Dental Assistant Resume

A step-by-step guide to writing a Dental Assistant resume with a free template included.

By Garth Coulson, Jun 6, 2023

Garth is an Editor and Copywriter specializing in SEO and technical writing. He has a background in film with experience in the travel, tech, and fitness industries.

A Dental Assistant job involves providing dentists with support. Employers look for experience in providing assistance with the treatment of patients, readying consultation rooms, and preparing patients. When applying for a job in the dental care profession, your resume should outline your experience and skills, as well as your personal details.

Dental Assistant Resume - Free Template Download

Download this dental assistant resume template in Microsoft Word format.

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Dental Assistant Resume Example:

Your Name

Dental Assistant

[Street address] [City] [Zip code]

[Contact number] [Email address]

Summary:

[Briefly describe your background, skills, and qualifications.]

Competencies:

[Competency 1]
[Competency 2]

Experience:

Business or Medical Facility Name / Job Title Month 20XX - Present, Location

Business or Medical Facility Name / Job Title Month 20XX - Month 20XX, Location

Education:

School Name / Qualification Month 20XX - Month 20XX, Location

Certificates:

[Certificate 1]

Notable Achievements:

[Achievement 1]
[Achievement 2]

Awards:

[Award 1]

How to Write a Dental Assistant Resume:

$0.00 USD

4 Hours

A step-by-step guide on how to write a professional dental assistant resume.

Write a summary.

1.1

Start with your background and your experience.

Write a paragraph briefly describing your background and your experience working as a dental assistant.

1.2

Describe how the role aligns with your career path.

Use the summary section to describe how this role aligns with your desired career path. Be sure to highlight your most desirable qualities and hours of availability.

List your competencies.

2.1

Highlight your strengths first.

Immediately after the summary, list all of your competencies in a block layout. It's important to highlight your strengths near the top of the page to catch the attention of the screener.

2.2

Use bullet points to list applicable skills.

Make a bulleted list that includes skills like assembling instrument trays, preparing patients, managing dental supplies, updating medical records, and more.

Add your professional experience.

3.1

List your work experience in reverse chronological order.

In reverse chronological format, list each job you've had by the business's or medical facility's name, your job title, dates of employment, and the location. Describe what you did in each role concisely in bullet format.

3.2

Use bullet points to list your key duties.

When you list your experience, use bullet points to describe what you did in each role. Don't go into too much detail, but focus on key duties, especially those mentioned in the job descriptions.

Add your qualifications.

4.1

Start with your education.

List your education with your highest qualification first. Remember to include the institution's name and the dates you attended. If you're currently a student, write "in progress" followed by the date you expect to complete your qualification.

4.2

List your certifications.

If you are a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA), be sure to mention it in this section.

List any notable achievements and awards.

5.1

Describe your notable achievements.

List your proudest accomplishments throughout your career. These can include recognition for performing your duties in a highly competent manner, being assigned more responsibilities, positive feedback from dentists, co-workers, and patients, a reputation for making anxious patients feel at ease, and more. Achievements mentioned here might be verified by screeners.

5.2

List your awards.

Finally, if you've won any awards be sure to include them at the bottom of your resume.

FAQs:

What should be included in a Dental Assistant resume?

A summary.
Your competencies.
Professional experience.
Education.
Achievements and awards.

What skills do Dental Assistant employers look for?

Sterilizing and assembling instrument trays.
Assisting dentists with procedures.
Readying patients for dental treatment.
Managing dental supply inventories.
Filing records and updating patient charts.
Providing patients with oral hygiene education.

Is it worth it to become a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA)?

Besides an increase in potential income, becoming a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) assures employers and the public that a dental assistant is fully competent. Most dental assistants who choose to become nationally certified take the Dental Assisting National Board's (DANB) Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) examination.