20 Dental Hygienist Resume Examples and Templates for 2025
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Dental Hygienist Resume Examples and Templates [Download in App]
- Entry-Level Dental Hygienist
- Pediatric Dental Hygienist
- Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH)
- Experienced Dental Hygienist
- New Dental Hygienist
- Periodontal Dental Hygienist
- Public Health Dental Hygienist
- Temporary Dental Hygienist
- Entry-Level Dental Hygienist 2
- Pediatric Dental Hygienist 2
- New Grad Dental Hygienist
- Registered Dental Hygienist
- Periodontal Dental Hygienist 2
- Public Health Dental Hygienist 2
- Corporate Dental Hygienist
- Mobile Dental Hygienist
- Orthodontic Dental Hygienist
- Temporary Dental Hygienist 2
- Geriatric Dental Hygienist
- Military Dental Hygienist
- Dental Hygienist Text-Only Resume Examples
- How To Write a Dental Hygienist Resume
- How To Pick the Best Dental Hygienist Resume Template
- Frequently Asked Questions: Dental Hygienist Resume Examples and Advice
To advance your career within the dental field, you need an accomplishment-driven resume that emphasizes your unique talents and expertise as a clinical professional. Demonstrate your ability to ease patient anxiety during procedures and provide education on at-home care routines. Emphasize how your contributions have helped dental offices improve retention rates and satisfaction. This guide features expert tips and insights to help you translate your experience into a powerful dental hygienist resume.
Key Takeaways
- Showcase your clinical expertise: Emphasize your knowledge of clinical procedures and operations, such as dental cleanings, X-rays, root planings, local anesthesia, and infection prevention protocols.
- Quantify your accomplishments: Highlight the impact of your contributions by incorporating hard numbers and data, including patient satisfaction scores, case acceptance rates, and patient retention metrics.
- Optimize for applicant tracking systems (ATS): Feature keywords from the job description to ensure compliance with ATS requirements, such as periodontics, patient education, and oral care.
Dental Hygienist Resume Examples and Templates [Download in App]
Entry-Level Dental Hygienist Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example:
This resume highlights relevant coursework, externship experience, and transferable skills for a new dental hygienist. It effectively demonstrates knowledge of patient care, infection control, and dental hygiene techniques.
Key Tips:
- Emphasize externships and clinical experience to make up for limited work history.
- Highlight technical skills such as digital radiography and fluoride treatments.
- Use a professional summary to showcase enthusiasm and readiness to contribute.
Pediatric Dental Hygienist Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example:
This resume effectively showcases a hygienist’s experience working with children and emphasizes patient education. The candidate highlights techniques that help young patients feel comfortable.
Key Tips:
- Focus on skills like child behavior management and pediatric oral health education.
- Include quantifiable metrics, such as the number of pediatric patients seen per day.
- Emphasize a patient-centered approach to dental hygiene.
Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example:
This resume effectively highlights extensive experience, technical expertise, and a strong history of patient education. It also showcases leadership in mentoring new hygienists.
Key Tips:
- Highlight expertise in performing thorough dental cleanings and periodontal care.
- Include leadership roles, such as mentoring new hygienists.
- Use specific metrics, like the number of patients seen daily.
Experienced Dental Hygienist Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example:
This resume showcases over 10 years of experience, emphasizing periodontal therapy, advanced technology use, and patient education. It highlights the candidate’s ability to improve patient oral health outcomes.
Key Tips:
- Emphasize specialized skills, such as periodontal therapy and laser treatments.
- Highlight experience with advanced dental technologies like digital X-rays.
- Showcase leadership roles, such as mentoring junior staff.
New Dental Hygienist Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example:
This resume effectively presents a recent graduate’s qualifications, externship experience, and readiness for a professional dental hygiene role.
Key Tips:
- Focus on clinical experience gained during externships.
- Highlight technical skills, including digital radiography and patient education.
- Demonstrate eagerness to provide excellent patient care.
Periodontal Dental Hygienist Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example:
This resume focuses on specialized periodontal experience, showcasing skills in deep cleaning, patient management, and collaboration with periodontists.
Key Tips:
- Emphasize skills related to periodontal therapy, including deep cleaning and root planing.
- Highlight collaboration with periodontists in developing treatment plans.
- Include experience with advanced technology like laser-assisted hygiene therapy.
Public Health Dental Hygienist Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example:
This resume showcases experience in community outreach, mobile dentistry, and public health initiatives, making it ideal for a dental hygienist working in public health.
Key Tips:
- Emphasize experience with underserved communities and outreach programs.
- Highlight public health education and preventative care efforts.
- Showcase collaboration with health organizations and schools.
Temporary Dental Hygienist Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example:
This resume highlights flexibility, adaptability, and experience working in various dental offices, making it ideal for temp positions.
Key Tips:
- Emphasize ability to adapt to different office environments.
- Highlight experience with multiple dental software programs.
- Showcase strong patient rapport and teamwork skills.
Entry-Level Dental Hygienist Resume Example 2
Why This Resume Is a Great Example:
This resume highlights a recent graduate’s clinical training, externships, and foundational skills, making it ideal for entry-level positions.
Key Tips:
- Focus on clinical experience gained during training.
- Highlight knowledge of infection control and patient education.
- Emphasize willingness to learn and grow in the field.
Pediatric Dental Hygienist Resume Example 2
Why This Resume Is a Great Example:
This resume highlights experience working with children, focusing on patient education, behavioral management, and preventive dental care.
Key Tips:
- Emphasize child-friendly communication and behavior management skills.
- Highlight experience with pediatric dental treatments like fluoride applications and sealants.
- Showcase ability to work with parents to reinforce good oral hygiene habits.
New Grad Dental Hygienist Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example:
This resume effectively highlights the candidate’s recent education, externship experience, and strong foundation in dental hygiene practices.
Key Tips:
- Emphasize clinical skills learned during school.
- Highlight externship experience and hands-on patient care.
- Demonstrate enthusiasm and readiness to begin a career in dental hygiene.
Registered Dental Hygienist Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example:
This resume emphasizes a well-rounded dental hygienist with a few years of experience, focusing on patient care, periodontal therapy, and digital dentistry.
Key Tips:
- Highlight professional licensing and continuing education.
- Emphasize expertise in patient education and disease prevention.
- Include skills in working with dental software and modern equipment.
Periodontal Dental Hygienist Resume Example 2
Why This Resume Is a Great Example:
This resume highlights specialized periodontal care experience, patient education, and expertise in treating gum disease.
Key Tips:
- Emphasize deep cleaning and periodontal maintenance experience.
- Highlight collaboration with periodontists for treatment planning.
- Showcase advanced techniques such as laser therapy and antibiotic treatment.
Public Health Dental Hygienist Resume Example 2
Why This Resume Is a Great Example:
This resume showcases a focus on community outreach, preventive education, and experience working in public health clinics.
Key Tips:
- Emphasize work in underserved communities and schools.
- Highlight educational initiatives and oral health programs.
- Showcase knowledge of public health policies and preventive care strategies.
Corporate Dental Hygienist Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example:
This resume highlights expertise in corporate dental consulting, employee wellness programs, and training dental professionals.
Key Tips:
- Showcase leadership experience in corporate dental initiatives.
- Highlight experience with continuing education and training programs.
- Emphasize business and administrative skills relevant to corporate dentistry.
Mobile Dental Hygienist Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example:
This resume focuses on providing mobile dental care to seniors, schools, and underserved areas.
Key Tips:
- Emphasize travel experience and flexibility.
- Highlight ability to provide care in non-traditional settings.
- Showcase experience working with senior populations or remote communities.
Orthodontic Dental Hygienist Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example:
This resume showcases specialized experience in orthodontic dental hygiene, focusing on oral hygiene for braces and clear aligners.
Key Tips:
- Highlight experience assisting orthodontists.
- Emphasize skills in hygiene care for braces and aligners.
- Showcase patient education for orthodontic hygiene.
Temporary Dental Hygienist Resume Example 2
Why This Resume Is a Great Example:
This resume highlights flexibility, adaptability, and the ability to quickly adjust to new office environments.
Key Tips:
- Emphasize experience working in different dental offices.
- Showcase adaptability and ability to learn new systems quickly.
- Highlight a strong foundation in general dental hygiene practices.
Geriatric Dental Hygienist Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example:
This resume showcases experience in elderly patient care, including working with mobility-limited and medically complex patients.
Key Tips:
- Highlight experience working in senior care facilities or with homebound patients.
- Emphasize gentle patient care and ability to manage complex medical histories.
- Showcase communication skills with families and caregivers.
Military Dental Hygienist Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example:
This resume highlights experience providing dental care in high-paced military settings and working with active-duty personnel.
Key Tips:
- Emphasize ability to work in structured, fast-paced environments.
- Highlight experience with military dental standards and protocols.
- Showcase skills in working with diverse patient populations.
Dental Hygienist Text-Only Resume Examples
How To Write a Dental Hygienist Resume
1. Select a suitable layout and design for your dental hygienist resume
As a dental hygienist, you understand the importance of organization in clinical settings. Your resume also benefits from having a structure that allows you to capture your experience in dental care effectively. Using a professional resume template with a clean layout and a clutter-free design enables the hiring manager to easily scan your document for key information and relevant qualifications.
2. Write a compelling profile summarizing your dental hygienist qualifications
In an increasingly competitive job market, hiring managers have limited bandwidth to review each application they receive. To grab the reader’s attention quickly, lead with a compelling opening summary that provides an engaging overview of your career. Start by listing your title, years of experience, and three to four clinical skill sets that align with the needs of the dental practice you’re targeting. Round out your paragraph by highlighting unique aspects of your background in dental care. For example, you might draw attention to how you consistently achieved patient satisfaction rates of over 93%.
Strong summary example for a dental hygienist:
Dedicated dental hygienist with five years of experience providing preventive and therapeutic oral care. Skilled in patient education, periodontal assessments, and digital radiography. Committed to improving patient health through personalized treatment plans and proactive oral hygiene strategies.
Weak summary example for a dental hygienist:
I have five years of experience as a dental hygienist. I clean teeth, help with X-rays, and talk to patients about brushing and flossing.
3. Feature a results-focused work history section for your dental hygienist resume
Your professional experience section is the foundation of your resume. Rather than only listing your daily job responsibilities, provide critical insights into how your clinical expertise has created value for dental practices and patients. For instance, you might describe how you built positive relationships with diverse patients, resulting in a 20% increase in case acceptance rates. You could also emphasize your production metrics or reappointment rates. Leveraging clinical data to your advantage is a great way to show employers how your talents as a dental hygienist stand apart from other candidates.
Strong experience example for a dental hygienist:
Dental Hygienist | ABC Dental Clinic | Los Angeles, CA | June 2019 – present
- Treat an average of 12 patients per day, performing cleanings, scaling, and fluoride treatments
- Educate 200+ patients monthly on proper oral hygiene, contributing to a 20% reduction in follow-up treatments
- Implement new scheduling protocols that improved patient flow and reduced wait times by 30%
Weak experience example for a dental hygienist:
Dental Hygienist | ABC Dental Clinic | Los Angeles, CA | June 2019 – present
- Clean patients’ teeth
- Explain how to brush and floss
- Help the dentist during procedures
4. List your education and any pertinent certifications for a dental hygienist
To pursue a career as a dental hygienist, the first step is to obtain an associate’s degree. After completing this program, you’ll need to obtain a Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) license in your state. Once you’ve completed the minimum requirements, consider pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Although these aren’t mandatory, they can help you advance within the dental field and open up new opportunities for long-term growth.
Education example for a dental hygienist:
Associate of Science (A.S.) Dental Hygiene | May 2019
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Relevant Certifications:
- Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH)
- CPR and Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification
5. Highlight your essential abilities and technical proficiencies for a dental hygienist
Most organizations rely on some form of ATS to expedite the hiring process and identify qualified candidates for job openings. To get your resume through the initial screening process, it’s essential to include key terms directly from the posting. In addition to clinical terms such as periodontics and infection prevention, feature a variety of interpersonal skills to show employers that you can build positive relationships with diverse patient populations. Below, you’ll find a list of key skills to consider featuring on your dental hygienist resume.
| Over 20 hard and soft skills for dental hygienist resumes: | |
|---|---|
| Anesthetic administration | Case acceptance |
| Cavitron ultrasonic scaling | Communication |
| Digital radiography | Dental charting |
| Fluoride application | Infection control |
| Intraoral imaging | Instrument sterilization |
| Oral cancer screenings | Periodontal therapy |
| Patient education | Patient retention |
| Preventive care | Relationship building |
| Root planing and scaling | Sealant application |
| Time management | Treatment planning |
How To Pick the Best Dental Hygienist Resume Template
Choosing the right resume template ensures that your qualifications stand out. A well-structured template makes it easy for hiring managers to identify your most relevant skills and experience.
Look for a layout that prioritizes your key skills, certifications, and professional experience. Avoid overly decorative designs that could distract from your content. A professional, easy-to-read format will ensure your resume is both visually appealing and effective in landing an interview.
Resume.org offers free, HR-approved resume templates to help you create a professional resume in minutes.
Build Your ResumeFrequently Asked Questions: Dental Hygienist Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for dental hygienist resumes?
Incorporating engaging action verbs adds a dynamic element to your writing. Proactive language helps the hiring manager to properly visualize your contributions, providing a sense of ownership for your achievements. For example, passive verbiage such as “helped,” or “worked,” are far less compelling than verbs such as “collaborated,” or “executed.” Below, you’ll find a list of verbs you can use to craft the professional experience section of your dental hygienist resume.
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Achieved | Assessed |
| Collaborated | Communicated |
| Conducted | Delivered |
| Developed | Educated |
| Enhanced | Evaluated |
| Examined | Identified |
| Implemented | Improved |
| Led | Managed |
| Performed | Provided |
| Supported | Treated |
How do you align your resume with a job posting?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, dental hygienist occupations are expected to grow by 9% over the next decade. Despite the positive outlook for this career path, not every dental practice provides equal compensation. To generate interviews for the highest-paying opportunities, it’s critical to align your resume with the job description.
For example, if an employer is looking for a dental hygienist with a comprehensive knowledge of periodontal procedures, highlight your experience performing gum grafts and root planing. If a dental office is targeting a candidate who excels in patient education, emphasize how you achieved exceptional case acceptance rates throughout your career.
What is the best dental hygienist resume format?
Reverse chronological is the ideal format for most dental hygienists. This approach places your most recent experience directly below the summary, allowing the hiring manager to immediately view your relevant accomplishments. A combination format could be a better choice at the entry-level, as it prioritizes your skills, certifications, and academic background to compensate for a limited work history.
Career Coach
Irina Pichura, founder of Resumeology, is a renowned career coach with over 10 years of recruiting experience at Fortune 500 companies like Goldman Sachs and ADP, as well as startups such as Investopedia. With a degree in Psychology from Fordham University in New York City, Irina offers a unique perspective on what it takes to stand out in a competitive job market.
Resume.org offers free, HR approved resume templates to help you create a professional resume in minutes. Choose from several template options and even pre-populate a resume from your profile.