Dental Assistant Resume examples & templates
Copyable Dental Assistant Resume examples
Balancing patient care with clinical precision isn't easy when you're juggling multiple operatories. Most dental assistants I've worked with describe that moment when the schedule falls behind, a patient is anxious, and the dentist needs immediate help—all while trying to maintain perfect infection control protocols. It's like being the backstage manager of a complex production where every detail matters, yet your role often goes unnoticed by patients who primarily interact with the dentist.
The field is shifting rapidly, with expanded function dental assistants (EFDAs) taking on more complex procedures in many states. This evolution reflects growing demand—the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 7% growth rate through 2031, faster than average for healthcare support roles. What's particularly interesting is how technology is reshaping the traditional assistant's role, with digital impressions and chairside CAD/CAM systems requiring new skills that weren't part of the job description five years ago. As practices continue adopting these technologies, dental assistants who blend traditional chairside expertise with digital fluency will find themselves increasingly valuable members of the dental team.
Junior Dental Assistant Resume Example
Sarah Martinez
Fresno, CA 93722 • (559) 421-8076 • sarah.martinez@email.com • linkedin.com/in/sarahmartinez
Certified Dental Assistant with 1+ year of experience supporting busy dental practices with patient care, chairside procedures, and administrative tasks. Quick learner who adapts easily to different dental software systems and patient management approaches. Recognized for creating a welcoming atmosphere that helps anxious patients feel at ease.
EXPERIENCE
Dental Assistant – Parkside Family Dental, Fresno, CA
March 2022 – Present
- Assist dentists with 14-18 patients daily during procedures including fillings, extractions, root canals, and crown placements
- Prepare operatories, sterilize instruments, and maintain inventory of dental supplies (reducing stockouts by 31%)
- Take digital X-rays and impressions while ensuring patient comfort
- Input treatment notes and update electronic patient records using Dentrix software
- Helped implement a new patient reminder system that cut no-shows from 9% to just 3.5%
Dental Assistant Intern – Bright Smile Dental Group, Clovis, CA
September 2021 – February 2022
- Completed 650 hours of supervised clinical experience while learning chairside techniques
- Shadowed 4 dental professionals across general, pediatric, and orthodontic specialties
- Assisted with instrument sterilization, operatory turnover, and supply management
- Practiced taking alginate impressions and pouring models under supervision
Receptionist (Part-time) – Valley Health Medical Center, Fresno, CA
June 2020 – August 2021
- Greeted patients, managed appointment scheduling, and verified insurance information
- Handled incoming calls (40+ daily) and directed them to appropriate staff members
- Filed and organized medical records while maintaining patient confidentiality
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
Dental Assistant Certificate
Fresno City College, Fresno, CA – 2021
Certifications:
- Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) – Dental Assisting National Board, 2022
- Radiation Safety Certification – California Dental Board, 2021
- CPR/BLS Certification – American Heart Association, 2021 (renewed 2023)
- Infection Control Certification – California Dental Board, 2021
SKILLS
- Chairside Assisting
- Digital Radiography
- Infection Control
- Instrument Sterilization
- Dental Materials Preparation
- Impression Taking
- Dentrix Software
- Patient Education
- HIPAA Compliance
- Oral Evacuation
- Inventory Management
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Member, American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA)
Volunteer, Fresno Community Dental Clinic (monthly free dental care events)
Mid-level Dental Assistant Resume Example
Hannah Mitchell
Phone: (503) 721-8435 | Email: h.mitchell@gmail.com | Portland, OR 97205
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hannahmitchell | Available for weekend shifts
Detail-oriented Dental Assistant with 5+ years of chairside experience supporting multiple practitioners in fast-paced environments. Proficient in digital radiography, impression taking, and patient care coordination. Known for putting anxious patients at ease and maintaining efficient operatory workflows. Currently pursuing expanded functions certification to broaden clinical capabilities.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Lead Dental Assistant | Parkview Dental Associates | Portland, OR | June 2020 – Present
- Assist 4 practitioners with procedures including crown prep, implant placement, root canals, and cosmetic treatments for 12-18 patients daily
- Train and mentor 3 junior assistants on infection control protocols, equipment maintenance, and chairside techniques
- Reduced inventory costs by 17% by implementing digital tracking system and negotiating with supply vendors
- Coordinate with front office to streamline patient scheduling, resulting in 9% increase in daily appointments
- Maintain OSHA compliance and lead monthly safety meetings for clinical staff
Dental Assistant | Family First Dental Care | Beaverton, OR | August 2018 – May 2020
- Performed 4-handed chairside assistance for general dentist in high-volume practice (85+ patients weekly)
- Prepared treatment rooms, sterilized instruments, and managed dental materials inventory
- Captured diagnostic images using digital radiography systems and intraoral cameras
- Created temporary crowns and processed dental impressions for lab submission
- Educated patients on post-operative care and proper oral hygiene techniques
Dental Assistant Intern | Bright Smile Pediatric Dentistry | Portland, OR | Jan 2018 – July 2018
- Assisted with pediatric exams and basic procedures under supervision of senior staff
- Developed techniques for calming nervous children during treatment
- Maintained operatory cleanliness and prepared instrument trays for next-day appointments
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
Certificate in Dental Assisting | Portland Community College | Portland, OR | 2017
Certifications:
- Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) – Dental Assisting National Board (DANB)
- CPR/First Aid Certification – American Red Cross (renewed annually)
- Radiology Certification – Oregon Board of Dentistry
- EFDA Certification – In progress (expected completion Dec 2023)
TECHNICAL SKILLS
- Digital Radiography (Dexis, Carestream)
- Eaglesoft & Dentrix Practice Management Software
- Dental Materials Preparation
- Coronal Polishing & Fluoride Application
- Impression Taking (traditional & digital)
- Infection Control & Sterilization
- Temporary Crown Fabrication
- Composite & Amalgam Restoration Assistance
- Intraoral Photography
- Nitrous Oxide Monitoring
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Volunteer: Miles for Smiles Mobile Dental Clinic (quarterly outreach events)
Languages: Conversational Spanish
Available for occasional emergency on-call shifts
Senior / Experienced Dental Assistant Resume Example
SAMANTHA RODRIGUEZ
Seattle, WA 98115 • (206) 555-7842 • samantha.rodriguez@email.com • linkedin.com/in/samrodriguez
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Dedicated Dental Assistant with 9+ years of hands-on experience supporting dental procedures and office operations. Known for exceptional patient care skills that keep anxious patients calm and comfortable. Proficient in digital radiography, chairside assistance, and office management software with a proven track record of improving practice efficiency. Certified in CPR and experienced in training junior staff members.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Lead Dental Assistant | Greenwood Family Dental, Seattle, WA | January 2019 – Present
- Supervise team of 4 dental assistants, providing mentorship and conducting quarterly performance evaluations
- Assist in complex procedures including implants, crowns, and oral surgery with 99.7% success rate
- Implemented digital charting system that reduced documentation time by 37% and improved patient record accuracy
- Manage inventory of dental supplies, reducing waste by 22% while maintaining adequate stock levels
- Coordinate with front office to improve patient flow, decreasing average wait times from 18 to 7 minutes
- Train new hires on office protocols, sterilization procedures, and patient care standards
Dental Assistant | Magnolia Dental Associates, Seattle, WA | March 2016 – December 2018
- Provided chairside assistance during general and cosmetic dental procedures for 12-15 patients daily
- Prepared treatment rooms, sterilized instruments, and maintained equipment following OSHA guidelines
- Captured diagnostic radiographs using digital X-ray technology with minimal retakes (less than 5%)
- Created and updated patient records, including treatment notes and insurance documentation
- Educated patients on proper oral hygiene techniques and post-procedure care instructions
Dental Assistant | Dr. James Peterson Family Dentistry, Tacoma, WA | June 2014 – February 2016
- Assisted dentist in routine procedures including fillings, extractions, and cleanings
- Performed preliminary patient assessments, including vital signs and medical history review
- Took and developed traditional film X-rays (before office switched to digital)
- Managed appointment scheduling and confirmed patient visits to reduce no-show rate by 18%
- Maintained clean, organized treatment areas and sterilized instruments between patients
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
Dental Assisting Certificate | Seattle Community College | 2014
Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) | Dental Assisting National Board | 2014, Renewed 2020
Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) | Washington State Department of Health | 2014
Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification | American Heart Association | Current
Radiation Safety Certification | Washington State | Current
TECHNICAL SKILLS
- Digital Radiography & Traditional X-ray Techniques
- Eaglesoft & Dentrix Practice Management Software
- Dental Materials Preparation & Application
- Infection Control & OSHA Compliance
- Chairside Assistance (4-handed & 6-handed)
- Coronal Polishing & Fluoride Application
- Patient Education & Care Instructions
- Dental Office Administration
- Impression Taking & Model Pouring
- Inventory Management
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Active member of the American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA) since 2015
Volunteer dental assistant at Seattle Free Clinic (monthly, 2017-present)
Fluent in English and Spanish
How to Write a Dental Assistant Resume
Introduction
Landing that perfect dental assistant job starts with a resume that makes you shine brighter than freshly polished teeth. As someone who's reviewed thousands of dental assistant applications over the years, I can tell you that most hiring managers spend less than 30 seconds scanning your resume before deciding whether to toss it or keep it. Your resume isn't just a list of jobs—it's your professional story that shows why you're the perfect fit for their practice.
Resume Structure and Format
Keep your dental assistant resume clean and organized—just like a proper operatory! One page is typically enough unless you have over 7-8 years of experience. Use a simple, professional font (Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman work well) in 10-12pt size.
- Maintain consistent spacing and alignment throughout
- Use bullet points rather than paragraphs for experience
- Include plenty of white space—crowded resumes are hard to read
- Save as a PDF (unless specifically asked for another format)
- Name your file professionally: "FirstName_LastName_Resume.pdf"
Profile/Summary Section
Your summary should be 3-4 lines that grab attention immediately. Think of it as your "30-second elevator pitch" that highlights your experience, skills, and what makes you different from other candidates.
Don't just say you're "detail-oriented" or "passionate"—show it by mentioning specifics like "5+ years experience with digital radiography" or "certified in coronal polishing with 98% patient satisfaction rating."
Professional Experience
This is where most dental offices will focus their attention. List your positions in reverse chronological order, including practice name, location, and dates. For each role, include 4-6 bullet points that emphasize:
- Clinical skills (digital X-rays, chairside assisting, impressions)
- Patient interaction (calming anxious patients, explaining procedures)
- Administrative duties (scheduling, insurance processing)
- Measurable achievements (reduced patient wait times by 17%, maintained 99.3% accuracy in charting)
- Specialized procedures you've assisted with (implants, orthodontics, pediatric)
Education and Certifications
Dental assisting is a credential-heavy field. Make this section count by including:
- Dental Assistant program/school with graduation date
- CDA/RDA/EFDA certifications (with dates and license numbers)
- CPR/BLS certification (always keep this current!)
- Radiology license or certification
- Continuing education courses (especially for specialized skills)
Keywords and ATS Tips
Many practices use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter resumes before a human sees them. To get past these digital gatekeepers:
- Carefully read the job description and mirror key terms
- Include software you're familiar with (Eaglesoft, Dentrix, Dexis)
- Mention specific dental procedures using proper terminology
- Don't use tables, headers/footers, or graphics that ATS can't read
Industry-specific Terms
Show your expertise by naturally incorporating dental terminology. Include terms like:
- Procedures: prophylaxis, amalgam/composite restorations, endodontics
- Equipment: panoramic radiography, intraoral scanner, autoclave
- Materials: alginate, PVS impression materials, composite resins
- Software: practice management systems, digital imaging software
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using generic descriptions that could apply to any healthcare job
- Focusing only on duties rather than accomplishments
- Neglecting to mention infection control protocols (huge red flag!)
- Including outdated skills or expired certifications
- Typos in dental terminology (nothing screams "not detail-oriented" like misspelling "periodontal")
Before/After Example
Before: "Helped dentist with procedures and took x-rays."
After: "Provided chairside assistance for 12-15 patients daily, performing digital radiography, sealant applications, and coronal polishing while maintaining detailed patient records in Dentrix."
Remember—your resume should make the dentist or office manager think, "This person could walk in tomorrow and know exactly what to do." Tailor each application to the specific practice, and you'll be scheduling interviews before you know it!
Related Resume Examples
Soft skills for your Dental Assistant resume
- Patient comfort management – skilled at easing anxiety during procedures through conversation and reassurance (even helped Dr. Kapoor’s “difficult” Thursday patients)
- Team coordination during multi-step procedures – can anticipate needs before they’re verbalized
- Clear communication with both clinical staff and front office to maintain scheduling flow
- Ability to switch between tasks quickly when emergencies arise (those unexpected root canals!)
- Conflict resolution among team members during busy clinic days
- Tactful redirection of concerned family members when necessary
Hard skills for your Dental Assistant resume
- Digital radiography and panoramic imaging
- Cerec CAD/CAM crown fabrication
- Eaglesoft practice management software
- Dental sealant application
- Intraoral photography
- Nitrous oxide monitoring and administration
- Coronal polishing and teeth whitening procedures
- OSHA compliance and infection control protocols
- CPR/BLS certification (renewed 2023)