Table of Contents
Introduction
Finding employment in your desired field requires a well-written resume that establishes you as a professional and highlights the achievements that would make you an asset to a dental office. To help you write a winning resume, we created a dental assistant resume template for Word. Use it to format your document, and follow the included writing guidelines to determine what to include in your summary statement, skills section, work history section and education section.
Writing Your Summary Statement
The summary statement is at the top of your resume and provides your best chance of engaging the hiring manager or recruiter and getting him or her to keep reading. Use this section to highlight some of your biggest accomplishments in the field. You can use three bullet points or a three-sentence paragraph and follow these best practices:
• Include a notable accomplishment in this section to grab attention
• Provide your job title and how long you have worked in the field
• Mention a couple of personality traits that are desirable in your industry
Along with the dental assistant resume template for Word, you can use these examples to find inspiration.
Example 1
Certified dental assistant with five years of experience in the industry. Previously worked with one of the top dentists in the country. Dedicated professional with a knack for communicating with patients.
Example 2
• Dental assistant with 10 years of experience
• Knowledgeable of all relevant dental procedures and terminology
• Specialize in pediatric patients
Example 3
• Qualified dental assistant of nearly 15 years
• Specialties include sedation dentistry and cosmetic dentistry procedures
• Compassionate individual who puts patients at ease
Example 4
Experienced dental assistant of nearly two years with vast knowledge of a range of dental procedures. Strong background in dental implant and root canal surgeries. Truly enthusiastic about teaching good oral hygiene habits.
Writing Your Skills Section
A list of skills should be the second section of a professional resume. This section should be short and targeted to the job description of the position you’re applying for. For best results, tweak this section each time you send out your resume. In addition to formatting it like the dental assistant resume template for Word, use these guidelines for additional help.
• List specifics such as certifications or software you are proficient in
• Avoid listing skills that you wouldn’t use in the dental industry
• Put the most relevant skills at the top of the list
These are some of the most important skills for a dental assistant:
• Able to provide dental x-rays and remove sutures
• Perform minor inspections and note observations for the dentist
• Assist patients with infection control
• Educate patients on oral hygiene habits and nutrition for healthy teeth
• Skilled at office management tasks such as insurance billing and scheduling appointments
Writing Your Work History Section
Use the work history section to focus on your accomplishments during the course of your career. For each job you list, provide up to eight bullet points describing your role within the company. For the best results, use the following writing tips and the same formatting you’ll find in the dental assistant resume template for Word.
• Do not list jobs more than 10 or 15 years old unless you have only worked at one place
• Begin each bullet point with a strong action word, and avoid phrases like “responsible for”
• Provide the company name, job title, location and employment dates for each listing
These examples can help you decide which information to include:
• Meet with patients after appointments and provide instructions for after care
• Schedule follow-up appointments and take insurance information from patients
• Prepare patients for dental procedures and assist dentist during each procedure
• Attend career fairs and visit local schools to talk about the importance of oral hygiene
Writing Your Education Section
The education section’s importance varies depending on the job you’re taking, but it should always be included regardless of importance. Because of the regulations surrounding dentistry, proper certification and education are important to be a dental assistant. Consider these tips and follow the formatting in the dental assistant resume template for Word as you write your education section.
• Do not list your high school information, GPA or irrelevant extracurricular activities
• Do list your degrees, degrees in progress and extracurriculars directly related to dentistry
• Begin with your most recent degree and work in reverse chronological order
Example 1
Certified Dental Assistant – 2001
State of Ohio
Dental Assisting – 2000
Eastland-Fairfield Career and Technical School – Columbus, OH
Example 2
Dental Assistant Certification – 2000
DANB – Columbus, OH
Associate of Science in Dental Assisting – 1999
Columbus State Community College – Columbus, OH
