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Table of contents

Popular dentistry resumes
How to write a resume for a dentist job
Dentist resume examples by experience level
Write a dentistry cover letter
Facts about the dentistry industry
Key takeaways for your dentistry
Commonly asked question about resume writing

You have a deep understanding of dental health, so much so that you could make even the complexities of root canals sound simple.

However, when it comes to promoting your skills to potential employers, you might feel less confident.

A well-crafted dental resume will act like a detailed treatment plan, guiding you to your dream job in dentistry. You understand the importance of a good resume, and soon, you’ll learn how to make a standout one.

This guide will show you:

Effective dental resume examples.
How to write a resume that gets you the job you want.
Resumes tailored for different stages of your dental career.
The importance of cover letters for dentists.
Essential tips to enhance your resume’s effectiveness.

Need help with your resume? Our AI Resume Builder can assist. Choose a template that suits a dental career and receive advice for each section, including customizable text suggestions you can add with one click.

Popular dentistry resumes

You have the expertise to excel in dentistry, but can you craft a resume that grabs an employer’s attention?

The key is to transform your dental skills and experiences into a clear and concise resume that’s easy to understand and showcases your qualifications. Here are a few examples that illustrate how the experts do it, created using our Resume Builder.

How to write a resume for a dentist job

Ready to advance your dental career? Begin by mastering how to create a resume that will catch the eye of recruiters.

First things first, start with drafting a resume outline, which should include:

Your contact information at the top.
An engaging, keyword-rich resume profile.
One or two sections highlighting your relevant dental skills.
Your work experience, starting with your most recent job.
Your educational background, including degrees and certifications.
A few optional sections to enhance your resume’s appeal.

Time to take a deeper look at each of these components.

Step 1

Add your contact info

Think of your resume as your introduction. You want it to be easy for the hiring manager to reach out to you, so your contact information should be right at the top of the page.

Here’s what you need in your resume header:

Your full name
Your phone number
A professional email address
Your city and state

You might also consider including a link to your professional website or LinkedIn profile.

As a dentist, your resume header should be simple and neat — avoid flashy fonts or overly decorative borders. You can add a touch of your personal style, but make sure it doesn’t take away from your professional qualifications.

Step 2

Summarize your career in one paragraph

First impressions are crucial, right? Your resume profile is the perfect place to make a strong one. This brief introduction is at the very top of your resume and gives a quick overview of your skills and experiences. It’s your chance to show why you’d be the ideal candidate and grab the recruiter’s attention to read more.

Here are the types of profiles you can consider, depending on where you are in your dental career:

Experienced dentists should opt for a professional summary. This is usually four or five sentences that showcase your key dental skills and past experiences.
If you’re new to dentistry or shifting from another field, a resume objective might be better. These are goal-focused statements where you outline your career aspirations and explain how you can add value to the dental office.

Your profile should have one goal: to convince the hiring manager that you’re the perfect fit for the job.

And how do you make that clear? Consider what the dental practice focuses on. Review their mission statement so you can tailor your resume to emphasize the achievements and skills they’ll find most impressive and relevant.

Writing tip

Customize your summary or objective for each dental position you apply for. Every dental job is unique. By personalizing your resume for each role, you highlight the specific skills and experiences they want, according to the job listing. This approach makes you more relevant and helps your resume get noticed by the applicant tracking system (ATS).

Professional summary for a dental resume example:

Experienced and detail-oriented dentist with a DMD degree and over three years of experience in a busy dental clinic. Skilled in various dental treatments including fillings, crowns and emergency extractions. Proficient in maintaining patient records, adhering to hygiene regulations and managing a diverse team. Demonstrated ability to enhance patient satisfaction and tailor treatments to patient needs.

Sample objective for dental resume:

Eager recent dental school graduate ready to apply skills and passion in a family dental practice, focusing particularly on preventive care and patient education. Excited to contribute to a team that values thorough care and patient relationships, while adapting to new technologies and treatment methods to improve patient health and practice efficiency.

Step 3

Focus on your most relevant skills

As a dentist, you use many different skills every day. It’s important to show these skills on your resume clearly and effectively.

You have hard skills that you use for things like filling cavities, treating gum disease or reading X-rays. You also have soft skills that help you talk to patients, work well with other dental staff or take care of your patients’ needs.

It’s not about hard skills vs soft skills. Instead, it’s about showing how these skills work together to make you a great candidate.

Writing tip

Being a dentist means you need to be good at dental work and at talking and working with people. Make sure your resume shows you can do both — and don’t shortchange your computer skills!

Hard and soft skills for a dentistry resume

Hard Skills

Dental health maintenance
Use of dental technology
Patient care
Radiography

Soft Skills

Rapport-building
Empathy
Teamwork
Stress-reduction

Step 4

Detail your work experience

As a dentist, your work history is key to showing potential employers the valuable work you’ve done. Whether it’s enhancing your dental techniques, introducing new treatments or ensuring thorough patient documentation, your contributions are significant.

But it’s not enough to just list where you worked. You want your work experience to really stand out on your resume.

Here are a few ways to make your work experience pop:

Highlight major achievements. Rather than simply describing your roles, emphasize the specific contributions you’ve made. Highlight, for instance, how many innovative dental techniques you’ve introduced or quantify improvements in clinic efficiency that resulted from your initiatives.
Show professional growth. Arrange your work history to show your advancement over time, beginning with your current or most recent position and moving backward. This layout helps to demonstrate how you have evolved and taken on more responsibility in the dental field.
Use action words. Use compelling verbs to bring energy to your resume. Words like “revolutionized,” “orchestrated” and “transformed” not only show leadership but also suggest that you’re a dentist who takes initiative and achieves tangible results.

Writing tip

Don’t underestimate your people skills. While technical abilities are important, your talent for working with others and making patients comfortable is essential. Your work experience section is the perfect forum for displaying these skills.

Dentistry work experience entry example:

Dental Assistant
Smile Dental Clinic | Anytown, USA | January 2020 – May 2024

Led a team on a project to introduce laser treatment for tooth decay which increased patient recovery speed by 40%.
Played a key role in redesigning patient intake procedures, reducing wait times by 25% and improving patient service.
Developed and implemented a new digital recordkeeping system that improved record accuracy and reduced time spent on file management by 20%.

Step 5

Showcase your education and credentials

Your educational background is crucial for securing a position in dentistry, especially if you are a recent graduate entering the job market.

All those challenging years of dental school are about to pay off. Your degree showcases your comprehensive understanding of dental procedures, patient care and the fundamentals of oral health, signaling to potential employers that you are well-prepared for the demands of a dental practice.

When listing your educational history, you should organize it as follows:

Professional degrees (D.D.S. or D.M.D.).
Any postgraduate or specialty training.
Undergraduate degree.
High school details are typically not necessary unless you have recently graduated.

If you have relevant certifications, you can include them in your education section, particularly if they are few. Also, any academic honors or distinctions should be highlighted here as they demonstrate your dedication and skill.

Dentistry education entry example:

Education

Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.), University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, MI | 2023
Research Project: “Innovative Approaches to Managing Pediatric Dental Anxiety”

Bachelor of Science in Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI | 2019
Honors: Graduated Summa Cum Laude

Certifications

Certified Invisalign Provider
American Academy of Clear Aligners
Certification Date: June 2024

Step 6

Include additional sections on your resume

Your experiences both inside and outside the dental office have shaped you into the capable professional you are today. But what if you’re just starting out in your career? Or maybe some of your standout achievements occurred outside the usual professional settings?

To enhance your dentistry resume, consider adding a few optional sections that spotlight your unique journey and capabilities. Here are some categories you might want to include:

Volunteer work: If you’ve volunteered in dental or health-related roles — like participating in free dental camps, public health seminars or community oral health programs — it’s worth mentioning on your resume. This shows your passion and initiative in the field, even when you’re not on the clock.
Professional associations: Membership in dental organizations such as the American Dental Association or your local dental chapter reflects your commitment to the field and continuous professional development.
Languages: Dentistry often serves diverse communities, and being fluent in multiple languages can be a significant advantage. Whether you’re communicating with non-English speaking patients or collaborating with international colleagues, additional language skills can greatly enhance your practice and patient relationships.

Writing tip

If you have any notable accolades, like awards from dental associations or commendations for your volunteer work, highlight these in a separate section. This is your chance to show potential employers that you’re not only skilled but also recognized for your contributions and dedication.

A final note before we move on to resume examples — when choosing a resume template, opt for one that aligns with the professional image expected in the dental industry. Numerous free templates available on platforms like Microsoft Word or Google Docs are ideal for creating a clear and organized resume that effectively represents your professional journey.

Dentist resume examples by experience level

Professional experience is central to a dentist’s resume. As you get more time in dental clinics, community service or even educational settings, you broaden your opportunities for more advanced positions.

As your experience grows, it might also influence the layout of your resume. Here are three common resume formats, each suited for a different stage in your dental career:

New dentists would benefit from a functional resume format.
Dentists in their midcareer would benefit from a combination resume format.
Experienced dentists would benefit from a chronological resume format.

Let’s explore visual examples of each type to understand better how they can be tailored to different stages in a dentist’s career.

Resume example for a new dentist

Resume entry level example dental resident

Create your resume

What makes this functional resume perfect for new dentists?

Starts with an objective statement
This is beneficial as it immediately informs potential employers of the dentist’s career goals and readiness to apply their skills, such as patient management and essential clinical skills, in a practical setting.
Prioritizes skills
From patient care to clinical procedures to team collaboration, this format highlights the dentist’s capabilities, demonstrating their preparedness to handle various aspects of dental care even with limited direct experience.
Uses bullet points effectively
Throughout the resume, bullet points make it easy to read and help emphasize key skills and qualifications, making the document both appealing and informative.

Resume example for a dentist in her midcareer

Resume mid career example associate dentist

Create your resume

What makes this combination resume perfect for dentists in their midcareers?

Uses a fun design
The patterns on the left-hand side and the clean, simple header create a visually engaging layout that stands out while maintaining professional aesthetics.
Balances skills with experience
The work history takes up much of the resume, but it’s balanced by a skills section with a two-column layout. This approach effectively showcases a well-rounded profile with competencies in clinical judgment and preventive care.
Mentions professional certifications
The resume gains credibility by mentioning their Florida Dental License and CPR Certification, underscoring the dentist’s qualifications and commitment to ongoing professional development.

Resume example for an experienced dentist

Resume experienced example dental patient coordinator

Create your resume

What makes this chronological resume perfect for experienced dentists?

Implements a focused, one-column design
Easy to read, this simple design facilitates quick review by recruiters, focusing their attention on the progression and depth of professional experiences.
Shows a clean work timeline
You can clearly see the applicant’s timeline, starting with the most recent job and working backward, illustrating a steady career progression and longstanding commitment to the field.
Highlights a range of skills
From soft skills like collaboration to hard skills like medical filing and database coordination, this applicant shows a comprehensive skill set that aligns well with leadership roles in dentistry.

Write a dentistry cover letter

Create your cover letter

A well-crafted cover letter can be a real game-changer in your job search.

Your cover letter is your chance to explain things that your resume doesn’t fully convey. Perhaps you have a gap in your work history because you were advancing your education, or maybe you’re transitioning from a different health care sector into dentistry. Our guide on writing a cover letter will help you address these details effectively.

When you’re ready to start writing, use our professional cover letter examples and formatting guide to make sure your application stands out.

If you’re worried about making errors or are short on time, try a cover letter builder. It helps create tailored sentences for jobs in dentistry, and you can adjust them to reflect your own voice and highlight your unique achievements.

Next, let’s explore what you can look forward to as you begin or advance in your dentistry career.

Facts about the dentistry industry

Wondering about the dental industry landscape and potential career paths?

Here are some key insights about the dental field that highlight the importance of having a strong resume:

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 155,000 dentists are working in the U.S.
Median salaries for job titles in this field:
- Orthodontists earn a median salary of $239,200 or more.
- Prosthodontists earn a median salary of $234,000 per year.
- Dentists earn a median salary of $166,300 per year.

Overall employment in dentistry is expected to grow by 4% from 2021-2031, roughly the average for all occupations.

Key takeaways for your dentistry

Tailor your dentist resume

Each dental position has specific requirements. Review the job description carefully and tailor your resume to meet those needs.
Highlight your clinical skills

Whether it’s advanced dental procedures or patient management, let potential employers know about your unique skill set.
List your certifications

Dentists stand out with professional certifications. Include any relevant credentials you’ve earned on your resume.
Emphasize quantifiable achievements

Dentistry values tangible results. Wherever possible, use numbers to show your contributions and their impact, such as patient satisfaction rates or efficiency improvements.
Proofread for precision

A single mistake could cost you the job. Review your document thoroughly, then have a trusted friend or colleague do the same.
Don’t overlook your cover letter

A well-written, personalized cover letter can effectively convey your passion and commitment to dentistry, complementing your resume perfectly.

Commonly asked question about resume writing

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Don is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with more than 10 years’ experience creating digital content, including four years helping job seekers develop their careers. He holds an M.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University.