Anyone who has ever experienced the pain and frustration of a severe toothache knows how valuable dentists are. As a dentist, you can relieve pain, give people smiles to be proud of, and even detect potentially serious illnesses. You deserve an amazing job in a clinic that provides an awesome work environment and fair compensation. When it comes to skills and experience, you’ve got it made!
Now, it’s time to communicate those skills to hiring managers. Yes, you’ve got to have a great resume. At first glance, that seems like a difficult task, but help has arrived. As long as you follow the resume tips below, and pay close attention to our dentist resume sample, you’ll be just fine.
Build Your Skills List From The Job Description
Before you compose the skills section of the resume, take another look at the job listing. What capabilities have they emphasized? What is it that they are most looking for in a dentist?
These are the in-demand skills employers look for that you should list first. For example, if the job listing states, “Experience in sedation dentistry preferred”, then by all means list that skill at the top, so it gets priority.
Here’s a helpful way to prioritize the skills section of your resume:
- Must-have skills from the job listing
- Skills that are generally considered to be high-demand in your field
- Mandatory skills for obtaining the job you want
- Nice-to-have skills and soft skills
Use this order of priorities to grab the hiring manager’s attention, and then show them you are fully qualified on all levels.
Inject Personality Based on Employer Needs
Nobody needs to tell you that your personality and bedside manner are absolutely key to your success. Now, how do you communicate that in your resume? More importantly, how do you showcase the personal characteristics that this employer is most looking for?
Start by understanding their needs. A dental urgent care is likely looking for someone who is personable but doesn’t necessarily need someone to form deep ongoing dentist-patient relationships. On the other hand, that’s probably what a family or pediatric practice does want.
Imagine that you have applied to work at a pediatric dentist’s office. You could showcase that you have the right personality and temperament as follows:
Dentist — Southwest Pediatric Dentistry And Orthodontics
2012 — Present
Duties:
- Preventative Care
- Root Canals
- Extractions
- Cleaning
- Ortho Referrals
- Injury and Cancer Screenings
Successfully built relationships with young patients (2 – 21) with an approach that emphasized trust, communication, and honesty. Utilized a variety of age-appropriate distractions to calm anxious patients and educate them about dental health practices. These included offering fidget toys, discussing relevant topics, and validating any complaints or concerns regardless of age.
Emphasize Your Ability to Work in a Team
In most offices, you will work with a team of other dentists, front office staff, hygienists, and other practitioners. When things get busy or stressful, everyone must be able to work together. Show that you can communicate, compromise, and collaborate to ensure that all patients receive the best treatment.
Consider a Separate Section For Certifications
In addition to your degree, you may have received many certifications that qualify you to perform certain procedures or to practice various dental specialties. You can include these in the education section of your resume, but that may not be the best choice.
If your certifications are particularly relevant to the job you are seeking, consider creating a separate section for them. This will make them stand out, and be more memorable to the office hiring manager.
Deliver Your Summary in The First Person
Lead your resume off with a concise summary. This should communicate your skills, experience, and dedication. It should also show why you are a good fit for this particular job. Write this in the first person to make it more sincere.
Resume Sample for a Dentist (Word version)
Here is a brief resume example. It includes many best practices. Feel free to use it as a reference for writing.
Download resume example (.docx)
Dentist Resume Example (text version)
Professional Summary
I am an experienced family dentist who is interested in pursuing a leadership position at a dental clinic serving low-income and underserved families. I have more than a decade of experience in family practice, and an understanding of the unique needs of patients who have been unable to receive regular dental treatments. My approach emphasizes kindness and lack of judgment.
Skills
- General Dentistry
- Diagnostics
- Restorative Dentistry
- Pain Relief
- Treatment Planning
- Patient Communication And Education
- Bilingual (Spanish and English)
- Infection And Caries Prevention
- Public Health Education
- Communication
- Teamwork
Professional History
Metro-East Dental Clinic
2011 — Present
Lead Dentist
I began here as an intern after completing dental school, eventually becoming the lead dentist. During my tenure there, I have accomplished the following:
- Implementing a sedation dentistry program.
- Creating a patient education initiative.
- Modifying practice policies to include accepting Medicaid, Medicare, and Tricare
- Building a relationship with local schools and social service agencies to serve more families.
- Expanding services to include restorative dentistry and endodontics.
My clinical tasks included:
- General Exams
- Fillings
- Root Canals
- Cancer and Injury Screenings
- Extractions
- Infection And Pain Management
- Minor Oral Surgeries
- Referrals
Education
University of Maryland School of Dentistry
Graduation: May 2010 — General Dentistry And Dental Public Health
GPA 4.25 (weighted)
Summa Cum Laude
Member of Association of Dental Students of America
Certifications
- Sedation Dentistry — University of Maryland CEU
- Public Health Education — Baltimore Department of Health Services
- Diagnostic Dentistry — University of Maryland CEU
Memberships
- Baltimore Healthcare Givers Association
- Maryland Public Health Society
- Top Dental Professional YWCA of Baltimore
Final Tip: Include Memberships and Honors
If you are a member of any professional associations or have received relevant honors, add these to your resume. They help to solidify your reputation and professionalism!