Dentist Resume Example, Tips & Tricks


The future is bright for dentists. This expansive sector is set to grow by 6% between 2021 and 2031. If you’re hoping to land your next role, you need a dentist resume that illustrates your knowledge, passion, and skills. In the following guide, we explain how to write your resume, the hard and soft skills you should include, and examples of what to include.

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If you’re looking for your next challenge, you’ve come to the right place. Here at TopResume, we have everything you need to support your career progression. In the following guide, we will be taking a look at how to write a Dentist resume, examples of what you should include in a couple of the resume sections, and some handy tips and tricks. 

How to write a resume

If you’re about to apply for some of the top dentistry roles, you need to make sure that your resume hits the mark. It may have been a while since you upgraded this document. So, before you start working on it, you could do with a quick writing refresh. We’ve got you covered. So, here are some of the top tips you can use when writing a dentist resume: 


Get the tone right 

Dentistry is a highly competitive field, and so you need to win over the hiring manager. The language that you use in your resume should reflect your professional persona. Using formal language is always the way to go. It gets you off on the right foot with the reader. However, you should avoid packing your resume with medical-centric jargon. Keep in mind that recruiters may not have in-depth knowledge of the industry and may be put off by this.


Tailor your dentist resume

Are you using a one-size-fits-all approach? When writing your dentist resume, it’s important to tailor the document to the company. Spend some time researching the business so that you meet the recruiter’s needs. For example, if the company specializes in a certain type of dental treatment, do you have skills to match that? Placing them front and center on your resume is a quick way to get ahead. 


Optimize your resume for the ATS 

75% of job applications are never seen by a human recruiter. Why? Because the majority of companies now use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter incoming resumes. The software ranks resumes by how well they meet the job criteria, giving the recruiter a short-list in a matter of seconds. If you want to pass the test, you need to optimize your resume for the ATS. You can do this by including keywords and phrases in the document.


Employment history example


Dentist, 6/2013 – Present, ABC Dentistry, Hebron, KY

  • Direct business operations and patient care for this private practice focused on high-end cosmetic and general

  • dentistry. Manage up to seven team members, including dental and support staff. Perform a range of procedures,

  • including providing teeth whitening, inlays and onlays, porcelain veneers, implants, bridges, and crowns.

  • Consult with patients to assess needs and determine appropriate procedures to provide long-term results.

  • Selected accomplishments:

  • Grew practice to $1M+ in revenue due to exceptional patient care and world-class services.


Staff Dentist, 4/2006 – 5/2013, Buttermilk Family Dentistry, Fort Mitchell, KY

  • Provided a range of treatments to patients, including general dentistry, minor oral surgery, implant placement

  • and restoration. Demonstrated high level of compassion and communicated effectively with patients to explain

  • procedures, outcomes, and aftercare. Served as sole associate dentist during first year of operations.


Selected accomplishments:

  • Spearheaded implementation of new audits and study days to drive improvements to quality of service.

  • Introduced new laboratory that allowed for reduction in lab costs to patients and dental center.


Key hard & soft skills for dentists

When you’re writing your dentist resume, your skills section needs to be robust. To win over a potential employer, you’re going to need a mixture of both hard and soft skills. 


Hard skills for dentist resumes

Hard skills apply directly to the job, such as “using fluoride treatments,” while soft skills tend to be transferable, like “communication”. You need to show the hiring manager that you have what it takes to be a dentist. Here are some of the hard skills you can include: 

  • Surgical molar extractions

  • Using fluoride treatments

  • Taking X-rays for patients 

  • Complete and partial dentures

  • IV sedation or local anesthetics

  • Botox administration

  • Treatment plan development

  • CEREC restorations

  • Gingival graft surgery

  • Surgical molar extractions

  • Tissue augmentation or dermal fillers

  • Composite restorations

  • Patient consultations or exams

Consider the core competencies you picked up when you were studying dentistry. These skills are likely to make up the foundation of your application. When you list them in your skills section, you show the hiring manager that you have a wealth of technical know-how. 


Soft skills for dentist resumes

While you can choose to only include hard skills on your dentist resume, you may want to throw in some soft skills too. These are the dazzling talents that help you get the job done, collaborate with your coworkers, and keep your patients happy. It’s about your bedside manner, how you communicate, and your intrapersonal skills. Here are some examples: 

  • Good communication 

  • Attention to detail

  • Problem solving 

  • Intrapersonal skills 

  • Compassion and empathy

  • Teamwork 

  • Time management 

  • Leadership 

  • Active listening 

  • Patience

  • Critical thinking 

Of course, you don’t have to weave all of the above into your dentistry resume. However, including a few of these soft skills for dentists could seal the deal when it comes to landing an interview. Think about the talents that best help you to do your job. For example, if you’ve been told that you’re a whiz when it comes to putting patients at ease, say so.


Summary & last words


Creating a dentist resume that turns recruiters’ heads is vital to your success. If you want to beat the competition and give yourself the best chance to get hired, it’s worth working with a skilled resume writer. Allowing an expert to take the reins frees up your time, giving you the opportunity to start looking for dentistry jobs. At TopResume, our team will get to know your professional history on a deeper level and produce a winning dentist resume.


Introduction to TopResume: Professional resume writers


When you’re climbing the career ladder, it can be a major advantage to have a helpful hand. Here at TopResume, our team of professional resume writers can help you land more interviews and get hired faster. 

We’ve assisted more than a million job-seekers in their career progression and in reaching their long-term goals. No matter what stage you’re at in your professional life, we have a resume services package tailored to your needs. 

Looking for some professional growth? The starter package is the right choice for you. Our team offers an expertly written and keyword-optimized resume that sets you apart from the competition. The next step up is the premium package, giving you everything you need to aid your job search, including a professional resume, cover letter, and more. 

Alternatively, if you’re set on getting ahead quickly, you can try the ultimate package. We offer a well crafted resume, expert cover letter, and LinkedIn profile, all of which will be created by an executive writer. 

Introduction to TopResume: Professional resume writers

When you’re climbing the career ladder, it can be a major advantage to have a helpful hand. Here at TopResume, our team of professional resume writers can help you land more interviews and get hired faster. 

We’ve assisted more than a million job-seekers in their career progression and in reaching their long-term goals. No matter what stage you’re at in your professional life, we have a resume services package tailored to your needs. 

Looking for some professional growth? The starter package is the right choice for you. Our team offers an expertly written and keyword-optimized resume that sets you apart from the competition. The next step up is the premium package, giving you everything you need to aid your job search, including a professional resume, cover letter, and more. 

Alternatively, if you’re set on getting ahead quickly, you can try the ultimate package. We offer a well crafted resume, expert cover letter, and LinkedIn profile, all of which will be created by an executive writer. 

Why you should make use of our resume writing services to land your next job as a dentist


We won’t beat around the bush — searching for new jobs can be challenging. If you want to take all of the hassle out of this process, using a resume writing service is the answer. Working with a team of experts to get an optimized, well-written resume could make all of the difference to your job search. It has never been more important to “wow” recruiters quickly when applying for jobs. Investing in this part of the process is an easy win. 



Resume writing service for dentists: Let us write your resume


Choosing the right writing service for your resume doesn’t have to be hard. Our experts have a wealth of experience in the medical industry and can help you quickly navigate this difficult process. We speak recruiters’ language. Our team understands how to seamlessly tell your career story in a way that piques hiring managers’ interest. When you choose to work with us, we will go to great lengths to understand your professional history and convey it to potential employers. Allow us to help you land your next dentistry position.


Who are the TopResume writers?


Billie J.

Senior Resume Writer



Briefcase Icon 4+ years of experience
Graduation Cap Bachelor of Arts in Humanities and Classical Studies



Billie is a passionate writer whose mission is to write impactful resumes to support career growth, evolution, and transition targets. Billie’s love of the written word spans her entire life, and she enjoys utilizing that passion to empower successful career transitions.


Traci K.

Senior Resume Writer



Briefcase Icon 10+ years of experience
Graduation Cap Master of Arts in English



Traci has a Master of Arts in English and has been writing since middle school. After spending several years in marketing, she used her writing skills and corporate knowledge to help job seekers put their best foot forward and achieve their career goals.

Jeremy Z.

Senior Resume Writer



Briefcase Icon 15+ Years of Experience
Graduation Cap Bachelor of Arts in English and Business Writing



Jeremy has helped 6K+ clients gain the confidence to apply for and get their dream jobs. His educational background in English and business writing and dedication to supporting clients’ needs inspire him to deliver top-tier career support.

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