental Assisting National Board

Pro tip: You will be eligible to take the CDA examination if you have either completed a CDA-accredited dental assisting program, or after you have worked as a full-time dental dental assistant for at least two years.

Depending on the state you are applying in, you may also need to state that you are currently registered as a dental assistant in that state. You can mention this in your resume objective or resume summary, as necessary.

We advise you against including your hobbies and interests on your resume, except if you have been specifically asked to highlight them. The same goes for volunteering experience. Unless you worked as a dental assistant in a volunteer capacity or you have very limited experience and the role has applicability to the work a dental assistant undertakes, leave it off. In such cases, you can include it in a section called “Volunteer Experience”.

How to write a dental assistant resume when you have limited or no experience

Starting out as a dental assistant can be incredibly daunting. After all, how are you meant to gain experience in the first place when most jobs require you to already have some? It sounds like an impossible dilemma, but the good news is that your resume can be your secret weapon! That is, once you learn how to make the resume work for - rather than against - you. 

Here are our top expert suggestions for how to make a fantastic entry-level dental assistant resume:

• Include any relevant internships: If you’ve interned at a dental practice you should definitely feature this in your resume. You can also feature any other internships where you demonstrated your administration, computer, or communication skills.  
• Include a resume resume objective: As we explain more above, a resume objective is designed to capture a recruiter’s attention as an entry-level dental assistant.  
• Emphasize your skills: Just because you lack professional experience doesn’t mean you lack relevant skills. You’ll be surprised by how many crucial dental assistant skills you already possess, such as interpersonal, organizational, and word processing skills.  
• Use a functional resume format: It’s best to use a functional resume format (rather than a reverse-chronological format) as this format is designed to put a spotlight on your skills while downplaying your lack of experience.
• Highlight if you speak any other languages: Being able to speak a language other than English could give you an edge over other candidates, particularly if you are applying for a job in an area where many people speak that language.

Pro tip: If you’re serious about cementing yourself as a go-to dental assistant, we strongly suggest enrolling in a relevant academic program. As the American Dental Association explains, dental assistants may receive their formal education at one of a range of academic settings including community colleges, vocational schools, technical institutes, universities or dental schools. You can find a suitable Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) accredited dental assisting education program here .

How to target your resume for each application, how to list only the relevant skills for that specific company & position

Perhaps one of the biggest traps people fall into when applying for a dental assistant job is submitting the same resume over and over again, then wondering why they’re getting repeatedly rejected. Just like the popular saying goes, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” You can’t expect your resume to finally catch a recruiter’s eye if you’re applying with the same generic one over and over again.

That’s why we can’t overemphasize how vital it is to target your resume for each specific company and position you apply for. You’ll be relieved to hear this isn’t nearly as complicated as it sounds. All you need to do is work out what the recruiter is looking for, and highlight these qualities on your resume.

You can obtain this knowledge by identifying the keywords the recruiter has included in the job ad, as we suggested before. Keywords simply describe the words a recruiter uses to represent the skills and experiences they are seeking from their ideal candidate.

To give you an idea of what we mean, we’ve bolded the keywords in the following examples taken from real job ads:

• Previous experience in dental assisting particularly in implant and surgical dentistry or orthodontics is preferred though not essential for the right candidate who has the right 'can-do' attitude.   
• Understands that exceptional customer service is our number one priority.
• Maintains supplies ; reports potential shortages to the clinic manager.
• Documents patient records as dictated by the dentist.
• Assures patients comfort while waiting for the dentist.

In order to properly target your resume, you will need to incorporate as many of these exact keywords into your resume that match your own experiences and skills. You’re not limited to where you can mention them - in addition to your job achievements, you can also feature them in your resume objective or resume summary.

Pro tip: It is important that you use the keywords exactly as they appear, as much as is possible, so that applicant tracking system (ATS) software can register them correctly. For example, if the job ad says “Assures patients’ comfort,” don’t write “Makes patients feel comfortable”.

How to make your resume stand out

All of the tips and tricks we have outlined will help ensure that recruiters seriously consider your application. However, the truth of the matter is that a great resume isn’t going to cut it. You need to make sure your resume genuinely stands out. Take stock of the following expert tips to set your resume apart:

• Keep all fonts, heading sizes, and line spacing consistent: Keeping the stylistic and layout features of your resume consistent throughout will ensure your resume looks sleek and professional.  
• Replace number words with numerals: A recruiter’s eyes will naturally dart to any numbers in your resume, so swap out any written out numbers for their numerical equivalents. For example, instead of writing fifty-five percent write 55%.
• Proofread and spell check: In order to impress, your resume needs to be completely free of typos and grammatical errors.  
• Get rid of “References available on request”: If a recruiter wants to contact your references, they will ask. Don’t waste precious space on your resume with this superfluous statement. 

3. How Resumebuild.com Resume Builder Tool Can be Utilized for an Easy Resume Setup

If you’re wondering how you’re going to find the time and energy to put all our tips into action, we don’t blame you. It is, without a doubt, a very involved process to piece together a solid dental assistant resume from scratch.

It’s a good thing then that you can make your resume using our easy-to-use, HR-approved resume builder . The resume builder we have designed at Resumebuild.com is the best one you can use for a number of reasons. Not only do we give you dozens of ATS-friendly resume templates to select from, we also guide you through every step of the resume-making process .

We have spent hours refining the entire process, so everything from inputting your personal information to selecting which skills to feature is quick and easy. The end result is a professional-looking dental assistant resume that includes all of the crucial components that recruiters will be expecting to see. If you want to make your resume in under 15 minutes, try using our impressive resume .

dental assistant Job Descriptions; Explained

If you're applying for an dental assistant position, it's important to tailor your resume to the specific job requirements in order to differentiate yourself from other candidates. Including accurate and relevant information that directly aligns with the job description can greatly increase your chances of securing an interview with potential employers. When crafting your resume, be sure to use action verbs and a clear, concise format to highlight your relevant skills and experience. Remember, the job description is your first opportunity to make an impression on recruiters, so pay close attention to the details and make sure you're presenting yourself in the best possible light.

dental assistant

• Greating the patients and setting up to start treatment
• Assisting the dentist chair side whilst making sure the patient was comfortable while treatment was being conducted
• Cleaning, set up and re stocking of surgeries 
• processing of x rays manually until automatic system was put into place
• Documentation ie Charting and patient information was correct using titanium
• Stock room was clean and new stock was marked off and rotated correctly with the current.
• Reprocessing of instruments in a shared role, testing of sterilization equipment daily and other house keeping duties to make sure the steri room was kept running smoothly at all times during our shift.
• Assisted in providing all aspects of dental care including all routine laboratory functions
• Assisted front desk with scheduling when necessary
• Provided customer service daily including monthly on call rotation
• CPR certified
• Helped with infection control by sterilizing and disinfecting instruments

dental assistant/receptionist

• Provide clinical services or health education to improve and maintain the oral health of patients or the general public.
• Prepare patient, sterilize or disinfect instruments, set up instrument trays, prepare materials, or assist dentist during dental procedures.
• Expose dental diagnostic x-rays.
• Record treatment information in patient records.
• Provide postoperative instructions prescribed by dentist.
• Assist dentist in management of medical or dental emergencies.
• Apply protective coating of fluoride to teeth.
• Providing patient care
• Assisting the dentist during procedures by handing them instruments
• Taking and processing of X rays upon dentist’s instruction
• Scheduling of appointments
• Record keeping of patients’ treatments 
• Efficiently manage patient care, office and laboratory duties. Also responsible for stocking up and ordering Dental inventory.
• Expose and process dental X-Rays using the nomad and scanex. Pour impressions and trim models. Assist with extractions, impactions, fillings, stainless steel and zirconia crowns. Build a loyal patient following, was frequently requested by patients to serve as their dental assistant.
• Able to assist during IV sedation cases and also laser treatments such as gingivectomy and biopsies.
• Maintain a very clean, sterile and positive environment optimizing patient comfort and safety. 

dental assistant Job Skills

For an dental assistant position, your job skills are a key factor in demonstrating your value to the company and showing recruiters that you're the ight fit for the role. It's important to be specific when highlighting your skills and ensure that they are directly aligned with the job requirements, as this can greatly improve your chances of being hired. By showcasing your relevant skills and experience, you can make a compelling case for why you're the best candidate for the job.

How to include technical skills in your resume:

Technical skills are a set of specialized abilities and knowledge required to perform a particular job effectively. Some examples of technical skills are data analysis, project management, software proficiency, and programming languages, to name a few. Add the technical skills that will get hired in your career field with our simple-to-use resume builder. Select your desired resume template, once you reach the skills section of the builder, manually write in the skill or simply click on "Add more skills". This will automatically generate the best skills for your career field, choose your skill level, and hit "Save & Next."

• Dental Anatomy
• Dental Charting
• Sterilization Techniques
• Radiography
• Infection Control
• Oral Surgery Assistance
• Patient Education
• Oral Hygiene Instruction
• Dental Instrumentation
• Dental Office Software
• Dental Equipment Maintenance
• Dental Materials
• Dental Prophylaxis
• Dental Impressions
• Dental Cements
• Dental Restorations
• Dental Crowns
• Dental Bridges
• Dental Implants
• Dental Veneers

How to include soft skills in your resume:

Soft skills are non-technical skills that relate to how you work and that can be used in any job. Including soft skills such as time management, creative thinking, teamwork, and conflict resolution demonstrate your problem-solving abilities and show that you navigate challenges and changes in the workplace efficiently. Add competitive soft skills to make your resume stand-out to recruiters! Simply select your preferred resume template in the skills section, enter the skills manually or use the "Add more skills" option. Our resume builder will generate the most relevant soft skills for your career path. Choose your proficiency level for each skill, and then click "Save & Next" to proceed to the next section.

• Communication
• Interpersonal
• Time Management
• Problem Solving
• Decision Making
• Critical Thinking
• Adaptability
• Organization
• Public Speaking
• Negotiation
• Conflict Resolution
• Attention to Detail
• Self-Motivation
• Stress Management
• Collaboration
• Strategic Thinking
• Emotional Intelligence
• Flexibility
• Reliability
• Professionalism
• Computer Literacy
• Data Analysis
• Project Management
• Customer Service
• Presentation
• Written Communication
• Social Media
• Troubleshooting
• Quality Assurance
• Supervisory
• Risk Management
• Database Management
• Documentation
• Financial Management
• Visualization
• Business Acumen
• Process Improvement
• Relationship Management.

How to Improve Your dental assistant Resume

Navigating resume pitfalls can mean the difference between landing an interview or not. Missing job descriptions or unexplained work history gaps can cause recruiters to hesitate. Let's not even talk about the impact of bad grammar, and forgetting your contact info could leave your potential employer hanging. Aim to be comprehensive, concise, and accurate.

• Sterilise and disinfect instuments and equipmment.
• Prepear and adminster anethetics.
• Perform office managment tasks, such as schedulig appointmens.
• Instuct patiants on propur orall hygene stratigies.
• Recieve and grett patiants.
• Perform office managment tasks, such as schedulng appoinments.
• Assist with dentl laboratory task's.
• Prepare treatement room's for patient examination's!
• Instructs patients on propers oral hygienes strategies.

Avoid Spelling Mistakes and Include your Contact Information

Missing contact information prevents recruiters from understanding you're the best fit for the position..

• Make sure you're not missing contact information on your resume. That should include your full name, telephone number and email address.
• Make sure to use a professional email address as part of your contact information.
• Highlight your contact information and double check that everything is accurate to help recruiters get in touch with you.

How to Optimize Your dental assistant Resume

Keep an eye out for these resume traps. Neglecting to detail your job roles or explain gaps in your career can lead to unnecessary doubts. Grammar blunders can reflect negatively on you, and without contact information, how can employers reach you? Be meticulous and complete.

Zane Wilson

Unexplained year gaps and missing job experiences are a no-no, gaps in your resume can prevent recruiters from hiring you if you don't explain them..

• It's okay to have gaps in your work experience but always offer a valid explanation instead of just hiding it.
• Use the gap to talk about positive attributes or additional skills you've learned.
• Be honest and straightforward about the gap and explain it using a professional summary.

dental assistant Cover Letter Example

A cover letter can be a valuable addition to your job application when applying for an dental assistant position. Cover letters provide a concise summary of your qualifications, skills, and experience, also it also gives you an opportunity to explain why you're the best fit for the job. Crafting a cover letter that showcases your relevant experience and enthusiasm for the Accounts Payable role can significantly improve your chances of securing an interview.

Greetings Mount Sinai Health System Recruitment Team

I am excited to apply for the Senior Dental Assistant role at Mount Sinai Health System. As a highly skilled Dental Assistant, I am confident that I have the necessary experience and abilities to make a valuable contribution to your organization.

My life experiences have taught me the importance of hard work, dedication, and collaboration. Whether it was on the work, or just personally, I have always been committed to pursuing my goals with passion and tenacity. I am confident that throughout all of these years I have gained the skills and expertise necessary to succeed in this role and be a great asset for Mount Sinai Health System. I am eager to join a team that shares my values and work towards a common goal.

I appreciate the time and consideration you have given my application. I am confident that if we work together we could achieve great things and so I look forward to the opportunity to join your team.

Showcase your most significant accomplishments and qualifications with this cover letter. Personalize this cover letter in just few minutes with our user-friendly tool!

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