The tips and examples below will help you write a resume that generates interviews for your next dental assistant job.
“Dental assistant resumes should highlight hands-on clinical support and teamwork. Showing familiarity with procedures, tools, and patient interaction helps candidates stand out.” — Kara Dennison, Head of Career Advising
Avery’s resume uses transferable skills and clinical training to build a compelling case for a first-time dental assistant role. The summary emphasizes a clear goal, and the inclusion of relevant front desk and customer service experience helps establish reliability in a patient-facing setting.
Key Tip:
Chloe’s resume focuses on her experience with children, a key differentiator in pediatric practices. Her use of concrete tasks and responsibilities supports her ability to manage both clinical and emotional needs of young patients.
Tyrell’s resume immediately communicates certification and specialization. Specific procedures and quantified accomplishments give evidence of value and productivity.
Denise’s resume shows advancement and leadership. It balances her clinical expertise with supervisory duties, making her a well-rounded candidate for senior roles.
Kevin’s resume highlights his efficiency and patient-facing skills. The specific mention of cosmetic support shows his versatility across dental specialties.
Maya’s resume highlights a successful transition from clinical work to teaching. Her impact on student performance and curriculum design stands out.
Elena’s resume effectively blends internship experience with transferable customer service skills. Her timeline clearly supports an entry-level dental career path.
Oscar’s resume highlights his specialty and emphasizes case volume, a strong sign of experience and reliability in high-pressure roles.
Serena’s resume balances clinical accuracy and surgical expertise. Clear skills and real surgical involvement help her stand out for oral health specialists.
Luis targets orthodontics directly. He includes specific tools and treatment types that show he understands both clinical duties and patient education.
Nicolette highlights the precision and accountability needed for sterilization roles. The resume emphasizes compliance and the high volume of operatory support.
Jared demonstrates his added clinical abilities and credentialing clearly. He separates his EFDA duties from traditional assisting to reflect growth and skill level.
Carmen targets her specialty clearly and outlines her experience with lab coordination and advanced restorations, key tasks in prosthodontic practices.
Jon highlights the flexibility and resourcefulness needed in mobile clinics. This example is great for candidates pursuing public health or school-based roles.
Danielle focuses on aesthetics and patient communication, crucial in cosmetic dentistry. She also shows measurable practice improvements, like increased conversion rates.
Terrence clearly outlines his administrative expertise. His skills in scheduling and insurance help position him as the gatekeeper for efficient dental operations.
Samuel’s resume focuses squarely on imaging experience. It uses terminology specific to radiographic roles and demonstrates proficiency with both digital tools and patient handling.
Rosa’s resume aligns with mission-driven roles by highlighting her outreach work and bilingual abilities. It’s an excellent model for those interested in nonprofit or school-based roles.
Hassan’s resume highlights compassionate care, which is crucial in senior-focused roles. His experience in long-term care and memory-sensitive environments is clearly conveyed.
Bria’s resume balances technical billing skills with administrative leadership. She gives evidence of her ability to keep operations running smoothly in complex office environments.
Use the combination (or hybrid) resume format to position yourself effectively for jobs as a dental assistant. (All resume examples on this page follow the combination format.) This format has two main parts:
Following are tips and examples to help you create each common section of your dental assistant resume.
Your resume summary is likely the first section an employer will read, so make it count. This brief paragraph should capture your most relevant achievements and experiences, giving an overview of what you bring to the role. A strong summary is concise, specific, and tailored to the job you’re applying for. Use it to set the tone for the rest of your resume.
(Note: Most job seekers find it easier to write this section last.)
Dental assistant with five years of experience supporting general and pediatric dentistry. Skilled in radiograph imaging, chairside assistance, and infection control compliance. Proven ability to improve appointment flow and ensure positive patient experiences.
I have worked in multiple dental offices and helped with different tasks. I know how to take X-rays and clean rooms. I get along with patients and coworkers.
Include a skills list under your summary to show the different ways you can contribute as a dental assistant. With this section, you can give your document the right keywords to perform well on ATS screenings.
| Common key skills for dental assistant resumes | |
|---|---|
| Appointment scheduling | Chart documentation |
| Chairside assistance | Coronal polishing |
| Cross-infection prevention | Dental billing software |
| Dental charting | Digital radiographs |
| Equipment sterilization | Hand instrument knowledge |
| HIPAA compliance | Impressions and molds |
| Infection control | Intraoral imaging |
| Medical history review | Patient education |
| Patient preparation | Post-procedure clean-up |
| Radiograph processing | Restorative material prep |
| Sterilization protocols | Suction operation |
| Treatment planning support | |
For each recent job you’ve held, take some time to brainstorm and jot down your duties and achievements separately. As job search expert Richard N. Bolles pointed out, “the act of simply writing things down is a powerful tool, whether you’re scribbling them on paper or typing in a notes app or a blank document.” Try to spell out your impact on the dentists’ office or organization, and quantify in terms of a percentage or other hard data.
When you’re done brainstorming, review each detail through the lens of your target dental assistant job. Choose the most relevant duties or highlights to present as bullet points in your experience section. This approach helps give your resume the right focus.
Dental Assistant, Riverbend Family Dental, Seattle, WA | March 2020 – present
Dental Assistant, Riverbend Family Dental, Seattle, WA | March 2020 – present
Provide a clear and concise overview of your formal education, as well as any mandatory or relevant certifications.
When listing your education, include the degree you earned, the school you attended, and optionally the year you graduated. If you’ve completed any certifications, list them along with the issuing organization and optionally the completion date. Below is an example of how to present your education and certifications as a dental assistant:
Diploma in Dental Assisting, Evergreen Technical College, Tacoma, WA
Registered Dental Assistant (RDA), Washington State Dental Quality Assurance Commission
The resume templates above can all help you highlight your dental assistant skills and qualifications in a clear and organized manner. When choosing from these or other approved templates, trust your instinct. Often the design you’re naturally most drawn to will best reflect your professional style, and be the one you’re most confident sending employers.
Resume.org offers free, HR-approved resume templates to help you create a professional resume in minutes.
Build Your Resume| Common action verbs for dental assistant resumes include: | |
|---|---|
| Analyzed | Assisted |
| Automated | Clarified |
| Cleaned | Collaborated |
| Compiled | Created |
| Developed | Documented |
| Educated | Enhanced |
| Ensured | Evaluated |
| Facilitated | Improved |
| Increased | Instructed |
| Integrated | Introduced |
| Maintained | Managed |
| Monitored | Operated |
| Optimized | Organized |
| Prepared | Prevented |
| Processed | Provided |
| Raised | Reduced |
| Reinforced | Reviewed |
| Sanitized | Scheduled |
| Sterilized | Streamlined |
| Supported | Updated |
| Won | |
A great way to tailor your dental assistant resume is by revisiting the skills section. First, delete any terms from your skills list that don’t appear in the job post text. Then, take another look at the job requirements. Do they cover any skills you possess but hadn’t added to your list yet? By including those terms, you’ll give a more complete picture of the value you can add to the dentists’ office or organization.
Like most vocations, dental assistants should use a simple and straightforward resume design. The less visual information you add to your resume, the more attention you’ll call to your relevant skills and achievements. Avoid visual flourishes like elaborate borders, colorful logos, or unusual bullet symbols, which usually just distract the hiring manager.
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.
