Dental Resume Examples for 2024 [+Skills, Format]

Dentist jobs are tough.

But writing a resume for dentist jobs shouldn’t be as hard as drilling jawbones. You just need to show your track record fits the clinic like an endosteal implant.

In this guide:

• A dentist resume sample better than most.
• How to write a dentist resume that shines.
• How to insert your dentist job description for resumes into the position.
• Why you can’t just list dentist skills (and what to do instead).

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Are you more of a dental or medical assistant? See our guides:

• Dental Assistant Resume Examples
• Medical Assistant Resume Examples
• EMT / Paramedic Resume Examples
• Medical School Resume Examples
• General Medical Resume Examples
• Dental Hygienist Resume Examples
• Doctor Resume Examples
• Medical Student Resume Examples
• Medical Scribe Resume Examples
• Healthcare Resume Examples

Haven't found what you're looking for? Check all our Resume Examples.

Dentist Resume Sample You Can Copy and Use

Here’s how to write a dentist resume that gets calls:

1. Choose the Best Dentist Resume Format

Your resume format is the enamel on your job search. Without it, everything falls apart.

Use the reverse-chronological resume format to tell your story. Complete it with these tips:

Dentist Resume Format

• Create 1-inch margins.
• Use one resume font like 10–12pt Arial or Garamond.
• Make these resume sections: Heading, Summary, History, Education, and Skills.
• Leave room between sections to avoid crowding.
• Your resume length should be 1–2 pages, depending on experience.
• Send them a PDF resume. Those look sharp on multiple devices.

Expert Hint: According to ADA data, dentists are among the most trusted professionals on Earth. If you’ve got a track record of gaining patient trust, show proof in your general dentist resume.

2. Insert a Dentist Resume Summary or Objective

What’s worse than convincing patients X-Rays won’t kill them? Applying to dental clinics and hearing silence. To get traction, start your resume for dentist jobs with a winning career summary or career objective.

Include:

1. An adjective (business-minded, efficient)
2. “Licensed dentist” (or “general dentist” if that’s the title in the job ad)
3. Years of experience (3+, 9+)
4. How/who you’ll help (enhance all aspects of the business at Michaud Dentistry)
5. Best dentist moments (grew revenue 30%...), i.e. an achievement to show off on your resume.

Write your summary last to make it easier.

See these general dentist resume examples:

Dentist Resume Summary—Example

Licensed general dentist with 5+ years of experience driving revenue growth and serving patients. Seeking to enhance all aspects of the business at Michaud Dentistry. Cut staff turnover 50% and grew revenue 30% at Swanson & Rasle Dentistry.

Experienced dentist, skilled in cosmetic dentistry and early dental care. A visionary expert at producing gains in revenue growth and increasing staff retention. Adept at crowns & bridges, dental assessments, and preventative dentistry.

The second of those dentist resume samples says you’ll grow revenue. The first adds proof.

“Wait—I can’t show numbers like that!” No worries. A resume for dentists with no experience can still work wonders. See this entry-level resume for dentists:

Entry-Level Dentist Resume Objective

Business-oriented, licensed dentist, skilled in bridges, crowns, and sleep apnea. Seeking to improve patient experience at Swanson & Rasle Dentistry. As dental assistant at Vermillion Dentistry, assisted with four-handed dentistry and 30+ root canals and crowns. Trained two other dental assistants in X-Ray operation.

Entry-level dentist, highly skilled in root canals and crowns. An expert trainer who can onboard dental assistants fast. Recognized for patient education skills and working with sleep apnea patients.

Those entry-level dentist resume examples are like a before-and-after photo. The second claims root canals and training. The first shows you’ve cut your teeth.

Expert Hint: A study by BMC shows 62% of dentists have musculoskeletal problems like back pain, wrist, shoulder, or elbow pain. If you do yoga or other self-care to stay fit, show it in an “additional activities” section in your resume for dentist positions.

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3. Make a Fitting Dentist Job Description and Skills Section

In dental surgery, “close enough” won’t cut it. It’s the same with dentist skills on a resume. Here’s a quick list:

Dentist Skills for Resumes

Hard Skills	Soft Skills	Dental Specialties
Bridges, Crowns, Veneers	Interpersonal Skills	Maxillofacial Surgery
Preventative Dentistry	Communication	Periodontics
Dental Assessments	Collaboration	Prosthodontics
X-Ray Operation	Attention to Detail	Endodontics
Laser Whitening	Time Management	Pediatric Dentistry
Smile Makeovers	Dexterity	Oral Radiology
Four-Handed Dentistry	Stress Management	Orthodontics
Fluoride Treatments	Analytical Thinking	Oral Surgery
Sleep Apnea	Problem Solving	Dental Hygiene
Braces	Accountability	Cosmetic Dentistry

Your dream job might not care about most of those. It’ll require you to include specific skills for resumes in your resume work experience section. Take the surgical approach and find resume keywords in the dentist job ad. Then customize your resume.

See these general dentist resume samples:

The job wants these dentist job requirements: management, relationship building, periodontics, maxillofacial surgery, and prosthodontics.

Dentist Job Description for a Resume [Sample]

Experience

General Dentist

Swanson & Rasle Dentistry, Sioux Falls, SD

2014–2019

Key Qualifications & Responsibilities

• Managed operations in busy dental clinic, including instruction and delegation of dental hygienists, dental assistants, and office manager.
• Recognized for building robust relationships with clients including patients and parents. Raised patient retention by 40%.
• Expert dentistry knowledge, including periodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, endodontics, and prosthodontics.

• Consistently delivered high-end revenue numbers.
• Successfully educated patients about procedures, pre-procedure preparation, and oral care following all surgeries.
• Performed best-quality dental work and promoted community oral healthcare initiatives.
• Coordinated dental treatment with general healthcare specialists.

The first of those dentist resume examples is like a LightScalpel. It touches all the right spots.

New to the game? In an entry-level resume, extract your best career moments. See these associate dentist resume examples with no experience:

They target a job needing four-handed dentistry, patient education, training, and root canals.

Entry-Level Dentist Resume Job Description [Sample]

Dental Assistant

Vermillion Dentistry, Vermillion, SD

2012–2014

Key Qualifications & Responsibilities

• Assisted with four-handed dentistry.
• Performed patient education before and after procedures.
• Trained 2 new dental assistants in X-Ray operation.
• Assisted with 30+ root canals and crowns.

Dental Assistant

Vermillion Dentistry, Vermillion, SD

2012–2014

Key Qualifications & Responsibilities

• Performed tasks as delegated by dentist and oral hygienists.
• Maintained and calibrated dental equipment.
• Operated X-Ray machine.
• Collected and sterilized dental instruments.

Expert Tip: A study in JAMA revealed that dentists have a higher hepatitis risk than many other healthcare professionals. Show biohazard or infectious disease trainings in your dentist resume if you’ve got them.

4. Polish up Your Education Section

That DDS or DMD did not come easy. So don’t hide it on your resume for dentist jobs.

But your resume’s education section is a great way to list skills. This general dentist resume sample shows how:

Dentist Resume Example—Education

Education

Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS)

Sanford School of Medicine, Yankton, SD

2010–2012

• Pursued a passion for preventative dentistry coursework.
• Excelled in four-handed dentistry classes.

BS Health Science

University of South Dakota, Vermillion, South Dakota

2007–2010

Did you head up a student group or get a fellowship? Those can make dental clinic owners notice you.

5. Add More to Your Dentist Resume

We’re almost there. Your dentist resume just needs a finishing touch. With additional resume categories. List your license and certifications below your education. Then if there’s room, graft on some interview bait.

You can add:

• Associations (ADA, AGD)
• Certifications (General dentistry, business management)
• Freelance work
• Volunteer work
• Publications (in journals like JADA or online blogs)
• Media Appearances
• Additional activities
• Languages
• Sports

See these dentist resume examples:

Dentist Resume—Extra Sections

License

General Dentist, State of South Dakota, License #000000

Certifications

2018 - General Dentistry - American Board of General Dentistry

2017 - Business Essentials - AMA

BSA Troop Leader

• Coordinate with 35+ children and parents in the community to organize fundraisers, trips, and events.
• Maintain strong relationships with 50+ community members and professionals.

Additional Activities

• Quidditch
• Camping

That first dentist resume sample has it all. Even the BSA volunteering shows relationship-building and community involvement.

Expert Hint: Write a cover letter for your resume for dentist jobs. Don’t talk about yourself. Talk about the business and what you’ll do for it. Then give proof you can.

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Key Points

Here’s how to write a dentist resume:

• Start with our dentist resume template. Add gold moments from your dentistry career.
• List dentist skills like oral surgery or laser whitening. Show your bottom-line results.
• Write a dentistry resume summary up top. Like a smile, it gets employers to want more.
• Add “bonus” sections to show you know pulp from prophylaxis.

Got questions on how to write great resumes for dentist jobs? Not sure how to put dentist on a resume? Leave a comment. We’ll be happy to reply!

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