Dental Hygienist Resume Examples: 5 Best Samples & Why They Work

Are you struggling to draft a dental hygienist resume that results in calls for interviews?

You’re not alone! Many people struggle with writing a killer resume that stands out from the crowd.

We understand the struggle, so we cultivated a list of examples, tips, and tricks to help you craft the perfect dental hygienist resume to showcase your skills.

Dental Hygienist Resume Examples

A dental hygienist, sometimes called a dental nurse, is responsible for providing oral hygiene care to patients. While the position requires set training and education, there’s more to showcase on a resume to impress a hiring manager.

Entry-Level Dental Hygienist Resume Example

With over 16,000 projected openings for dental hygienists each year, recruiters are expecting to see applications from entry-level candidates looking for a first position after completing their education. These candidates need to highlight their academic background, training, and internships.

Objective

To obtain a position as a dental hygienist in a practice. I hope to leverage what I learned in an academic setting to solve patients’ dental problems and provide high-quality care.

Education

Associate of Applied Science – Dental Hygiene Program at Laramie County Community College (2020 to 2022)

• Completed a total of 93 credit hours.
• Maintained a GPA of 3.8
• Program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation

Internship

Intern at Byron Center Family Dental (January 2023 to present)

• Engages patients, learns more about their dental habits, and educates them about dental hygiene.
• Constructs molds of patients’ teeth based on X-rays.
• Cleans sterilized rooms ahead of appointments.
• Prepares supplies ahead of appointments and coordinates re-ordering of necessary supplies.
• Observes dentists and dental hygienists perform treatments.

Volunteering

Volunteer Dental Hygienist at Laramie County Community College Dental Hygiene Clinic (2020 to 2022)

• Worked with approximately four patients a week.
• Greets patients and asks questions about their health history.
• Educated patients about dental health.
• Performed dental cleanings, teeth sealings, dental X-rays, and more.
• Developed treatment plans under the supervision of an instructor.

Skills

• Friendly disposition
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Attention to detail
• Knowledge of dentistry tools and dental procedures

Why This Resume Works

For this recent graduate, it makes sense to put her academic background at the top of her resume. Her education is one of her strengths, and she is drawing attention to it by expanding this section with a few bullet points that tell recruiters more about the program she completed.

She also reinforced her academic knowledge in the skills section by reinforcing her knowledge about dentistry tools and procedures.

This young professional lacks experience, but her resume makes the most out of her internship and volunteering experience at her school’s free dental clinic by using detailed bullet points to tell recruiters about the different tasks she performed.

Even though this dental hygienist has limited experience, her resume objective lists providing high-quality care to patients as her main goal. This section immediately tells recruiters that she fully embraces this core value and that she’ll fit in at any dental office or clinic.

This candidate also plays up to her strengths by drawing attention to her ability to connect with patients throughout her resume. The skills section mentions her friendly personality and interpersonal skills, while the internship and volunteering sections explain how she had the opportunity to educate patients and interact with them.

Professional Dental Hygienist Resume Example

For a professional dental hygienist with years of experience in dental clinics and offices, recruiters will prioritize candidates with a proven track record of positive patient outcomes. Keeping up with the latest best practices through continuing education can also be a plus.

Objective

Motivated dental hygienist with over eight years of experience looking for a position at a dental clinic with growth potential.

Work Experience

Dental Hygienist at Helena Dental Clinic (2018 to present)

• Welcomes patients to the clinic, takes a health history, and discusses areas of concern.
• Performs plaque removal, polishing, and applying fluoride.
• Assists dentists during procedures like root canals, extractions, and more.
• Discusses patients’ individual needs and recommends relevant oral hygiene solutions.
• Keeps over 200 patient records up to date while following HIPAA compliance requirements.

Dental Hygienist at Montana Dental Works 2014 to 2018)

• Removed plaque with manual and ultrasonic tools.
• Developed personalized oral hygiene plans for patients.
• Sterilized and laid out dental instruments for around 18 appointments a day.
• Prepared sterilized rooms prior to appointments.
• Scheduled appointments and collected insurance information.

Projects & Highlights

• Contributed to Foundations of Periodontics for the Dental Hygienists, Fifth Edition, published by Jones & Bartlett Learning (2021)
• Guest speaker at the Montana Dental Hygienists Association Annual Session (2019 and 2022)

Skills

• Basic dentistry
• Administrative skills
• Communication and patient care
• Problem-solving skills
• Teamwork

Education

• CODA-approved Associate Degree in Dental Hygiene at Great Falls College (2010 to 2012)
• Continuing education through the Montana Dental Hygienists Association (2012 to present)

Licenses & Accreditations

• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support License from the American Heart Association (last renewed in 2022)

Why This Resume Works

This professional dental hygienist has an impressive background. Their resume immediately draws attention to their work experience by listing this component toward the top. Next, this candidate shows what sets them apart with a short section that lists recent projects and highlights.

Overall, this resume creates an impression of professionalism and dedication. This person is familiar with the strict compliance requirements dental hygienists have to follow, including working with HIPAA records, keeping with continuing education requirements, or obtaining an ACLS license.

Plus, the highlights section shows they genuinely care about professional development. Their experience as a guest speaker tells recruiters that this dental hygienist plays an active role in a professional organization. Additionally, the contributions to a popular textbook is a noteworthy accomplishment that makes them stand out from other candidates.

The work experience section is worth a second look. This candidate lists two positions they held in the past. Even though their job duties were probably similar, they carefully selected the bullet points to avoid repetition and demonstrate their ability to perform a wide range of tasks.

The most recent work experience emphasizes their ability to interact with patients, perform basic procedures, and maintain records. The second work experience focuses on their ability to maintain a clean and sterile environment, keep up with administrative duties, and create customized treatment plans.

These bullet points create the impression that this candidate would be a strong addition to any team thanks to their versatility, and the skills section strengthens this impression with a mix of hard and soft skills.

Pediatric Dental Hygienist Resume Example

Pediatric dental hygienists typically work in a family dentistry setting. A compelling resume needs to draw attention to their ability to work with children and teens.

Objective

Experienced and compassionate registered pediatric dental hygienist. Skilled in performing scaling, sealing, and more while putting children of all ages at ease.

Licenses & Accreditations

• Licensed Dental Hygienist for the state of Georgia (last renewed in 2021).
• CPR Certification from the American Red Cross (last renewed in 2022)
• Local Anesthesia Certification from the University of Florida (2020)

Work Experience

Dental Hygienist at West Georgia Family Dentistry (2021 to present)

• Performs initial dental health assessment and reports findings to dentists.
• Applies sealants, polishes teeth, performs scaling, and other basic dentistry treatments.
• Delivers high-quality care by discussing treatments with children and their families ahead of time.
• Demonstrates and educates patients of all ages about good oral hygiene practices.
• Captures and analyzes X-ray imaging while putting young patients at ease.

Dental Hygienist at Georgia Family Dental (2017 to 2021)

• Prepared and sterilized exam rooms.
• Kept track of patient records in a HIPAA-compliant environment.
• Used scheduling software to book appointments.
• Took part in educating children and teens about oral hygiene.
• Greeted young patients and used proven stress-management strategies to create a positive environment.

Project Experience

• Implemented a digital feedback collection system at West Georgia Family Dentistry to better understand patients’ expectations (2021).
• Created age-appropriate infographics and brochures to educate children and teens about oral hygiene at West Georgia Family Dentistry (2020).
• Redesigned the waiting area at Georgia Family Dental to create a welcoming atmosphere and offer activities designed to alleviate anxiety in children and teens (2018).

Skills

• Oral hygiene assessments
• Excellent anxiety management skills
• Developing customized oral health plans
• Communication and collaboration
• Flexibility and problem-solving skills

Education

• Augusta University Dental Hygiene Program (2014 to 2017)
• Continuing education with AchieveCE (2019 and 2021)

Why This Resume Works

Pediatric dental hygienists work with children and teens. An important part of their job is to educate young patients about oral health, communicate with families, and help children manage their anxiety.

This resume paints a strong technical background for this candidate by mentioning the specific treatments they can perform, but it also speaks to their ability to work with children and teens. The work experience section has several bullet points drawing attention to their ability to communicate and educate patients.

The skills and project sections reinforce the impression that the candidate loves working in a pediatric dentistry setting. Listing anxiety management in their skills shows they understand how important it is for a dental hygienist to put young patients at ease. The projects section demonstrates they care about their job and can use their creativity to create a better environment for young patients.

This resume also stands out thanks to the licenses section at the top. This candidate chose to list their licenses before their work experience, so recruiters know right away that this person is up-to-date on their state licensing requirements.

Student Dental Hygienist Resume Example

Students can’t count on their work experience to stand out. Whether you’re applying to an internship or hoping to land a first job in a dental practice, your resume needs to highlight your academic background and clearly show how the position you’re going after fits into your professional development project.

Objective

Energetic and dedicated student currently enrolled in a CODA-accredited dental hygienist program at Cerritos College, looking to gain practical experience through an internship.

Education

Associate in Dental Hygiene at Cerritos College (projected graduation date: 2024)

• GPA: 3.9
• Recipient of a SallieMae Fund Scholarship
• Took eight credit hours in a wet lab setting.
• Completed ten credit hours in clinical courses at outside facilities.

Tracy High School (2018 to 2022)

• GPA: 3.8
• Member of the Future Health Professionals Club

Projects & Highlights

Research project on the impact of access to dental care in underprivileged communities (2022)

• Interviewed patients about their experiences.
• Compiled interviews into actionable data and wrote a paper highlighting challenges and solutions for improving access to dental care.
• Published findings in the Cerritos College newspaper.

Regular contributor to the Cerritos College newspaper

• Developed a concept for a weekly column about health-related topics.
• Wrote a total of eight pieces about oral hygiene tailored to the unique challenges of college students.
• Edited and fact-checked submissions from other student contributors.

Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication
• Critical thinking
• Problem-solving
• Academic knowledge of dental conditions and treatments
• Technological skills

Why This Resume Works

This student chose not to include a work experience section but managed to flesh out their resume by focusing on their education and academic projects.

The resume starts with a compelling objective. It describes the student as motivated and sets a straightforward goal by stating this student is after an internship.

Next, this student describes the program they’re following at Cerritos College. The bullet points help potential employers learn more about what the student is learning through this program. Plus, they show how completing an internship is the next logical step after completing lab credit hours and clinical courses.

Adding a section for projects and highlights is an excellent choice. It prevents the resume from looking too short and helps set the candidate apart since these projects show they care about solving issues and educating others.

The research and writing projects listed in this section also work as practical applications of the skills listed in the last section.

The student highlighted their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. A recruiter will be more likely to believe this applicant possesses these skills after reading about the research project this student worked on.

Likewise, contributing to the school newspaper shows this student has strong communication skills. Listing their excellent GPA under the education section supports the claim that they possess knowledge of dental conditions and treatments in the skills section.

Part-Time Dental Hygienist Resume Example

Many dental practices only offer part-time hygienist positions to cut costs. For busy parents or professionals who want to pursue another activity on the side, working as a part-time dental hygienist can be an excellent career move. Candidates should clearly mention they’re after a part-time position on their dental hygienist resume.

Objective

Dynamic dental hygienist with four years of experience. Excellent basic dentistry skills and passionate about oral health. Seeking a part-time position.

Work Experience

Part-Time Dental Hygienist at the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Center of Oregon (2020 to present)

• Provides chairside assistance during surgical procedures.
• Educates patients about procedures, anesthesia, and post-operative care.
• Cleans and sanitizes surgical facilities and instruments.
• Schedules over 40 weekly appointments and manages operating room availability.
• Takes and analyzes X-rays and CBT scans.

Full-Time Dental Nurse at Oregon City Family Dentistry (2019 to 2020)

• Assisted with routine check-ups and screenings for dental and gum conditions.
• Performed basic dentistry tasks, including scaling, sealing, cleaning, and fillings.
• Maintained high hygiene standards throughout the facility.
• Kept and organized over 250 patient records.
• Discussed treatment and payment options with patients.

Projects and Highlights

• Oversaw the purchase of six new oral surgery chairs for the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Center of Oregon based on specific budget and feature requirements (2021).
• Helped coordinate a partnership with Invisalign at Oregon City Family Dentistry to expand the range of orthodontic services available to patients (2019).

Skills

• Strong organization skills
• Friendly and compassionate
• Observation and reporting skills
• Knowledge of surgical dentistry conditions and treatments
• Active listening

Education

Associate in Dental Hygiene at Portland Community College (2017 to 2019)

• Applied knowledge of dental conditions and patient care at the Portland Community College Dental Clinic three hours a week.

Licenses & Accreditations

• Graduated from an ADA-accredited program in 2019.
• Obtained an Oregon Dental Hygiene License by Examination in 2019.
• Pursued additional Nitrous Oxide Permit in 2020.

Why This Resume Works

This resume starts by clearly stating that this candidate is after a part-time position. The recruiter instantly knows whether this dental hygienist will be a good fit based on the opening available.

The work experience section lists two positions, and the candidate indicates whether these jobs were part-time or full-time opportunities. It can be helpful to show that you have experience in a part-time job so employers know you’re comfortable with this schedule or that you might prefer the improved work-life balance.

This dental hygienist resume highlights a few things that set this candidate apart. The first thing is their experience in a dental surgery setting.

The candidate wrote bullet points that showcase their expertise regarding surgical procedures and imaging techniques. It’s a plus for a recruiter looking for someone who is comfortable with advanced dental procedures.

This candidate also put forward their excellent organizational skills. The skills section lists this strength, and the diverse bullet points explain how this person has experience in managing records, scheduling dental surgeries, and more. Plus, the project section shows they can apply these skills to help with purchase decisions or rolling out new services.

Common Skills & Action Verbs to Include on a Dental Hygienist Resume

Recruiters will look for a mix of hard and soft skills that demonstrate your ability to perform the various tasks a dental nurse typically works on. Action verbs are just as important since they highlight your abilities and help recruiters picture you performing different tasks.

Choosing the right skills and action verbs is crucial since more recruiters use software that automatically scans applications to look for keywords. The right words will also immediately stand out to human eyes and tell recruiters you understand what the job entails.

Common Skills for Dental Hygienist Resumes

• Knowledge of dental conditions
• Knowledge of dental tools and procedures
• Fine motor skills
• Active listening
• Communication
• Patient counseling
• Attention to detail
• Oral hygiene assessments
• Dental cleaning, plaque removal, and other procedures
• Cleaning and sterilization
• Preparing instruments and appointment rooms
• Administrative duties
• Preparing patients for surgery
• Managing patient anxiety
• Pain control
• Time management and organization skills
• Performing and interpreting imagery
• Oral health education
• Anesthesia
• Expertise in nutrition

Common Action Verbs for Dental Hygienist Resumes

• Communicate
• Organize
• Help
• Educate
• Assist
• Develop
• Follow
• Examine
• Assess
• Clean
• Perform
• Answer
• Facilitate
• Prevent
• Collaborate
• Sterilize

Tips for Writing a Better Dental Hygienist Resume

The dental industry is going through some significant changes. The great resignation has affected this sector, but hiring has remained high due to the increased demand for dental services.

These tips will help you create a resume that stands out as dental practices shift their hiring efforts into high gear.

State Licensing Requirements and Continuing Education

All states have licensing or registration requirements for dental hygienists. While some states require you to complete an accredited program, some states have stricter requirements that include passing a board exam.

Completing additional classes to earn continuing education credit and maintaining a valid CPR license are also requirements some states have adopted.

One can assume that you possess the necessary requirements to work as a dental hygienist if you’re applying to work at a dental practice, but it’s best to confirm that you’re a properly registered dental hygienist on your resume.

Hard Skills

Your dentistry skills will determine the extent of your ability to assist during appointments and dental procedures.

When describing previous positions, use at least two bullet points highlighting dental treatments you can perform without supervision or explain which procedures you helped a dentist perform.

Adding a skills section to your resume will also give you the opportunity to list the different technical dentistry skills you possess. Even if you have limited experience with dentistry, listing simple skills such as teeth cleaning shows you’re willing to learn.

Patient Care

As a dental hygienist, you know how crucial offering quality patient care is. Your role puts you in a unique position to engage with patients, learn more about their concerns, and educate them about oral health.

Your resume should reflect your ability to connect with patients. Use descriptive words that paint you as someone who is friendly, approachable, and passionate about helping others.

Patient care was likely a huge part of your job duties in your previous positions, but you need to be specific. Tell recruiters how you connected with patients. You can mention demonstrating good brushing techniques, using anxiety management strategies, or discussing their treatment options.

Dental Clinic Performance

When hiring a new dental hygienist, recruiters look for someone who can contribute to the practice’s performance.

Dentists can use different metrics to assess performance, including the number of new clients, the average hourly revenue, or the ratio of treatment accepted.

Ask yourself which skills can support a dental clinic’s goals, and highlight them in your resume.

For instance, listing basic dentistry treatments you can perform without supervision can demonstrate your ability to increase revenues for the practice. If you have a proven track record of connecting with patients and educating them about dental procedures, hiring you could result in a higher rate of treatment accepted.

FAQ

Read on to learn more about creating a dental hygienist resume that stands out.

What Is the Main Role of a Dental Hygienist?

A dental hygienist performs oral health assessments, educates patients about dental conditions, and assists dentists during treatments. In some practices, dental nurses also perform administrative duties.

What Is a Good Example of a Dental Hygienist’s Resume Objective?

Your resume objective should highlight your skills and tell recruiters what you can bring to their dental practice. For instance, ‘Friendly and energetic dental hygienist with six years of experience. Excels at anxiety management and educating children and teens about oral health.’

Similar Resume Types to Reference

Take a look at these similar resume examples to get a better idea of how you can highlight your unique skills and background:

• Medical Assistant Resume: Do you have extensive experience assisting dentists during procedures? If yes, looking at medical assistant resumes will help you explore more strategies for showcasing these technical skills.
• Dental Assistant Resume: The role of a dental assistant and dental hygienist can overlap. Find more ideas for discussing your unique skills if you held positions with varied job duties.
• Medical Receptionist Resume: Dental hygienists sometimes help with the day-to-day operation of a dental practice. These medical receptionist resumes will show you how to draw attention to your administrative and organizational skills.

Wrapping Up

Dental hygienists are in high demand. As more dental practices look for qualified candidates, it’s time to update your resume and identify the strengths and experiences that make you stand out.

What did you think of the dental hygienist resume examples listed above? Tell us what you think in the comments, and don’t hesitate to share this article if you know someone looking for a job!