Dental Hygienist Resume examples & templates

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Copyable Dental Hygienist Resume examples

Unlike teachers who wait until summer for a break from chaos, dental hygienists find their zen in the daily rhythm of patient care. There's something almost meditative about the focused attention each appointment requires — a stark contrast to the constant multitasking many professionals endure. As a dental hygienist, you're part detective (spotting that hidden cavity before it becomes a root canal nightmare), part educator (explaining why flossing isn't actually optional), and part clinician (performing the skilled cleanings that keep smiles healthy).

The field has evolved dramatically in recent years, with hygienists taking on expanded functions in many states. The integration of ultrasonic scaling technology has reduced hand fatigue — a welcome development in a profession where 64% of practitioners report experiencing hand and wrist pain. Many practices now incorporate intraoral cameras and digital imaging, transforming patient education from abstract discussions to visual demonstrations that patients actually understand. As preventive oral healthcare continues gaining recognition as a critical component of overall wellness, dental hygienists are positioned to play an increasingly central role in healthcare teams beyond the traditional dental office setting.

Junior Dental Hygienist Resume Example

Rebecca Martinez

Denver, CO 80219 | (720) 555-8176 | r.martinez@emailprovider.com | linkedin.com/in/rebeccamartinez

Newly licensed Dental Hygienist with clinical internship experience and a passion for patient education. Skilled in scaling, root planing and preventative care, with hands-on experience using digital imaging systems. Known for creating a comfortable environment for anxious patients while maintaining efficient appointment scheduling. Currently pursuing advanced training in pediatric dental hygiene.

EXPERIENCE

Dental Hygienist | Brightsmile Family Dental | Denver, CO | June 2023 – Present

  • Perform comprehensive oral assessments, scaling, polishing and fluoride treatments for 8-10 patients daily
  • Document patient care using Dentrix software, maintaining detailed records of treatments and home care instructions
  • Educate patients on proper oral hygiene techniques, increasing patient compliance by 27% based on follow-up visits
  • Assist with intraoral photography and digital radiographs using Dexis imaging systems
  • Collaborate with dentists to develop treatment plans for patients with periodontitis and gingivitis

Dental Hygiene Intern | Mountain View Dental Group | Boulder, CO | January 2023 – May 2023

  • Completed 16-week clinical rotation providing preventative care under supervision of licensed hygienists
  • Performed prophylaxis, scaling and root planing for patients with varying degrees of periodontal disease
  • Administered local anesthesia and nitrous oxide sedation for anxious patients
  • Recorded comprehensive medical histories and vital signs before dental procedures

Dental Assistant | Parkside Dental Care | Denver, CO | July 2021 – December 2022

  • Prepared operatories, sterilized instruments and assisted dentists during procedures
  • Took impressions for study models and fabricated temporary crowns
  • Managed front desk operations including scheduling appointments and handling insurance claims
  • Maintained OSHA and HIPAA compliance within the practice

EDUCATION

Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene
Community College of Denver | Denver, CO
Graduated: May 2023 | GPA: 3.8/4.0

Certifications:

  • Colorado State Dental Hygiene License (RDH) – June 2023
  • CPR/BLS Certification – American Heart Association (Current)
  • Local Anesthesia Administration Certification – May 2023
  • Nitrous Oxide Administration Certification – May 2023

SKILLS

  • Scaling & Root Planing
  • Digital Radiography (Dexis)
  • Patient Education
  • Periodontal Assessment
  • Dentrix Practice Management
  • Oral Cancer Screenings
  • Sealant Application
  • Instrument Sterilization
  • Fluoride Treatments
  • HIPAA Compliance
  • Spanish (Conversational)

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

  • American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) – Student Member 2022-2023, Professional Member 2023-Present
  • Colorado Dental Hygienists’ Association – Member since 2023

Mid-level Dental Hygienist Resume Example

Melissa Rodriguez, RDH

Boston, MA • (617) 555-8924 • melissa.rdh@emaildomain.com • linkedin.com/in/melissarodriguez-rdh

Professional Summary

Dedicated Dental Hygienist with 5+ years of experience providing comprehensive preventive care and patient education. Known for gentle technique and building rapport with anxious patients, reducing cancellation rates by 17% at current practice. Proficient with digital radiography systems and periodontal charting software, with special interest in pediatric dentistry.

Experience

Senior Dental Hygienist | Brighton Family Dental | Boston, MA | May 2021 – Present

  • Perform thorough dental cleanings and examinations for 10-12 patients daily in a busy private practice
  • Implemented a new patient education program that increased home care compliance by 23% over 8 months
  • Train and mentor junior hygienists and dental assistants on proper techniques and patient management
  • Collaborate with dentists to develop individualized treatment plans for patients with complex periodontal needs
  • Reduced appointment times by 12 minutes on average while maintaining quality care through improved workflow

Dental Hygienist | Parkway Dental Associates | Cambridge, MA | August 2019 – April 2021

  • Provided comprehensive dental hygiene services including scaling, root planing, and polishing
  • Captured and processed digital radiographs using Dexis imaging software
  • Educated patients on proper oral hygiene techniques and preventive care (brushing, flossing, diet)
  • Assisted in developing a pediatric-friendly environment that increased our child patient base by 31%
  • Maintained detailed patient records and treatment notes in Dentrix practice management system

Dental Hygienist | Community Health Center of Somerville | Somerville, MA | June 2018 – July 2019

  • Provided dental hygiene services to underserved populations in a community health setting
  • Participated in school-based sealant program, screening over 200 children annually
  • Adapted treatment approaches for patients with diverse needs, including non-English speakers and those with dental anxiety
  • Coordinated with social services to ensure follow-up care for at-risk patients

Education & Certifications

Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences | Boston, MA | 2018
GPA: 3.8/4.0 | Dean’s List all semesters

Certifications:

  • Massachusetts Registered Dental Hygienist License #DH8294 (Current)
  • CPR/BLS Certification, American Heart Association (Renewed Jan 2023)
  • Local Anesthesia Administration Certification (2018)
  • Nitrous Oxide Monitoring Certification (2019)

Skills

  • Scaling & Root Planing
  • Digital Radiography (Dexis, Carestream)
  • Periodontal Assessment & Charting
  • Patient Education & Motivation
  • Dental Software (Dentrix, Eaglesoft)
  • Sealant Application
  • Infection Control Protocols
  • Pediatric Dental Hygiene
  • Oral Cancer Screening
  • Spanish (Conversational)

Professional Development

  • Advanced Periodontal Therapy Workshop, Boston Dental Society, 2022
  • Caries Prevention Strategies Seminar, 2021
  • Special Needs Patient Care Conference, 2020
  • Member, American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA)

Senior / Experienced Dental Hygienist Resume Example

Melissa Ramirez, RDH

mramirez.rdh@gmail.com | (714) 555-8792 | San Diego, CA 92101
www.linkedin.com/in/melissaramirezrdh | Licensed in California #DH-24879

Dedicated dental hygienist with 11+ years of clinical experience providing comprehensive patient care. Known for building strong patient relationships while maintaining excellent clinical standards. Skilled in advanced periodontal therapy, patient education, and using the latest dental technologies. Committed to continuing education to stay current with evolving best practices.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Senior Dental Hygienist | Bayside Dental Associates, San Diego, CA | June 2017 – Present

  • Provide comprehensive dental hygiene services to 12-14 patients daily in a busy multi-provider practice
  • Implemented digital charting protocols that reduced documentation time by 23% while improving accuracy
  • Trained and mentored 5 junior hygienists on advanced periodontal treatments and patient management
  • Coordinate with periodontists for complex cases requiring specialized treatment plans
  • Developed patient education materials for post-surgical home care that increased compliance rates to 87%
  • Serve as infection control coordinator, ensuring practice maintains OSHA and CDC compliance

Dental Hygienist | Smile Bright Family Dentistry, Irvine, CA | August 2014 – May 2017

  • Performed thorough prophylaxis, periodontal scaling, root planing, and oral cancer screenings
  • Managed dental hygiene appointments for up to 10 patients daily while maintaining quality care
  • Introduced ultrasonic scaling techniques that improved treatment outcomes for patients with moderate periodontitis
  • Assisted in transitioning practice to paperless recordkeeping system
  • Collaborated with dentist to identify treatment needs and communicate findings to patients

Dental Hygienist | Dr. Robert Chen, DDS, Long Beach, CA | May 2012 – July 2014

  • Provided prophylactic dental care to diverse patient population in private practice setting
  • Conducted patient assessments including medical history reviews and oral examinations
  • Created customized oral hygiene plans for patients with special needs or complex oral health issues
  • Used intraoral cameras to educate patients on oral conditions, increasing treatment acceptance by 31%

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS

Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene
West Coast University, Anaheim, CA | 2012
California RDH License #DH-24879

Certifications & Continuing Education

  • Advanced Instrumentation for Periodontal Therapy (2022)
  • Local Anesthesia & Nitrous Oxide Administration (2021)
  • Laser Dentistry Certification – Diode Laser (2019)
  • Advanced Periodontal Instrumentation Workshop (2018)
  • CPR/BLS for Healthcare Providers – American Heart Association (renewed 2023)

SKILLS

  • Periodontal Assessment & Therapy
  • Dental Radiography (Digital & Traditional)
  • Patient Education & Motivation
  • Soft Tissue Management
  • Dental Sealant Application
  • Dental Software (Dentrix, Eaglesoft, Open Dental)
  • Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy
  • Local Anesthesia Administration
  • Coronal Polishing & Stain Removal
  • Oral Cancer Screening

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

  • American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) – Member since 2012
  • California Dental Hygienists’ Association (CDHA)
  • San Diego Dental Hygienists’ Society – Professional Development Committee Member

How to Write a Dental Hygienist Resume

Introduction

Landing that perfect dental hygienist job starts with a resume that sparkles—just like the teeth you'll be cleaning! As someone who's reviewed thousands of dental professional resumes, I've seen firsthand what makes hiring managers take notice. Your resume isn't just a list of jobs; it's your professional story that showcases your clinical skills, patient care approach, and attention to detail.

The dental industry is competitive, with practices looking for hygienists who bring both technical expertise and chairside manner. A well-crafted resume gets you past the initial screening and into the interview chair, where you can really shine.

Resume Structure and Format

Keep your resume clean and organized—much like your operatory! Aim for 1-2 pages, depending on your experience level. Newer hygienists should stick to one page, while those with 7+ years might extend to two.

  • Use a clean, professional font (Arial, Calibri, or Garamond work well)
  • Include clear section headings with consistent formatting
  • Incorporate white space—crowded resumes are hard to read
  • Save as a PDF to preserve formatting (unless specifically asked for Word)
  • Name your file professionally: "JaneSmith_DentalHygienist_Resume.pdf"
Pro Tip: Many dental practices are small businesses without formal HR departments. Your resume might be reviewed by a dentist or office manager who's scanning quickly between patients. Make every word count!

Profile/Summary Section

Start with a punchy 3-4 sentence summary that captures your experience level, specialties, and what makes you stand out. This is your "elevator pitch" to grab attention.

For example: "Licensed Dental Hygienist with 6 years of experience in periodontal therapy and preventive care. Skilled in digital radiography and intraoral photography. Known for building rapport with anxious patients while maintaining 97% on-time schedule performance. Passionate about patient education that translates to improved home care."

Professional Experience

This is the meat of your resume! List your positions in reverse chronological order with month/year dates. For each role, include:

  • Practice name and location
  • Your exact title
  • Dates of employment
  • 4-6 bullet points highlighting achievements (not just duties)

Focus on quantifiable results when possible:

  • Performed comprehensive care for 8-12 patients daily while maintaining quality standards
  • Increased patient retention by 24% through personalized oral hygiene instruction
  • Implemented digital charting system that reduced documentation time by 15 minutes per patient
  • Detected early signs of oral cancer in 3 patients, facilitating timely referrals

Education and Certifications

List your dental hygiene degree first, followed by other relevant education. Include:

  • Degree name and major
  • Institution name and location
  • Graduation year (omit if more than 15 years ago)
  • GPA if above 3.5
  • Relevant certifications with expiration dates (RDH license, CPR, local anesthesia, nitrous oxide)
  • Continuing education highlights (especially specialized training)

Keywords and ATS Tips

Many larger dental groups use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter resumes. Include these key terms naturally throughout your resume:

  • Periodontal assessment/scaling
  • Prophylaxis
  • Digital radiography
  • Patient education
  • Dental software names (Dentrix, Eaglesoft, Open Dental)
  • Soft tissue management
  • HIPAA compliance
  • Instrument sterilization protocols

Industry-specific Terms

Demonstrate your expertise by correctly using dental terminology. Include relevant skills like:

  • Periodontal probing and assessment
  • Full mouth debridement
  • Sealant application
  • Coronal polishing
  • Administering local anesthesia (if certified)
  • Intraoral photography
  • Dental materials knowledge

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using generic descriptions that could apply to any hygienist
  • Focusing solely on duties rather than accomplishments
  • Forgetting to update your license number or certification dates
  • Including outdated skills or techniques
  • Using too much dental jargon (especially in your summary)
  • Neglecting to proofread (tooth instead of teeth, anyone?)

Before/After Example

Before: "Responsible for cleaning teeth and educating patients about oral hygiene."

After: "Provided comprehensive prophylactic care for 8-10 patients daily while developing customized home care plans that resulted in visible improvement in plaque scores for 78% of recall patients."

Your resume is often your first impression—make it as polished as the smiles you help create! Tailor it to each job application, highlighting the skills and experiences most relevant to that specific practice or clinic.

Soft skills for your Dental Hygienist resume

  • Patient anxiety management – calm even the most nervous patients through conversation and distraction techniques
  • Clear explanation of complex dental conditions to patients with varying health literacy
  • Team coordination with dentists and assistants during multi-provider appointments
  • Adaptable scheduling – can pivot quickly when emergencies arise or treatments take longer than expected
  • Conflict resolution when handling insurance disputes or patient billing concerns
  • Motivational interviewing to encourage better home care habits without sounding judgmental

Hard skills for your Dental Hygienist resume

  • Digital radiography techniques (panoramic, bitewing, periapical)
  • Periodontal charting and assessment using Patterson Eaglesoft
  • CEREC CAD/CAM technology for same-day restorations
  • Dental sealant application and preventive treatments
  • Local anesthesia administration (infiltration and block techniques)
  • Cavitron ultrasonic scaling and root planing
  • Dentrix practice management software
  • Air polishing with Prophy-Jet systems
  • Intraoral photography using Carestream CS 1500