When you’re looking for your next dental assistant job, your resume is your first impression. In a competitive field, it needs to make an impact. Whether you’re just getting started or ready to take the next step, a strong and well-crafted resume can open doors to new opportunities and offices that fit you better.
If you’re not sure where to start, we’ve got you covered. Check out some of our tips to help your dental assistant resume stand out from the rest.
Tip #1: Start with a Strong Summary
Your summary is essentially your elevator pitch for why a dental office should bring you on board. It should be short, engaging, and tailored to the specific role you’re applying for. Highlight your top skills, years of experience, and what makes you the right fit for the job.
Example: Certified Dental Assistant with over 5 years of experience supporting both general and orthodontic practices. Highly skilled in chairside assistance, radiology, and delivering exceptional patient care. Seeking to join a fast-paced, team-oriented dental office where I can contribute and advance my career.
Tip #2: Highlight Your Certifications
Dental offices want to ensure that you are qualified for the position, so make sure to include certifications at the top of your resume. You can include your DANB certification, state-specific certifications, and CPR / OSHA certifications.
Tip #3: Use Keywords from the Job Description
To help your resume pass an Applicant Tracking System (ATS), be sure to add keywords in your resume that mirror the job posting. Look for repeated or bolded terms in the job description, such as “infection control” or “chairside assisting,” and incorporate them naturally into your resume.
Tip #4: Showcase Your Skills
Being a dental assistant requires more than technical skills; be sure to include a mix of soft and hard skills on your resume. This can include:
- Four-handed dentistry
- Dental charting
- Communication
- Organization
- Infection control
- Adaptability
- Taking impressions
Tip #5: Show Your Impact with Numbers
Numbers speak volumes, especially when hiring managers are reviewing resumes and choosing the right candidate. Whenever possible, use metrics to highlight the impact you have made in the dental office. They make your accomplishments more concrete and memorable.
Examples:
- Assisted in 20+ procedures daily in a fast-paced pediatric practice
- Managed inventory, reducing supply waste by over 25%
- Maintained a 98% patient satisfaction score in post-visit surveys.
Tip #6: Keep it Clean (Visually)
Your resume should be polished, easy to read, and professional. Use clean formatting, clear headings, and bullet points to make your experience stand out. Aim for a one-page resume, but if you have extensive experience, two pages are perfectly fine. Always save your resume as a PDF to ensure the formatting stays consistent across different devices and departments.
In conclusion, dental offices aren’t just looking for someone who can assist. They want someone who will make their team stronger, their patients happier, and their days smoother. A well-crafted resume shows you’re that person.
If you’re ready to put that resume to work quickly, GoTu can help. As a dental talent marketplace, we connect professionals like you with offices looking for qualified help. You choose when and where you want to work.
