A well-written Resume that establishes you as a professional and shows the accomplishments that would make you an asset to a dental practice is required to find work in your selected sector. Creating a dental assistant resume that effectively highlights your talents and expertise is critical to your employment hunt.
Resumes are a technique of demonstrating to a potential employer that you are capable of performing a specific job well. This implies including your most relevant abilities, experience, and education that match the job description for dental assistants. Knowing what abilities a dental assistant requires and what else to put on a resume will help you build a more successful resume when applying for jobs.
A dental assistant’s average hourly wage is $17.86, and job growth is expected to be 7% faster than the national average from 2019 to 2029.
We’ll go through how to write a dental assistant resume in this article to help you be ready for this stage of your career.
Table of contents
What Is A Resume?
In the United States and Canada, a resume (or résumé, from the French “to summarize”) is a brief, simple document used for job applications. A resume’s objective is to give recruiters a quick summary of a candidate’s work history. A decent resume should be one to two pages long and targeted at a certain position.
Who Is A Dental Assistant?
A dental assistant is a medical practitioner who assists a dentist with a variety of responsibilities on a daily basis. Patient care and ensuring the dentist’s readiness for treatments and other patient encounters are the majority of the assistant’s tasks. A dental assistant’s typical responsibilities include:
- Getting exam rooms ready for patient service.
- Getting patients ready for dental work.
- Tools and equipment for surgery and other treatments are sterilized.
- X-rays are taken and distributed to patients.
- During patient appointments, I am in charge of the dentist’s instruments.
- Obtaining patient information as well as insurance information.
- Educating patients on the importance of good dental hygiene.
- Taking dental impressions is a job that requires a lot of skill.
- Assisting the dentist with surgeries, fillings, crowns, and other procedures.
- Lab work is being processed.
- Organizing appointments.
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What Is A Dental Assistant Resume?
A dental assistant’s resume is a document that describes a dental assistant’s professional experience, abilities, and potential.
Resumes have historically been the first point of contact between employers and their employees. In fact, it’s the first time you’ve spoken in the interview room.
However, a lot has changed since the introduction of the Applicant Tracking System (ATS). Because no one sees your resume, it has become more objective and strategic.
As a result, you must make certain that your dental assistant resume corresponds to the professional recommendation.
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Dental Assistant Requirements
Dental assistants are responsible for a wide range of jobs and responsibilities. They are usually expected to finish training programs and acquire certification. Soft skills like communication, patient care, and a strong work ethic, as well as hard skills like competency and knowledge of technology, dental equipment, procedures, and practices, are common.
- Education
- Training
- Certifications
- Skills
Education
If you are interested in becoming a dental assistant, you should enroll in a program offered by community colleges, technical institutes, vocational centers, or dental schools. Anatomy and physiology, microbiology, dental science, dental radiology, dental head and neck anatomy, and several other specialized courses that focus on the practices of dentistry can be found in programs ranging in length from six to eleven months.
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Training
To help them strengthen their abilities, dental assistants often obtain on-the-job training through an internship or clinical service hours. Professional development training may also be required by dental practices on occasion. If you are expected to complete development training and ongoing education, you may be granted assistance.
Certifications
Dental assistants can earn one of four types of certifications:
- Certified Dental Assistant
This is frequently the first qualification that dental assistants receive. Certified dental assistants must pass a national examination and have a thorough understanding of dentistry’s technology, practices, and current policies.
- Certified Orthodontic Assistant
Certification is essential if you want to work in an orthodontist’s office. The methods and principles of orthodontic dentistry are covered in this qualification.
- Certified Preventive Functions Dental Assistant and Restorative Functions
The nature of these two certifications is identical. Both require an understanding of preventative and restorative functions. Both qualifications are also available to dental assistants who want to specialize in preventative or restorative dentistry. Sealants and fluoride, temporary crowns and caps, dental impressions, and restorative functions such as dentures, partials, and bridges are all discussed in this section.
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Skills
To be successful in the profession of dental assistant, individuals must have a combination of soft and hard talents. Among the most important are:
- Communication skills
One of the most important aspects of the work is communicating with patients. When working with patients and office employees, dental assistants should be good communicators and verbally compassionate.
- Teamwork skills
Dentists, office receptionists, technology specialists, and patients all work with dental assistants. Working as part of a team is an important part of dentistry, and dental assistants should feel at ease and motivated when doing so.
- Problem-solving skills
Reading X-rays, treating patients, and assisting them through treatments can all cause complications, such as an unanticipated cavity or a dental emergency. In order to help detect and resolve any concerns that may develop, dental assistants should have exceptional problem-solving skills.
- Technology skills
Dental assistants frequently use computer software to arrange visits, capture patient data, and keep records. As a result, assistants may be required to know how to use spreadsheets, record keeping software, and appointment scheduling software.
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Objectives Of A Dental Assistant Resume?
You should have a few objectives in mind when creating your dental assistant resume. These objectives should be reflected on your resume:
- As a Dental Assistant, you’ll need a strong healthcare background, in-depth understanding of dental treatment methods, and good communication skills.
- As a Dental Assistant, I intend to assist in the clinical treatment and care of patients while also increasing the patient satisfaction quotient.
- Looking for a Dental Assistant employment where I can apply my knowledge of dental therapeutics, emergency dental care, and sterile practices.
- A position as a Dental Assistant would allow me to put my understanding of dental treatment room procedures, radiography, and other dental products to good use.
- I’m looking for a job as a Dental Assistant where I can use my exceptional skills to provide the best dental care and administrative support to patients.
- Dental Assistants must have a good grasp of dental crises as well as knowledge of dental anatomy and oral care.
- Work as a Dental Assistant and put your talents in patient care, scheduling, and managing dental supplies to good use.
- As a Dental Assistant, to make the most of a happy and confident personality, as well as an awareness of patient needs.
How To Write A Dental Assistant Resume
There are several ways to format and exhibit your work experience, talents, and other essential information when applying to become a dental assistant. Though the layout of your resume is dependent on the specifics of the material you wish to provide, there are some general principles you can follow to develop a successful dental assistant resume, such as:
1. Decide On Your Objective
Consider your goal for applying for the specific position while writing your Resume. This can sometimes entail more than just becoming a dental assistant. For example, you would like to work in a small dental practice where you can provide close, personalized treatment to patients, or you might choose to collaborate with a pediatric dentist to assist educate youngsters about dental health.
After your personal information, the objective section is normally near the top of your resume. Employers will be able to see your passion and qualifications if you include your precise purpose in your resume. Including an objective near the start of your resume can help your potential employer understand what this role entails for you, which could help you advance further in the recruiting process.
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2. List Your Relevant Skills
Include a section where you can list your talents that best match the job description. Relevant skills for a dental assistant include:
- Communication
- Interpersonal skills
- Attention to detail
- Cleanliness
- X-ray processing
- Knowledge of dental tools
- Ability to follow orders
- Compassion
- Teamwork
- Customer service
- Positive attitude
It may be good to write all of your skills on a piece of paper or in a different document while drafting your resume. Consider including talents you might not think are relevant to being a dental assistant on this list. You may discover a skill you didn’t think you have that can be included in your Resume. For example, you can assume you’re a good listener without recognizing it could aid your ability to follow directions.
3. List Your Relevant Work Experience
It’s a good idea to add previous work experience as a dental assistant to your resume. You can mention employment experience that isn’t related to this role but is still relevant. A volunteer position at a dentist’s office, for example, could demonstrate that you know how to work in a dental office.
When stating your work history, start with the most recent position and work your way down. Some employers may only be interested in your most recent 5-10 years of job experience, so if you have more than that, you can leave it off and concentrate solely on your most recent experience.
4. Understand Your Strengths
Understanding your specific capabilities will help you figure out the format of your resume, whether you’re new to the sector but have the necessary skills or have years of experience to contribute. Consider starting with your relevant abilities and putting your experience part closer to the bottom if you’ve never worked as a dental assistant but have a lot of them. You can place your strongest experience first if you have a lot to show.
5. List Your Certifications
Not all dentists require their assistants to be certified in their field. Those who do would almost certainly include it in the job description or opening. Even if your desired employer does not require certification, listing any that you have on your resume may help you stand out from the competition. The Dental Assisting National Board’s Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) is the most popular certification for this position, however, any relevant certification could be useful in establishing your qualification for the job. When mentioning your certificates, make a note of the year you got them and the organization that bestowed them on you.
6. Include Your Education
Most firms prefer to hire dental assistants who have completed a formal school program. You can sort your schooling from most recent to least recent in descending order. Include the institution you attended, the years you spent there, and any degrees or certificates you received.
Example Dental Assistant Resume
Consider the following sample while developing your entry-level dental assistant resume:
Charles Macavoy
34 Mulberry Lane
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107
(555) 555-1342
Objective: Recent college graduate seeks dental assistant job to further childhood hygiene through dental work and education.*
Skills: Compassionate, communicative, clean, strong attention to detail, knowledge of dental tools and procedures, good with kids.*
Experience:
Happy Teeth Family Dentistry
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Summer 2020
Position: Volunteer
Administrative duties, office, and surgical room cleanup, overseeing waiting room, X-ray procedure observation.
Education:
Philadelphia School of Dentistry
2016-2020
Bachelor of Science in Dentistry
*Certifications: CDA Certified by the Dental Assisting National Board (2020)*
Conclusion
Employers can learn about a job seeker’s background, abilities, and accomplishments by looking at their resume. It also provides a synopsis of a person’s relevant work experience and education.
You may make your dental assistant resume stand out by beginning it with a compelling professional aim statement.
This article contains detailed instructions on how to improve the appeal of your dental assistant resume to employers. The resume example for a dental assistant job in this post demonstrates this.
Frequently Asked Questions
In the United States and Canada, a resume (or résumé, from the French “to summarize”) is a brief, simple document used for job applications.
There are several ways to format and exhibit your work experience, talents, and other essential information when applying to become a dental assistant.
A dental assistant’s resume is a document that describes a dental assistant’s professional experience, abilities, and potential.
A dental assistant is a medical practitioner who assists a dentist with a variety of responsibilities on a daily basis.
References
- Dental Assistant Resume Sample [+Template & Skills]
- 9 Dental Assistant Resume Examples That Work In 2023
- Dental Assistant Resume Samples
- Dental Assistant Resume Objective Example
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