Dentist Resume: Templates, Examples & Top Tips

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To make hiring managers smile and show their pearly whites, your resume must sparkle with brilliance and radiate your true potential. 

To make a great impression, you must immediately gain their attention. To do that, you need to know how to write a resume that goes beyond the ordinary.

While online resume templates can lay the groundwork, they merely scratch the surface.

If you crave expert guidance on designing the perfect dentist resume that sets you apart amidst the constellation of applicants, your search ends here.

Brace yourself for our comprehensive guide, empowering you to forge an extraordinary resume tailored specifically to your dental dreams.

Have you ever wondered what should be included in a dental resume to make hiring managers smile? While we’re going to get into specifics during the next few sections of this article, you can start by taking a good look at the dentist resume example below to get an idea:

Resume Example

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Kevin Johnson
[Pediatric Dentist]
Philadelphia, PA | 2664 Burning Memory Lane | kjohnson@xyz.com |555-555-5555

>> Summary <<

Experienced Pediatric Dentist with 4+ years of clinical expertise supporting diverse patient populations with multi-diagnosis, complex dental cases. Skilled in diagnosing and managing diverse dental conditions, including early orthodontic intervention and restorative treatments. Achieved exceptional patient satisfaction scores with a 95% retention rate. Proficient in dental technologies like digital radiography and intraoral cameras.

>> Skills <<

• Pediatric Dental Care
• Behavior Management
• Dental Trauma Management
• Dentrix EMR
• Eaglesoft Software
• Cosmetic Dentistry
• Radiology
• TMJ Therapy
• Restorative Dentistry
• Periodontics
• Prosthodontics
• Oral Surgery
• Laser Dentistry
• Endodontics
• Orthodontics
• Infection Control

>> Work Experience <<

GCP Dental Clinic
Dentist
2019–Present

• Educated patients and parents on proactive dental care practices, resulting in a 30% decrease in dental caries among pediatric patients.
• Conducted comprehensive routine examinations and checkups for a patient base of over 500 children, ensuring early detection of dental issues and timely treatment.
• Implemented behavioral management techniques to provide gentle and compassionate care to children with dental sensitivities, resulting in a 95% positive patient experience rating.
• Developed personalized treatment plans and recommended evidence-based procedures, leading to a 25% increase in successful treatment outcomes.
• Proficiently handled complex dental cases, including dental trauma and congenital abnormalities, resulting in improved oral health and enhanced quality of life for patients.

>> Education <<

Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS)

The University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine

Philadelphia, PA

Bachelor’s Degree

The University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine

Philadelphia, PA

>> Certifications <<

• Board Certification in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery:
  • Issued by: American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ABOMS).
  • State Licensure Number: OMFS-4086721
  • Year of Certification: 2018
  • Expiration Date: March 31, 2026
• Certified Dental Technician:
  • Issued by: National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology (NBC).
  • State Licensure Number: CDT-9563420
  • Year of Certification: 2010
  • Expiration Date: June 30, 2024

There is not a one-size-fits-all approach to selecting the best dentist resume format. It depends on your specific career situation and goals. However, for most applicants the reverse chronological format has proven to be a very effective tool for the following reasons:

• Emphasizes relevant experience: The reverse chronological format allows you to showcase your experience prominently. For example, you can highlight performing complex dental procedures such as root canals or dental implant placements. This way, potential employers can quickly identify your expertise and suitability for their practice.

• Demonstrates career progression: Illustrating your career progression and growth over time is essential to impress hiring managers. For instance, you can display how you advanced from an associate dentist role to becoming a partner or principal dentist in a practice.

Determining whether to use a professional summary for your resume or an objective statement depends on your level of experience and goals.

• If you have little or no experience, or you’re trying to change your specialization field, a resume objective is the right choice.
• If, on the other hand, you already have some experience under your belt, a resume summary is the right choice.

Now, let’s analyze an example to see how it’s done.

Dentist Resume Objective Example

A resume objective conveys a candidate’s career goals, relevant skills they have gained to date, and the value they could bring to the prospective employer to capture their attention and interest.

Let’s see an example:

This resume objective example shines a spotlight on the candidate’s exceptional qualifications, showcasing their successful completion of a dental hygiene program enriched with extensive classroom and hands-on experience. 

With a coveted New York State License and an impressive Dental Acceptance Test score, they exude confidence in their readiness to become the next valuable dental professional at Dental Art. 

Their clear career goal reflects their unwavering motivation and determination to excel in the role.

Let’s see an example that would not perform quite as well:

This lackluster resume objective example falls short by fixating on the candidate’s recent graduate status and the absence of paid work experience, inadvertently casting doubt on their level of expertise and confidence. 

Moreover, it fails to outline any clear career goals or aspirations, missing the opportunity to feature the candidate’s enthusiasm and ambition for the dental hygiene field.

How to Describe Your Dental Career Experience on Your Resume

Having a work experience section that stands out is key to getting the competitive advantage you need to land a job.

Dental employment is projected to grow an average of 4% between 2022 and 2032, as the Bureau for Labor Statistics states. As the dental field continues to grow, it will be important for you to have your professional experience highlighted and ready to show your dental resume.

Include examples of professional achievements such as maintaining a high patient satisfaction rate or contributing to research and publications in the field of dentistry. Such accomplishments feature your expertise, dedication, and impact in providing quality dental care.

Let’s dive straight into some examples to see how it’s done.

Dentist Resume Examples: Experience

Here are some examples of a dentist’s experience section, detailing again the right and wrong way to present your experience:

This standout example of a dentist’s resume experience section shines brightly as it artfully presents the candidate’s qualifications and responsibilities through concise and impactful bullet points. 

The candidate’s prowess is evident. Moreover, it shows their proven track record of achievements, including precision diagnoses, customized treatment plans, and a metric demonstrating a significant boost in client satisfaction.

The deft use of advanced dental tools and techniques displays their unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional and top-tier dental care.

This lackluster experience section falls short as it fails to highlight specific details, measurable accomplishments, and a clear depiction of the candidate’s skills and responsibilities. 

The listed tasks, lacking in depth, do not offer a glimpse into the candidate’s expertise or the transformative impact of their work.

How to Write the Education Section for a Dentist

The educational background of a dentist is one of the most important areas of interest of any hiring manager, much like the experience section. Especially if it’s a dentistry graduate’s resume that they have in their hands.

Not only is a good academic background important, but additional education and further learning such as certifications, seminars, and courses are also highly valued

4 Great Certifications and Courses to Include in a Dentistry Resume

Let’s begin by listing 4 dentistry courses and professional certifications that potential employers look for in applicants:

1. Invisalign certification: Offered by Align Technology, the Invisalign Certification equips dentists with the knowledge and skills to provide orthodontic treatment using Invisalign clear aligners.
2. Implantology certification: Certifications such as the ICOI (International Congress of Oral Implantologists) and the AAID (American Academy of Implant Dentistry) offer implantology certification programs that provide dentists with specialized training in dental implant placement and restoration.
3. Laser dentistry certification: Various organizations, such as the Academy of Laser Dentistry (ALD) and the World Clinical Laser Institute (WCLI), provide certifications and seminars on laser dentistry techniques and applications.
4. Advanced endodontics course: The American Association of Endodontists (AAE) offers advanced endodontic courses that focus on the latest techniques and advancements in root canal therapy and endodontic treatments.

If you have completed one of these courses, you have an edge over your competitors. Don’t hesitate to include it in your education section.

It’s now time to see how this section looks on a dentist’s resume.

Dentist Resume Education Section

In the following examples, we will see the correct way to design your education section and make it stand out from the rest.

You can see in this example that they have included their GPA as it was an impressive score.

Other things you might want to include in bullet points below your school information when you are fresher in the dental workplace include relevant coursework, projects, research, and presentations.

The Best Dentist Skills for a Resume

What can truly make you valuable to the company, so that other individuals with the same credentials would be pale in comparison?

Well, in short, that would be your skill set.

Focus on your top 5 hard and soft skills that preferably match the requirements of the position you are applying for.

Below, you can view some of the most important skills for a dentist’s job application. You can list these as bullets, or follow the functional resume format and use them as keywords to describe your abilities.

Note that these skills should be strategically highlighted in the skills section, professional summary, and throughout the resume.

How to Add Other Sections for an Effective Resume

To impress your interviewer, you can add relevant sections to your resume. With many candidates having similar experience or education, sometimes going that extra mile can pay off in claiming your desired job.

Keep reading to find out which extra sections to add to your resume.

Dentist Resume Sample Extra Sections

You can use this section to show additional professional and personal achievements to your future employers.

Used correctly, you can convey your passions, the type of person you are, and if your traits satisfy what the employer is looking for in the position.

Below is an explanation of what each of these sections should include:

1. License – All dentists need a license to practice. Additionally, different dental practices will require different specific specialties, such as oral surgery for example.
2. Certifications and memberships – For those who have gotten awards or have relevant certifications, it is wise to list those achievements on your resume. Also, if you’re a member of associations like the Academy of General Dentistry or the American Association of Endodontist, don’t forget to include them as it’ll show your commitment to the field.
3. Volunteer Work – By actively participating in volunteer initiatives, such as offering pro bono services at local clinics or participating in community outreach programs to promote oral health, you not only demonstrate your dedication to making a positive impact but also emphasize your willingness to go the extra mile
4. Languages – Having proficiency in foreign languages can be a valuable asset, particularly in providing care to tourists and immigrants. While not essential to your core skill set, this knowledge enhances your ability to communicate effectively with a broader range of patients and strengthens your resume’s appeal.
5. Professional organizations and community service – List any organizations and roles through which you’ve made meaningful contributions to the dental community.

To paint you a better picture, here is an example of how this section should look on your resume:

OTHER

Certificates and Licenses

• Pennsylvania Drug Dispensing License, Expiration Date: April 30, 2027
• Philadelphia Dental License, Expiration Date: September 15, 2028

Volunteer Work

• Assisted a local dental care service, July 2021
• Worked 3 months with Global Dental Relief, October 2020- January 2021 
• Volunteered twice a week at the local Soup Kitchen, 2019

Languages

• English – Native
• German – B2 level
• French – C1 level

Key Takeaways

We hope that this guide has enabled you to write an amazing resume that will result in landing the job of your dreams.

With that being said, let’s summarize the main tips you can use to write or update your resume for a dental job

• Use a reverse-chronological format if your experience and career situation allow it
• Use your resume objective or summary to your advantage, by presenting your most impressive accomplishments.
• Add quantifiable achievements and key duties in your job history section.
• List only the skills you have that fit the job description keywords.
• Include extra sections that are relevant to the job

Still need some help writing your resume? Try our free online resume builder. It offers step-by-step instructions and on-the-go expert tips to get you that well-deserved job of your dreams

Good luck!