Dentist Resume Sample

Applications for dentist jobs attract candidates with similar levels of education and professional experience. To make sure a hiring manager sees your resume, ensure it’s high quality. Here are four tips to perfect your dentist resume.

1. Highlight your dentist resume skills

To land a job as a dentist, use the skills section of your resume to highlight your dentist skills.

Beyond the hard skills like teeth cleaning and checking for caries, add unique skills or specialties that set you apart. For instance, if you’ve done research in a particular field of dentistry or have mastered a new dental technology, mention it.

Also include any patient relationship skills and soft skills that show you know how to put patients at ease.

Here are a few skills to list on a dentist resume:

• X-ray machine
• Dental assessments
• Preventative dentistry
• Fluoride treatments
• Traditional and laser whitening
• Crowns, bridges, and veneers
• Oral surgery
• Cosmetic dentistry
• Compassion, empathy, and patient relations
• Pediatric dentistry
• Teaching and staff training
• Teamwork

Crafting an exceptional resume as a dentist is not only about showcasing your technical skills and years of professional experience. It’s about embodying the commitment to patient care, demonstrating empathy, and revealing your dedication to the field. Each word, each line, each section of your resume should speak volumes about your competence, character, and potential.

- Letticia Pierrez, Talent Acquisition Manager at Affinity Dental Management

2. Choose the optimal resume format

Assess your background and choose the correct resume format to showcase your experience.

On a chronological resume, list your most recent position first. Then list your previous roles in reverse chronological order. If your dental career has followed a traditional trajectory from one entry-level position to higher positions, the chronological format is best for you. This format is common, but it’s not the only option.

Consider a functional resume if you have gaps in your employment history or a combination resume if you have a long work history and numerous skills.

For instance, if you’ve served as a dentist at many different dental clinics with the same kinds of responsibilities, consider using a functional resume. This resume format highlights skills you’ve gained in previous jobs.

3. Write a strong dentist education section

It takes training and education to become a great dentist. So don’t neglect your resume education section by just listing your highest degree and dental-related certifications. Consider including any continuing education or professional development courses you’ve taken that relate to the field of dentistry.

If you’re a member of professional organizations, like the American Dental Association, make sure to include that. It shows you’re committed to staying informed about the latest developments in your field.

If you’ve attained any special awards during training, list them here too.

4. Pair your resume with a strong dentist cover letter

Because so many applicants for dental jobs have similar backgrounds and experience levels, an outstanding dentist cover letter sets you apart. A well-written cover letter is a chance to back up the accomplishments on your resume by showing employers how you plan to contribute to their workplace.

But don’t just restate what’s in your resume. Instead, use it to tell your story, explain your passion for dentistry, and give concrete examples of how you’ve contributed to your workplaces and patients’ well-being.

Recounting how you performed well under pressure or overcame an obstacle sometimes tells the employer more than just your resume does because it adds a personal element to your application.

Your cover letter is also a great place to explain why you enjoy being a dentist. Describe an impactful moment from training or a time you helped someone with a difficult problem to explain what drives you.