Essential Resume Tips Every Dental Assistant Needs to Know
Your resume is more than just a document—it's your professional first impression. Before a hiring manager picks up the phone or invites you for an interview, they’ve already judged your skills, attitude, and attention to detail… all based on that one or two pages of paper (or PDF).
But what if your resume is turning people off without you realizing it?
Whether you're fresh out of dental assisting school or have years of experience, it's easy to make subtle resume mistakes that send the wrong message. Here’s how to fix them—and start getting the attention you deserve.
1. You're Still Including Your Full Address
If your resume starts with something like:
1738 Etch Street, Apt #2B, San Jose, CA 93301
…it’s time to update your approach.
Why it’s a problem: Including your full mailing address is outdated and potentially a privacy risk. Plus, no one is going to mail you a job offer.
What to do instead:
Just include your City, State, Phone Number, Email, and LinkedIn URL (more on that below). Like this:
San Jose, CA | (555) 123-4567 | janedoe@email.com | LinkedIn.com/in/janedoe
2. Ditch the Selfie: Take Your Picture OFF Your Resume
In the U.S., resumes should not include your photo. This isn’t Europe, and you’re not applying to be a model.
Why it’s a problem: Including a headshot on your resume can introduce unconscious bias and may actually cause your resume to be tossed out—especially in HR-compliant practices.
What to do instead: Save the photo for your LinkedIn profile, where it’s expected—and where a professional, smiling headshot can help build trust.
3. Your LinkedIn Is Weak—or Missing
Your resume is the invitation. Your LinkedIn is the follow-up conversation.
If your resume doesn’t link to an up-to-date LinkedIn profile, you’re missing a massive opportunity. Even if the office doesn’t look you up, a recruiter might.
Quick fixes for a strong LinkedIn:
- Use a professional headshot (no car selfies!).
- Add a clear headline: “Bilingual Dental Assistant | Focused on Patient Comfort | Experience in General & Pediatric Dentistry.”
- Include all relevant experience, skills, certifications, and a short summary of who you are.
- Make your LinkedIn URL custom and clean, like:
- linkedin.com/in/janedoeRDA
Your headline and photo are part of your personal brand—don't overlook them.
4. You're Listing Every Job You’ve Ever Had
Worked at a smoothie bar in 2012? Babysat your neighbor’s kids?
Unless it's relevant to the job you’re applying for—or helps explain a gap—cut it.
Outdated experience (especially non-dental roles from years ago) can clutter your resume and distract from your real strengths.
Stick to:
- Relevant dental assisting roles
- Dental-related internships/externships
- Certifications, skills, and achievements
Less is more.
5. You’re Using Too Many Bullet Points
Every dental assistant has a long list of duties—but your resume shouldn’t look like a checklist.
Why it’s a problem: Overwhelming blocks of bullets make it hard to quickly scan your resume. The reader may skim (or skip) important info.
Fix it:
Limit yourself to 3–5 bullet points per job. Focus on impact, not just tasks.
✅ Do this:
XYZ Dental Clinic – Dental Assistant
- Supported dentist in 20+ procedures weekly using four-handed dentistry
- Maintained 100% sterilization compliance
- Streamlined patient intake, cutting wait time by 15 minutes
❌ Don’t do this:
- Set up trays
- Took x-rays
- Called patients
- Filed charts
- Cleaned rooms
- Stocked supplies
- Answered phones
- Scheduled patients
- Verified insurance
- Ordered gloves
- …you get the idea.
6. Your Resume Lacks a Clean, Modern Look
If your resume still looks like it was made in Word 2002, it’s time for an upgrade.
A modern resume should be:
- Easy to read
- Clean, with plenty of white space
- Simple fonts (like Arial or Calibri)
- Organized with clear sections: Summary, Experience, Skills, Education, Certifications
Bonus Tip: Use a template from Canva, Zety, or even Google Docs to keep things fresh and professional.
7. You’re Describing Duties, Not Achievements
Everyone assists the dentist. What sets you apart?
Focus on how well you did your job, not just what you did.
✅ Strong example:
“Improved patient recall system, increasing hygiene bookings by 25%.”
❌ Weak example:
“Called patients to confirm appointments.”
Show impact.
8. You’re Not Including the Right Keywords
More offices than ever use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter resumes. If your resume lacks important terms, it may never even reach a human.
Include phrases like:
- Dental radiographs
- Four-handed dentistry
- HIPAA compliance
- Eaglesoft / Dentrix
- Infection control
- Chairside assisting
These aren’t just buzzwords—they’re keywords that make your resume searchable and relevant.
9. You're Overlooking Soft Skills
Being a great dental assistant means balancing tech skills with empathy and adaptability.
Highlight how you support the people, not just the procedures.
✅ “Known for helping anxious patients feel at ease.”
✅ “Frequently praised by patients for calm, clear communication.”
✅ “Able to manage front office and back office needs simultaneously.”
10. You Didn’t Proofread
Last but not least: Spelling matters. Grammar matters. Sloppy writing makes hiring managers wonder if you're also sloppy chairside.
Don’t just rely on spellcheck:
- Read it out loud
- Ask a friend to proofread
- Use Grammarly or Hemingway for clarity
Final Thoughts: Make Your Resume Work FOR You
Your resume should be a confident, clear snapshot of your capabilities—not a cluttered summary of everything you’ve ever done. If it's outdated, disorganized, or full of fluff, it may be keeping you from your next opportunity.
✅ Quick Resume Checklist for Dental Assistants:
No photoCity + State only, not full address
Updated LinkedIn link (with picture + headline)
Only relevant jobs, trimmed for clarity
3–5 strong bullet points per role
Clean, modern formatting
Results-focused language
Soft + hard skills balanced
ATS-friendly keywords
Proofread and typo-free
Need help crafting your perfect dental assistant resume?
Join the Dental Assistants ROCK Facebook group where we share templates, give peer feedback, and help each other grow.
Because when you look good on paper—you open doors in real life. 🦷✨