Dental Assistant Resume Examples and Template for 2023

Dental assistants perform administrative duties for dental practices, prepare equipment for use and help dentists and dental hygienists care for patients. These professionals may clean facilities, ready tools, take and process X-ray images, input patient information and bill clients. Learning about dental assistant job descriptions and viewing resume samples can help you determine whether this is the right career for you.

In this article, we explain how to write a dental assistant resume in six steps, share some tips that may help you craft yours, offer examples of resumes for mid- and entry-level professionals and share some skills and certifications that may strengthen your resume. When you're ready to start applying to jobs in dentistry, upload a resume file  or build an Indeed Resume.

To upload the template into Google Docs, go to File > Open > and select the correct downloaded file.

How to write a dental assistant resume

Here are six steps you can follow to craft an effective resume for dental assistant jobs:

1. Format your resume

Choosing a clean, easy-to-read format could help you stand out from other candidates. Aim to keep your resume brief and write in professional fonts like Times New Roman or Calibri. Including clear headings for each section could make your resume easier to read, which can allow hiring managers to quickly identify the most important information. Discuss your qualifications in reverse-chronological order, beginning with the most recent experiences and credentials.

Related: Basic and Simple Resume Format (With Template and Examples)

2. Write a professional summary

Including a concise but detailed professional summary could help you capture the attention of hiring managers. Your professional summary is a two- to three-sentence section highlighting your most impressive qualifications, like your years of experience, niche areas of expertise and primary soft skills. Aim to use specific language, action verbs and quantifiable details.

Read more: A Complete Resume Summary Guide (40+ Examples)

3. Discuss your work experience

Add entries for relevant jobs you've held, detailing your responsibilities and accomplishments in bullet points. To demonstrate your capabilities, try to include achievements in each entry. For example, if you received stellar reviews from patients or earned recognition from your colleagues, include these honors. If you're new to the dental field, you could supplement your work experience with volunteer experience in dental offices and discuss responsibilities that transfer. If you performed administrative functions, like scheduling meetings, invoicing clients or organizing files at a previous job, these could help you demonstrate your transferrable skills.

Related: What Does a Dental Assistant Do? (Plus Salary and Job Outlook)

4. Highlight your relevant skills

Next, you can write a list of hard and soft skills that enable you to excel as a dental assistant. Technical knowledge, like familiarity with equipment and tools, can be vital. Pairing this knowledge with relevant soft skills may help present you as a suitable candidate. For example, sharing that you're empathetic or an active listener could show that you provide warm, welcoming service to patients and take directions from dentists enthusiastically.

Related: How To Be a Better Dental Assistant: Definition and Tips

5. Mention your educational credentials

Educational requirements can vary for dental assistants depending on your location and employer, but many hiring managers may look for proof of formal training. If you've earned a degree or attended a dental assistant training program, list the credential you earned, the institution you attended and the graduation year if it's within three years. Professional certifications and registrations could increase your credibility, demonstrate a commitment to career growth and qualify you for positions in some states, so list any you hold.

Read more: Certified vs. Registered Dental Assistants: Differences and Similarities

Tips for writing a dental assistant resume

Here are some tips that may help you craft an effective resume:

Include keywords

Review the job description and identify key competencies the employer requests, so you can submit a resume that matches the requirements. Including vital keywords in your resume may help you succeed in an applicant tracking system (ATS). Employers may emphasize topics like medical records, dental equipment, dental hygiene or safety. If your state has licensing requirements for dental assistants, ensure you list any necessary credentials you hold.

Read more: How To Use Resume Keywords To Get an Interview (Includes Tips and Examples)

Proofread your resume

Because dental assistants perform a broad list of administrative duties, writing skills and an eye for detail could benefit you. One way to demonstrate these skills is by turning in a clean resume that's free from errors. Proofread your resume and correct any misspellings, punctuation mistakes or inaccurate information.

Read more: 27 Proofreading Tips That Will Improve Your Resume

Include hard data

Many employers look for candidates who are efficient and accurate in their work. Including metrics like the number of patients you served or the percentage improvement in patient satisfaction scores you earned could help you demonstrate your ability to succeed. Consider including numerical data about finances, efficiency or performance in your professional summary or work experience to strengthen your case.