Dental Assistant Resume Sample
Written By Leora Joy Jones
Reviewed By Letticia Pierrez
To make your application even stronger, pair your resume with a tailored dental assistant cover letter.
Dental assistant resume examples by experience level
Build a resume from scratch or upload your current resume to improve it.
Dental Assistant Resume Template (Text Format)
Edit this resume template with your own information to get started:
[Your Name]
[Your Address], New York, NY
[Your Email Address] | [Your Phone Number]
[LinkedIn Profile] (optional)
Certified Dental Assistant with over 4 years of experience in fast-paced dental clinics. Recognized for providing top-notch customer service and efficient dental assistance. Experienced in patient scheduling, orthodontic appliance fitting, and dental procedure preparation. Skilled at reducing supply costs and maintaining inventory. Dedicated to ensuring patient comfort and safety.
- Henry Schein Dentrix software
- Dental dams, forceps, handpieces
- Interpersonal skills
- MS Office
- Orthodontic pliers and steam autoclaves
- Bedside manner
Certified Dental Assistant | Los Angeles, CA | May 20XX – Present
- Prepare 15+ patients daily for dental procedures, and assist the dentist with sterilizing or disinfecting instruments, setting up instrument trays, and assembling materials
- Expose intraoral dental diagnostic X-rays in accordance with all guidelines, ensuring patient safety and accurate dental assessments
- Document patients’ medical and dental histories and vital signs, and record treatment information for patient records with 100% accuracy
- Provide postoperative instructions prescribed by the dentist and instruct patients in oral hygiene and plaque control programs using a friendly and engaging demeanor to put patients at ease
- Monitor dental supplies and equipment inventory and make orders, achieving 15% reduction in expenses by discovering new suppliers
Registered Dental Assistant | West Haven, CT | August 20XX – April 20XX
- Scheduled 600+ appointments and sent reminders using Appointy scheduling software, filled in insurance documents, prepared bills, and received payments for dental services
- Made preliminary impressions and occlusal registrations for mounting study casts, and mastered pouring, trimming, and polishing study casts
- Handled instrument sterilization and operatory setup, ensuring a sterile environment for all procedures
- Fabricated and fit orthodontic appliances for 470+ patients, including bands, wires, and retainers
- Assisted in the management of dental and medical emergencies with professionalism and a calm manner
- Expertly cleaned teeth with dental instruments and finished with fluoride applications, keeping patients relaxed and happy throughout
Trident Technical College | Dental Assistant Associate Degree
Graduation Date: May 20XX
- Certified Dental Assistant (CDA), Dental Assisting National Board, 20XX
- X-Ray Certification, Howard Healthcare Academy, 20XX
- CPR Certification, American Heart Association, 20XX
Dental assistant resume samples
We’ve prepared 5 examples of stand-out resumes for dental assistants so you have something to compare your own resume to.
Orthodontic dental assistant resume sample
Here’s an orthodontic dental assistant example that can help you showcase your orthodontist skills and experience:
Orthodontic dental assistant resume highlights
- This applicant highlights that they are licensed to perform a wide range of supportive orthodontic dental procedures under the supervision of a licensed dentist, which increases their chances of being hired
- This candidate lists language skill levels on their resume, indicating they are attentive to the needs of patients
Pediatric dental assistant resume sample
Below is a pediatric dental assistant resume example to show you what employers look for, such as expertise in child-friendly patient care, proficiency in dental procedures, and strong communication skills:
Pediatric dental assistant resume highlights
- The applicant includes experience in educating young patients on oral hygiene and post-procedure care, emphasizing their interpersonal skills and commitment to sharing knowledge
- Using a strong emotive word like ‘compassionate’ to open the applicant’s resume summary hooks attention and highlights the pediatric dental assistant’s focus on patient care
Registered dental assistant resume
This registered dental assistant resume centers the applicant’s certifications and licenses:
Registered dental assistant resume highlights
- Licenses are required for RDA positions, which is why this candidate lists them at the top of their resume where employers can quickly see them
- This RDA quantifies achievements by specifying the number of patients assisted daily and the volume of records maintained
How to write a dental assistant resume
Whether you’re a dental assistant who’s writing a resume as a recent graduate or already have years of experience, our five tips to creating an effective dental assistant resume will help you impress employers at dental offices and increase your chances at getting interviews.
1. Highlight your dental assistant skills on your resume
The dental profession requires using various dental tools and specialized training so your resume skills section should reflect these abilities, especially if you didn’t add these details to your professional experience section.
First, include your relevant hard skills. Dental assistants learn many hard skills (also known as technical skills) from dental school, online courses, or on-the-job training, so listing them in your additional skills section is essential for winning over employers.
For instance, dental assistants operate equipment such as X-rays and prepare tables and trays for dentists.
In addition, using general dental tools such as air water syringes, cotton forceps, and mouth mirrors is required for dental assistants, so mention your knowledge and experience with these tools.
Here are more dental assistant hard skills for your resume:
- Administrative skills
- Billing patients
- Dental management software
- Scheduling software
- Educating patients on oral care, dental hygiene, and plaque control
- Keeping inventory records
- Ordering dental supplies
- Providing post-operative care instructions
- Recording and updating patient’s medical and dental histories
- Setting up rooms for patients
- Sterilizing and disinfecting equipment
- Making dental impressions and study casts
- Teeth cleaning
- Using dental office equipment
- Computer skills
- Microsoft Office
Your soft skills are just as important, so incorporate them into your dental assistant resume. Your soft skills relate to how you work with others in a workplace environment.
Dental Assistants are the backbone of a successful clinic, where attention to detail and patient care are paramount; let your resume reflect your unwavering dedication and competence.
Letticia Pierrez, Talent Acquisition Manager at Affinity Dental Management
Including the right skills on your resume shows hiring managers details about your work ethic and ability to work with patients and colleagues in a dental clinic.
For example, hiring managers seek dental assistants with a professional bedside manner. As a dental assistant, your friendly and capable attitude could be the difference between a patient hating the experience and never coming back, or recommending your services to friends and family.
These are other useful soft skills for your resume:
- Active listening skills
- Attention to detail
- Communication skills
- Compassion and empathy
- Customer service skills
- Dexterity skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Leadership skills
- Management skills
- Organizational skills
- Patience
- People skills
- Professional appearance
- Time management skills
2. Showcase your credentials
A hiring manager at a dental clinic wants to see your appropriate license or certification to make sure you’re qualified for a dental assistant job, so include your relevant certifications on your dental assistant resume.
Here’s what to write in your certifications section:
- Name of the certification (add “in progress” if you’re still completing it)
- Name of the organization that awarded it
- If completed in-person, write the city and state
- If completed online, add “Online Course”
- Date earned (or the date you plan to earn it)
This is what an applicant’s certification looks like on their dental assistant resume example:
Dental Assistant Certification (CDA)
Dental Assisting National Board (DANB)
West Haven, CT
2017
In this example, the DANB Certified Dental Assistant certification is placed in its own certifications section.
3. Match the dental assistant job description
Dental clinics use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to select applicants who use relevant keywords from the company’s job description on their resumes. So study the job posting carefully and tailor your resume’s keywords to match their exact requirements.
Use these 4 steps:
- Carefully read the job posting to identify key skills, qualifications, and duties
- Highlight the terms and phrases that are most emphasized
- Use keywords from the job description to catch the hiring manager’s attention
- Match your work experience with the job description
Take a look at this dental assistant job description and below it, an example of how an applicant matches it:
This applicant writes a targeted resume summary, work experience section, and education section to match this job description:
Resume to match job description
Resume Summary
Motivated and detail-oriented Dental Assistant with a degree in dental assisting and 400 hours of externship experience seeking to join Smile Design Dentistry in Spring Hills, Florida. Passionate about assisting patients to have the best oral health and keen to provide comprehensive support to the dental practice and assist dentists during patient procedures.
Work Experience
ABC Dental Clinic, Gainesville, FL
January 20XX – Present
Externship (400 hours)
- Greet and seat patients in the dental office, ensuring a comfortable and friendly environment
- Choose, organize, and sterilize instruments, equipment, and materials needed for various dental procedures, in compliance with health & safety regulations
- Assist the dentist through 4-handed dentistry during examinations and treatments
- Manage lab tasks such as dental mold and custom tray construction, process x-rays, label and store impressions and models
- Educate patients on oral hygiene and post-operative care instructions, promoting long-term dental health
- Maintain clean and well-stocked dental rooms, ensuring all necessary supplies are available
- Manage the clinic’s calendar, scheduling appointments, and maintaining accurate patient records, ensuring precise documentation and follow-up
Education
Associate of Science in Dental Assisting
Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
Graduated: May 20XX
Relevant Coursework: Dental Anatomy and Physiology, Dental Materials and Applications, Radiographic Techniques and Safety, Chairside Assisting and Procedures, Infection Control and Sterilization Techniques, Orthodontic Procedures, Patient Communication and Education, Dental Office Management
To help you determine which keywords to include, we’ve pulled the most common keywords from real dental assistant job ads:
We analyzed over 1000 real dental assistant job ads to find the top words and phrases to add to your resume.
Data
| Keyword | Count |
|---|---|
| Dental assistant certification | 1060 |
| Patient care | 968 |
| X-ray certification | 674 |
| Patient records and charting | 570 |
| Infection control and sterilization | 558 |
| Dental software | 547 |
| Dental equipment | 534 |
| Treatment room preparation | 497 |
| Dental x-rays and radiographs | 493 |
| CPR/BLS certification | 481 |
4. Emphasize your professional experience using hard numbers
One of the most impactful ways to describe your dental assistant accomplishments is through hard numbers.
Hard numbers provide context to an employer by explaining the scope of your accomplishments. You can mention details such as:
- The number of patients you helped per day
- Percentages that demonstrate how your efforts, behavior, or ingenuity add value
- Other data that shows increased efficiency or improvements you contributed to
Begin your bullet points with resume action verbs to add more details to each statement and stand out as an applicant. Action verbs like “Fabricated,” “Recorded,” and “Monitored” tell employers you’re a professional who fully understands the duties of a dental assistant.
Let’s explore how this applicant uses hard numbers to describe their resume achievements:
- Prepare 15+ patients daily to undergo dental procedures, and assist the dentist with sterilizing or disinfecting instruments, setting up instrument trays, and assembling materials
Working with 15+ patients a day immediately reveals to the hiring manager that this candidate can handle the routine of preparing patients for examination or surgery, cleaning tools, preparing materials, and all other aspects of running a dental clinic.
- Document patient medical and dental histories and vital signs, and record treatment information in patient records with 100% accuracy
Everyone values accuracy and competence, no matter what job you’re applying for. Show hiring managers that you are careful and you don’t need constant supervision.
You can talk up your competence. Getting patient records and histories right 100% of the time saves everyone time and increases efficiency in a busy dental clinic.
- Monitor dental supplies and equipment inventory and make orders, achieving 15% reduction in expenses by discovering new suppliers
If you helped a clinic save money in some regard, include it on your dental assistant resume. This kind of achievement makes your competence, intelligence, and value immediately apparent.
5. Write a convincing dental assistant resume summary
In most cases, a hiring manager will read your resume from top to bottom, so start your resume with an impactful professional resume summary.
A professional summary is placed underneath your resume header and consists of 2–4 sentences that highlight your top skills and work experiences.
Let’s break down the different components of this professional summary from a dental assistant resume sample. We’ve emphasized the essential details using colored underlines:
Dental Assistant with 4+ years of experience providing efficient and competent service in busy dental clinics. Able to handle all necessary assistant duties without supervision. Possess a 20XX DANB certification and a Dental Assistant Associate Degree. Provide superb customer service, ensuring patient retention and loyalty for your clinic.
This resume objective is effective because it:
- Lists how many years of experience they have
- Describes the quality of their work
- Expresses their competence by saying they don’t require supervision
- Includes their DANB Certification and related degrees
- Sells themselves as a worker who is skilled and can attract more patients
Dental offices are looking to enhance their work environments with strong candidates, so finish your professional summary by stating how you can help the clinic achieve its goals. If you don’t have work experience yet, sell your skills by mentioning relevant coursework, earned degree(s), and academic awards.
Here are five dental assistant resume objective examples:
Entry-level dental assistant resume summary
Compassionate and detail-oriented individual seeking an entry-level dental assistant position. Recent graduate with a dental assisting certificate and a strong foundation in chairside assisting, sterilization procedures, and patient care. Eager to contribute to a dental practice with a commitment to providing exceptional patient experiences.
Dental assistant resume summary
Results-driven dental assistant with 2 years of experience in chairside assistance, X-ray operations, and front office tasks. Seeking a challenging role to further develop clinical skills, expand knowledge of dental procedures, and contribute to a dynamic dental team’s success.
Mid-level dental assistant resume summary
Dedicated dental assistant with 3.5+ years of experience and comprehensive understanding of dental procedures. Known for creating a comfortable and positive environment for patients. Eager to assist in a progressive dental practice where I can use my skills to deliver high-quality dental care.
Registered dental assistant resume summary
Detail-oriented RDA with expertise in chairside assisting, instrument sterilization, and maintaining infection control protocols. Pursuing a role where I can apply my organizational skills, dedication to patient comfort, and commitment to maintaining a clean and efficient dental environment.
Lead dental assistant resume summary
Team-oriented lead dental assistant with excellent communication skills and 4+ years experience mentoring entry-level assistants Experienced in assisting with a variety of dental procedures and dedicated to creating a positive patient experience. Seeking a lead dental assistant role in a supportive and patient-centered practice.
How to answer common dental assistant interview questions
Here’s a video that explains how to answer the most common interview questions you’ll get asked as an aspiring dental assistant:
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Resume Genius | Career Advice & Job Search Tips (@theresumegenius)
Build your resume in minutes
Use an AI-powered resume builder and have your resume done in 10 minutes. Just select your template and our software will guide you through the process.
Average dental assistant salaries in the US
After you’ve written your resume, make sure you use it to apply for jobs within a fair salary range.
The following table includes information from the most recent US Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics report (May 2024). Here are the ten states with the highest salaries for dental assistants, as well as the national average for your reference when applying for work.
Top 10 states by average dental assistant salary
| State | Salary / Year |
|---|---|
| Minnesota | $63,680 |
| Oregon | $57,690 |
| District of Columbia | $57,390 |
| Massachusetts | $56,790 |
| Washington | $56,140 |
| Alaska | $54,720 |
| North Dakota | $54,720 |
| Vermont | $54,570 |
| Maine | $54,190 |
| California | $53,570 |
| National Average | $48,860 |
Make a resume in minutes
Pick your template, fill in a few details, and our builder will do the rest.
Dental Assistant Resume Sample
Facebook
Twitter
Linkedin
Pinterest
Reddit
Copy link
Click to rate this article
4.6 Average rating
