Dental Assistant Resume Sample

Written By The Resume Genius Team

Reviewed By Letticia Pierrez

Make your dental assistant resume sparkle by checking out our free downloadable resume samples and writing tips.

September 30, 2024

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a strong example of a dental assistant resume

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Dental Assistant Resume Template (Text Format)

[Your Name]

[Your Address], New York, NY

[Your Email Address] | [Your Phone Number]

[LinkedIn Profile] (optional)

Professional Summary

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.

Skills

Henry Schein Dentrix software
Dental dams, forceps, handpieces
Interpersonal skills
MS Office
Orthodontic pliers and steam autoclaves
Bedside manner

Professional Experience

Smiley’s Dental Clinic

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

Sunshine Dental Clinic

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

Education

Trident Technical College | Dental Assistant Associate Degree

Graduation Date: May 20XX

Certifications

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.

Lead dental assistant resume sample

This lead dental assistant resume sample can show you how to highlight your leadership experience and stand out from other applicants:

A clean and spacious resume for a lead dental assistant featuring skills professional experience and resume summary

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Lead dental assistant resume highlights

This applicant’s experience section emphasizes the candidate’s significant experience in mentoring and leading teams
This lead dental assistant resume demonstrates a range of chair-side assistance experience, showing the candidate’s confidence in their technical dental assistant skills

Orthodontic dental assistant resume sample

Here’s an orthodontic dental assistant example that can help you showcase your orthodontist skills and experience:

example of an orthodontic dental assistant resume

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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:

strong example of a pediactric dental assistant resume

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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:

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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

Dental assistant externship resume sample

Below is an example of a dental assistant externship resume so you can see what an entry-level dental assistant resume should look like:

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Dental assistant externship resume highlights

The applicant lists relevant coursework below their associate degree, highlighting knowledge of necessary duties and responsibilites
This dental assistant resume uses strong action verbs which emphasizes direct action and initiative

Average dental assistant salaries in the US

The following table includes information from O*NET Resource Center by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license, this data is pulled from the most recent US Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Employment & Earnings report (as of 10/16/2024), featuring the top states by use.

Average dental assistant annual salaries by state

State	Salary / Year
California	$48,210
Texas	$39,640
Florida	$46,600
New York	$45,590
Pennsylvania	$46,680
Illinois	$43,590
Ohio	$46,450
Georgia	$45,670
North Carolina	$47,000
Michigan	$45,740
National Average	$46,211

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.

Although writing a cover letter isn’t a requirement for every dental office, preparing a well-written dental assistant cover letter shows employers you’re a professional candidate and gives you the chance to explain your skills, personality, and work accomplishments in greater detail.

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:

Hard skills for dental assistants

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:

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:

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:

Example of a business analyst job description with highlights showing what to focus on when writing your own resume to match the description

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

This entry-level dental assistant skillfully matches their resume to the job description. For example, Smile Design Dentistry requests someone who is detail oriented. The applicant’s work experience lists tasks that require this skill, such as assisting in scheduling appointments, managing the calendar, and maintaining patient records.

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:

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.

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.

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:

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.

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