Highlight your dental assistant training and certifications

Employers want to see that you have the necessary education and certifications to work as a dental assistant. Make sure to include:

• Completion of a dental assistant program from an accredited school
• Dental Assistant Certification (CDA) from the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB)
• CPR certification
• State-specific certifications or licenses

Avoid simply listing the school name and years attended. Instead, provide details of your training:

Completed 900-hour dental assistant program at ABC Technical College, including 300 hours of clinical externship. Coursework covered dental anatomy, X-ray techniques, patient care, and dental office management.

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   Show your clinical skills and experience

Dental practices want to know that you have the hands-on skills to assist with a variety of dental procedures. Use your resume to highlight your clinical experience, such as:

• Assisted dentists with over 50 dental procedures, including fillings, extractions, and root canals
• Took and developed over 100 dental X-rays with a 95% accuracy rate
• Prepared and sterilized dental instruments for 20+ patients per day

Avoid simply listing your responsibilities without providing context. Quantify your experience whenever possible:

• Assisted with dental procedures
• Took X-rays
• Sterilized instruments

   Emphasize your patient care and communication skills

Dental assistants work closely with patients and need strong communication and interpersonal skills. Show employers that you have experience:

• Educating patients on proper oral hygiene techniques, resulting in a 25% improvement in patient oral health
• Calming anxious patients before procedures, resulting in a 90% patient satisfaction rate
• Communicating treatment plans and post-op care instructions to 20+ patients per day

Don't just say that you have "good communication skills." Provide specific examples of how you've used these skills to benefit patients and the dental practice.

   Include any dental office experience

Even if you don't have direct dental assisting experience, any work in a dental office can be valuable to employers. This can include:

• Scheduling and confirming over 50 patient appointments per week
• Processing and filing dental insurance claims for 100+ patients per month
• Managing inventory and ordering dental supplies, reducing supply costs by 15%

Don't overlook this experience on your resume. It shows that you are familiar with the day-to-day operations of a dental practice and can hit the ground running in a new role.

   Tailor your resume to the job description

Dental practices have different needs and specialties, so it's important to tailor your resume to each job you apply for. Look for keywords in the job description and incorporate them into your resume.

For example, if a job emphasizes pediatric dentistry, highlight any experience you have working with children:

Assisted with dental procedures for over 30 pediatric patients per week, utilizing child-friendly language and techniques to keep children calm and comfortable throughout treatment.

Avoid sending a generic resume that doesn't address the specific needs of the employer. Take the time to customize your resume for each application.

   Use a professional resume format and design

Your resume should be easy to read and professionally formatted. Use a clear font, such as Arial or Calibri, in a 10-12 point size. Organize your information using clear headings, such as:

• Education and Certifications
• Clinical Experience
• Dental Office Experience
• Skills

Keep your resume to one page if possible, and use bullet points to make your information easy to scan. Avoid using graphics, photos, or unusual fonts that may distract from your content.

Remember, your resume is often the first impression you make on a potential employer. A professional, well-organized resume will help you stand out from other entry-level candidates and increase your chances of getting an interview.