summary for a dental assistant resume

Dental Assistant Resume Summary Examples

Dental Assistant Resume Summary Example #1

To create a culture of collaboration where hygienists are motivated to achieve optimal projected goals while providing their patients with the best possible preventative and periodontal care. To create a culture of collaboration where hygienists are motivated to achieve optimal projected goals while providing their patients with the best possible preventative and periodontal care.

Related : Our guide on how to write a resume summary .

Dental Assistant Resume Summary Example #2

Possess dental assisting and progressive experience. Come with a superior skill set in office management, with an emphasis towards the medical field. Proven abilities to thrive in a high- pressure culture. Effectively and efficiently achieve organizational goals in both group and independent environments. Can adapt and learn quickly in any situation. Often go above and beyond key responsibility areas; utilize my acquired skills and training to benefit others and myself. Able to deliver elements of health and social care and successfully undertake clinical work. Also efficient in supporting qualified staff.

Dental Assistant Resume Summary Example #3

I am an experienced Dental Assistant who is reliable and energetic with a great positive attitude ready to complete any task. Passionate about providing compassionate care and fostering trusting relationships with patients.

Dental Assistant Resume Summary Example #4

Systematic Dental Assistant with successful experience in fast-paced office settings. Highly accomplished, dedicated and diligent person who excels in prioritizing and multitasking with little to no supervision. I can maintain open lines of communication among dentists and all other staff and customers. Well-versed in handling high-level in-person and virtual inquiries and requests from staff and colleagues.

Dental Assistant Resume Summary Example #5

Energetic Dental Assistant offering wealth of experience in interacting with office staff and patients! Hardworking, educated and willing to go the extra mile to complete any task. Ready to expand my skills, and take on new challenges!

Dental Assistant Resume Summary Example #6

Experienced full-time dental assistant/hygienist. Performed a wide range of dental offices from single to 15 dental practices. Well equipped to handle difficult patients and those resistant to treatment. Can view every encounter as an opportunity to build a relationship and provide patients with the knowledge and appreciation needed for the best possible outcome. Enjoy administering local anesthesia and extremely proficient with the treatment of periodontally involved patients. Exhibit critical-thinking abilities with excellent interactions with patients, their relatives, and staff; demonstrate effective communication and collaboration skills within teams, highlighting and greatly supporting team spirit within the workflow.

Dental Assistant Resume Summary Example #7

A Dental Assistant and a Public Health Professional who has worked in different setups to improve access to quality healthcare and to drive the outcome by leveraging technology. With years of versatile experiences which include building digital healthcare businesses.

Dental Assistant Resume Summary Example #8

A self motivated, analytical and ambitious team player having extensive experience in process improvement, performance management, sales and customer service in banking and retail sector, international experience, possess multilingual skills, looking for a challenging role to exploit my skills and experience.

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15 Dental Assistant Resume Examples That Work in 2024

Dental Assistant

Best for mid and entry-level candidates.

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• Dental Assistant Resume
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• Dental Assistant Resumes by Role

Writing Your Dental Assistant Resume

Dental assistants are a tremendous asset to any dental office, but it’s not always easy coming up with what to say when you’re applying for a job. After all, how are you supposed to put all your expertise on one page?

If this sounds familiar, then know that the goal of this post is to lift some of that burden by providing essential tips and showing you exactly what you need to do to  build a professional resume .

These 15 dental assistant resume samples have  helped real dental assistants land jobs,  and our writing guide can help you learn the nitty-gritty of resume writing (or cover letter writing ) so you can land your next great dental assistant role in 2024.

Dental Assistant Resume Example

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Why this resume works

• Some states (like Iowa) have dental assistant programs designed for people specifically with no certification. You learn the skills on the job so you can eventually apply to get certified! 
• Metrics quantify your impact and let your future employer know that you did something special. 

Experienced Dental Assistant Resume

• Certification for dental assistants varies state by state, but nearly all dental assistant jobs require you have either cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification or Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. So if you have either, be sure to mention it on your experienced dental assistant resume.
• We’d recommend having six to eight skills, such as “X-rays” and “4-handed dentistry.”

Inexperienced Dental Assistant Resume

• Be sure to include activities that demonstrate leadership when possible, like being on a sports team or the president of a club.
• If you decide to include a  resume objective , make sure you customize it for each job to which you apply. The most effective way to do that is to include the company name, followed by a sentence or two explaining your strengths that mirror some of the requirements in the  dental assistant job description .

Dental Assistant Externship  Resume Example

• For your projects, add any instances of using dental tools even if it was only at a seminar. Next, use the career objective space to convince the employer that you’re more than ready to be an extern with your current knowledge.

Dental Assistant-In-Training Resume

• Never fear, rely on transferable skills! Positions like office assistant jobs do a great job demonstrating your capacity to provide quality customer service and vast knowledge of electronic medical records.
• We’d also recommend adding a  resume objective  (also called a career objective) to highlight your passion for the role you’re applying to and your relevant skills.
• If you do include an objective, always include the company name and the specific job you’re seeking. Customization is vital!

Lead Dental Assistant  Resume Example

• Remember to include how junior dental assistants have flourished under your supervision as a way of demonstrating your leadership skills and capacity building for future professionals.

Endodontic Dental Assistant Resume

• The next step is giving these skills extra weight by adding quantified bullet points that display how you’ve used each tool to create direct impacts like boosting successful surgery rates or reducing scan-to-report turnaround times.
• Need more space to tell your story? Add the how and why of it all to your dental assistant cover letter .

Chairside Dental Assistant Resume

• Did you earn a high patient satisfaction rating? Are you proficient in cutting-edge dental tools? If yes, highlighting these achievements will add a competitive advantage to your chairside dental assistant resume.

Pediatric Dental Assistant Resume Example

• Colleges around the country offer what are usually 1-year programs in dental assisting, with the goal being certification (usually candidates need to pass the Dental Assisting National Board’s Certified Dental Assistant exam). If you’ve attended such a program, be sure to include it in the “Education” section of your pediatric dental assistant resume .
• If you’re stuck, try using a  resume outline  to get a sense of what your work experience bullet points should look like (and what the rest of your resume should look like, too). 

Oral Surgery Assistant Resume

• If you’re applying to a dental assisting job in oral surgery and you have experience in that field, then create a separate copy of your resume focusing on those aspects of your past work. 
• You’ve already seen some  good resume examples , but it can help to look at other examples within the dental field so you can note specific verbs, metrics, and skills listed there.
• Don’t plagiarize, of course; simply use the examples to give you a boost to write your own resume.

Orthodontic Dental Assistant Resume

• Including numbers on your orthodontic dental assistant resume will demonstrate your value on the job and confirm that you’re the best person for a role requiring specific job skills, like taking impressions and understanding EMR.
• First, that’s a red flag. It speaks strongly of plagiarism (plus it’s not creative).
• Secondly, simply restating the job description doesn’t make a strong sell on why you’re a better choice than the competition. Instead, focus on your accomplishments and achievements (use those numbers we just talked about) to show how you provided value beyond the basic job description.

Dental Hygiene Assistant Resume

• Many people try to emphasize education, but if you’re a few years out from your school days, it’s not relevant. Just include the basics and focus on your work experience.
• Even professional headshots can make a resume look less than professional, and they can even cause bias in the recruitment process.
• Before you go overboard, remember: your resume needs to be easy to read and pleasing to the eye. So use a different font and some color for your section headers, but keep your body text untouched.
• Tip: Find out the color scheme at the dental office you’re applying to, and use that color to complement your application!

Registered Dental Assistant Resume

• For example, a  resume objective  is great for showing off transferable skills and recent experiences if you’re just starting out in your career.
• Once you’ve nailed that content, feel free to add optional sections!
• Be sure to use the exact title widely accepted by your state on your registered dental assistant resume.

Expanded Functions Dental Assistant Resume

• Words   alone can’t provide enough evidence for your skills. Try to include numbers on the number of dental techniques you’ve mastered, or the number of patients you see per hour.
• Aim to include metrics in at least half of your bullet points, but don’t be afraid to add more if you can incorporate them naturally.
• Remember: no matter how pretty your  resume template  is, it won’t make up for content and formatting, so make sure you’re setting yourself up for success!

Certified Dental Assistant Resume

• For example, if you include a waitressing position from a few years ago, discuss responsibilities that highlight your abilities with customer service, time management, and communication. These universal skills can easily translate to a dental assistant role.
• We’d recommend formatting your resume in  reverse-chronological  order, with your most current work experience toward the top of the page. This helps highlight your most recent and, probably, most relevant job title.

Related resume guides

• Medical assistant
• Nursing assistant
• Dental hygienist

Dental assistant job postings reflect the variety of responsibilities this flexible career offers and requires. Since a dental assistant will complete various tasks every day, a strong resume for this position should reveal your abilities and responsibilities on the job. Your dental assistant resume should focus on the quantifiable skills and abilities specified in the job description.

Dental practices typically use Applicant Tracking System (ATS) recruiting software to scan applications for key terms, reducing the need for hands-on application review for the first hiring round. So, your resume may need updating to pass the ATS scanning. When creating your dental assistant resume, pay attention to these four areas to increase your odds of successfully moving on to the interview process:

• Emphasizing specific dental assistant skills
• Formatting your dental assistant resume properly
• Utilizing an objective and summary 
• Using quantifiable points 

Emphasize your dental assistant skills

When recruiters hire dental assistants, they use a three-step process to weed out candidates:

• Hiring directors narrow down candidates for minimum qualifications (usually by using ATS). Filters are set to catch basic qualifications regarding experience and key terms or phrases.
• Next, recruiters look for a set of preferred qualifications. Applicants who meet these criteria remain in the application process.
• Lastly, employers shortlist and rank candidates based on their fit with the minimum and preferred qualifications. 

To pass the ATS filtering and move on to the next phase of the process,  your resume should contain key terms and phrases from the employer’s job description.  The  skills section on your resume  is the place to explain your abilities within the scope of the dental assistant job.

You can add soft skills, like interpersonal communication, or hard skills, which are job-specific abilities learned and perfected in specific careers. Resumes that reflect the soft and hard skills the employer is looking for will pass through the ATS filter and on through the application process. Some of the top soft and hard dental assistant skills employers are looking for are:

• Dental equipment knowledge (hard skill)—shows the applicant can complete basic dental assistant tasks
• Electronic Medical Records (EMR) experience (hard skill)—shows the applicant can utilize an online data system for employer
• Medical licensing (hard skill)—indicates up-to-date, recognized proficiencies (could be a minimum requirement)
• Communication skills (soft skill)—shows abilities with positive patient interactions
• Team player (soft skill)— indicates the ability to work with others in the office
• Customer service (soft skill)—shows applicant will put the patient’s needs first
• Highly organized (soft skill)—indicates applicant can prioritize tasks and complete work on time
• X-ray experience (hard skill)—shows precise (and likely preferred) experience and training
• Vital signs (hard skill)—shows future employer ability to complete routine, necessary tasks
• Patient safety (hard skill)—indicates the ability to follow required safety steps and policies

Don’t feel pressured to put every skill on your resume to pass the ATS scan. Instead, customize your resume to match the  dental assistant job description  by finding keywords in the description and adding some to your own dental assistant resume.

Format your dental assistant resume properly

For most job seekers,  properly formatting a resume  is a huge hurdle. Your resume should of course show important details like experience, education, and applicable skill sets, but resume formatting plays a huge role in how the ATS and the hiring manager read your resume. 

Many job seekers get caught up in stylizing their resume instead of simply making minor changes to a  resume template . You don’t have to go overboard to get your resume noticed, so keep your formatting simple

Let’s look at the most vital aspects when formatting your resume for a dental assistant position:

• Pare things down by using simplified wording, removing stylized lines or graphic additions, deleting extra spacing, and removing redundancies.
• Use  bullet points  to narrow your focus and keep things short.
• Avoid using icons or images . The ATS only searches for keywords, icons and graphics won’t help the application process.
• Include the title of the position you’re seeking  on your resume to emphasize your focus or goal.
• Check, double-check, and recheck your resume to ensure  no errors . Spelling errors and other basic mistakes can be a huge turnoff to a future employer since they highlight an applicant’s lack of attention to detail. Send the resume through our  free resume checker  and have another set of eyes look at it before sending it off in an application.
• Decide if you need to include an objective or summary . If so, prioritize its location on your resume to highlight this standout feature.

Your dental assistant resume objective or summary

For some job seekers, you might want to add an  objective to your resume . Some argue that it’s antiquated, but they can be useful if you know how to use them correctly.

What exactly  is  an objective? A resume objective is a way to show a prospective employer your job aspirations and what kind of job you’re seeking. This section is best for applicants new to a field or with experience that doesn’t exactly relate to their ideal position.

In other words, if your goal is to be a dental assistant, but you don’t yet have experience, you could use an objective statement. Comprise your resume objective with two to three sentences explaining you are seeking a dental assistant position as your current career goal and why.

On the other hand, you could choose to add a  summary to your resume  instead. You use a summary if you have at least 10 years of experience in the field. Per its name, a summary summarizes your best achievements and your top skills. It’s a great way to increase your credibility within two to three sentences.

Boost your dental assistant resume with quantifiable points

Like in many careers, using specific data is a concrete way to show value. Generic, vague statements won’t do anything to help you get a job, so use details that strengthen your accomplishments. (Our tip? Try to answer the “how” in most of your work experience bullet points.) You want to show future employers exactly what you’ve done, what you’re capable of, and what they can expect of you if hired. But what does that look like on a resume? 

Here are some ways a dental assistant can show the quantifiable impact:

• Explain a percentage increase in patient retention
• Convey increase in patient satisfaction
• Relay the number of patients seen per shift
• Detail the percentage of reduced cavities experienced with patient education provided
• Listing the total number of clients assisted in a procedure

Once you pinpoint a valuable action of interest to an employer, quantify the impact you made (aka explain the results of your actions). Here are a few examples of strong job-specific quantified points that might be used as a bullet point on your dental assistant resume:

Tailor your resume for each dental assistant job application

By scanning the job posting, you should customize your dental assistant resume to match what the employer is looking for in a candidate for each of these categories:

• Objective/summary—rework your objective statement to include the company’s name, the job title you’re seeking, and specific skills related to the job description.
• Skills—add your skills to the resume you’ve listed on the job posting. Remove any that are not relevant to the job you’re applying for so you can make room for those the ATS will identify.
• Job description bullet points—some of your quantifiable points should echo what’s listed in the job description by using specific keywords and phrases.

Dental assistant resume

Once you have some expertise as a dental assistant, you can  build your resume  to emphasize your time in the field. This will help you stand out from other applicants. Here are some ways to customize your dental assistant resume with some experience in the field:

• List all certifications you’ve earned
• Include quantifiable points that show increases in revenue for dental practices
• Explain how you improved the dental office revenue, patient volume, or another valuable metric

You can list your certifications toward the bottom of your resume, similar to this:

Entry-level dental assistant resume

• Include basic certifications like CPR, since it’s an expectation for most dental practices
• List relevant experience highlighting soft skills that can be utilized as a dental assistant
• Show hobbies and interests that may indicate leadership or other positive qualities
• Mirror the job description in your resume objective, even noting the company name in the career goal

Pediatric dental assistant resume

For a specialized dental assistant resume at a pediatric office, add in some customized details like these to help you stand out from other applicants:

• Soft skill experience demonstrating any work with youth or children
• Include hard and soft skills that are especially vital to working with children, like patience or safety procedures
• List descriptions of excellent customer service provided to patients

Orthodontic dental assistant resume

When customizing your orthodontic dental assistant resume for a job in an orthodontic office, think about adding specifics to showcase your resume:

• Show soft skills that demonstrate the high-quality patient care you provided
• Include quantifiable points that focus on patient satisfaction or happiness
• Add certifications that are valuable in an orthodontic office, like x-ray qualifications

Certified dental assistant resume

When applying for a job as a certified dental assistant, include such customizations to your resume as:

• Using numbers to show your value above other candidates
• List jobs in reverse-chronological order to focus first on your most relevant job experience
• Include past positions that bring relevant soft skills to a potential employer’s attention, even if the job title isn’t relevant

Your dental assistant resume recap

Congratulations  on taking the first step toward your career as a dental assistant! With a little thoughtful customization, your dental assistant pursuit is easily within reach. 

During the process, use our  online resume builder  to help you create your most effective product right from the start. If you already have a working draft, feel free to use our AI-powered  online resume checker  to polish your product for any future job applications.

7 Dental Assistant Resume Examples & Writing Guide

Land your next dental assistant job with these 7 resume examples and proven writing tips. Learn what to include and how to structure your resume to highlight your top skills and experience. Get expert advice on creating a resume that grabs attention and makes a strong impression. Use these examples and guide to build a winning resume and get hired.

A solid resume is essential when applying for dental assistant positions. It's your chance to showcase your skills, experience, and qualifications to potential employers. But writing a resume that gets noticed can be tricky, especially if you're not sure where to start.

That's where this guide comes in. We'll walk you through the process of creating a dental assistant resume that highlights your strengths and makes a great impression. You'll learn what to include, how to structure your resume, and tips for making it stand out.

We've also put together seven dental assistant resume examples to give you some ideas and inspiration. These examples cover a range of experience levels and specialties, so you can see how to tailor your resume to your specific situation.

By the end of this article, you'll have the knowledge and tools you need to put together a dental assistant resume that gets results. So let's dive in and start building a resume that will help you land your dream job!

Common Responsibilities Listed on Dental Assistant Resumes

• Preparing treatment rooms for patient procedures
• Assisting dentists during dental procedures
• Sterilizing and maintaining dental instruments
• Providing patient education on oral hygiene and post-operative care
• Taking and developing dental X-rays
• Mixing and applying dental materials like cements and composites
• Recording patient treatment information in dental records
• Managing inventory and ordering dental supplies
• Scheduling patient appointments and managing patient flow
• Processing dental insurance claims and billing
• Performing basic laboratory tasks like fabricating temporary crowns
• Maintaining a clean and organized dental office environment

How to write a Resume Summary

All too often, individuals underestimate the power of a well-designed summary or objective statement in a resume. Yet it stands as an indispensable doorway to a deeper understanding of your professional profile. When you're a Dental Assistant looking to make the right impression, conveying your identity, intentions and qualifications in a meaningful summary can indeed tip the scales in your favor.

To craft a reliable summary/objective section, it's not simply about dryly stating facts, but playing out the story behind them. So, how might you, as a Dental Assistant, approach this?

Laying the first brick, understand your purpose. A summary enlightens the readers about your overall professional background while an objective flags your intentions and expectations for your future role. Seek clarity about what suits your career stage: experienced professionals might opt for summaries, while those just starting out or looking to switch their career paths might find objectives more fitting.

Next, you want to zoom in to carry across your essential skills and qualifications without employing buzzwords or industry jargon. Express what you bring to the table clearly and subtly: Remember, it's essential to strike that balance between humility and pride when discussing your achievements or skills.

Often, job seekers think in terms of 'What can this job offer me?’ when penning their objective. Yet, an impactful objective needs empathetic angle. This implies writing from a 'How can I aid the prospective employer?' standpoint instead. This reinvents you, from being a 'demanding' employee to a potential problem-solver in the eyes of the employer.

Lastly, as you frame your summary or objective, remember to incorporate relevant keywords from the job description. Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), which filters resumes for recruiters, are sensitive to these keywords. So not only does this help you slip through the ATS net, but it also underscores your relevance to employers.

To tie it all together, the potential of a well-drafted summary/objective section on a resume can never be over-emphasized. It serves not merely as a reflection of your qualifications, but also your character as a professional. As a Dental Assistant, harnessing this space creatively and effectively could put you a step closer to receiving that desired interview call.

Trust this process. It's about selling your skills without selling your soul. It’s about communication, clarity, and connecting the dots between who you are, what you've done, and what you aspire to do. As you venture out to construct this pivotal section, remember that your aim is not to impress, but to truthfully express.

Strong Summaries

• Highly trained and compassionate Dental Assistant with over 5 years of experience providing support to dentists, hygienists, and patients. Extensive knowledge in chairside procedures, dental radiology, and patient care. Excellent team player with strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Skilled Dental Assistant with 3 years' experience in dealing with preventative and restorative dental care. Proven ability to manage patient care and administrative tasks efficiently. Known for building strong relationships with patients and improving their overall dental experience.
• Dedicated Dental Assistant with a knack for ensuring patient comfort, effectively managing various dental procedures, sterilizing instruments, and performing office management tasks. With over 4 years of experience, I have mastered dental technology and strive to stay abreast of the latest industry approaches.
• Tenacious Dental Assistant with a career spanning over 7 years in providing top quality dental care. Proficient in maintaining patient records, preparing patients and treatment rooms. Outstanding ability to soothe patient anxiety, and to educate them on best dental practices.

Why these are strong ?

These examples are considered good because they are concise but comprehensive, detailing the candidates' experience, key skills, and capabilities. They clearly state the candidates' role as a Dental Assistant, which allows potential employers to easily understand their qualifications and experience. Furthermore, they provide proof of their abilities by mentioning specific areas of expertise and years of experience, rather than simply listing tasks. Finally, each example offers something unique from a different approach such as patient comfort, improving patient's dental experience, managing patient care and administrative tasks, etc.

Weak Summaries

• Proficient Dental Assistant seeking a job. I love to play volleyball on weekends. Punctuality is my forte and I like ice cream.
• Been in the Dentistry industry for years and years. Have a weakness for cute dogs and love to travel. Looking for a working environment where I can chill and have fun.
• On the lookout for a Dental Assistant role. I'm not a fan of long hours but I make it up by coming to work on time. I can make some mean spaghetti on my days off.
• I am a Dental Assistant who is not too detail-oriented but I have a strong ability to adapt. I love hanging out with friends on the weekends. Looking for a straightforward job.

Why these are weak ?

These examples are bad practice for a few reasons. Firstly, they mix personal interests with professional qualifications, which should be avoided in a Professional Summary section. This section should focus solely on showcasing relevant skills, experiences and professional goals. Secondly, they lack precise information about the candidate's experience and skills in Dental Assistance. Mentions of punctuality, adaptability, or time spent in the industry are vague without concrete examples or relevance to the role. Lastly, negative statements such as 'not too detail-oriented' or 'not a fan of long hours' portray the candidate in a poor light. A Professional Summary should be positive and highlight a candidate's best and most relevant attributes.

Showcase your Work Experience

Writing a memorable and effective work experience section for your resume may seem challenging at first, especially when you're trying to translate your skills and career as a Dental Assistant into words. However, by applying specific strategies and tips, you can produce a top-notch experience section that captures your proficiency and qualifications in this field.

Choose Your Format Wisely

There are primarily two types of formats you can adopt for your work experience section: chronological and functional.

A chronological format emphasizes dates and places of employment, and is most effective for those with a consistent employment history in the same professional field. On the other hand, functional format stresses on skills, and may be more appropriate for career changers, fresh graduates, or those with gaps in their employment.

Identify Relevant Experiences

The first step in writing a quality work experience section is to identify which of your past experiences are most relevant to the position of a Dental Assistant that you're applying for. The key here is to focus on what you have done that connects to dentistry and patient care.

Be Specific and Quantifiable

When listing out your responsibilities, try not to be vague. Quantify your achievements in a way that captures your effectiveness and contribution. For instance, instead of writing "Handled scheduling for patient appointments", a better approach would be "Managed patient scheduling system, handling over 30 appointments on average daily with minimal rescheduling."

Quantify your achievements and impact using concrete numbers, metrics, and percentages to demonstrate the value you brought to your previous roles.

Use Action Words

Using action words, such as 'managed', 'assisted', or 'oversaw', can give your work descriptions more punch and enable potential employers to envision you in action. To avoid getting repetitive, brainstorm a list of verbs that are relevant to your job roles and vary your wording.

Tailor to the Job Requirements

A common mistake is to use the same set of experiences and bullet points for each job you apply to. Instead, you should tailor your work experience to fit the job description. Compare your roles and responsibilities from your experiences with those listed in the job advertisement. Include similar roles and modify the language to match keywords in the advertisement.

Show Progression

Show progression in your roles to display your ability to learn and grow within a job. For instance, if you started as a trainee dental assistant and progressed to a role where you managed supplies and even mentored junior assistants, highlight this growth.

Remember, your work experience section is your opportunity to showcase your qualifications and prove that your background aligns with the requirements of the job you're seeking. With careful thought and strategic wording, in accordance with the mentioned guidelines, you can transform it into a compelling testimonial of your capabilities as a Dental Assistant.

Strong Experiences

• Assisted the dentist in various procedures such as root canals, fillings, and extractions
• Arranged instruments and prepared treatment rooms as well as patient’s for dental procedures
• Managed and organized patient records, scheduling, and billing
• Conducted dental health programs and presented dental health information to schools and community groups
• Operated X-ray equipment to produce images of the mouth and teeth
• Provided instruction on dental care and oral hygiene
• Took and recorded medical and dental histories of patients

The above examples are good due to their specificity. They clearly state the tasks and responsibilities that the Dental Assistant performed, making it easier for the hiring manager to understand the candidate's expertise and skills. These examples highlight various competencies - from direct patient care, administrative tasks, community outreach, and technical skills. This shows a well-rounded experience, increasing the attractiveness of the candidate to potential employers.

Weak Experiences

• Did stuff at the dentist office
• Worked with patients
• Cleaned tools
• Empathy towards patients
• Coordinated with dentist

The mentioned examples are of bad practice because they offer minimal information and do not effectively showcase what the person did in the past role as a Dental Assistant. Instead of giving a recruiter a solid understanding of their skills and achievements, these bullet points are vague and lack detail, avoiding any concrete tasks or responsibilities. Especially 'Did stuff at the dentist office' or 'Worked with patients', these are too general and do not display a clear picture of the candidate's capabilities. Similarly, 'Cleaned tools' and 'Coordinated with dentist' are tasks that are expected of a dental assistant, thus failing to distinguish the candidate from others. Lastly, 'Empathy towards patients' is a desirable trait but not necessarily a job accomplishment or duty, and hence, should be mentioned in a separate skills or summary section rather than under professional experience.

Skills, Keywords & ATS Tips

The resume of a Dental Assistant is a cornerstone in the path to employment. The skills section, in particular, is pivotal. Hard and soft skills, along with ATS-friendly keywords, line the foundation of a robust, impactful resume. Let's embark on a journey to understand these factors more profoundly.

The Importance of Hard and Soft Skills

Soft and hard skills form the crux of a Dental Assistant's job. Hard skills specifically refer to technical know-how like dental procedures, patient care, dental software expertise, and medical record maintenance. These skills are quantifiable and teachable.

On the other hand, soft skills are more about behavior and how you interact with patients and colleagues. These include communication, problem-solving, empathy, and attention to detail. Often, these skills are innate and help in creating a positive ambiance.

So why are these skills critical on a resume? Well, each skill you list is a validation of your ability to perform tasks and handle situations typically experienced in a dental office. Showcasing a mix of hard and soft skills gives the hiring manager a clear picture of your capacity and adaptability.

The Role of Keywords, ATS and Matching Skills

In today's digital era, resumes often pass through an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) before reaching human eyes. ATS is a software application that helps in handling recruitment needs, including filtering resumes.

This is where the importance of keywords ascends. Keywords are specific terms or phrases that job employers look for in a resume. These could relate to specific hard or soft skills, qualifications, and other job-specific details. The more keywords your resume contains that match the job description, the better your chances of getting noticed.

Similarly, matching skills is closely tied with keyword optimization. Essentially, matching skills involve tailoring your skills to each unique job application, reflecting the skills and traits specified in the job description. This customization foregrounds your relevance for a particular role, showcasing you as an ideal match.

In essence, integrating the appropriate hard and soft skills, utilizing ATS-friendly keywords, and tailoring your skills to the job at hand will result in a winning Dental Assistant resume.

Remember, effectively presenting your skills is not about quantity, but quality and relevance. Your goal is to demonstrate that you have the necessary tools to excel in the incumbent role and contribute effectively to the team.

Top Hard & Soft Skills for Full Stack Developers

Hard skills.

• Dental radiography
• Chairside assisting
• Sterilization techniques
• Impression taking
• Instrument sterilization
• Dental charting
• Patient education
• Dental equipment maintenance
• Infection control procedures
• Dental materials knowledge
• Digital X-ray processing
• Oral health assessment
• Dental software proficiency
• Tooth polishing
• Dental anesthesia administration

Soft Skills

• Communication
• Attention to detail
• Adaptability
• Problem-solving
• Time management
• Professionalism
• Interpersonal skills
• Patient care
• Stress management
• Organization
• Critical thinking
• Active listening

Top Action Verbs

Use action verbs to highlight achievements and responsibilities on your resume.

• Communicated
• Collaborated
• Administered
• Demonstrated
• Coordinated
• Implemented

Education & Certifications

To add your education and certificates to your Dental Assistant resume, start by creating an "Education & Certifications" section. List the name of your certificate or degree, the institution from where you earned it, and the date of completion. Point out any special distinction if you have them (e.g., summa cum laude). For example: “Certificate, Dental Assisting, XYZ Dental School, 2020, Honor Roll.” Remember, the qualifications that align most closely with the job you're applying for should go first.

Some of the most important certifications for Dental Assistants

The CDA certification demonstrates knowledge and skills in dental assisting.

The RDA certification is for dental assistants who meet specific education and experience requirements.

The COA certification focuses on orthodontic assisting skills.

The CDPMA certification is for dental assistants in administrative roles.

The CPFDA certification focuses on preventive dental assisting functions.

The CRFDA certification focuses on restorative dental assisting functions.

Resume FAQs for Dental Assistants

What is the ideal format for a dental assistant resume.

The ideal format for a dental assistant resume is reverse-chronological, where you list your most recent experience first. This format highlights your most relevant and current skills and achievements.

How long should a dental assistant resume be?

A dental assistant resume should typically be one page long. However, if you have extensive experience or additional relevant certifications, it can be up to two pages.

What sections should be included in a dental assistant resume?

A dental assistant resume should include sections like a professional summary, work experience, skills, certifications, and potentially additional sections like awards or volunteer work if applicable.

How can I make my dental assistant resume stand out?

To make your dental assistant resume stand out, highlight your relevant skills and achievements, quantify your accomplishments, use industry-specific keywords, and tailor your resume to the specific job you're applying for.

Should I include references on my dental assistant resume?

It's generally not necessary to include references on your resume. Instead, have a separate list of references ready to provide upon request.

How can I showcase my dental assistant skills on my resume?

To showcase your dental assistant skills, create a dedicated skills section and list relevant technical skills like dental software proficiency, chairside assisting, patient education, and interpersonal skills like communication and attention to detail.

Dental assistants prepare treatment rooms, sterilize instruments, assist dentists during procedures, and instruct patients. For resumes, highlight dental assisting experience, software skills, and ability to make patients comfortable. Customize your resume, focus on relevant qualifications, and keep it concise within 90 words.

Highly motivated and compassionate dental assistant with a passion for providing exceptional patient care. Skilled in assisting with a wide range of dental procedures and creating a comfortable, stress-free environment for patients. Committed to staying current with the latest advancements in dental technology and techniques.

• Assist dentists with a variety of dental procedures, including restorative, orthodontic, and cosmetic treatments
• Prepare and maintain treatment rooms, ensuring compliance with OSHA and CDC guidelines
• Educate patients on proper oral hygiene techniques and post-operative care instructions
• Manage inventory of dental supplies and equipment, placing orders as needed
• Developed a patient referral program that increased new patient volume by 20%
• Assisted dentists with a range of procedures, including cleanings, fillings, and extractions
• Performed diagnostic tests, such as dental x-rays and impressions
• Maintained accurate patient records using dental practice management software
• Provided chairside assistance to dentists during complex procedures
• Received recognition for exceptional patient care and communication skills
• Assisted dentists in providing dental care to underserved communities
• Educated patients on the importance of regular dental check-ups and proper oral hygiene
• Prepared and sterilized dental instruments and equipment
• Helped maintain a clean and organized clinic environment
• Collaborated with a team of volunteers to provide dental services to over 500 patients
• Chairside assistance
• Dental impressions
• Infection control
• Treatment room preparation
• Dental instrument sterilization
• Dental practice management software
• Inventory management
• Patient communication

An entry-level dental assistant prepares treatment rooms, sterilizes instruments, takes X-rays, and assists dentists during procedures. For resumes, highlight relevant skills like customer service, attention to detail, dexterity, and multitasking. Describe coursework or training programs that equipped you with dental knowledge. If lacking experience, emphasize transferable abilities like organization and a willingness to learn.

Compassionate and detail-oriented aspiring Dental Assistant with a strong passion for providing exceptional patient care and support. Skilled in creating a welcoming and comfortable environment for patients while efficiently assisting dentists with a variety of procedures. Quick learner with a keen eye for maintaining a clean and organized workspace.

• Assisted dentists during a variety of procedures, including cleanings, fillings, and extractions
• Prepared treatment rooms and ensured all necessary instruments and materials were sterilized and ready for use
• Educated patients on proper oral hygiene techniques and provided post-procedure care instructions
• Maintained accurate patient records and managed inventory of dental supplies
• Received praise from dentists and patients for my calm and reassuring demeanor
• Volunteered at a local dental clinic providing free dental care to underserved communities
• Assisted dentists with cleanings, fillings, and extractions, gaining hands-on experience
• Demonstrated excellent communication skills when explaining procedures and providing comfort to anxious patients
• Maintained a clean and organized workspace, ensuring compliance with OSHA regulations
• Recognized by clinic staff for my dedication and positive attitude
• Provided exceptional customer service to dental practices, addressing inquiries and resolving issues
• Processed orders for dental supplies and equipment, ensuring accurate and timely delivery
• Collaborated with sales team to provide product recommendations and upsell opportunities
• Maintained a thorough understanding of dental terminology and products
• Consistently met and exceeded monthly sales targets
• X-ray processing
• Oral hygiene instruction
• Dental terminology
• Patient comfort techniques
• Four-handed dentistry
• Dental materials preparation
• Treatment room setup
• Recordkeeping

A Pediatric Dental Assistant plays a crucial role in providing gentle, compassionate dental care to children. Duties include preparing treatment areas, maintaining instruments, assisting dentists during procedures, and creating a warm, child-friendly environment. When crafting a resume, highlight pediatric dental assistance experience, certifications, and skills like empathy and patience. Outline achievements that demonstrate your ability to build rapport with young patients. Emphasize your dedication to making dental visits positive experiences for kids. With a well-organized, tailored resume, you can showcase your qualifications for this rewarding role.

Dedicated and compassionate Pediatric Dental Assistant with a passion for creating a positive and welcoming environment for young patients. Skilled in providing exceptional support to dentists, ensuring efficient operations, and promoting optimal oral health education for children and their families.

• Assisted dentists in performing a variety of pediatric dental procedures, including cleanings, fillings, and extractions, ensuring patient comfort and safety.
• Developed and implemented engaging educational programs to promote oral health awareness among children and their parents, resulting in a 30% increase in patient compliance with recommended hygiene practices.
• Trained and mentored a team of 5 junior dental assistants, fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment.
• Managed inventory and supplies, ensuring the clinic was always well-stocked and prepared for patient care.
• Received the "Outstanding Patient Care" award in 2021 for consistently providing exceptional service and creating a positive experience for young patients.
• Assisted in providing comprehensive dental care to children aged 6 months to 18 years, ensuring their comfort and cooperation throughout procedures.
• Educated patients and parents on proper oral hygiene techniques and dietary habits to promote lifelong dental health.
• Maintained accurate patient records and documentation, ensuring compliance with HIPAA regulations.
• Collaborated with a multidisciplinary team to develop individualized treatment plans for patients with special needs or dental anxieties.
• Participated in community outreach events to promote the importance of pediatric dental care and the clinic's services.
• Shadowed experienced dental assistants and dentists to gain hands-on experience in a pediatric dental setting.
• Assisted in preparing treatment rooms and ensuring proper sterilization of dental instruments.
• Observed and learned various pediatric dental procedures, including preventive care, restorative treatments, and behavior management techniques.
• Participated in patient education initiatives, creating engaging materials to teach children about oral health.
• Demonstrated a strong aptitude for working with children, quickly building rapport and trust with young patients.
• Pediatric dental assisting
• Dental instrument preparation and sterilization
• Digital dental radiography
• Dental charting and recordkeeping
• Patient education and oral hygiene instruction
• Behavior management techniques for pediatric patients
• Nitrous oxide administration
• Infection control and OSHA compliance
• Dental office management software (e.g., Dentrix, Eaglesoft)
• Fluent in English and Spanish
• CPR and First Aid certified
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong organizational and multitasking abilities

A Registered Dental Assistant plays a crucial role in supporting dentists during procedures, maintaining patient records, and ensuring a smooth workflow. To craft an impressive resume, highlight your formal dental assisting education and certifications. Emphasize technical proficiency with dental instruments and radiography equipment. Showcase strong interpersonal skills for providing quality patient care. Use clear formatting, quantify achievements like "Assisted in over 200 procedures annually," and tailor your content to the specific job requirements.

Highly skilled and compassionate Registered Dental Assistant with over 7 years of experience in providing exceptional patient care and support to dental teams. Proficient in chair-side assistance, patient education, and maintaining a clean and organized dental environment. Known for strong communication skills and ability to put patients at ease while delivering high-quality care.

• Assisted dentists with a wide range of dental procedures, including restorations, extractions, and root canals
• Prepared treatment rooms and ensured proper sterilization of dental instruments
• Educated patients on proper oral hygiene techniques and post-operative care
• Received multiple patient satisfaction awards for providing exceptional care and creating a positive experience
• Assisted dentists with routine dental procedures and prepared treatment rooms
• Took and developed dental radiographs using digital imaging technology
• Managed inventory of dental supplies and placed orders as needed
• Trained new dental assistants on office procedures and patient care protocols
• Recognized by management for strong teamwork and reliability
• Shadowed experienced dental assistants and learned chair-side assisting techniques
• Assisted with patient check-in and scheduling procedures
• Maintained cleanliness and organization of dental operatories
• Demonstrated strong attention to detail and eagerness to learn
• Offered a full-time position upon completion of internship
• Chair-side dental assisting
• Patient education and communication
• Dental charting and record-keeping
• OSHA and HIPAA compliance
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Bilingual (English and Spanish)

Lead Dental Assistants take on supervisory duties, ensuring smooth clinic operations while providing exceptional patient care. This challenging role involves overseeing staff training, maintaining inventory and sterilization protocols, and assisting dentists during complex procedures. To craft an impressive resume, emphasize your extensive dental assisting experience, expertise in managing teams, and certifications validating your advanced skills. Quantify achievements, such as streamlining inventory processes or training new hires, to demonstrate your impact. With a clear, well-structured format highlighting your qualifications, your resume will undoubtedly stand out.

Highly skilled and compassionate Lead Dental Assistant with over 10 years of experience in providing exceptional patient care and support. Adept at managing dental teams, ensuring smooth operations, and fostering a positive work environment. Passionate about delivering top-notch dental services and building lasting relationships with patients.

• Supervise and mentor a team of 8 dental assistants, ensuring high-quality patient care and efficient clinic operations
• Collaborate with dentists to develop personalized treatment plans and educate patients on oral hygiene best practices
• Implement and maintain strict infection control protocols, resulting in a 100% compliance rate during annual audits
• Streamline inventory management processes, reducing supply costs by 15% while maintaining optimal stock levels
• Receive consistent praise from patients for providing a welcoming and comfortable dental experience
• Assisted dentists in performing a wide range of dental procedures, including restorative, cosmetic, and endodontic treatments
• Managed patient scheduling and coordinated with insurance providers to ensure seamless care and billing processes
• Trained and onboarded new dental assistants, promoting a supportive and collaborative team environment
• Developed and implemented a patient education program, resulting in a 25% increase in patient compliance with post-treatment care instructions
• Recognized as "Employee of the Year" in 2017 for outstanding performance and dedication to patient care
• Assisted dentists in performing routine dental procedures, including cleanings, fillings, and extractions
• Prepared treatment rooms and ensured proper sterilization of dental instruments, maintaining a safe and hygienic environment
• Conducted patient screenings and obtained medical histories, ensuring accurate and up-to-date records
• Provided chairside support and anticipate dentists' needs, contributing to efficient and seamless patient care
• Received multiple commendations from patients for providing a friendly and comforting presence during dental procedures
• Treatment planning
• Radiography
• Patient scheduling
• Insurance coordination
• Team leadership
• Mentoring and training
• Compassionate care

Beginner dental assistants provide chairside assistance to dentists, prepare treatment rooms, and ensure patient comfort. When crafting your resume, emphasize any dental assisting courses or certifications. Tailor each submission to the job posting using relevant keywords. Keep the content concise yet compelling, highlighting your strong interpersonal skills and enthusiasm for dental care.

Highly motivated and passionate aspiring dental assistant with a strong desire to provide exceptional patient care and support dental professionals. Eager to learn and develop skills in a fast-paced dental environment while contributing to a positive and efficient workplace atmosphere.

• Assisted dentists and hygienists with patient care, including preparing treatment rooms and sterilizing instruments
• Provided patient education on proper oral hygiene techniques and post-treatment care
• Maintained accurate patient records and managed appointment scheduling
• Demonstrated strong communication skills and empathy when interacting with patients of diverse backgrounds
• Received positive feedback from dental professionals for dedication and quick learning abilities
• Greeted patients and managed front desk operations, ensuring a welcoming and efficient environment
• Scheduled appointments, managed patient records, and handled billing and insurance matters
• Collaborated with dental staff to optimize daily schedules and maintain smooth patient flow
• Demonstrated excellent organizational skills and attention to detail in managing multiple tasks
• Received recognition from management for consistently providing exceptional customer service
• Provided exceptional customer service and assisted customers in selecting health and wellness products
• Maintained store cleanliness and organization, ensuring a pleasant shopping experience for customers
• Managed cash register transactions and balanced daily sales reports
• Collaborated with team members to achieve sales targets and promote store offerings
• Developed strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively with diverse customers
• Radiography assistance
• Infection control protocols
• Empathy and compassion
• Adaptability and willingness to learn

An Orthodontic Dental Assistant plays a vital role in supporting orthodontists with oral healthcare procedures, ensuring treatment rooms and equipment are meticulously prepared. Key responsibilities include taking diagnostic records like X-rays, maintaining sterilized instruments, and assisting during orthodontic treatments with excellent chair-side manner. When drafting a resume, emphasize your experience working alongside orthodontists, handling specialized orthodontic equipment, and upholding strict sterilization protocols. Highlight your ability to juggle multiple tasks efficiently while maintaining a calm, professional demeanor to put patients at ease.

Highly skilled and compassionate Orthodontic Dental Assistant with over 5 years of experience in providing exceptional patient care and support. Adept at assisting with a wide range of orthodontic procedures, ensuring patient comfort, and maintaining a positive and efficient clinical environment. Committed to staying up-to-date with the latest industry trends and techniques to deliver the best possible outcomes for patients.

• Assisted orthodontists in performing comprehensive orthodontic treatments, including braces, clear aligners, and surgical procedures.
• Educated patients and parents on proper oral hygiene techniques and provided post-treatment care instructions.
• Maintained accurate patient records and documented treatment progress using digital charting software.
• Collaborated with a multidisciplinary team to develop personalized treatment plans and ensure optimal patient outcomes.
• Trained and mentored new orthodontic assistants, fostering a supportive and efficient clinical environment.
• Assisted dentists in performing a variety of dental procedures, including restorative, prosthodontic, and periodontal treatments.
• Prepared treatment rooms, sterilized instruments, and maintained a clean and organized clinical environment.
• Obtained and updated patient medical histories, vital signs, and dental records.
• Educated patients on oral hygiene practices and provided post-operative care instructions.
• Demonstrated strong communication and interpersonal skills, ensuring patient comfort and satisfaction.
• Shadowed experienced dental assistants and gained hands-on experience in a clinical setting.
• Assisted with patient intake, record-keeping, and preparing treatment rooms.
• Observed a wide range of dental procedures and gained valuable insights into patient care and practice management.
• Participated in continuing education seminars and workshops to expand knowledge of dental assisting techniques and technologies.
• Demonstrated a strong commitment to learning and professional development, receiving positive feedback from supervising dentists and staff.
• Orthodontic treatment assistance
• Instrument sterilization and infection control
• Digital imaging and radiography
• Orthodontic appliance fabrication and maintenance
• Chairside assistance and four-handed dentistry
• Inventory management and supply ordering
• Treatment planning and case presentation
• Dental impressions and model pouring
• Oral hygiene instruction and motivation
• Surgical orthodontic assistance
• Patient scheduling and appointment management
• HIPAA compliance and patient confidentiality

• • Assisted in over 500 dental procedures, including fillings, extractions, and root canals, maintaining a 99% patient satisfaction rate.
• • Managed patient records and appointments using Dentrix software, resulting in a 20% increase in clinic efficiency.
• • Implemented a new sterilization protocol for dental instruments, reducing cross-contamination risks by 30%.
• • Shadowed experienced dental assistants in over 200 implant procedures, gaining valuable insights into complex dental care.
• • Contributed to patient education on post-surgical care, leading to a 15% decrease in post-operative complications.
• • Organized dental supplies inventory, ensuring availability of necessary materials for all scheduled procedures.

11 Dental Assistant Resume Examples & Guide for 2024

Your dental assistant resume must clearly highlight your clinical skills. Include any specialized training, such as in radiology or infection control. Additionally, your dental assistant resume should showcase your patient care abilities. Demonstrate experience with dental health procedures and patient communication.

All resume examples in this guide

Senior Dental Assistant

Entry Level Dental Assistant

Pediatric Dental Assistant

Dental Hygienist

Dental Assistant-In-Training

Oral Surgery Assistant

Orthodontic Dental Assistant

Dental Hygiene Assistant

Expanded Functions Dental Assistant

Certified Dental Assistant

Dental Assistant | Patient Care | Radiology resume example

Resume Guide

Dental Assistant Resume Example

Resume Format

Resume Experience

Hard & Soft Skills

Certifications & Education

Resume Summary Tips

Additional Resume Sections

Key Takeaways

By Experience

Like chameleons, dental assistants adapt to their environment, fitting in wherever needed. Scheduling appointments, greeting patients with a friendly smile, prepping rooms and equipment, assisting in procedures, managing office supplies and patient records, dental assistants are the unsung heroes of the dental office.

This guide, with examples and pro-tips, will ensure your numerous skills and qualifications are evident in the limited space available on your dental assistant resume. As well as addressing these common resume-writing challenges dental assistants encounter:

• C ertification and licensure requirements for dental assistants vary based on location and employer, making it difficult to determine which to include on your resume.
• As a dental assistant, you may have diverse skill sets, and choosing the most relevant ones for a particular job can be difficult.
• Choosing the most effective keywords for your resume can be tricky since they may vary among dental assistant jobs.
• The high demand for dental assistants means many enter the field without prior experience.  We have tips and tricks to help you combat that.

To see additional resumes and cover letter guides for related positions, check out these as well:

• Dental nurse resume & guide
• Dental hygienist resume & guide
• Entry level dental assistant resume & guide
• Pediatric dental assistant resume & guide
• Dental assistant cover letter & guide  

Dental assistant  resume example

Here's what this applicant does well in their resume:

• Highlighting practical experience: The resume effectively showcases hands-on experience in dental procedures, including assisting in over 500 dental procedures and gaining experience in a dental implant center. This demonstrates practical skills crucial for a Dental Assistant.
• Quantifying achievements: By quantifying achievements, like a 99% patient satisfaction rate and reducing post-operative complications by 15%, the resume conveys the applicant's effectiveness and impact in previous roles.
• Specialized certifications and skills: Including a Certified Dental Assistant certification and specialized training in Radiology Safety and Techniques, along with skills in patient care, radiology, and Dentrix software, aligns well with the requirements for a Dental Assistant role.

How to format a dental assistant  resume

Your resume’s formatting is an opportunity to demonstrate technical skills in creating well-formatted, easy-to-read documents, an administrative task you may be asked to perform as a dental assistant.

To ensure your resume is well-organized, professional, and memorable, follow these formatting best practices:

• Creative Elements: Include creative elements  like colors and decorative patterns to make your resume unique and memorable.
• Header Content: A prominent header  featuring your name, desired job title, and contact information  lets employers view them at a glance.  
• Ordering: List all section examples in reverse chronological order  to ensure your most recent and relevant appear first.

Understanding Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) is critical when formatting your dental assistant resume.

ATS analyzes text on resumes, looking for exact keywords or phrases corresponding to desired skills and qualifications for a specific job. Employers use these systems to quickly sort and prioritize resumes to consider the most qualified candidates.

Here’s what’s considered “best practices” for ATS-optimized formatting on your dental assistant resume:

• Fonts: Select ATS-friendly fonts matching the overall style of your resume. Some ATS-friendly fonts are Calibri, Arial, and Times New Roman. However, by employing these overused fonts, you may miss a chance to make your resume stand out. For interesting, modern font options with great readability, try Rubik, Lato, Montserrat, Raleway, Exo 2, or Volkhov, all available on the Enhancv Resume Builder.
• Document Type: PDF files  are standard for resumes to ensure formatting is maintained and ATS can easily identify and analyze text.
• Creative Elements in Text: Avoid using nonessential stylistic features within text. Elements such as emojis for bullets and non-standard date formats can impede ATS’ ability to recognize information in these sections.
• Headings and Subheadings: Ensure resume sections are organized and include simple, precise headings. Standard section titles ensure ATS accurately recognizes and extracts information from these sections.

Is your resume good enough?

Drop your resume here or choose a file . PDF & DOCX only. Max 2MB file size.

To improve the organization and ATS optimization of your resume, include the following top-recommended sections:

The top sections on a dental assistant resume:

• Contact Information: This allows prospective employers to know who the resume belongs to and how to get in touch with the candidate.
• Personal Statement: A brief, concise explanation of the candidate's motivation for becoming a dental assistant and the unique skills or experiences they bring.
• Certifications and Licenses: In the field of dental assistance, certain qualifications or licenses can be legally required, proving the candidate's ability to carry out the specific tasks.
• Experience: A short history of the candidate's related work experience to verify their skills.
• Clinical skills: Recruiters prioritize proficiency in clinical tasks central to patient care.
• Administrative skills: These are vital to maintaining patient records and office efficiency.

While applicants may have unique backgrounds and qualifications, be sure to include these highly sought-after qualifications on your dental assistant resume when possible:

What recruiters want to see on your resume:

• Dental a ssisting c ertification: Many states require dental assistants to be certified, so this is often a top priority for recruiters to ensure the candidate meets legal requirements.
• Experience with d ental s oftware: Knowledge of specific dental software such as Dentrix or Eaglesoft shows an ability to manage patient data and scheduling, which can be critical in dental offices.
• X-Ray c ertification: In many cases, dental assistants might be required to take x-rays; hence having this certification can make the candidate more attractive to recruiters.
• Basic l ife s upport s kills: Dental procedures can sometimes lead to medical emergencies, so candidates with life support skills are typically highly valued.
• Chairside m anner: Recruiters often prioritize dental assistants who demonstrate good interpersonal skills, as they need to interact with patients, easing their worries and explaining procedures.

How to write your dental assistant resume experience

The daily responsibilities of dental assistants vary depending on their credentials and the size and specialization of the dental office where they work. Therefore, it’s critical to highlight employment experiences requiring equivalent skills to the position you are applying for.  

To quickly and easily create a targeted dental assistant resume  for each application, follow these steps:  

• Create a resume template including a complete list of your experiences, certifications, education, and skills.
• Make a copy of the template for each new application.
• Review the job description for each new job you apply to, paying close attention to the ideal candidate description.
• In the copy of the template, delete all examples that don't align with the job description.
• Edit remaining examples to ensure they include keywords  directly copied from the job description for increased ATS optimization.

The experience section  of your dental assistant resume should be more than a list of tasks you performed. It’s an opportunity to share the specialized skills you developed and the achievements you made in those past positions. This reveals not only what you did but how successfully you did it.

Take a look at the following experience examples to better understand how focusing on achievements rather than duties improves an experience description.

• • Worked reception answering phone calls, scheduling appointments, and checking in patients.
• • Assisted the dentist in various procedures.
• • Conducted preliminary patient assessments and recorded medical histories.
• • Updated patient records using electronic health records (EHR) systems.

This applicant fails to use active verbs and specific details to document their accomplishments in this role. The description of their duties comes off as generic and doesn’t reflect how well they performed these tasks, which could set them apart from other applicants who performed many of the same tasks.

• • Managed front desk responsibilities, seeing an average of 30 patients daily, including scheduling appointments, answering phone calls, and handling patient inquiries with professionalism and courtesy.
• • Created education flyers to distribute to patients on topics including post-treatment care, oral hygiene practices, and preventive measures, contributing to improved patient satisfaction and compliance.
• • Collaborated with the dental team to implement infection control protocols, maintaining a safe and hygienic working environment.
• • Successfully completed 8 bi-annual professional development sessions to stay current with industry trends, technologies, and best practices.

This applicant does an excellent job using active verbs to indicate they not only performed their assigned duties but actively contributed by managing, creating, collaborating on, and completing them. It’s evident from this description that the applicant was successful and gained valuable experience in this job.

Additionally, they do a nice job including examples and keywords to describe their skills and qualifications for ATS optimization.

How to quantify impact on your resume

An excellent way to stand out amongst other applicants and boost your resume impact  is to include quantifiable evidence of your skills and abilities in your experience descriptions. These are tangible, measurable, or verifiable details that highlight your accomplishments  in past jobs.

The example above provides an excellent example of incorporating quantifiable evidence:

“Successfully completed 8 bi-annual professional development sessions to stay current with industry trends, technologies, and best practices.”

This applicant stated the number of professional development sessions completed to clarify their dedication to continued learning and staying current in the industry.

In addition to sharing the number of completed training sessions, workshops, or certifications, there are many other ways to quantify your impact. Here are a few additional options for using numbers and data  to quantify your skills in your experience descriptions:

• Share a percentage increase in efficiency or patient satisfaction to illustrate the effectiveness of your efforts.
• State the number of patients assisted daily to demonstrate efficiency and capacity to manage a fast-paced environment and large workload.
• Note how many dental procedures you are proficient in to highlight your diverse skill set.
• Identify the size of office staff you've worked with to indicate your experience collaborating as a team member.
• Detail the number of patient records you've managed to showcase your ability to organize and maintain high volumes of patient data.
• Share the amount of office management software or dental equipment you're proficient using to emphasize your technical acumen.
• Mention reductions in wait times or operational costs you contributed to illustrate your efficiency and attention to detail.

When including numbers and statistics, be selective by only mentioning data relevant to the position you're applying for. For example, a small dental practice focused on positive patient experience will be more impressed by how your efforts resulted in an increased percentage of patient satisfaction than how many patients you treated daily in a large, fast-paced dental office.

How do I write a dental assistant resume with no experience

Some employers offer applicants on-the-job training or certification contingent employment, creating opportunities for applicants without prior dental assistant experience.

However, there are additional considerations to keep in mind when writing a dental assistant resume with no experience . A crucial element is ensuring experiences highlight transferable skills, such as employment, temp work , or even medical or dental office volunteering.

Follow these steps to write an experience section highlighting transferable skills without dental assistant experience:

• Compile a list of keywords from the job description.
• Brainstorm previous employment, educational, or volunteer experiences that showcase the same keyword skills and knowledge from the job description.
• To add credibility, include tangible evidence of these skills, such as certifications, achievements, and quantifiable data.
• Avoid including irrelevant work experiences  or outdated experiences .
• List experiences in reverse chronological order to ensure your most recent and relevant examples appear first.

Don’t worry about explaining or giving details about how your transferable skills align with the job you are applying for in your resume. Your  dental assistant cover letter  is an excellent opportunity to detail further how your background aligns with the open position.

Without dental assistant experience, this section aims to share related jobs and transferable skills, especially those in medical or dental environments. The best way to demonstrate your potential to succeed in the available position is to utilize keywords from the job description in your examples.

How to list your hard skills and soft skills on your resume

The skills section  of your dental assistant resume can be intimidating since an extensive list may be necessary to highlight the broad range of skills required of dental assistants.

Include subsections where appropriate to keep your skills lists manageable—for instance, listing hard and soft skills in separate sections. In addition, you can organize hard skills by creating subsections for clinical and administrative skills.

Additionally, you can trim a lengthy skills section by tailoring it to the desired position. The skills an employer values most will depend on many factors, such as the size of the office, patient demographics, number of employees, and dental specialty. Therefore, it's not necessary to include every skill for every application.

Hard skills - in a nutshell

Hard skills  are skills necessary to perform a particular job. They typically require study, training, and practice.

 In the dental field, hard skills often require certification and reflect technical abilities, like using office software and dental equipment or performing dental procedures.

When brainstorming hard skills to include on your dental assistant resume, consult this list of top sought by employers in the field:

Best clinical hard skills for your dental assistant resume

• Dental X-ray photography
• Dental impression molding
• Sterilization techniques
• Dental instrument preparation
• Dental procedure assisting
• Coronal polishing
• Fluoride application
• Sealant application
• Infection control
• First aid and CPR
• Oral evacuation
• Digital radiography
• Photography
• Dental health education
• Restorative procedures
• Orthodontic procedures
• Periodontal dressings

Best administrative hard skills for your dental assistant resume

• Administrative Skills
• Patient management software
• Dental coding and billing
• Supply inventory management
• HIPAA compliance
• Dental office management

Soft  skills - in a nutshell

Soft skills  are intrinsic, personal skills demonstrating the kind of employee you'll be. In a dental office, these skills enable you to provide excellent patient care and satisfaction. For example, in the dental field, compassion, empathy, and active listening are valued regardless of the office in which you work.

These are some of the top soft skills employers look for in dental assistant applicants:

Best soft skills for your dental assistant resume

• Communication skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Attention to detail
• Time management
• Stress management
• Critical thinking
• Problem-solving
• Adaptability
• Listening skills
• Organizational skills
• Professionalism
• Trustworthiness
• Tact and diplomacy
• Customer service skills

Follow these steps to write your dental assistant skills sections:

• Format your skills section as a simple list without elaboration or examples.
• Differentiate between hard and soft skills by listing them in separate subsections.
• Consider organizing your hard skills further by adding subheadings for clinical skills and administrative skills.
• Target your skills section using keyword skills from the job description.
• Write these keyword skills precisely as they appear in the job description to enhance ATS analysis.
• Never lie about or exaggerate your skills on your resume.
• Ensure consistency between your experience and skills sections by listing the skills mentioned in the experience section in the skills section and vice versa.

In general, employers are willing to offer training in hard skills. However, the intrinsic nature of soft skills makes them difficult to teach. Therefore, it's essential to tailor your resume's hard skills for each application and to include as many keyword soft skills as possible.

How to list your certifications and education on your resume

While certification is not always required, many employers prefer applicants with a general dental assisting certification. Beyond that, there are numerous expanded dental functions certifications (EDFC) available to enable Certified Dental Assistants (CDAs) to perform specialized tasks such as performing X-rays.

Your resume's education and certifications sections should reinforce your skills sections as evidence supporting your stated skills.

To write your dental assistant certification section and education section, follow these steps:

• Create separate sections titled “Education” and  “Certifications” to allow ATS to parse information from your resume accurately.
• List all degrees and certifications in reverse chronological order, putting your most recent and relevant at the top.

Education Specific  best practices :

• For each degree, include the name of the university, its’ location, the dates you attended, and the title of your degree.
• Continuing education courses , like those required for a CDA, should be listed in the education section.
• Including your GPA is optional unless the job description specifies a minimum GPA requirement.
• You can include brief statements about relevant exceptional  coursework achievements  in the example description.
• Only include your major and minor  if relevant to the desired position or if it provides relevant information about your background. For example, a minor in Spanish may be appropriate. However, a minor in Dance probably isn’t.

Here’s an example of how an excellent education example:

• • Earned perfect scores in all 10 required courses.
• • Completed a supervised clinical externship, gaining practical experience in assisting with various dental procedures and leading to my first dental assistant employment.

Best practices for listing examples on your resume’s certification section :

• Include the name of the certification, the certifying institution, and the year obtained.
• When appropriate, consider listing certifications under the subheadings “Clinical Certifications” and “Administrative Certifications” for clarity.
• Limit certifications to current, unexpired credentials. For example, if you were certified in CPR four years ago and never renewed, you shouldn't list this since CPR certification is only valid for two years.
• If a certification requires renewal to remain valid, include the date first acquired as well as the most recent renewal date or a "valid through" date. For certifications you have held long-term, this demonstrates soft skills such as organization and responsibility.
• Limit your certifications to only those specifically named or directly related to the required skills mentioned in the job description.

Here’s an example of how a certification item requiring renewal should look on your dental assistant resume:

If you're considering adding a dental assistant certification to your resume, check out one of these highly sought-after by employers.

Best certifications for your dental assistant resume

• Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB)
• Registered Dental Assistant with Expanded Functions (RDAEF) by Various State Dental Boards (specific websites vary by state)
• Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Assistant (COMSA) by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB)
• Certified Restorative Functions Dental Assistant (CRFDA) by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB)
• Certified Dental Practice Management Administrator (CDPMA) by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB)

It's essential to be selective when writing your dental assistant resume's education and certifications sections.

Some employers may sift through long lists. However, others will only take a cursory look before determining whether or not your background will suit their needs. Therefore, limiting your qualifications to highlight those that best demonstrate your ability to succeed is critical.

How to write your dental assistant resume summary or objective

A summary or objective section, sometimes called “ Resume Profiles ” or “ Personal Statements ,” allows you to briefly contextualize how the data and facts on your resume correspond to your career progression and goals.

These sections demonstrate your suitability for the position, which may not be evident, particularly if you don’t have prior experience as a dental assistant.

Regardless of which personal statement you select, it should clarify how your experiences and qualifications make you a suitable candidate for an available job.

Follow these best practices when writing either a summary or an objective:

• Customize the statement to match the specific job you're applying for, emphasizing relevant skills and experiences.
• Start sentences with action verbs to make your summary dynamic and impactful.
• Be brief. A summary should only be 3-5 sentences.

The difference between a summary and an objective is the focus on either your past experiences or future career goals.

A resume summary  focuses on your past work experience and how it aligns with an available job. On the other hand, a resume objective  focuses on your future career goals to illustrate how they correspond with the position.

A summary is preferable for dental assistants with extensive experience well aligned to the available job, for example, in the same dental specialty. It highlights how your past success indicates your potential to succeed in that particular role.

To write a summary for your dental assistant resume , follow these best practices:  

• Highlight your most relevant skills or experiences that directly overlap with the job description.
• Briefly mention your years of experience to provide context for your level of expertise.
• Write an impactful summary using keywords  directly from the job description, highlighting your well-aligned keyword experiences and skills.
• Use details such as naming specific software, dental equipment, procedures, and certifications to reinforce the relevance of your experiences.  
• Convey your enthusiasm for the opportunity to continue providing high-quality patient care in the dental field in this position.

Check out how the following summary is improved by including specific details to reinforce skills.

This applicant overlooks several opportunities to include specific details, such as examples of procedures they are proficient in, contributions they’ve made, and their specific certification to incorporate keywords and ensure their qualifications are evident to the employer.

This applicant includes specific examples of tasks they are proficient in, procedures they've performed, and their impact on patient satisfaction. They also named the professional organization where they completed their continuing education. These details lend authority to their stated skills and qualifications and enhance ATS analysis by including keywords from the job description.

An objective section is a better option for dental assistants with limited experience or who are applying for their first job. It allows you to focus on how you plan to use your background to achieve career goals while contributing to the success of the office.

To write your dental assistant resume objective, follow these best practices:

• Describe the type of position you are seeking.
• Share relevant or transferable skills   that will help you succeed in the position using keywords  directly from the job description .
• Clearly state your career goals and enthusiasm to work towards them in the role.
• Highlight valuable contributions you can make while learning and gaining experience.
• Avoid generic phrases. Instead, focus on specific skills and goals that set you apart.

Rephrasing specifics from the “Qualifications” or “Ideal Candidate” sections of a job description is a great way to guarantee you mention the skills and qualifications most valued by the employer.

Additional sections for a dental assistant resume

In addition to the top-resume sections , consider including one or more of these optional resume sections  to highlight specific qualifications or accomplishments that will help you stand out among the other dental assistant applicants.

• Languages: Excellent patient communication is a cornerstone of patient care. Therefore, being multilingual is a valuable asset in patient-centric environments. Including a language section  is an effective way to set yourself apart from other applicants.
• Achievements and Awards: If you’ve received recognition for your work in the past, consider including an awards and achievements section  as evidence to support your stated soft skills. In addition to individual awards, you can include awards your office received, such as being voted the top healthcare facility in your community.
• Professional Associations: A professional Associations section highlights your dedication to ongoing improvement and staying current in dentistry. If you’d like to include a professional association membership to your resume, consider joining one of the leading professional associations for dental assistants below.

Professional associations for dental assistants

These prominent professional associations for dental assistants provide resources, support, and opportunities for networking and continuing education:

• American Dental Assistants Association ( ADAA )
• American Association of Dental Office Management ( AADOM )
• National Dental Assistants Association ( NDAA )
• Academy of Chairside Assisting ( ACA )
• American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry ( AAPD )

Individualizing your resume with tailored sections ensures it reflects all your top qualifications and stands out among other applicants. Should you include sections other than those above, be sure they use catchy, ATS-friendly headings .

How to write a specialization section

If you have extensive experience or certifications in a particular dental specialty directly corresponding to an available job, consider including a specialization section to highlight these qualifications.

Your dental assistant specialization section should include the following:

• The title of your dental assistant specialization
• Relevant training or certifications
• Specialty-specific billing and coding experience
• Technical skills  related to using software and equipment
• Skills and expertise in performing specialized dental procedures
• Relevant soft skills, for instance, patience and communication, are vital when working with children in a pediatric dental office.

Here’s an example of how your specialization section should appear on your resume:

Only include a specialization section that demonstrates extensive knowledge, skills, and qualifications if applicable to the available dental assistant position. For instance, the example above would be relevant to a family or pediatric dental office. However, it would not likely be relevant enough to include as a separate section for work in a prosthodontic office.  In this case, these skills may be mentioned in the other resume sections , such as the experience section, to demonstrate your capacity to learn specialized skills.

Key takeaways

Selecting among the multitude of skills and qualifications required for dental assisting is one of the and most challenging aspects when writing a resume.

To ensure your dental assistant resume accurately reflects your most valuable, unique skills, experiences, and qualifications, review these key takeaways:

• Targeted resumes include only examples relevant to the available position as found in the job description.
• ATS-optimized formatting helps ensure your dental assistant resume reaches employers.
• Provide quantifiable evidence of achievements in previous dental offices to demonstrate your impact in past jobs.
• Include clinical and administrative hard skills as well as transferable soft skills, using precise wording for enhanced ATS optimization.
• List relevant education and certifications demonstrating your dentistry knowledge and qualifications.
• Give context to the information on your resume by including either a summary or an objective section, depending on your experience level in similar dental assistant positions.
• Use additional sections to showcase credentials that don't fit within other resume sections.
• Include a specialization section when your past dental assistant employment is in a similar environment to the available position to highlight your expertise.

Dental Assistant resume examples

Explore additional dental assistant resume samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.

Looking to build your own Dental Assistant resume?

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How to create a steller dental assistant resume?

[ Click here to directly go to the complete dental assistant resume sample ]

"Be true to your teeth and they won't be false to you." -Soupy Sales

Likewise, be true to your entry level dental assistant resumes for dental assistants and they won't fail you in your job hunt.

You need to raise your chance of being noticed by the recruiters if you intend to get the shortlist for the targeted job.

You can refer to our complete dental assistant resume sample:

• Headed the Unit Preparation for receiving patients by taking care of the equipment required and cleanliness of the unit
• Served as an Infection Control Officer , developed infection control protocol & sterilized instruments & equipment
• Provided instrumentation and positioned instruments for dentist's access, suctioned and passed instruments
• Rendered assistance to the Senior Dentist in dental procedures of 20+ patients daily
• Supervised in providing proper care leading to the recovery of 10k+ patients till date
• Managed emergencies by deploying emergency control skills & utilizing crisis control procedures
• Monitored vital parameters and general condition of patient while conducting dental diagnosis
• Administered medication to the patients by maintaining patients records & reports along with drugs stock & inventory
• Provided 10+ patients with instructions for oral care following surgery or other dental treatment procedures
• Taught patients appropriate oral hygiene strategies to maintain oral health like tooth brushing , flossing, etc.
• Collected impressions of patients' teeth for study casts (models of teeth)
• Prepared treatment room for patient by following prescribed procedures and protocols
• Prepared patients for dental treatment by welcoming, comforting, seating, and draping patients
• Provided materials by selecting, mixing, and placing materials on instruments and in the patient's mouth
• Provided diagnostic information by exposing and developing radio-graphic studies
• Top 5 percentile of the class
• Languages : English, Spanish and French

This blog is designed to help you frame the perfect resume, so read on.

Here is a summary of our orthodontic assistant resume 2022 Guide:

• Always use your full name as the header of your dentist resume and strictly avoid writing "CV or Resume".
• Use the reverse chronological order to prioritize your most recent and relevant experience on your dental assistant resume.
• Stick to the use of one-liner points to avoid lengthy paragraphs by grouping similar points under unique subheadings.
• Frame a summary of your dental assistant experience resume only if you have work experience of 3 years and above else write a dental assistant objective for your zero or less than 3 years of experience.

It is not always an easy sail while trying to frame the right resume because you have to use the right words that can convince the recruiters that you are the most suitable applicant.

All your statements should be able to boost your chances of being shortlisted by the recruiters for the targeted job.

Here at Hiration, our experts can help you out by guiding you on how to curate the perfect dentist resume.

By the end of this dental assistant resume blog, you will be able to write a job-winning resume while simultaneously learning:

• What to write in your dentist resume and how to write it
• How to talk about your professional experience on your dental resume in the best manner
• How to write a professional summary of dental assistant resume?
• How to add personal experience in your dental assistant resume?
• How to write add your education information in your dental assistant resume?

You can directly go to our Online Resume Builder to write professional dental assistant resumes:

In this blog we have provided a complete dental assistant resume sample and we will also discuss the following points to help you create impactful resumes for dental assistants:

What is a Dental Assistant Resume & why do you need it?

[ Back to Table of Content ]

Your dental resume is the golden ticket to raise your chances of getting shortlisted by recruiters and a step towards your dream job.

Write a flawless resume that can be recognized by the recruiters and try to impress them with your skills.

One thing that you need to overcome is the ATS system. Most recruiters depend on the ATS (Applicant Tracking System) for their hiring process.

It is a tracking system through which the recruiters filter through resumes to pick the most suitable applicant.

If your resume ranks high in the ATS system, it means your dental assistant resume will have a higher chance of getting shortlisted.

You need to create a resume that is ATS-targeted by using the keywords used by the recruiter to describe the requirements of the targeted job.

A resume that is not ATS-targeted may end up never getting shortlisted by the recruiters.

Hence writing an ATS targeted resume is necessary and you can accomplish that with this guide.

To learn the tricks and trade of writing your resumes for dental assistants, read our 2022 Tips on dos and don'ts for resume writing with a professional approach.

Dental Assistant Salary

• BLS : $41,180 per year
• Payscale.com : $16.59 per hour
• Salary.com : $39,560 per year

How to write a Dental Assistant Resume?

Following the step by step process to frame, can have a huge impact on the quality of your dental resume.

Here are the three stages that you should follow while framing your resume for dental assistant:

• Step 1 : Master Dental Assistant Resume
• Step 2 : First Draft of Dental Assistant Resume
• Step 3 : Final Draft of Dental Assistant Resume

Carefully read these three steps that has been discussed below and try to follow them while writing your dentist resume.

Dental Assistant Master Resume

[ Back to Table of Content ] Compile all your details and pieces of information in a single place by creating a master resume.

This works as your folder and helps you in tracking any information that you may require not only the present time-line but also for any future updates.

Collecting scattered pieces of information can be stressful to work on and a total waste of time altogether.

But if you stack them together in a single place it would be much easier to find your data on important details.

It revolutionizes your dentist resume-writing experience and helps you to accomplish the goal of resume writing in any time-period as required by you.

Do not stress over the unclear information which does not seem sure for your present resume because it may be needed in your future updates.

First Draft of Dental Assistant Resume

In the first draft of your dental resume, you should frame these following sections in your resumes for dental assistants:

• Personal Information
• Profile Title
• Professional Experience
• Certifications (if any)
• Awards & Recognition (if any)
• Additional Information (if any)

Make sure to fill the above standard sections with the relevant points and frame optional sections whenever necessary.

Doing so can boost your chance of being recognized by recruiters who can give you the shortlist you require for the targeted job.

Final Draft of Dental Assistant Resume

You need to compose the following sections in your final draft:

Key skills section: After your professional experience has been filled, scan through it and pick out the most effective key skills you possess and align them in this section. This way, recruiters can easily identify your core skills.

Summary/objective section: This is the last section to be framed when writing your dental resume. A dental assistant resume objective or summary should be framed to give a brief and overall statement of your dentist resume.

You can also read our 2022 guide to writing a resume for a better understanding of how to write the perfect resume.

Dental Assistant Resume Sections

There are different sections in your dental resume. We have mentioned them below:

• Summary/Objective

Given below are the optional section that can be framed whenever required to enhance your dental assistant resume:

• Volunteering Experience (if any)

Make sure that every section you frame has been thoughtfully created to have an impact on the recruiters with your resume.

Read Hiration's 2022 Guide to sections in a resume for more details on how to effectively create your dental resume sections.

In the meanwhile, feel free to use our Online Resume Builder to compose a professional resumes for dental assistants from scratch without any hassle!

Dental Assistant Resume: Professional Experience

One of the most important sections in your dental resume is the professional experience section. This section can help you to elaborate on all your skills and experience to highlight your achievements.

Try not to miss out on any important details while framing this section.

Curate a flawless professional experience section in your dentist resume by following the points that have been listed below:

• STAR format
• Framing points
• Bucketing & Bolding

STAR Format

The STAR stands for the following points:

• Situation : It describes the backdrop and context of your contributions in any situation.
• Task : It describes the actual task that was assigned to you as a part of your role and responsibility.
• Action : It describes the strategy you turned into action that was used to execute the assigned task.
• Result : It describes the result or outcome of your action in any form of an achievement figure.

STAR format is the ideal format for curating the professional experience section of your dental assistant resume.

It creates the cause-effect relationship between your assigned task in any situation and the outcome of your actions which helps your dental resume stand out.

This can demonstrate your dental assistant resume skills by quantifying your achievements that show the extent of your expertise in your chosen domain.

Framing Points

Keep the recruiter interested in reading your dentist resume, by making it worth the read.

Let us look at the two dental assistant resume examples given below to understand the importance of framing points and how to go about it:

Dental Assistant Resume Example 1:

"Assisted the Senior Dentist in all the daily dental procedures of 10+ patients and administered proper care to every patient which lead to the recovery of 1k+ patients to date. Successfully deployed any emergency control skills and utilized the crisis control procedures. Monitored the vital parameters of all the patients while conducting dental diagnosis and also implemented dental interventions at times of need while working closely with the Senior Dentist."

Dental Assistant Resume Example 2:

Assisted the Senior Dentist in dental procedures of 10+ patients daily Administered proper care leading to the recovery of 1k+ patients till date Deployed emergency control skills and utilized crisis control procedures Monitored vital parameters of patients while conducting dental diagnosis Implemented dental interventions while working closely with the Senior Dentist

Framing Points: Analysis

Both the example are stating the same thing but example 2 is more specific unlike example 1 wherein your resume for dental assistant with no experience look bulky.

From the two examples, it is obvious that framing points (example 2) make your statements more readable for the recruiters.

Use bullet points to frame one-liners as it is easier to list out your roles & responsibilities which in turn makes your dental resume easy to read and comprehend.

Writing a bulky and lengthy paragraph in your dentist resume (example 1) may most likely make the recruiters uninterested in your dental assistant resume when you drag your points at a stretch and you end up using vague words unnecessarily.

Bolding & Bucketing

Bucketing & bolding are another important factor that should be used while composing your professional experience section in your dental resume.

Let us look at the below-given dental assistant resume examples to understand how bolding & bucketing is important in your dental assistant resume and how you can make use of it:

Assisted the Senior Dentist in dental procedures of 10+ patients daily Administered proper care leading to the recovery of 1k+ patients till date Managed the Unit Preparation for patients by taking care of the required equipment Served as a control officer by developing protocol & sterilized the instruments Provided patients with oral care instructions following surgery or procedures Demonstrated appropriate strategies to patience for the maintenance of oral hygiene

Patient Care Assisted the Senior Dentist in dental procedures of 10+ patients daily Administered proper care leading to the recovery of 1k+ patients till date Surgical Assistance & Unit Preparation Managed the Unit Preparation for patients by taking care of the required equipment Served as a control officer by developing protocol & sterilized the instruments Oral Care & Hygiene Practice Provided patients with oral care instructions following surgery or procedures Demonstrated appropriate strategies to patience for the maintenance of oral hygiene

Bolding & Bucketing: Analysis

Framing points (example 1) make your one-liners readable but bucketing and bolding (example 2) make your resume for dental assistant with no experience more organized.

Create unique subheadings (bucketing) and group all the similar points in your professional experience section.

Bolding all your figures of numbers and achievements helps the recruiter recognize your specific contributions towards an organization.

Thus, bucketing and bolding boost your chances of getting the attention of the recruiters which can help you in getting shortlisted for the target job.

You can refer to our dental assistant resume sample given below to understand how the professional experience section can be ideally framed.

If you have an existing resume, get it professionally reviewed by our in-house team of resume experts at Hiration.

To learn more about framing the perfect professional experience section, read Hiration's Blog on how to compose the work experience in your resume .

Dental Assistant Resume: Key Skills

Scan through your dentist resume and pick the keywords in the job description that you have applied for and place them in this section.

Do make sure that the keywords you use are justified in your one-liners and that you possess them.

Avoid writing unrelated skills to the target job as it is just a waste of time and space.

Most of the major organizations nowadays use the ATS for filtering resumes before shortlisting the most suitable applicant.

This is why you need to choose and write the correct skills in your dental assistant resume skills section.

Given below is a dental assistant resume examples for you to understand the ideal way to write dental assistant resume skills.

Dental Assistant Resume Summary

A dental assistant resume summary should be written only if you have 3 years and above of professional experience.

It is an overall statement of your dentist resume which can make the recruiters recognize your efficiency in just a short paragraph.

Read the following points to write a dental assistant resume summary:

• Start your summary by mentioning your years of experience while keeping in mind that the recruiter would spend roughly 6-7 seconds and you need to make it count.
• Write a summary that is on point with only 3-4 lines and avoid stretching your summary with unnecessary and irrelevant words.
• Give a brief explanation of your past work experience and make sure to pick the best highlights of your career to enhance the effectiveness of your dental resume summary.

Given below is a dental assistant resume sample of how an ideal summary for your dental assistant resume can be framed.

You can read Hiration's 2022 Resume Summary Guide. for a detailed guide on how to write the perfect dentist resume summary.

Dental Assistant Resume: Objective

You should write a dental assistant resume objective for your dental resume only if:

• You have no work experience.
• You have very limited work experience of less than 3 years.
• You are a fresh graduate writing an entry-level resume.

The goal of your dental assistant resume objective is to communicate your goals and prove to the recruiter that your skills matter, and that you will be am asset to the organization.

Read Hiration's 2022 Guide on Resume Objectives to learn the art of fashioning an impeccable dental resume objective.

Dental Assistant Resume: Header

The importance of the profile header is mostly ignored but you should know that it is an important feature in a resume that needs to be thoughtfully framed.

Hiration pro Tip : Avoid writing "CV or Resume". Instead, write your name as the header so that the recruiter knows that the dental assistant resume belongs to you.

Follow the below-given points to write your dental resume header the right way:

• Write your header using the largest fonts between 16-20 font sizes and make it stand out in your dental assistant resume.
• It should be framed at the top-most part of your dentist resume.
• In case you have a middle name, write only the initial of your middle name followed by a period.
• Example: Phoebe Aurora Buffay should be written as "Phoebe A. Buffay".

Given below is our dental assistant resume example of the header section for you to understand how an ideal header section can be ideally framed.

Read our 2022 Guide: Header on a Resume to get more details for writing this section.

You can always write your dental resume with the help of experts at Hiration's Online Resume Builder:

Dental Assistant Resume: Personal Information

The personal information section in your dental resume should ideally consist of the following details:

Contact number

• Current location

Give only your active and functional contact number through which the recruiter can get in touch with you.

The recruiters may want to conduct an interview over the phone or confirm any likely shortlist over the phone. Keep your phone lines open and free when you are expecting a shortlist from them.

Do not give out contact numbers of your previous address of residence or workplace as it is unnecessary and wastage of time.

The number you provide should be functional 24x7 and avoid missing out any calls from the recruiters for any possible shortlist.

Provide your country’s ISD code as a prefix before your phone number and a plus sign (+) before the ISD code.

Example : +1 25363 62749

One of the most convenient and official means of communication between you and the recruiter is the email.

Make sure that you have an email ID that has been professionally composed for official purpose by using your real name.

Example : [email protected] or [email protected]

Avoid giving out any fancy email IDs that can make you seem like a childish applicant who is not serious with one's career.

Example : [email protected] or [email protected]

Create an official resume with your real name in case you do not have one.

Always remember that your dental assistant resume is a source through which the recruiters can judge you and you need to maintain an official approach at all times.

Current Location

If you are looking for a job in your own country, mention the city and state of your residence in your resume. Mention the name of your city and country if you are looking for a job outside your country.

You need not mention your previous workplace address or your full home address because it is not required by the recruiters.

The main reason why you need to provide your current location is for the recruiters to know where you are willing to locate or re-locate for the targeted job.

Look at our below-given dental assistant resume sample of the personal information section to understand how this section is ideally framed.

Our 2022 Guide to writing personal information can help you have a better understanding of this section.

Dental Resume: Profile Title

Write your latest job title as your profile title to let the recruiter know if you are an experienced or an entry-level applicant.

Its main purpose is to state where you stand in your level of professional status.

Use the font size of 14-16 to write your profile title which should be the second-largest font size in your dentist resume.

By doing so, the recruiters can get an insight into your level of expertise in the field of your work.

Look at the below-given example of this section from our dental assistant resumes template to help you understand how an ideal profile title should be framed.

In the meanwhile, check out our Online Resume Builder to create your dental resume with expert guidance.

It comes with a pre-designed & pre-filled dental assistant resume template that you can customize to suit your professional needs & qualifications.

Dental Assistant Resume: Education

Your education section is important for your dental resume because the targeted job would require you to possess some specific level of educational qualification.

Provide a specific course of study that you have completed on dental courses to justify your efficiency as an eligible applicant who deserves the targeted job profile.

The education section of your resume should ideally consist of:

• Name of the school/university you have attended
• Name of the courses you have pursued
• The location of your school/university
• Enrollment and graduation dates in month & year format

Look at the given dental assistant resume sample of an ideal education section to frame this section with perfection.

You can also read our 2022 Guide on how to list education on resume .

Our Online Resume Builder is here to help you create your dental resume with expert guidance. The pre-filled dental assistant resume template that comes with it can be easily modified to suit your needs & preferences.

Dental Assistant Resume: Certifications

Certifications section is another important feature on your dentist resume that can help raise your chances of being shortlisted by recruiters.

Your certification section must include the following details:

• Name of the Certification Course
• Name of the Affiliating Institution
• Location of the Institute
• Dates of enrollment and completion of the course (month and year)

Arrange these points in the below format:

{Name of certification} | {Affiliating Institution} | {Location} | {Date} (month & year format)

Here is the 2022 Guide: How to List Certifications on a Resume , to help you get a better working knowledge of this section.

Go to our Hiration's online builder to create your dental resume with expert guidance:

Dental Assistant Resume: Additional Information

All your extra-curricular activities or information can be listed in this section as per the requirement of your targeted job profile.

Any additional languages that you can speak or write or any relevant hobbies that may help enhance your dentist resume can be framed here.

Your additional information can add value to your professional experience and educational qualification by highlighting your extracurricular knowledge or talent.

The dental assistant resume sample given below of an additional information section is the ideal way to perfectly frame this section.

Go to our Online Resume Builder to frame your flawless dental resume.

Resume Review & Free Dental Assistant Resume Templates

Get your dentist resume professionally reviewed by our resume experts at Hiration. The review will be done in compliance with the below-mentioned parameters:

• Compliance with industry norms
• Content Relevance
• Recruiter Friendliness
• Design Compatibility
• Conversion Scope
• ATS Compliance
• Global Compatibility
• Performance Assessment
• Resume Formatting (font, margins, the order of sections, etc.)

You also get 2 resume templates for free!

Resume Builder for Dental Assistant Resume

Our Online Resume Builder is professionally designed to help you curate a shortlist-worthy ATS-targeted senior accountant resume.

It comes with the below-mentioned resources:

• Option to save unlimited resumes
• 25+ resume designs
• Full rich-text editor
• Unlimited PDF downloads
• 100+ content templates
• 1-click design change
• A sharable link
• Live resume editor

By using Hiration Online Resume Builder , you will be able to write impeccable entry level dental assistant resumes for every job that you are targeting.

So if you aren't using our resume builder, wait no longer and get your hands on our resume builder now!

Key Takeaways

• Use the reverse chronological order to write your dental resume.
• Use only the keywords that have been justified and avoid phrases in your dental assistant resume skills sections.
• Use past tense for past profiles/projects and present continuous tense for present profiles and projects while starting your one-liners with power verbs.
• Use bucketing and bolding in your professional experience section to emphasize your efficiency and create cause-effect relations.
• Write a resume summary for your 3 years and above work experience, an dental assistant objective to describe your 0 to less than 3 years of work experience.

With this, we come to the end of this blog and you can write your perfect beginner dental assistant resume with the help of all the guides and examples.

Go to Hiration resume builder and create a professional resume for yourself. Additionally, reach out to us at [email protected] and you can get 24/7 professional assistance with all your job & career-related queries.

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10 Dental Assistant Resume Examples - Here's What Works In 2024

Dental assistants are on the front lines of working with both dentists and patients to create a clear path forward for dental health. if you want to work in a fast-paced field that contains both clinical and clerical elements, this guide will help you build a dental assistant resume by reviewing three example templates and a list of key skills and action verbs to consider including.

Dental health is considered by many physicians to be the foundation for overall health, meaning those who work in the field as dental assistants are providing a valuable service to the public while simultaneously honing various transferable skills. Dental assistants are in high demand with the Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipating a seven percent annual growth rate through 2029 - or almost double the rate of growth for most jobs. Dental assistants can expect to work directly with patients, including completing registration, handling insurance details, and scheduling appointments. In addition, dental assistants will often perform clinical work such as sterilizing equipment, preparing the patient for the dentist, or assisting the dentist during oral health procedures. Hiring managers are looking for specific skills and responsibilities in their dental assistant applicants, and this guide will help you identify and include the appropriate skills that match your experience. We’ll start by looking at three example resumes for dental assistants at different stages of their careers.

Dental Assistant Resume Templates

Jump to a template:

• Dental Assistant
• Certified Dental Assistant
• Registered Dental Assistant
• Entry Level Dental Assistant
• Experienced Dental Assistant
• Pediatric Dental Assistant
• Lead Dental Assistant

Jump to a resource:

• Keywords for Dental Assistant Resumes

Dental Assistant Resume Tips

• Action Verbs to Use
• Related Medical Resumes

Get advice on each section of your resume:

Template 1 of 10: Dental Assistant Resume Example

As a dental assistant, you play a vital role in supporting dentists and performing various tasks that keep dental practices running smoothly. In recent years, there's been an increased focus on patient comfort and creating a welcoming environment, so dental assistants should emphasize these skills in their resumes. Additionally, dental practices are adopting more advanced technology, so showcasing your familiarity with these tools can set you apart from other candidates. When writing your resume, it's important to highlight your hands-on experience and knowledge of dental procedures, as well as any specific certifications you have obtained. Also, don't forget to mention any administrative duties you've handled, as dental assistants often juggle both clinical and clerical tasks.

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Tips to help you write your Dental Assistant resume in 2024

   showcase patient care skills.

Since dental assistants frequently interact with patients, it's crucial to emphasize your communication and interpersonal skills. Highlight any experience that demonstrates your ability to provide comfort and reassurance to patients, manage patient flow, and maintain a clean and organized workspace.

   Highlight dental technology proficiency

As dental practices continue to adopt advanced technology, hiring managers will appreciate applicants who are well-versed in using modern dental equipment and software. Make sure to mention any experience with digital X-rays, dental practice management software, and other relevant technologies.

Skills you can include on your Dental Assistant resume

Template 2 of 10: dental assistant resume example.

Start your resume with a succinct summary that outlines your background as a dental assistant to catch the eye of hiring managers and give them an accurate impression of your personal skill set. Incorporate numerical values in the summary whenever relevant, and make sure to do the same in the body of your resume to impart an affinity for precision.

   Opening summary specifies dental assistant skills

As the background of dental assistants can vary based on their experience working alongside dentists or at the front of the office, you can orient hiring managers to your particular background by including a short summary at the start of your resume. You can opt to include the tasks and skills you have expertise in, the amount of time you've been a dental assistant, or the type or size of office(s) you've worked in.

   Uses numerical values to impart scope and scale of dental experience

Having an eye for details and accuracy is an important aspect of the clerical duties dental assistants are expected to perform. With that in mind, you should aim to use quantitative values in each of your bullet-pointed accomplishments as it will help hiring managers understand exactly how big your previous offices were, how high your satisfaction rating was, how many physicians you’re accustomed to working with, and so on.

Template 3 of 10: Certified Dental Assistant Resume Example

As a Certified Dental Assistant, you'll be an integral part of any dental practice, providing valuable support to dentists and ensuring a smooth patient experience. When crafting your resume, it's essential to showcase your expertise in dental procedures, patient care, and office management. Keep in mind that the dental field is continually evolving, with advancements in technology and shifts towards more patient-centric care. Employers are looking for dental assistants who are adaptable and committed to staying current on industry trends. In your resume, emphasize your technical skills, certifications, and experience working as a dental assistant. Also, highlight your ability to work well with patients of all ages and backgrounds, as well as your strong communication skills. Your resume should demonstrate your ability to effectively manage your time and multitask in a busy dental practice while maintaining a high standard of patient care.

Tips to help you write your Certified Dental Assistant resume in 2024

   showcase your certifications.

As a Certified Dental Assistant, your resume should highlight your relevant certifications, such as your Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certification, radiology certification, or any additional dental assisting licensures. Include these in a dedicated "Certifications" section to demonstrate your expertise and qualifications.

   Emphasize infection control skills

Dental practices prioritize maintaining a sterile environment, and employers value dental assistants who are diligent in infection control protocols. Include any OSHA or HIPAA training you've received, and mention your experience in maintaining a safe and clean workspace within the dental practice.

Skills you can include on your Certified Dental Assistant resume

Template 4 of 10: certified dental assistant resume example.

Certified dental assistants have less formal education than registered dental assistants, but will generally be handling the same role at both the front and back of the dentist office. Their duties include entering medical records and scheduling appointments as well as reviewing dental procedures with patients. You can emphasize your experience in the role by listing your skills in a skill bank, along with a list of your certifications nearby. The body of your resume should support the certifications with practical experience.

   Includes skill bank to emphasize dental breadth and expertise

Hiring managers are typically pressed for time, and so a skill bank is a great way to highlight the technical tools and techniques you are familiar with. You should include the relevant software you’ve used (especially if it is field specific) and the full list of certifications you’ve attained.

   Emphasizes breadth of relevant accomplishments in the dental industry

Along with a skill bank, you should be sure that your bullet pointed accomplishments reflect the skills you’ve mastered by including a variety of dental assistant tasks for your past employers. Don’t just include the number of patients you worked with at past employers, but aim to reference your work compiling guides, performing chairside assistance, and ability to sterilize, for instance.

Template 5 of 10: Registered Dental Assistant Resume Example

As a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA), your resume should showcase your specialized skills and knowledge in dental assisting. Stay updated on industry trends to demonstrate your commitment to providing top-notch patient care. For example, highlight your knowledge of new dental technologies and how they benefit patients and dental practices. In recent years, digital dentistry has taken off, so showcasing your proficiency in using digital equipment and software can help set you apart from other applicants. It's also important to emphasize your ability to work well with others, as RDAs are essential members of the dental team. Highlight your interpersonal skills, such as empathy and active listening, which contribute to a positive patient experience and seamless communication among team members.

Tips to help you write your Registered Dental Assistant resume in 2024

   emphasize specialized skills and certifications.

As an RDA, you should list any specialized skills, certifications, and training courses you've completed that relate to dental assisting. For instance, if you've earned certifications in radiology, CPR, or infection control, make sure to include them on your resume to demonstrate your expertise and commitment to patient care.

   Showcase experience with digital dentistry tools

Highlight your experience using digital dentistry tools and equipment, such as digital X-ray machines, intraoral scanners, and dental practice management software. This shows employers that you're keeping up with technology trends and can easily adapt to a modern dental practice.

Skills you can include on your Registered Dental Assistant resume

Template 6 of 10: registered dental assistant resume example.

Registered dental assistants (RDAs) have the highest educational requirements and will handle virtually everything in a dental office except the duties of the dentist. RDAs conduct administrative and clerical duties (such as scheduling and preparing clinical spaces for patients) and clinical duties such as taking x-rays and administering topical anesthesia. Hiring managers will be looking for advanced responsibilities that have grown over time, which can be augmented through the use of strong action verbs.

   Shows progressive growth in responsibilities and positions across dental professions

As a registered dental assistant, you should be able to indicate that you have been growing in the degree of responsibility in your position over time. You can illustrate that in your resume by ensuring that your most recent position involves your most impressive accomplishments (such as performing procedures or attending professional development workshops).

   Effective use of strong action verbs relevant to the medical field

To emphasize that you are familiar with the role of dental assistant, each one of your accomplishments should begin with an appropriate action verb. You should aim to include verbs like “assisted”, “prepared”, “provided”, or “fabricated” (with others listed below) to hammer in your understanding of the position.

Template 7 of 10: Entry Level Dental Assistant Resume Example

A dental assistant facilitates many tasks within a dentist’s office. These individuals have specialized knowledge in dental health and safety. They may be responsible for administrative tasks, teeth cleanings, taking X-rays, and patient education. They may also assist the dentist in more advanced procedures such as root canals. To become a dental assistant, most hiring managers will require you to have completed a dental assisting program, which is typically 1-2 years. At the end of this course, you’ll need to get certified as a dental assistant. A bachelor’s degree is not required, though if taken in a related field, might give you a leg up. Previous experience in a dental setting, like working as a receptionist in a dentist’s office, will be attractive to hiring managers.

Tips to help you write your Entry Level Dental Assistant resume in 2024

   complete an externship to stand out as an entry level dental assistant.

An externship can be a great way to get hands-on dental assisting experience before entering the field. Your educational institution may have many externship opportunities available. Often, externships are counted toward the completion of the course as voluntary credits. Externships give you exposure and real-world training in a dental setting, which look great on an entry level resume.

   Differentiate your resume with speciality certifications or licenses

Almost all dental assistants have to pass the CDA (Certified Dental Assistant) exam. However, you can obtain speciality certifications and set yourself apart. For example, you can get a certification in orthodontic dental assisting or restorative dentistry. This diversifies your resume and can help you land jobs in more specialized sectors like orthodontics or cosmetic dentistry.

Skills you can include on your Entry Level Dental Assistant resume

Template 8 of 10: experienced dental assistant resume example.

A dental assistant facilitates several procedures within a dentist’s office. They have specialized knowledge in dental health and safety. An experienced dental assistant will be tasked with core elements of the dental assistant role, including teeth cleanings, performing X-rays, and more. An experienced dental assistant may also have other duties, like training new hygienists, assisting with more complicated procedures like oral surgery, or managing patient data. To become an experienced dental assistant, hiring managers will require that you have an educational background in dental assisting, and are a certified dental assistant. To land a role as an experienced dental assistant, you’ll need prior experience as a dental assistant with a track record of competency and excellence.

Tips to help you write your Experienced Dental Assistant resume in 2024

   highlight your successes in previous dental assistant roles.

To land a role as an experienced dental assistant, you’ll need to show hiring managers that you have valuable experience in the field. It’s important to highlight what you have excelled at in previous roles. For example, you can highlight how many patients you successfully committed to a needed course of treatment, or how you successfully secured and organized patient data.

   Get certified in dental office software like Dentrix

When recruiting for an experienced dental assistant, hiring managers will often be looking for someone who has the ability to streamline administrative operations. You can obtain certifications, such as the Dentrix certification, that provide the skills needed to proficiently use the program and how to train others on it. These certifications will make your resume stand out as they show administrative competency and the ability to teach colleagues about office software.

Skills you can include on your Experienced Dental Assistant resume

Template 9 of 10: pediatric dental assistant resume example.

Pediatric dental assistants support pediatric dentists. Though you are not likely to perform procedures on patients, you may still perform clinical tasks like sterilizing equipment, preparing patients, and giving advice to patients on oral healthcare. A lot of your time will also be spent on administrative tasks such as scheduling appointments and maintaining records. To qualify for this job, you will need a dental assistant certification at the very least. Some recruiters will also be looking for experience in dentistry as well. Take a look at this strong resume sample.

Tips to help you write your Pediatric Dental Assistant resume in 2024

   clearly list your certifications and where they were obtained..

You must be certified to work in this position and so recruiters will need to easily find your certifications in your resume. It is also important to clearly list which board or organization you got your certification from because recruiters might have ATS filters that will filter out all resumes that do not list the board certifications that they recognize.

   Have a mixture of dental and administrative tools listed.

In this position, you will be assisting with dental procedures and also performing many administrative tasks. It is therefore important to list industry standard tools for both functions. This applicant does this successfully.

Skills you can include on your Pediatric Dental Assistant resume

Template 10 of 10: lead dental assistant resume example.

As a lead dental assistant, you will be a dentist's second in command. You will assist in many of the procedures and may even perform some procedures like teeth cleaning and taking X-rays. You will also perform administrative tasks like scheduling and record keeping. Your biggest function, however, is to manage and supervise the other dental assistants. You will create schedules, supervise them during procedures, train them, monitor their performance, etc. This position requires you to be at least certified by an accredited program, but recruiters would prefer to see a diploma or degree in dentistry. Additional qualifications like a degree will also increase your chances of getting higher pay. Recruiters will also want to see that you have had successful experience as a manager or leader. Take a look at this strong resume sample.

Tips to help you write your Lead Dental Assistant resume in 2024

   use action verbs to indicate experience in your three main functions..

A lead dental assistant has three main functions: assisting the dentist, administration, and management of other assistants. Action verbs are a great way to shape your experience section to make your experience in all three functions stand out. For your assistant function use action verbs like administered or assisted. For your administrative function use action verbs like scheduled. For your management function use action verbs like trained and managed.

   List industry-specific tools.

There are particular administrative and management tools used in dental practice. Show your knowledge and expertise in the field by listing these industry-specific tools. Some of these tools include Curve Hero and Weave.

Skills you can include on your Lead Dental Assistant resume

As a hiring manager who has recruited for top dental practices like Aspen Dental, Affordable Dentures & Implants, and Western Dental & Orthodontics, I've seen countless resumes for dental assistant positions. In this article, I'll share insider tips on how to make your dental assistant resume stand out and increase your chances of landing an interview.

   Highlight your dental-specific skills

Employers want to see that you have the specific skills required for the dental assistant role. Make sure to highlight your expertise in:

• Chairside assisting
• Dental instrument sterilization
• Taking and developing dental radiographs
• Preparing dental materials (e.g., cements, amalgams, composites)

Don't just list these skills; provide specific examples of how you've used them in your work experience section. For instance:

• Assisted dentists with procedures such as fillings, extractions, and crown placements
• Maintained strict infection control protocols, ensuring proper sterilization of instruments

   Showcase your patient care experience

Dental assistants play a crucial role in patient care and comfort. Highlight your experience in:

• Educating patients on oral hygiene practices
• Helping anxious patients feel at ease
• Taking and recording patient medical histories
• Providing post-operative care instructions

Use specific examples to illustrate your patient care skills:

• Developed rapport with patients, easing anxiety and ensuring comfort during procedures
• Provided clear and concise post-operative care instructions to patients and caregivers

   Include relevant certifications and training

Dental practices often prefer candidates with specific certifications or training. Be sure to include:

• Dental Assistant Certification (e.g., CDA, RDA, EFDA)
• CPR and First Aid certifications
• Continuing education courses related to dentistry

If you have multiple certifications, consider creating a separate 'Certifications' section to make them easy for employers to find. For example:

Certifications: - Certified Dental Assistant (CDA), Dental Assisting National Board, 2019 - CPR and First Aid Certified, American Red Cross, 2020

   Tailor your resume to the specific job

One common mistake job seekers make is using the same generic resume for every application. Instead:

• Sending the same resume to every dental practice without customization
• Including irrelevant skills or experience not related to the dental assistant role

To make your resume stand out, tailor it to the specific job:

• Read the job description carefully and highlight key skills and requirements
• Emphasize the skills and experience that directly match what the employer is seeking
• Use similar language and terminology as the job posting

By customizing your resume for each application, you show the employer that you're a strong fit for their specific needs.

   Quantify your accomplishments

When possible, use numbers and metrics to quantify your accomplishments and make your resume more impactful. For example:

• Assisted with an average of 30 patient procedures per day
• Maintained a 95% patient satisfaction rating based on post-visit surveys
• Trained 5 new dental assistants on office procedures and protocols

Quantifying your achievements helps employers better understand the scope and impact of your work. It also helps your resume stand out from those that only include generic descriptions of responsibilities.

   Proofread and format for readability

Before submitting your resume, make sure to:

• Carefully proofread for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors
• Use a clear, easy-to-read font like Arial or Calibri
• Organize your resume with clear headings and bullet points
• Keep it concise, typically one to two pages

A well-formatted, error-free resume shows attention to detail and professionalism. Consider asking a friend or family member to review your resume for any mistakes or areas for improvement.

By following these tips and tailoring your resume to showcase your dental-specific skills and experience, you'll be well on your way to landing your next dental assistant role.

Writing Your Dental Assistant Resume: Section By Section

  header, 1. put your name on its own line.

Your name should be the most prominent part of your header. Put it on its own line at the top, in a font size that's larger than the rest of your resume (18-24pt is a good range).

Here's an example of what your name line might look like:

• John Smith, CDA

Avoid adding labels or extra details on the same line as your name:

• John Smith - Certified Dental Assistant, 123 Main St, New York, NY 10001

2. Include essential contact details

After your name, add your key contact information:

• Phone number
• Professional email address
• Location (City, State)
• LinkedIn URL (optional)

You can put these details on one line, separated by vertical lines or bullet points to keep your header compact:

[email protected] | 212-555-1234 | New York, NY | linkedin.com/in/john-smith

Avoid cluttering your header with personal details or a full mailing address, which hiring managers don't need at this stage:

• 123 Main St, Apt 2B, New York, NY 10001 | Birthday: Jan 1, 1985 | Marital Status: Single

3. Showcase your dental assistant job title

If you're an experienced dental assistant, consider adding your job title as the last line of your header. This quickly communicates your level and area of expertise. For example:

John Smith, CDA [email protected] | 212-555-1234 | New York, NY Senior Dental Assistant

However, avoid adding multiple job titles or stuffing your header with keywords, which can look cluttered and spammy:

• Dental Assistant | Dental Hygienist | Dental Receptionist | Billing Coordinator
• Dental Assistant with skills in patient care, X-rays, dental instruments, EagleSoft, Dentrix...

Keep your header clean and stick to one clear job title. You'll have space to elaborate on your skills and experience in other resume sections.

  Summary

A resume summary for a dental assistant position is optional, but can be a valuable addition if you have relevant experience or skills that set you apart from other candidates. While an objective statement is outdated and should be avoided, a well-crafted summary can provide context and highlight your most impressive qualifications. Keep your summary concise and tailored to the specific dental assistant role you're targeting.

To learn how to write an effective resume summary for your Dental Assistant resume, or figure out if you need one, please read Dental Assistant Resume Summary Examples , or Dental Assistant Resume Objective Examples .

1. Highlight your dental experience and skills

When crafting your dental assistant resume summary, focus on your most relevant experience and skills. Hiring managers want to see that you have the necessary qualifications to excel in the role.

Rather than using generic statements like this:

Experienced dental assistant looking for a new opportunity. Skilled in various dental procedures and patient care.

Quantify your experience and highlight specific skills:

Certified Dental Assistant with 5+ years of experience in fast-paced dental practices. Skilled in chair-side assisting, dental impressions, and patient education. Proficient in digital X-rays and dental charting software.

2. Showcase your achievements and impact

In addition to listing your skills and experience, use your summary to showcase your achievements and the impact you've made in previous roles. This helps you stand out from other candidates and demonstrates your value to potential employers.

• Assisted dentists with various procedures
• Provided excellent patient care

Instead, quantify your achievements and highlight specific results:

• Assisted in 20+ dental procedures daily, ensuring efficient and high-quality patient care
• Implemented a new patient education program, increasing patient satisfaction scores by 15%

3. Tailor your summary to the specific role

To make your resume summary more effective, tailor it to the specific dental assistant position you're applying for. Research the practice and the job description to identify the key skills and qualifications they're looking for.

For example, if the job description emphasizes pediatric dentistry experience, highlight your relevant skills:

Compassionate Dental Assistant with 3+ years of experience in pediatric dentistry. Skilled in creating a friendly and welcoming environment for young patients and their families. Proficient in behavior management techniques and patient education.

By tailoring your summary to the specific role, you demonstrate your fit for the position and increase your chances of catching the hiring manager's attention.

  Experience

The work experience section is the heart of your resume. It's where you show the impact you've made at your previous dental assistant jobs. Avoid simply listing your daily responsibilities. Instead, think about your proudest accomplishments and the key skills you leveraged to achieve them.

Here are some tips to make your work experience section stand out to hiring managers and paint a memorable picture of what you bring to the table:

1. Highlight your clinical skills and specialties

Dental assistants play a crucial role in supporting dentists with a variety of procedures. Highlight the specific clinical skills and specialties you've developed, such as:

• Assisted with dental implants, veneers, and teeth whitening procedures
• Specialized in pediatric dentistry, helping young patients feel at ease during cleanings and treatments
• Expertise in taking digital dental x-rays and impressions using iTero scanner

Mentioning the procedures and patient populations you have experience with helps employers quickly see if you're the right fit for their practice.

2. Showcase your impact with numbers

When possible, quantify your achievements to give a concrete sense of your impact. Compare this:

• Responsible for sterilizing dental instruments and managing inventory
• Implemented a new inventory management system, reducing supply costs by 15% and ensuring 100% adherence to sterilization protocols for 50+ instruments

The second example paints a much more vivid picture by including specific numbers. No need to quantify everything - focus on your most impressive data points.

3. Feature promotions and added responsibilities

Highlight any promotions, title changes, or times you took on additional responsibilities, as these indicate strong performance and trust from your employer. For example:

Dental Assistant II, 2019-2022 Dental Assistant, 2016-2019

This shows you advanced in your role over time. Even if your title didn't change, you can call out how you expanded your scope, like:

• Took on additional responsibility of training new dental assistants on clinical procedures, terminology, and patient care

4. Demonstrate your soft skills through examples

In addition to clinical abilities, dental assistants need strong communication, organization, and customer service skills. Weave these in naturally by showing how you applied them. For instance:

• Built rapport with patients, clearly explaining procedures to help them feel informed and at ease
• Reorganized supply closet and treatment rooms to maximize efficiency, reducing prep time by 5 minutes per patient

This is more effective than simply listing soft skills without context, like:

• Communication skills
• Organizational abilities

  Education

The education section of your dental assistant resume should be concise and highlight your relevant training and certifications. This section is especially important if you are a recent graduate or have limited work experience. Here are some tips to help you craft an effective education section:

1. List your highest level of education first

Start with your most recent or highest level of education, such as a dental assistant diploma or associate degree. Include the name of the institution, the degree or diploma earned, and the graduation date.

Associate of Applied Science in Dental Assisting XYZ Community College, Anytown, USA Graduated: May 2023

2. Include relevant coursework and awards

If you are a recent graduate, you can include relevant coursework, clinical experience, or academic achievements to showcase your knowledge and skills. This can help you stand out from other candidates who may have similar educational backgrounds.

• Completed coursework in dental anatomy, radiology, and infection control
• Received Dean's List honors for three consecutive semesters

3. Highlight your dental assistant certification

If you have earned a dental assistant certification, such as the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) credential from the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB), make sure to include it in your education section. This certification demonstrates your commitment to the profession and can set you apart from other candidates.

Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) Earned: August 2022

4. Keep it brief for experienced professionals

If you are a seasoned dental assistant with several years of experience, your education section should be brief and focus on your highest level of education and most relevant certifications. Avoid listing outdated or irrelevant information that may distract from your professional experience.

Example of what not to include:

• Online course in basic Microsoft Office skills
• High school diploma, class of 1995

Instead, keep it concise:

Associate of Applied Science in Dental Assisting XYZ Community College

Action Verbs For Dental Assistant Resumes

Dental assistants are expected to be versatile in their ability to assist both physicians and patients, so selecting a range of action verbs to utilize in your resume will help showcase your experience. Along with leading your bullet points with strong action verbs when appropriate, you should work them into the body of the accomplishment as added emphasis.

• Coordinated
• Administered

For more related action verbs, visit Medical Action Verbs .

For a full list of effective resume action verbs, visit Resume Action Verbs .

Action Verbs for Dental Assistant Resumes

Skills for dental assistant resumes.

The skill set for dental assistants will vary between individuals based on their experience, but hiring managers will generally be looking for key skills that will enable you to function effectively in the position. On the left, we’ve listed the most common skills that dental assistants are expected to have. As dental assistants rely on specific technical skills and software to conduct a portion of their duties, you should aim to include a skill bank on your resume to give hiring managers an easy way to determine your capability. Additionally, starting your resume with a summary that incorporates key skills will help you stand out to hiring managers and make it past automatic screening tools.

• Dental Assisting
• Dental Care
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• Patient Education
• Restorative Dentistry
• Cosmetic Dentistry
• Infection Control
• Oral Surgery
• Sterilization
• Coronal Polishing
• Dental Software
• Dental Imaging
• Orthodontics
• Teeth Whitening
• Endodontics

How To Write Your Skills Section On a Dental Assistant Resumes

You can include the above skills in a dedicated Skills section on your resume, or weave them in your experience. Here's how you might create your dedicated skills section:

Skills Word Cloud For Dental Assistant Resumes

This word cloud highlights the important keywords that appear on Dental Assistant job descriptions and resumes. The bigger the word, the more frequently it appears on job postings, and the more 'important' it is.

How to use these skills?

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• Dental Assistant Resume Example
• Certified Dental Assistant Resume Example
• Registered Dental Assistant Resume Example
• Entry Level Dental Assistant Resume Example
• Experienced Dental Assistant Resume Example
• Pediatric Dental Assistant Resume Example
• Lead Dental Assistant Resume Example
• Tips for Dental Assistant Resumes
• Skills and Keywords to Add
• All Resume Examples
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• Dental Assistant Interview Guide
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• Dental Assistant Resume Example

Resume Examples

• Common Tasks & Responsibilities
• Top Hard & Soft Skills
• Action Verbs & Keywords
• Resume FAQs
• Similar Resumes

Common Responsibilities Listed on Dental Assistant Resumes:

• Prepare treatment rooms for patient procedures, including sterilizing equipment and instruments
• Assist the dentist during procedures by passing instruments, suctioning, and providing other support as needed
• Take and develop dental x-rays as directed by the dentist
• Educate patients on proper oral hygiene techniques and provide post-operative care instructions
• Schedule patient appointments and maintain accurate patient records
• Manage inventory of dental supplies and order new supplies as needed
• Perform basic laboratory procedures, such as pouring and trimming models and fabricating temporary crowns
• Clean and maintain dental equipment and instruments
• Assist with administrative tasks, such as answering phones and filing patient paperwork
• Provide support to other dental staff members as needed
• Ensure compliance with infection control protocols and OSHA regulations
• Assist with patient billing and insurance claims processing.

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Dental Assistant Resume Example:

• Implemented a patient education program that increased patient compliance with oral hygiene instructions by 25%.
• Streamlined the inventory management system, reducing supply waste by 15% and saving the practice $5,000 annually.
• Developed and implemented a patient recall system, resulting in a 20% increase in patient retention and revenue.
• Managed the implementation of a new electronic health record system, resulting in a 30% reduction in administrative tasks and a 20% increase in patient satisfaction.
• Collaborated with the dentist to develop and implement a treatment plan for a patient with severe dental anxiety, resulting in successful completion of treatment and a positive patient experience.
• Developed and led a training program for new dental assistants, resulting in a 50% reduction in onboarding time and improved team performance.
• Developed and implemented infection control protocols that exceeded OSHA standards, resulting in zero incidents of infection transmission in the practice.
• Managed the ordering and inventory of dental supplies, resulting in a 10% reduction in supply costs and improved supply availability for patient care.
• Collaborated with the dentist to develop and implement a treatment plan for a patient with complex dental needs, resulting in successful completion of treatment and improved patient oral health.
• Patient Education and Care
• Inventory Management
• Patient Retention Strategies
• Electronic Health Record (EHR) Management
• Dental Treatment Planning
• Staff Training and Development
• Infection Control Protocols
• Supply Chain Management
• Collaborative Patient Care
• Dental Anxiety Management
• Compliance with Regulatory Standards
• Dental Procedure Assistance
• Interpersonal and Communication Skills
• Dental Equipment Maintenance
• Organizational Skills
• Problem-solving Skills
• Detail-oriented Approach
• Multitasking Skills
• Time Management
• Customer Service Skills

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Hard skills.

• Patient Care and Comfort
• Dental Radiography
• Sterilization and Infection Control
• Dental Charting and Record Keeping
• Dental Materials Knowledge
• Dental Anatomy and Terminology
• Chairside Assisting
• Dental Impressions and Models
• Dental Equipment Maintenance and Troubleshooting
• Dental Office Management Software
• Dental Billing and Insurance Processing
• Dental Laboratory Procedures

Soft Skills

• Attention to Detail
• Interpersonal Skills
• Communication Skills
• Problem Solving
• Adaptability
• Stress Management
• Professionalism

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• Communicated
• Administered
• Coordinated
• Facilitated

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Related Resumes for Dental Assistants:

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Office Assistant, temporary

How to apply.

A cover letter is required for consideration and must be attached as the first page of your resume.

Position Title:  Office Assistant, temporary

Department: Office of University Development, People & Culture

Supervises:  N/A

What You'll Do

Responsibilities:

Talent Relations 

• Support with management of logistics of Talent Relations programs. This includes but is not limited to scheduling rooms for ?P&C Discussion Series?; scheduling office hours meetings; scheduling a variety of other meetings; and recognition program tasks (kudo boards).
• Provide administrative support to Talent Relations Associate (as needed).
• Generate reports in Qualtrics for various surveys (exit, onboarding/new hire surveys).

Learning & Engagement

• Send pre-class and post-class communications as needed.
• Support class administration as needed. This includes but is not limited to scheduling rooms for in-person classes; scheduling class prep meetings; packing crates for in-person classes; and reviewing and updating class handouts (hard copy and/or online versions).
• Order supplies.
• Engagement survey administrative support (inputting data, creating reports).

Talent Acquisition

• Assist with applicant resume blinding.
• Providing support with data collection and management.
• Recording candidate tracking updates within Applicant Tracking System.
• Provide back-up support for Talent Acquisition Coordinator with 3rd round interview scheduling, interview itineraries, and interview panel preparation.
• Assisting the Associate Director of Talent Pipeline programs with our Development Summer Internship Program (DSIP).

Office of University Development

• Provide administrative support to two senior leaders (includes calendaring, booking travel/hotel, and expense reporting).
• Other duties/projects as assigned.

Mission Statement

People & Culture Mission Statement

Provide a best-in-class strategic partnership to our development colleagues through our core functional areas of talent acquisition, talent relations, and learning & engagement while fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment that empowers individuals and teams to be their best selves while doing their best work.

Required Qualifications*

•        Working knowledge of Google Suite (calendar, g-mail, docs, drive) and Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, Powerpoint)
•        Proven experience working in an administrative capacity
•        Strong communication skills
•        Attention to detail and accuracy are critical characteristics
•        Effective time management, problem-solving and analytical sills
•        This position is classified as "hybrid". You will be required to work on-site 3 days per week.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

Trump trial highlights: Former Trump assistant testifies about Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal

What to know about the hush money trial.

• Former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker returned to the stand for cross-examination. He was followed by longtime Trump assistant Rhona Graff and then Gary Farro, who served as Michael Cohen's banker.
• Yesterday, Pecker testified about his role in hush money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal.
• Trump faces 34 counts of falsifying business records related to the hush money payment made to Daniels. He has pleaded not guilty and denied a relationship with Daniels.
• Here's what you missed from Day 7.

Trump reiterates that he'll debate Biden 'anytime he wants, including tonight'

Alexandra Marquez is based in Washington, D.C.

Speaking to reporters after court adjourned, Trump called this case a "Biden indictment" and accused Biden of trying to use the case to win an election.

He also responded to reports that Biden would be "happy" to debate Trump, saying, "I've invited Biden to debate. He can do it anytime he wants, including tonight."

Later, Trump added, "I'm ready, willing and able, and if he wants, I'll do it on Monday night, Tuesday night or Wednesday night." 

Trial done for the day

Gary Grumbach

The trial will resume Tuesday with testimony from Gary Farro.

Prosecutor asks Farro about Cohen bank documents

Megan Lebowitz

Assistant District Attorney Rebecca Mangold is questioning Farro about bank paperwork associated with Cohen opening an account for an LLC.

Prosecutors are asking Farro about the meaning of a series of bank-related documents and communications.

Farro said he took on banking clients, like Cohen, 'who might be a little ... challenging'

Kyla Guilfoil

Farro, the banker, said Cohen was assigned to him in 2015 after a colleague left First Republic Bank.

Cohen had been a client of the bank for at least a couple of years, Farro said. He added that he was told that he was selected to work with Cohen because of his knowledge and his “ability to handle individuals who might be a little ... challenging.”

Farro went on to say that Cohen “did a lot of his own business” and that he didn't find him “difficult.”

Farro says there are other industries the bank won't do business with

Rebecca Shabad is in Washington, D.C.

Farro testified that there are lines of business that the bank decided it won't do business with, including gambling, adult entertainment and check cashing.

Prosecutors have called banker Gary Farro to testify

Farro explains that he works at Flagstar Bank but worked at First Republic Bank for 15 years, beginning in 2002.

He allegedly helped set up the home equity line of credit through which Cohen paid Daniels. He is the third witness to testify.

Necheles highlights casting as reason for Trump to have Daniels' phone number

Zoë Richards

Trump attorney Susan Necheles began to suggest that casting for the show "The Celebrity Apprentice" was why the former president had Stormy Daniels' phone number.

“He thought that she would be an interesting addition to 'The Apprentice,'" Necheles said during questioning this afternoon.

"That was the office chatter, yes," Rhona Graff said, noting that she vaguely recalled hearing at the office that Trump had referred to Stormy Daniels as a potentially appealing candidate for the show.

Graff once saw Daniels in the Trump Tower reception area

Hoffinger asked if Graff once saw Stormy Daniels in the Trump Tower reception area.

Graff, a former executive assistant for Trump, said she had a vague recollection of seeing Daniels there. Asked if she knew Daniels was an adult film actress, Graff said she did.

Court takes a 15-minute recess

The court has taken a brief recess.

Graff finishes testifying

After being on the stand for slightly more than 30 minutes, Graff is done testifying.

Graff says working for Trump was 'very stimulating'

Jillian Frankel

Trump's lawyer Susan Necheles asked Graff what it was like to work for Trump.

“I never had to do the same day twice in all that time," she said. “It was a very stimulating, exciting — just fascinating place to be."

Asked if Trump was a good boss, Graff said, "I think that he was fair."

Trump had McDougal and Daniels contact information saved

Hoffinger is still questioning Graff and has shown her several images of contact pages for McDougal and Daniels in the Trump Organization computer system.

Asked if she had created the contact pages for the two, Graff said, "I believe I did."

Analysis: Bove misjudged in the questions about McDougal's brand

Bove miscalculated in trying to get Pecker to agree that McDougal was a celebrity or a brand; this is a person with precise knowledge of who and what sold in the time frame at issue — and McDougal, Playmate of the Year or not, did not meet Enquirer celebrity criteria.

It was also a tactical error to reuse Steinglass’ best phrase of the day: "Enquirer gold."

Graff says Trump Organization is paying for her lawyers

Graff, a former executive assistant for Trump, said that the Trump Organization is paying for her two attorneys.

Prosecutors call Rhona Graff to the stand

Prosecutors just called Graff, Trump's longtime executive assistant, to the stand.

Graff is dressed in black and says she is no longer employed but was a 34-year employee of the Trump Organization, from 1987 to April 2021. She was an executive assistant, a senior executive assistant and eventually became an assistant to the president and an executive VP there.

Pecker testimony is over

Pecker has concluded his testimony and left the witness stand.

Pecker rejects idea that McDougal was a celebrity brand

Daniel Arkin

Bove, returning to McDougal's story, reminded Pecker that he earlier referred to it as "Enquirer gold." Bove then asked Pecker whether McDougal was a "legitimate celebrity" in her own right. Pecker said no.

"There was real value to her brand, correct?" Bove asked. Pecker replied: "I wouldn't say there was value to her brand to a media company."

Trump thanked Pecker for McDougal and Sajudin stories

Pecker is back on the stand and Steinglass is now showing him the FBI notes from an August 2018 interview.

The notes say that in January 2017, Pecker had a meeting with Trump at Trump Tower, during which Trump said, “in sum and substance,” that he wanted to thank Pecker for the McDougal and Sajudin stories.

“Was it the truth then?” Steinglass asks.

“Yes,” Pecker responds.

“Is it the truth now?” Steinglass continues.

“Yes,” Pecker notes.

Court is back in session

David Pecker is re-entering the courtroom.

Trump invites Biden to debate at courthouse

In a post to Truth Social, Trump said he would be willing to debate President Joe Biden as early as tonight.

The invitation from the former president came after Biden said he would debate Trump leading up to the 2024 election during a Friday morning interview with radio show host Howard Stern.

"Crooked Joe Biden just announced that he’s willing to debate! Everyone knows he doesn’t really mean it, but in case he does, I say, ANYWHERE, ANYTIME, ANYPLACE," Trump's post read .

The post went on to say that since Biden is in New York City today, like Trump who is "stuck in one of the many Court cases that he instigated as ELECTION INTERFERENCE AGAINST A POLITICAL OPPONENT — A CONTINUING WITCH HUNT," the pair should "debate at the Courthouse tonight — on National Television."

"I’ll wait around!" the post continued.

Court takes a lunch break

Pecker is expected to return to finish his testimony after the break.

Prosecutor sets up that arrangement during campaign wasn't routine

Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass gets Pecker to admit that it was not standard for a presidential candidate’s fixer to suggest amendments to source agreements.

While it was standard for Pecker to suppress stories to help a friend or to use as leverage with a celebrity, he had never done it before primarily to help a campaign.

Pecker confirmed that while he coordinated hundreds of thousands of NDAs during his tenure at AMI, he indicated that "the only one" he did for a presidential candidate's campaign was for Trump.

Pecker confirms he bought McDougal story to influence 2016 election

Pecker, facing questions from one of the prosecutors, confirmed under oath that he bought McDougal's story when he was running the Enquirer as part of a scheme to influence the 2016 presidential election.

Joshua Steinglass, one of the prosecutors, asked Pecker: “Is that true, Mr. Pecker, was that your purpose in locking up the Karen McDougal story, to influence the election?”

Pecker replied yes, then added that the "actual purpose was to acquire lifetime rights so [the story] was not published by any other news organization."

Cross-examination of Pecker is over

The defense has finished questioning Pecker and now prosecutors have begun redirect.

Trump lawyer tries to get Pecker to undermine Cohen

Bove moved on to Pecker’s testimony that Cohen had told him “Jeff Sessions is the attorney general, and he is in Donald Trump’s pocket.”

Bove asked whether that incident is among those that colored his view that Cohen is prone to exaggeration. Pecker said yes. 

Bove tries to poke holes in Pecker's account of Trump Tower meeting

In the cross-examination of Pecker, Bove is trying to argue that paying for stories wasn’t part of the tabloid publisher's agreement with Trump and Cohen when they met at Trump Tower in August 2015.

Bove presses Pecker on efforts to sell Enquirer amid talks with feds

Bove asked Pecker about the proposed deal to sell the National Enquirer and two other tabloids to the Hudson Group, a travel retailer. Pecker replied that he did not recall the "exact dates" of the proposed transaction.

He then asked whether Pecker told the Manhattan district attorney's office that sale negotiations were taking place when AMI cut a nonprosecution agreement with federal prosecutors in New York.

Bove asked Pecker: "You knew that, to consummate that deal, you had to clear up the investigations?" Pecker replied yes.

Bove then got Pecker to further admit that such an arrangement was baked into the deal papers with the Hudson Group. Bove asked whether the transaction put additional pressure on him, and Pecker replied that, "from a timing standpoint," it "put further stress on the transaction."

The upshot: Bove is suggesting that Pecker and AMI admitted to certain misconduct.

Trial has resumed

The judge is back on the bench and the jury is being brought in.

Court takes a brief break

The court is taking a brief break after Trump's lawyer Bove said he had a few more questions left for cross-examination.

That’s a smart move because if Bove is, indeed, nearing the end, taking a break allows him to have a quick confab with the other defense lawyers to see if he’s left anything out, failed to follow up on anything, etc.

Prosecutors object to questions about Comey

As Bove was questioning Pecker, he broached the subject of Trump's relationship with former FBI Director James Comey, asking, "You know following that [January 2017] meeting there were issues between President Trump and James Comey?"

Immediately, prosecutors objected and Merchan called a sidebar. Meanwhile, Trump whispered with Necheles at the defense table.

Merchan sustained the objection.

Bove and Pecker barely had a chance to resume before another objection and sidebar were called.

Pecker says he wanted nothing to do with Enquirer story about Stormy Daniels

Garrett Grumbach

Pecker, under cross-examination from Bove, testified that he wanted no part in the Enquirer's story about Daniels, the porn star who claims she had an affair with Trump.

Bove asked Pecker to confirm whether he told then-Enquirer editor-in-chief Dylan Howard that he wanted no involvement in the story about Daniels; Pecker replied, "That's correct."

Bove asked Pecker: "You did not consider Stormy Daniels' story to be a part of any agreement that you had in August of 2015, is that correct?" Pecker testified that it was correct.

Trump lawyer tries to establish that AMI got something of value from McDougal agreement

Bove is trying to show that AMI got something of value from the McDougal agreement pointing to a number of columns and magazine covers.

Pecker confirmed that he told McDougal that the promotional opportunities she had there were worth hundreds of thousands of dollars and ran 65 stories.

"When AMI signed this agreement, the one that’s on this screen, you believed it had a legitimate business purpose, correct?” Bove asked.

"I did," Pecker said.

Bove zeroes in on the ties between Pecker and Cohen

The point Bove appears to be driving at is that Pecker and Cohen were especially close — but that Pecker was well aware that Cohen was not well regarded even among his own business associates.

Bove keeps referring to Trump as 'President Trump' but prosecutors repeatedly object

Bove keeps referring to Trump as “President Trump” when he is discussing periods when Trump was not in office.

The DA’s office keeps objecting, and Merchan is sustaining those objections, deflating the defense’s efforts to inflate Trump.

Jury appears intrigued by Pecker questioning

Katherine Doyle

The jurors appear rapt, their eyes moving from Pecker to Bove and back again. Some are taking notes. One chewed the end of a pen, eyes locked on Pecker as he speaks.

Bove tries — and fails — to establish that Pecker knew McDougal earlier

Bove just tried — and failed — to establish that Pecker knew about McDougal years prior because she had been one of the first female cover models on Men’s Fitness, shortly after his arrival at AMI in 1999. Pecker explained he didn’t know her and didn't know of her.

Bove seeks to establish that National Enquirer stood to profit off stories it bought

Pecker, under cross-examination from Bove, admitted that American Media Inc., the Enquirer's parent company, entered into hundreds of agreements with sources, including before he joined the firm. The tabloid stood to profit handsomely off the stories it purchased, Pecker effectively conceded under oath.

Pecker testified that AMI could have sold "10 million National Enquirers" if the claim that Trump had fathered a child with a Trump Tower maid was true. The publishing executive previously testified that he believed that the story being peddled by former Trump Tower doorman Dino Sajudin was false, though.

Trump lawyer questions Pecker about National Enquirer recycling other outlets' stories

Bove referred to negative stories raised by prosecutors that the National Enquirer published about Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Ben Carson in 2016.

“There wasn’t much new content in those stories, was there?” Bove asked.

Pecker responded, “I would have to reread the stories to answer that question."

Bove said that the Enquirer would reuse content published by other news outlets because it was cost-efficient and good for business. Pecker said yes.

Trump lawyer focuses Pecker cross-examination on Hope Hicks

Bove, Trump's lawyer, resumed his cross-examination of Pecker with a line of questions about former Trump aide Hope Hicks. Bove is attempting to draw out possible inconsistencies in Pecker's testimony about Hicks' presence at the 2015 meeting at Trump Tower.

Bove established that Hicks once worked for a public relations agency that did work for Star magazine, and that she had been known to Pecker, who was once the publisher of the magazine.

Bove asked Pecker: "You said she was in and out of the [August 2015] meeting, correct?" Pecker conceded that Hicks did not participate in or speaking during that meeting.

Trump leans back, closes eyes in courtroom

Trump is sitting in the courtroom with his eyes shut, leaning back comfortably. There are three Secret Service agents seated behind him in the front row of the gallery.

Pecker will return to the stand

Pecker, the former publisher of the National Enquirer, will return to the stand for another day of testimony.

He will testify under cross-examination from Trump's lawyer, Emil Bove.

Trump aide Boris Epshteyn is in court for the second day in a row

Trump aide Boris Epshteyn is in court for the second day in a row.

He's another legal adviser who is quarterbacking Trump’s various trials and was recently indicted by a state grand jury in Arizona for his alleged role in trying to overturn Joe Biden's win in the state during the 2020 presidential election.

Trump praises Supreme Court arguments, decries 'freezing' New York courthouse

Trump, addressing reporters before entering the courthouse for Day 8 of the trial, insisted that his team had "a very good day yesterday" but once again blasted the case against him as "rigged" and decried the "freezing" temperature inside the courtroom.

The former president also commented on yesterday's Supreme Court oral arguments over his immunity claim in the federal election subversion case. He hailed the arguments as "brilliant" and repeated talking points about the need for "all presidents" to have broad immunity protections.

Court has resumed

The judge is on the bench and trial has resumed.

Pecker returns this morning for fourth day of testimony

David Pecker, the former publisher of the National Enquirer, will return to the stand for his fourth day of testimony under cross examination by Trump attorney Emil Bove.

Bove is focusing on inconsistencies in Pecker's testimony about whether former Trump aide Hope Hicks was at the 2015 meeting at Trump Tower where suppressing stories was discussed.

Prosecutors objected several times to the line of questioning, prompting bench meetings because prosecutor Joshua Steinglass says Hicks was not mentioned in Pecker's proffer meeting with federal prosecutors. Judge Merchan ended Thursday’s hearing saying: "It's misleading, and we’re going to correct it tomorrow."

Bove said he has a couple hours more on cross, and then we will have redirect.

Trump’s criminal charges, Biden’s age rank as voters’ top worries about the candidates

Ben Kamisar

Voters continue to rank President Joe Biden’s age and former President Donald Trump’s legal woes as the most compelling reasons to oppose them in November, according to new data from the latest national NBC News poll.

Respondents in the recent poll, conducted April 12-16, were asked about three potential vulnerabilities for each candidate ahead of the fall election. 

For Biden, the idea that he “may not have the necessary mental and physical health to be president for a second term” was the most compelling reason for 23% of registered voters. Another 17% of registered voters said their top gripe with Biden was that “millions of immigrants have crossed our border illegally” during his presidency, and 16% chose the message about inflation’s hitting a “40-year high, making it hard for take home pay to match rising prices.” Another 15% said “all of these” were most convincing.

For Trump, 20% of registered voters said the most convincing reason to oppose him was that he’s “facing four different criminal and civil trials for alleged wrongdoing, including multiple felony charges related to attempts to overturn the 2020 election.”

Another 14% said Trump “takes credit for his Supreme Court nominees taking away a woman’s right to an abortion,” and 8% chose that he “wants to pardon those convicted of storming the Capitol on January 6th.”

But there was a significant difference among the respondents who said none of those messages were the most convincing: For Trump, 40% of registered voters chose that option, while 28% chose it for Biden.

Read the full story here

Key prosecution witness in Trump trial to face grilling from former president’s lawyers

Dareh Gregorian

The prosecution’s first witness in its case against Donald Trump will be back on the stand Friday as defense attorneys try to combat the story he has laid out about how the former president was involved in efforts to quash “ embarrassing “ stories that could have hurt him during the 2016 campaign.

Former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker 's testimony marks the end of the second week of Trump’s hush money trial.

Since he took the stand Monday, Pecker has told jurors that Trump and his then-lawyer Michael Cohen had asked him to be their “eyes and ears” when it came to salacious stories that could undermine Trump’s candidacy.

When cross-examination began Thursday, Trump attorney Emil Bove immediately set out to poke holes in Pecker’s credibility, getting him to acknowledge times he had mixed up dates and that the passage of time could affect his memory.

“There are some gaps, correct? Because it was a long time ago?” Bove asked.

“Yes,” Pecker replied.

David Pecker testified about what he knew of the payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels to keep her relationship with Trump quiet. He also discussed an agreement the National Enquirer made with former Playboy model Karen McDougal. NBC News’ Vaughn Hillyard reports.

Mitch McConnell says presidents shouldn’t be immune from prosecution

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said in an interview Thursday with NBC News’ “Meet the Press” that he doesn’t think presidents should be immune from criminal prosecution for actions taken while in office, as the Supreme Court heard arguments on the issue.

The Kentucky Republican also told “Meet the Press” moderator Kristen Welker that he stands by his acquittal vote and comments he made in 2021, when he voted against convicting former President Donald Trump in a Senate trial after he was impeached by the House on charges related to the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.

“President Trump is still liable for everything he did while he was in office. ... He didn’t get away with anything, yet,” McConnell  said in 2021, adding , “we have a criminal justice system in this country. We have civil litigation. And former presidents are not immune from being [held] accountable by either one.”

“That’s [still] my view,” McConnell said Thursday, as the Supreme Court  heard arguments  from Trump’s attorneys and federal prosecutors about whether the former president can face charges for acts he committed while in office.

Trump lawyer backs away from absolute immunity argument at Supreme Court

Lawrence Hurley Supreme Court reporter

Ryan J. Reilly

WASHINGTON — Former President  Donald Trump  has long argued for absolute immunity in his federal election interference case, but his lawyer struck a different tone Thursday during  arguments at the Supreme Court .

With the justices appeared largely skeptical of the argument that the entire indictment against Trump should be dismissed, attorney D. John Sauer made some concessions.

Sauer appeared to agree with special counsel Jack Smith, who is leading the prosecution, that there are some allegations in the indictment that do not involve “official acts” of the president.

Sauer’s main argument was that the entire indictment is premised on official acts, which should be protected by immunity in part to ensure that presidents’ hands are not tied over fear of prosecution after they leave office.

Sauer accepted that Trump can be prosecuted for private acts that were not tied to his official duties as president.

During oral arguments , the justices zeroed in on the public-private distinction, which may lead to a ruling that sends the case back to lower courts for further deliberations on that issue, potentially scuttling any chance that a trial could take place before the election in November.

Trump heads to court for Day 8 of trial

Brittany Kubicko

The former president has left Trump Tower and is en route to the courthouse.

Day 7 testimony included buried celebrity stories and disputes over paying Stormy Daniels

Taking the stand Thursday for now the third day this week, former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker provided testimony to form a road map for New York prosecutors’ case against former President Donald Trump.

From detailing business invoice practices to establishing how deeply Trump was involved from beginning to end, lawyers for the Manhattan district attorney’s office had Pecker walk the jury through much of the events that occurred leading up to and after the payments to Stormy Daniels to keep quiet about an affair she alleges she had with Trump.

Sprinkled in the testimony were juicy celebrity gossip tidbits and revelations about Trump’s repeated inquiries about a Playboy model who also claimed to have had an affair with him.

And after hours of dishing new details, the defense tried Thursday to paint Pecker as suffering from memory lapses and operating for his own motives.

Gag order hearing on tap for next week

A gag order hearing previously set for next Wednesday has been moved to Thursday, according to a source with direct knowledge of the matter.

Judge Juan Merchan heard arguments Tuesday about whether Trump willfully violated a gag order in the case. During that hearing, prosecutors asked for the judge to impose a $1,000 fine for each post that they said violated the order.

Prosecutors are also seeking an order for Trump to take down those social media posts, along with a warning that any future violations could risk jail time. Trump's attorneys argue he has not violated the order.

Biden says he hasn't been following Trump's trial

During a campaign fundraising event last night, Biden told the crowd of supporters that he has not had a chance to follow Trump's court proceedings in the hush money case.

"I've been out campaigning," Biden said.

Biden has said little about Trump's trial since it got underway last week.

Trump says he will take the stand 'if it's necessary'

In an interview last night, Trump told Newsmax that he would take the stand in his hush money trial "if it's necessary."

The former president said on Ap r il 12 that he "would testify, absolutely," and last week he responded "yes" when asked if he would take the stand .

Trump is not required to testify during the trial.

What to expect in court today

Former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker, the first witness for the prosecution, is expected to return to the stand for cross-examination.

Trump's defense team yesterday tried to cast doubt on Pecker's memory of the hush money payments he had described in earlier testimony.

“There are some gaps, correct? Because it was a long time ago?” Trump lawyer Emil Bove asked Pecker. "Yes," Pecker replied.

It's unclear if Pecker's testimony will conclude today or if there will be another witness.

Here's what happened yesterday in court

Former publisher of the National Enquirer David Pecker returned to the witness stand yesterday and talked about his role in hush money payments to an adult film star and a Playboy model.

Pecker also testified about communicating with then-Trump lawyer Michael Cohen about the arrangement for the payments, as well as his concern about the possible legal ramifications of making payments related to a major presidential candidate in the 2016 campaign.

Pecker, 72, was cross-examined by Trump's defense, who tried to cast doubt on his memory of events from that period.