Dental Hygienist Resume Example
Professional Dental Hygienist resume example with ATS-optimized template. Learn how to highlight clinical skills, patient education expertise, and licensure to secure top dental hygienist positions.
Last Updated: 2026-02-02 | Reading Time: 8-10 minutes
Quick Stats
Dental Hygienist Resume Example
Brittany Nolan
brittany.nolan@email.com
(555) 394-7128
Portland, OR
linkedin.com/in/brittanynolan-rdh
Skills
Certifications
Education
Profile
Licensed Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) with 5+ years of experience in general and periodontal practice. Consistently manage 10-12 patients daily while maintaining a 98% patient retention rate. Expertise in scaling and root planing, laser therapy, and patient education for chronic periodontal disease management.
Professional Experience
- —Deliver comprehensive prophylaxis, periodontal scaling, and root planing for 10-12 patients daily across a 4-dentist general and periodontal practice
- —Increased periodontal treatment acceptance by 35% through enhanced patient education using intraoral camera visuals and personalized care plans
- —Implemented a diode laser-assisted therapy protocol that improved pocket depth reduction outcomes by 28% in Stage III-IV periodontitis patients
- —Maintained meticulous infection control standards with zero OSHA citations during 3 consecutive annual inspections
- —Performed dental cleanings, fluoride treatments, sealant applications, and periodontal assessments for 8-10 patients daily in a family-oriented general practice
- —Conducted comprehensive periodontal charting and radiographic imaging (digital, panoramic, CBCT) for treatment planning with 100% documentation compliance
- —Developed and led a children's oral health education program that reached 500+ elementary school students, increasing practice pediatric patient referrals by 20%
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 Hygienist Resume
Professional Summary
Lead with your RDH license, experience level, and practice setting. Include daily patient volume and a patient outcome or retention metric. Mention any expanded function permits that differentiate you.
Work Experience
Quantify patient volume, treatment acceptance rates, and clinical outcomes. Highlight specialized procedures (laser therapy, local anesthesia) and infection control compliance. Show contributions to practice growth.
Skills Section
Organize by clinical procedures, diagnostic skills, and patient management. Include expanded function capabilities allowed by your state license. List radiography and anesthesia permits separately if they are credential-based.
Action Verbs for Dental Hygienists
Dental Hygienist Resume Keywords
These keywords appear most frequently in Dental Hygienist job descriptions. Include relevant ones in your resume:
Technical Keywords
Periodontal TherapyProphylaxisScaling and Root PlaningDental RadiographyPeriodontal ChartingOral Cancer ScreeningCaries DetectionFluoride ApplicationSealant PlacementLocal AnesthesiaNitrous Oxide SedationLaser-Assisted TherapyIndustry Keywords
OSHA ComplianceInfection Control ProtocolsHIPAA ComplianceADA StandardsCDC GuidelinesState Dental Board RegulationsEvidence-Based DentistryPatient-Centered CareContinuing EducationExpanded FunctionsTools & Technologies
Cavitron Ultrasonic ScalerDexis Digital RadiographyDEXIS CariVuEaglesoftDentrixOpen DentaliTero ScannerDiagnocamHu-Friedy InstrumentsAMD Diode LaserFlorida ProbeCommon Mistakes to Avoid
Not specifying daily patient volume or practice size
State patients per day and practice context: "Delivered care for 10-12 patients daily in a 4-dentist group practice" gives recruiters a clear picture of your capacity.
Omitting expanded function permits and additional certifications
Local anesthesia, nitrous oxide, and laser certifications are competitive advantages. List all active permits and state-specific expanded functions prominently.
Focusing only on cleanings without mentioning periodontal care
Highlight periodontal assessment skills, SRP experience, and outcomes (pocket depth reduction, bleeding index improvement) to demonstrate clinical depth beyond routine prophylaxis.
Not mentioning infection control compliance
Dental practices value hygienists who maintain strict OSHA and CDC compliance. Include sterilization protocols, instrument processing, and any compliance audit results.
Dental Hygienist Resume FAQs
What credentials should I include after my name?
Use "FirstName LastName, RDH" at the top of your resume. If you have additional credentials like a Bachelor's degree (BSDH), add it: "FirstName LastName, RDH, BSDH." Some hygienists also add LDH (Licensed Dental Hygienist) depending on state convention.
How should I showcase expanded function permits?
Create a dedicated Licensure & Permits section listing your RDH license, local anesthesia permit, nitrous oxide permit, and any additional expanded function authorizations. These vary by state and are critical differentiators.
Is a 1-page resume sufficient for a Dental Hygienist?
Yes, 1 page is ideal for most dental hygienists. Focus on clinical skills, patient outcomes, certifications, and practice contributions. Only extend to 2 pages if you have 10+ years of experience or significant teaching and research roles.
Should I include temping or multiple practice experience?
Yes. Temping shows adaptability across different practice management software, patient populations, and clinical environments. List it as a single entry ("Temporary Dental Hygienist, Various Practices") with key highlights.
How do I demonstrate patient education skills?
Include specific examples: treatment acceptance rates you influenced, patient education programs you developed, or measurable improvements in patient compliance (e.g., "Improved fluoride varnish acceptance from 60% to 85%").
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Last updated: 2026-02-02 | Written by JobJourney Career Experts