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Table of contents

Dental assistant resume examples
Related job titles
Choosing a format for your dental assistant resume
How to write a dental assistant resume in 5 simple steps
Include a cover letter
Key takeaways
FAQs from job seekers

If finding a new job has felt like pulling teeth, you may need a new resume. We are here to help!

Whether you are new to the field or an experienced dental assistant, our step-by-step instructions on how to write a resume and sample dental assistant resumes will show you what a strong resume looks like. Here, you’ll also learn how to choose the right format and resume template for a dental assistant resume.

Read on to discover exactly what you need to know to write an impressive dental assistant resume in a matter of minutes.

In this guide, you’ll find:

Examples of dental assistant resumes for applicants with and without experience.
What makes a dental assistant resume example great.
Tips and tricks for writing dental assistant resumes.
What to include in every section of your dental assistant resume.
Advice on identifying keywords to add to your resume.
How to choose the right template and format for the role.

Or, to build your resume in minutes with none of the hassle, try our Resume Maker. There, you can choose a design of your liking, get advice and easy-to-edit, auto-generated text for every section.

Dental assistant resume examples

Entry-level dental assistant resume example

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What makes this a great dental assistant resume sample?

Relevant training and certifications
This job seeker showcases her specialized education, training and certifications to make it clear that she is highly-trained and ready to get to work.
Strong skills sections
Because this applicant has limited work experience, she uses the majority of space on her resume to detail her skills and qualifications in multiple skills sections. This helps her demonstrate that she possesses the skills to perform — and succeed — in the role.
Addition of internships
While this job seeker has limited work experience, she does have some relevant experience, including a current internship, which she lists in her Work Experience section. This is a great option for those without a lengthy career history.

Experienced dental assistant resume example

Resume experienced dental assistant example

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What makes this a great dental assistant resume sample?

Strong professional summary
The succinct but informative summary at the top of her resume gives a preview of what’s to come further down the page by highlighting her top-tier skills and experience.
Industry-appropriate resume template
The medical field is pretty conservative, so this applicant chose a resume template that is conservative with a pop of color for personality.
Proper resume format
Because this applicant has more than 15 years of experience in dentistry, she chose a chronological resume format, which showcases her career trajectory and increasing professional responsibilities.

Choosing a format for your dental assistant resume

To land the dental assistant job you want, you need to get the right information in front of a recruiter. How do you accomplish that? By selecting the right resume format. Here are the three primary formats:

Chronological: If you’re writing a dental assistant resume as an experienced applicant, consider utilizing a chronological resume format, which will highlight your work experience and showcase your strong career progression.
Functional: Applicants with less experience will want to put the focus on their transferable skills and should consider using a functional resume format, which highlights skills over work experience.
Combination: For midcareer professionals who want to showcase both relevant work experience and a strong skill set, the combination resume format offers the best of both worlds.

Visit our guide on how to format a resume to learn more about how to put your most relevant information front and center on your pilot resume.

Now that the basic layout of your resume is decided, let’s get to work on styling your resume.

Select a dental assistant resume template

Create your resume

While every dental assistant resume template will have the same basic sections — a professional summary or resume objective, skills, work history and education — you can customize the look and feel of your resume by selecting the right template.

Since dentistry is typically a conservative field, choosing a straightforward resume template is appropriate for most job applications. Check out our template library to select one of our modern resumes or simple templates as you craft your dental assistant resume.

How to write a dental assistant resume in 5 simple steps

While there are some basic rules for writing a great resume, top candidates for competitive dental assistant jobs know that the key to getting noticed is to write a resume that is specific to the industry and the role they seek.

Step 1

Study the dental assistant job description

The best dental assistant resumes are those that are customized to include keywords that show employers that you have what it takes to perform the role. Why is this important?

Many employers run resumes through applicant tracking systems (ATS) that screen out unqualified candidates based on preset keywords. If your resume doesn’t contain the right keywords, you’ll be eliminated before a human ever sees your resume. How to make an ATS-friendly resume, you’ll need to customize it to the job description. That’s why if you’re able to successfully incorporate the right keywords, you’ll improve your chances of landing a job interview.

You may be wondering which keywords to use. Don’t worry — it’s simple.

While every dental assistant role is different, a good job ad should tell you everything you need to know about which keywords to add to your dental assistant resume. The key to success is to study the job description and make a list of critical keywords.

For example, if the job description for the dental assistant role you seek asks for strong customer service skills, excellent verbal communication and experience with dental radiography and impressions, you’ll want to be sure to use those exact words in your dental assistant resume.

Look for opportunities in your professional summary, skills section and work experience section to add the keywords you’ve identified. Then, go through your resume and make sure what you wrote matches the wording in the job description so that the ATS recognizes it.

It may sound like a lot, but once you get used to the process, it should only take you a few minutes to do and will get your dental assistant resume better results than if you don’t tailor it.

Step 2

Write a professional summary or resume objective

Depending on your level of experience, your dental assistant resume should include either a professional summary or a resume objective to start. Think of this section as your resume profile, where you provide potential employers with a summary of your most relevant skills and experience and some professional highlights.

Candidates for dental assistant roles who have less experience should choose a resume objective, which states your transferable skills and your career goals. Dental assistant applicants with more direct experience should use a professional summary, which outlines your skills and experience and highlights some of your most notable professional accomplishments.

Here are some strong examples for your dental assistant resume:

Dental assistant resume professional summary example:

Dental assistant with over five years of experience in providing exceptional patient care and assisting dental professionals during a variety of procedures. Skilled in preparing treatment rooms, managing patient appointments and maintaining precise sterilization protocols, resulting in a 98% reduction in infection rates. Demonstrated ability to support dentists in complex treatments, leading to a 20% increase in overall patient satisfaction scores. Detail-oriented and compassionate, committed to creating a comfortable and positive dental experience for every patient.

Dental assistant resume objective example:

Highly motivated and recently graduated dental assistant seeking to leverage comprehensive training and hands-on experience gained during a rigorous dental assistant program. Eager to contribute my knowledge of dental procedures, patient communication and chairside assistance to provide exceptional support to the dental team. Possess specialized training in radiography and sterilization techniques, ensuring strict adherence to industry best practices and safety standards. Dedicated to delivering compassionate care and building positive patient relationships while continuously enhancing skills and staying up to date with the latest advancements in dental care.

Step 3

Highlight your most relevant dental assistant resume skills

Regardless of your experience level, hiring managers will be looking closely at the dental assistant resume skills you list. Skills for a dental assistant resume should be added to your resume skills section and peppered into your professional summary (or resume objective) and your work experience section.

It’s critical that you provide employers with a solid mix of hard and soft skills. Hard skills are the measurable skills needed to perform a job. These skills are easily taught in a classroom. Soft skills, on the other hand, are nontechnical, making them difficult to measure. They are behaviors and personality traits that help you do your job well. Below, we provide a side-by-side list of hard and soft skills to help you see the difference between the two.

Hard and soft skills for a dental assistant resume

Hard Skills

X-ray processing
Insurance billing
Instrument sterilization
Teeth cleaning
Computer skills
Dexterity

Soft Skills

Communication skills
Time management skills
Empathy
Attention to detail
Critical thinking
Customer service

Here is an example of a strong dental assistant skills section:

Chairside assistance
Dental impressions and models
Laboratory support
Radiography
Patient relations

Step 4

Write a strong dental assistant work experience section

While the required background and experience will be different for each role, the key to getting noticed is writing a work experience section that demonstrates what you will bring to the table.

Here is an example of a great dental assistant work experience entry:

Dental Assistant, Grin Dental Clinic
New York, NY
March 2019 – Present

Assist the lead dentist in a high-volume dental practice, supporting a wide range of general and cosmetic dental procedures.
Collaborated closely with the dental team to achieve seamless patient care, contributing to a 15% increase in patient appointments and overall clinic productivity.
Prepare treatment rooms and set up instruments, ensuring a smooth workflow and a clean, organized environment.
Actively engage with patients, explaining treatment procedures, addressing concerns and providing postoperative care instructions, leading to improved patient satisfaction and retention.
Manage patient scheduling and handle billing and insurance-related tasks.

Pro tip

Make your dental assistant credentials pop by using action words, data and metrics to capture the attention of a hiring manager.

Step 5

Showcase your education and training on your dental assistant resume

To be hired as a dental assistant, you’ll need to show employers that you have the required education and training. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, some states require dental assistants to graduate from an accredited program and pass an exam. In other states, there are no formal educational requirements, and dental assistants learn through on-the-job training.

If you have a bachelor’s degree, certifications or special training, be sure to list your degrees in the education section.

How to list your dental assistant education:

Education

Dental Assisting Program
San Joaquin Valley College
Salida, CA
2022

Pro tip

There is no need to list your year of graduation on your dental assistant resume unless you are a very recent grad. To avoid introducing age bias into the hiring process, only list your graduation year(s) if you finished school in the last two years.

Optional sections for your dental assistant resume

Certifications

Adding certifications to your resume is a smart way to show off your abilities, achievements and qualifications. Certifications offer hard evidence of your expertise and abilities in a specific domain. This can be especially useful when applying for dental assistant roles.

How to list certifications on your dental assistant resume:

Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) | Dental Assisting National Board (DANB)

CPR and First Aid | American Heart Association

Languages

Languages give you a chance to showcase your cultural awareness and adaptability, two qualities highly prized in today’s globalized job market. Being multilingual also expands your communication abilities, giving you access to a wider variety of clients, customers and stakeholders, and opening the door to international opportunities.

How to list languages on your dental assistant resume:

Fluent in English and Spanish
Proficient in French

Interests and hobbies

Adding hobbies to your resume is appropriate as long as they’re relevant to the job. They offer an opportunity to show your personality and meaningfully connect with a potential employer. Plus, they emphasize your transferable skills, like creativity or leadership — qualities you take from job to job.

Finally, hobbies and interests can demonstrate whether you’re the right culture fit for a company. They enrich your overall profile, showing the employer how you are a unique and fully defined person.

How to list interests and hobbies on your dental assistant resume:

Passion for yoga
Avid hiker

Include a cover letter

Create your cover letter

Writing a cover letter to accompany your resume can help your application stand out by giving you an additional opportunity to convince the employer that you’re the right person for the job. Learning how to write a cover letter for a dental assistant job well can give you an edge over the competition.

Cover letters give you the chance to tie together everything that you’ve written in your resume. It also allows you to explain why your qualifications make you the perfect fit for the job at hand. It’s an opportunity that you don’t want to pass up.

Start by studying a dental assistant cover letter example to help you write a powerful cover letter of your own.

Or, study our cover letter examples in general to learn how to express your unique candidacy in a compelling way and how to format your cover letter for success.

If you want a job-specific cover letter in a matter of minutes, you can use our professional Cover Letter Builder, which offers professionally written text suggestions for every section. Use the wording as-is or customize it to suit your needs.

Key takeaways

Follow our steps for a standout resume

Take care to write all five sections of your resume in a way that is specific to the job you seek. Your professional summary, skills, work experience and education section should all contain information that is targeted to the job ad.
Select the appropriate resume format

Decide what you’d like to emphasize the most on your dental assistant resume — strong skills, an impressive work history or both — and then select the template that will help you put your best foot forward.
Be specific to the role

Use specific information from the job ad rather than generic resume filler when crafting your document. Again, a well-written job description will tell you the critical credentials you must emphasize on your resume.
Include both hard and soft skills

Being a dental assistant requires a mix of technical and personal skills to do the job well. Study our list of hard and soft skills to be sure that you include a balance of both types in your resume.
Make your work experience section shine

Accomplish this by using action verbs, data and metrics to show the impact of your work.
Choose an appropriate resume template

Dentistry is typically a pretty conservative field so you should choose a buttoned up resume design.
Go the extra mile

Including a well-written dental assistant cover letter can increase your chances of landing a job interview.

FAQs from job seekers

Last Updated: July 07, 2024

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Heather is the Content Strategy Manager for Resume Now and a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with more than ten years of experience writing about job search and career topics. She is based in San Francisco.