Dental Hygienist Resume Sample & Writing Tips

123 Your Address
City, State, Zip Code
(xxx)-xxx-xxxx
your@email.com

Registered dental hygienist dedicated to delivering optimal care and providing high-caliber patient counseling. Motivated self-starter with over 4 years of experience in clinical settings. Strong interpersonal and organizational skills, recognized for building rapport with diverse populations.

Professional Experience

Pearl Advantage Dental Clinic, Hartford, CT

Dental Hygienist, June 2015 – Present

Perform screenings, prophylaxis, sealants, and fluoride treatments to an average of 12 patients per day
Take dental impressions for study models and whitening trays
Trained 5 interns in reviewing patients’ medical history, sharpening dental instruments, and proper sterilization procedures
Refined the clinic’s equipment maintenance processes, helping save $2,600 in repair costs in 2016
Received “Excellence in Service” award in December 2016 for high patient satisfaction and increasing personal referral rate by 30%

Waterbury Dental Center, Waterbury, CT

Dental Hygienist / Intern, January 2013 – May 2015

Performed comprehensive oral health assessments, identifying periodontal receding gums and signs of gum disease in geriatric patients
Administered local and topical anesthesia to nearly 200 patients to ensure pain control
Counseled pediatric patients and their parents about nutrition and oral health, including proper brushing and flossing techniques
Maintained dental supplies and a clean workspace by ensuring regular instrument sterilization and effective equipment operation
Managed reception area by answering phones, scheduling appointments, coordinating treatment plans, and filing patient records

Education

University of Bridgeport – Fones School of Dental Hygiene, Bridgeport, CT, 2013

Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene, graduated cum laude
President of American Dental Hygienists’ Association Student Chapter

Licensing & Certifications

Licensed Dental Hygienist in State of Connecticut
Certificate of Local Anesthesia
CPR/AED certified

Additional Skills

Digital radiography
Oral cancer screening
Proficient in Eaglesoft dental software
Scaling and root planing
Spanish (fluent)

1. Know the difference between dental hygienist and assistant

Though both are dental professionals, the dental hygienist and assistant roles differ significantly. Dental assistants generally support dentists by preparing equipment and providing chair-side assistance.

They also handle more office management tasks, such as filing patient paperwork and scheduling appointments.

Dental hygienists, on the other hand, work independently with patients, cleaning and polishing teeth without supervision, and conducting more advanced procedures (e.g., taking and developing X-rays).

While the scope of each position’s duties may vary by state (as we touch on more below), be sure not to confuse the two. The education requirements and qualifications for a dental hygienist and assistant are also different, and you certainly don’t want to over- or undersell yourself by using the wrong title.

2. Don’t forget a section for your licensing and certifications

Individual state dental practice acts list different licensing requirements for dental hygienists across the U.S., whose scope of work and required dentist supervision can also vary significantly.

For instance, some states do not allow dental hygienists to administer local anesthesia; others allow it so long as one is certified; and some allow it even without certification. In any case, it’s crucial to emphasize your licensing and certifications in a separate resume section.

dental hygienist licensing and certifications example — A licensing and certifications section is a must for a dental hygienist resume.

Not all industries and occupations require this section, but it’s essential for dental hygienists — after all, it tells prospective employers that you meet your state’s dental board standards.

If applicable, you can also add any advanced training programs that demonstrate more dental knowledge.

3. Highlight your interpersonal skills

Needless to say, not everyone enjoys getting a dental checkup. Teeth cleanings and oral exams strike fear and discomfort into the hearts of many, making it crucial for dental hygienists to be warm and personable.

Successful dental practices thus look for candidates who demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, which can help in ensuring a clinic’s high patient retention rates.

Check out how our sample candidate emphasizes their people skills by mentioning them in their resume objective and professional background.

Strong interpersonal and organizational skills, recognized for building rapport with diverse populations
Received “Excellence in Service” award in December 2016 for high patient satisfaction and increasing personal referral rate by 30%

Better yet, do you have experience working with a particular age group or population? Specify this where appropriate, as our candidate does in their professional experiences:

Counseled pediatric patients and their parents about nutrition and oral health, including proper brushing and flossing techniques
Performed comprehensive oral health assessments, identifying periodontal receding gums and signs of gum disease in geriatric patients

Making note of your past work with different groups (e.g., handicapped patients, non-native English speakers) may attract dental employers who have many clients of a particular demographic.

4. Liven up your resume with strong action words

Though the demand for dental hygienists is growing, the field is also quickly becoming overcrowded. With more competition in the job market, hiring managers go through dozens, even hundreds, of resumes.

Stand out by enhancing your resume with strong action verbs, as seen in our dental hygienist resume sample. Consider including some of the following words:

Administer	Evaluate	Polish
Advise	Examine	Record
Assess	Maintain	Screen
Conduct	Manage	Train
Counsel	Perform	Treat

These resume action verbs are far more descriptive than the common, passive phrase “responsible for.” By using more vivid language, your resume will make a greater impression on potential employers and get you one step closer to a job offer.

Drill in these tips, and you’ll be well on your way to an interview! If you want extra help, download our free resume templates.

Alternatively, check out our professional resume builder to get an edge over the competition.