20 Best Dental Assistant Resume Examples and Templates for 2025
20 Best Dental Hygienist Resume Examples and Templates for 2025
By Andrew Stoner
, Executive Resume Writer and Career Coach
Andrew Stoner
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Executive Resume Writer and Career Coach
Last Updated:
July 31, 2025
To pursue a career as a dental hygienist, you need a compelling resume that explores your accomplished background in patient care. These types of health care roles tend to have similar job responsibilities, so emphasize unique aspects of your experience to stand out from other applicants. In this guide, we’ll provide valuable tips and expert insights to help you land your next big job opportunity.
Key takeaways:
- Emphasize your patient care expertise: Feature tangible examples of you delivering exceptional patient care in fast-paced dental practices
- Detail quantifiable achievements: Showcase clinical data and metrics to convey the impact of your contributions, such as patient satisfaction scores
- Use keywords for ATS: Incorporate dental care terminology and skill sets from the job posting to ensure compliance with applicant tracking systems (ATS)
Most Popular Dental Hygienist Resumes
Dental Hygienist Resume Example
Why this dental hygienist resume example is strong:
This resume example excels with a clean layout and a strong opening summary. The candidate also leverages hard numbers and metrics to help bolster the impact of their bullet points, emphasizing a noticeably high patient satisfaction rating.
Entry-Level Dental Hygienist Resume Example
Why this entry-level resume example is strong:
This resume highlights relevant training and early career experience, positioning the candidate as a qualified entry-level dental hygienist.
Pediatric Dental Hygienist Resume Example
Why this pediatric dental hygienist resume example is strong:
In this example, the candidate focuses on displaying their experience delivering exceptional care to pediatric patients. Communicating and calming children during dental procedures is a key aspect of this specialized role, and the applicant wisely features this part of their experience prominently throughout the document.
Experienced Dental Hygienist Resume Example
Why this dental hygienist resume example is strong:
This resume example effectively conveys the candidate’s expertise in patient care delivery. The applicant uses numbers to demonstrate their proven track record of success within the dental field, citing a notable increase in patient satisfaction scores.
Professional Dental Hygienist Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Taylor’s resume balances clinical expertise with tangible improvements in office efficiency, demonstrating leadership in both patient care and practice operations. The quantified workflow gains and mentorship role clearly show her impact on team performance and patient experience.
Key Tips
Highlight process improvements alongside clinical skills to stand out. For guidance on structuring achievements, see Best Resume Formats.
Periodontal Dental Hygienist Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Alex’s resume emphasizes niche periodontal expertise with clear clinical outcomes and community education initiatives. Including success metrics for pocket-depth reduction and recall adherence highlights both patient and practice benefits.
Key Tips
Showcase specialized procedures and their outcomes to underline your expertise. For tips on highlighting niche skills, see Hard Skills for Resume.
Public Health Dental Hygienist Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Jordan’s resume highlights measurable public-health impacts, like sealant caries reduction and volunteer training, demonstrating both clinical skill and community leadership. The focus on outreach programs underscores a strong commitment to access and prevention.
Key Tips
Emphasize community and public-health metrics to stand out in nonprofit or government roles. For more on showcasing social impact, see What to Put on a Resume.
Student Dental Hygienist Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Morgan’s resume clearly outlines hands-on externship achievements and relevant assistant duties, showcasing readiness for entry into practice. Focusing on clinical metrics and software proficiency highlights transferable skills to prospective employers.
Key Tips
Feature clinical rotation specifics and software tools to demonstrate practical readiness. For help writing your first professional summary, see How to Write Your First Job Resume.
Temporary Dental Hygienist Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Casey’s resume highlights her ability to integrate into varied clinical settings with minimal ramp-up time and maintain high patient satisfaction. The quantified reductions in onboarding time and follow-up visits underscore her operational value.
Key Tips
Emphasize adaptability and metrics for temporary roles. For more on showcasing versatility, see Transferable Skills Resume.
Orthodontic Dental Hygienist Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Cameron’s orthodontic resume underscores niche skills, such as digital scanning and appliance education, with clear compliance and chair-time improvements. The progression through assistant to specialist roles highlights targeted career development.
Key Tips
Highlight specialized equipment and protocols to demonstrate domain expertise. For guidance on listing technical skills, see How to List Skills on a Resume.
Mobile Clinic Dental Hygienist Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Riley’s mobile-clinic resume demonstrates her ability to deliver high-impact preventive care in non-traditional settings, underscored by significant caries reduction and follow-up gains. The three roles illustrate growth from clinic assistant to mobile-unit leader.
Key Tips
Show how you adapt clinical skills to unique environments. For more on how to keep your resume up-to-date, see How to Update Your Resume.
Research Dental Hygienist Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Pat’s research-focused resume blends clinical hygiene with rigorous data management and protocol oversight, demonstrating capacity to support evidence-based advancements. The metrics on participant volume and compliance reinforce her research impact.
Key Tips
Include research metrics and compliance details to underscore scientific rigor. For more on highlighting specialized roles, see Career Advice: Resume Personal Statement Examples.
Geriatric Dental Hygienist Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Riley’s resume clearly demonstrates expertise in senior-focused dental care with measurable improvements in resident compliance and reduced issues. The progression from assistant to specialist roles highlights targeted career growth in geriatric dentistry.
Key Tips
Emphasize specialized patient populations and quantify care improvements. For guidance on tailoring your resume, check out How to Tailor Your Resume to Job Description.
Implant Maintenance Dental Hygienist Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Cameron’s resume highlights niche implant-maintenance skills with clear health-metric outcomes. The three roles show progressive responsibility from assistant to specialist, underscoring her targeted expertise.
Key Tips
Detail specialized clinical procedures and their impact. For tips on presenting technical skills, see Hard Skills for a Resume.
Sedation Dental Hygienist Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Jordan’s resume underlines her sedation-specific skills with quantified comfort ratings and cancellation reductions. The progression illustrates technical growth and leadership in sedation protocols.
Key Tips
Highlight specialized certifications and patient outcomes. For advice on resume structure, see Best Resume Formats.
Concierge Dental Hygienist Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Pat’s resume showcases her ability to deliver high-end, personalized hygiene services with exceptional repeat-service rates and operational efficiency. The clear metrics and niche focus set her apart in luxury care.
Key Tips
Tailor your resume to specialized service models and highlight client-retention metrics. For more on niche targeting, see Resume Objective Examples.
Cosmetic Dental Hygienist Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Taylor’s resume highlights her cosmetic-focused skills with clear patient-satisfaction and repeat-booking metrics. The combination of technical expertise and creative patient consultations positions her strongly for aesthetic dental practices. It also demonstrates her ability to improve office workflows and drive revenue growth.
Key Tips
Emphasize specialty services and their impact on patient satisfaction. For more on showcasing relevant keywords, check out Resume Keywords.
Telehealth Dental Hygienist Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Alex’s resume underscores her telehealth proficiency with measurable improvements in patient adherence and visit reduction. The blend of virtual and clinical experience demonstrates adaptability to emerging care models and technology.
Key Tips
Highlight remote-care tools and outcomes to appeal to virtual-care employers. For guidance on listing your education, see How to List Education on a Resume.
Forensic Dental Hygienist Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Morgan’s resume highlights a rare forensic niche, showcasing case-volume metrics and 100% accuracy in legal contexts. The dual clinical-forensic roles demonstrate versatility and precision under legal scrutiny.
Key Tips
Showcase specialized certifications and outcome metrics for niche roles. For tips on entry-level resumes, see How to Write a Resume With No Experience.
Dental Education Coordinator Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Casey’s resume demonstrates her impact on educational outcomes, such as 25% exam-pass improvement and streamlined rotations. This highlights her leadership in academic settings. Her progression from clinician to coordinator underscores her growth in instructional design.
Key Tips
Emphasize instructional achievements and curriculum metrics. For tips on crafting objectives, see Resume Objective Examples.
Dental Hygienist Text-Only Resume Examples and Templates
How To Write a Dental Hygienist Resume Example
To write a great dental hygienist resume, you need a clean layout that allows you to present your qualifications, achievements, and education in an impactful and well-organized manner. Before writing your content, select a professional template that includes the following sections:
- Contact information
- Profile
- Key skills
- Professional experience
- Education and certifications
1. Share your contact information
Give your full name, phone number, email address, location, and LinkedIn URL. Ensure your contact information is current so potential employers can reach out to you for an interview.
Example
YOUR NAME
[email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | City, ST | LinkedIn | Portfolio
2. Write a compelling profile summarizing your dental hygienist qualifications
To make a positive first impression on the hiring manager, you need a powerful opening summary that provides an engaging overview of your career as a dental hygienist. Start by listing your title, years of experience, and three clinical skills that align with the job description. Use the remainder of your paragraph to emphasize unique aspects of your background within the dental field. For example, you might demonstrate your expertise in educating patients on at-home care practices to promote long-term dental hygiene.
Experienced Dental Hygienist Profile Example
A certified dental hygienist with over six years of experience, specializing in patient education, digital radiography, and infection control. A proven track record of supporting dentists in performing a wide range of dental procedures and treatments. Adept at providing education on oral hygiene to promote long-term dental health.
Pediatric Dental Hygienist Profile Example
A certified dental hygienist with over five years of experience specializing in pediatric oral health care, patient education, and communication. A proven track record of creating comfortable environments for young patients to improve cooperation and ease anxiety during dental procedures.
3. Add an accomplishment-driven dental hygienist professional experience section
Hiring managers will be paying close attention to your work history, so it’s important to emphasize your most noteworthy professional achievements. Demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively with diverse patients to increase comfort and ease anxiety during dental surgeries. Showcase how your contributions have helped improve clinical operations and patient satisfaction.
Pediatric Dental Hygienist Professional Experience Example
Pediatric Dental Hygienist, Allied Dentistry, Los Angeles, CA | June 2022 – present
- Perform over 1,300 pediatric dental procedures annually for children aged 2 to 14, including fluoride treatments, sealant applications, and routine cleanings
- Deliver comprehensive oral hygiene education to children and parents to promote dental health, contributing to a 20% reduction in cavity incidents among registered patients
- Communicate empathetically with children to manage anxiety and increase comfort during dental procedures, contributing to a 93% patient satisfaction score
Experienced Dental Hygienist Professional Experience Example
Dental Hygienist, Smile Right Dentistry, New York, NY | June 2021 – present
- Perform dental cleanings for over 30 patients per week, communicate effectively with patients, and maintain a 91% satisfaction rating
- Provide support to dentists during a wide range of procedures, ensure compliance with infection control protocols, and maintain patient comfort during oral surgeries
- Support the development and implementation of oral hygiene education programs to increase patient compliance with at-home care practices
Resume writer’s tip: Quantify your experience
Incorporating hard numbers and clinical data is a great way to paint a clearer picture of your professional experience. For example, you might highlight the number of patients you treated on a monthly or annual basis. You could also emphasize how you maintained an exceptional patient satisfaction score during your tenure.
Do
- “Perform dental cleanings for over 30 patients per week, communicate effectively with patients, and maintain a 91% satisfaction rating”
Don’t
- “Help with dental cleanings and procedures in a fast-paced dental office and ensure patient satisfaction”
Resume writer’s tip: Tailor your resume for each application
Before building your professional experience section, take some time to review the job posting. Identify specific clinical skills and keywords that the dental practice is looking for and incorporate these terms into your bullet points. This strategy ensures that your resume is optimized for ATS and properly geared toward individual job opportunities.
What if you don’t have experience?
Even at the entry level, it’s still possible to create an impactful resume to help jump-start your career within the dental field. In this situation, prioritize the limited patient care experience and training you’ve received during your program. Also, feature your skills, certifications, and education more prominently.
4. Include relevant dental hygienist education and certifications
Although your work experience will always be the most important part of your resume, it’s also important to highlight degrees and health care credentials. An associate degree in dental hygiene is normally required for these types of roles. Licenses and certification requirements will vary from state to state, but you’ll need some type of credential to deliver hands-on patient care, such as a Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) designation.
Education
Template:
[Degree Name and Major] | [Graduation Date]
[School Name] | [City, ST]
Example:
Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Dental Hygiene | May 2018
New York University, New York, NY
Certifications
Template:
[Certification Name] | [Awarding Organization] | [Completion Date]
Example:
- Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH), American Dental Hygienists Association | 2019
5. List pertinent dental hygienist key skills
Most dental practices employ some form of ATS to identify top candidates for job openings. If your resume lacks a certain number of keywords from the job description, your application may be rejected during the initial screening process. To mitigate this risk, it’s important to incorporate a mix of clinical and interpersonal skills that match the posting. Below, you’ll find a list of potential keywords to consider adding to your dental hygienist resume:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Clinical operations | Communication |
| Dental care | Fluoride treatment |
| Infection prevention | Intraoral digital imaging |
| Local anesthesia administration | Oral cancer screening |
| Oral hygiene instruction | Patient care |
| Patient education | Patient management |
| Pediatric oral care | Periodontal therapy |
| Plaque and calculus removal | Scaling and root planing |
| Sterilization protocols | Whitening |
Resume writer’s tip: Use specific action verbs
As you begin crafting your professional experience section, open each bullet point with a strong action verb. Proactive language helps the hiring manager to better visualize your contributions. Below, we’ve compiled a list of action verbs to add an engaging and dynamic element into your writing:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Achieved | Administered |
| Communicated | Conducted |
| Coordinated | Created |
| Documented | Educated |
| Examined | Implemented |
| Improved | Managed |
| Monitored | Performed |
| Prepared | Scheduled |
| Treated | Trained |
How To Pick the Best Dental Hygienist Resume Template
When choosing a resume template for your dental hygienist application, look for one that is clean, professional, and easy to read. Avoid overly decorative designs, as they can distract from your qualifications. Ensure your resume is well-organized, with clearly defined sections for contact information, experience, education, and skills.
Frequently Asked Questions: Dental Hygienist Resume Examples and Advice
How do you align your resume with a dental hygienist job description?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 9% increase in growth for dental hygienist occupations between 2023 and 2033. While there's no shortage of opportunities on the open market, still align your resume with each role you apply for. This shows the hiring manager you have a genuine interest in the position and you're the ideal fit for the dental practice's culture.
What's the difference between a Dental Hygienist CV and a Dental Hygienist resume example?
The key difference between a Dental Hygienist CV and a Dental Hygienist resume example is the level of detail. A CV is typically more comprehensive, listing all relevant experience and achievements, whereas a resume example is more concise, focusing only on the most relevant information for a particular job. The CV can also include academic background and research work, while a resume is usually more focused on professional experience and key accomplishments.
What is the best dental hygienist resume format?
Reverse chronological is the ideal format for dental hygienist resumes. This approach places your most recent work history towards the top of your document, allowing the hiring manager to quickly see your clinical achievements. A combination format should only be considered for entry-level job seekers who need to compensate for a lack of work experience by prioritizing skills, certifications, and education.
Expert advice:
Include a cover letter with your resume
Once you’ve completed your resume, consider pairing it with a strong cover letter to further increase your odds of landing the interview. Although most dental hygienist job applications won’t require a cover letter, crafting one provides an additional opportunity to convey your passion for dental care and your genuine interest in the position.
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Executive Resume Writer and Career Coach
Andrew Stoner is an executive career coach and resume writer with 17 years of experience as a hiring manager and operations leader at two Fortune 500 Financial Services companies, and as the career services director at two major university business schools.
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