Dental Assistant Resume Example
Professional Dental Assistant resume example with ATS-optimized template. Learn how to showcase your chairside assisting skills, radiography certifications, and patient care experience to get hired at leading dental practices.
Last Updated: 2026-02-08 | Reading Time: 8-10 minutes
Quick Stats
Dental Assistant Resume Example
Kayla Simmons
kayla.simmons@email.com
(555) 841-2067
Orlando, FL
linkedin.com/in/kaylasimmons
Skills
Certifications
Education
Profile
Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) with 3 years of chairside experience supporting general, orthodontic, and oral surgery procedures. Proficient in digital radiography, infection control protocols, and dental practice management software. Known for creating a comfortable patient experience, contributing to a 4.9-star patient satisfaction rating for the practice.
Professional Experience
- —Assist 3 dentists with 25-30 patients daily across restorative, cosmetic, and preventive procedures including crowns, veneers, and composite fillings
- —Capture and process digital radiographs (periapical, bitewing, panoramic) for diagnostic evaluation, maintaining 99% image quality acceptance rate
- —Prepare treatment rooms, sterilize instruments, and manage infection control procedures in compliance with OSHA and CDC guidelines
- —Educate patients on post-operative care, oral hygiene techniques, and treatment plans, improving treatment acceptance rates by 15%
- —Provided chairside assistance during general and pediatric dental procedures including extractions, sealants, and fluoride treatments
- —Managed patient scheduling, insurance verification, and front desk operations for a 4-provider practice averaging 80 patients per day
- —Maintained inventory of dental supplies and materials, reducing waste by 20% through improved ordering and tracking processes
Why This Resume Works:
- Quantified achievements with specific metrics
- Keywords match common job descriptions
- Clean, ATS-compatible formatting
- Strong action verbs throughout
How to Write a Dental Assistant Resume
Professional Summary
Lead with your CDA or RDA credential, years of chairside experience, and the types of procedures you assist with. Include a patient-facing metric such as satisfaction ratings or daily patient volume to demonstrate your impact.
Work Experience
Quantify with daily patient counts, number of providers supported, and specific procedures assisted. Mention radiography types, expanded functions you perform, and any contributions to practice efficiency or revenue.
Skills Section
List clinical skills first (radiography, impression taking, coronal polishing), followed by administrative skills (scheduling, insurance). Include software proficiency and any expanded functions permitted in your state.
Action Verbs for Dental Assistants
Dental Assistant Resume Keywords
These keywords appear most frequently in Dental Assistant job descriptions. Include relevant ones in your resume:
Technical Keywords
Chairside AssistingDigital RadiographyInfection ControlSterilization ProceduresDental ImpressionsCoronal PolishingFour-Handed DentistryTreatment Room SetupPatient EducationDental ChartingExpanded FunctionsIndustry Keywords
General DentistryOrthodonticsOral SurgeryPediatric DentistryCosmetic DentistryPreventive CareDental Practice ManagementTools & Technologies
DentrixEaglesoftOpen DentalDexis Digital ImagingCarestream DentalSchick SensorsCavitron Ultrasonic ScalerAutoclaveIntraoral CameraPanorex MachineCommon Mistakes to Avoid
Listing only clinical duties without showing impact
Go beyond "assisted dentist with procedures." Add context: "Assisted 3 dentists with 30 patients daily, ensuring treatment rooms were fully prepared and turnover time was under 5 minutes between appointments."
Not highlighting radiography credentials
Radiography is a key differentiator. List your radiography license, the types of images you capture (periapical, bitewing, panoramic, CBCT), and your quality metrics.
Ignoring administrative and front office experience
Many dental practices value assistants who can also handle scheduling, insurance verification, and patient check-in. Include any cross-functional experience to show versatility.
Dental Assistant Resume FAQs
Do I need a CDA certification to be a Dental Assistant?
Requirements vary by state. While not always mandatory, earning your Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) credential from DANB significantly increases your competitiveness and earning potential. Many employers prefer or require it for clinical positions.
What should a Dental Assistant put on a resume with no experience?
Highlight your dental assisting education, clinical externship hours, certifications (CDA, radiography, CPR), and any relevant skills gained during training. Emphasize hands-on procedures you performed during your externship and any customer service experience from previous jobs.
How do I make my Dental Assistant resume stand out?
Include specific metrics like daily patient volume, number of providers supported, and patient satisfaction scores. Mention expanded functions you are certified to perform in your state, such as coronal polishing, sealant application, or temporary crown fabrication.
Should I include dental software experience on my resume?
Yes. Dental practices rely heavily on practice management software. List programs like Dentrix, Eaglesoft, or Open Dental that you are proficient in. Also mention digital imaging software like Dexis or Carestream if applicable.
How important is the cover letter for Dental Assistant positions?
A cover letter can differentiate you, especially if you are applying to a specific practice. Use it to explain why you are drawn to that particular office, highlight relevant experience, and demonstrate your patient care philosophy. Keep it concise at one page.
Ready to Optimize Your Dental Assistant Resume?
Our AI-powered resume analyzer will score your resume against ATS systems, find missing keywords for Dental Assistant roles, and give you specific improvement suggestions.
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Last updated: 2026-02-08 | Written by JobJourney Career Experts