Dental Hygienist
Best for senior and mid-level candidates
Resume Builder
Like this template? Customize this resume and make it your own with the help of our Al-powered suggestions, accent colors, and modern fonts.
Build my resume
As a dental hygienist, it can be a challenge to determine what to include in your career docs, from how to highlight your accomplishments within the dental office when creating a cover letter to how to properly format your resume to attract the attention of a recruiter or hiring manager.
We’ve evaluated hundreds of dental hygienist resumes from all experience levels and responsibilities. We learned what works to help you get more interviews in 2024 and created seven dental hygienist resume samples to help you build a resume that wows.
Copy this text for your dental hygienist resume!
Ashley Doyle, RDH
Dental Hygienist
CONTACT
[email protected]
(123) 456-7890
Seattle, WA
CAREER OBJECTIVE
Empathetic dental hygienist specializing in delivering optimal patient care with 12 years of experience. Leveraging high proficiency of modern dental practices (digital radiography, soft tissue management, etc.) with strong interpersonal communication skills that builds rapport with diverse populations, I am eager to join West Valley Dental to improve the patient experience and clinic growth.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Dental Hygienist
Jai Shin DDS
2016 – current / Seattle, WA
– Provide dental care services to 10+ patients daily, meeting the clinic’s high standards of patient satisfaction.
– Identify oral health issues, advise patients on dental hygiene, and assist in dental periodontal and pathology assessments, including fluoride treatments and whitening services.
– Prepare local anesthesia and assist with oral surgeries and extractions 3 times per week.
– Awarded Employee of the Year for efforts in increasing patient satisfaction from 87% to 93% in 2018.
Dental Hygienist
Metropolitan Dental
2012 – 2016 / Seattle, WA
– Treated 8 patients daily, providing exams, teeth cleanings, and scheduling follow-up appointments with friendly customer service that followed patient safety and privacy protocols.
– Maintained and sterilized dental equipment, and mixed amalgams, cements, silicates, and other materials.
– Cleaned calcareous deposits, accretions, and stains from teeth and beneath gum margins with dental instruments.
– Demonstrated competency in whitening procedures, and provided patient education to maximize results by 15% with minimal sensitivity.
Dental Hygienist
Bensonhurst Dental
2010 – 2012 / Seattle, WA
– Treated 8 patients daily including patient assessment, treatment planning and explanation, executing dental hygiene/periodontal treatment, and scheduling follow-up appointments.
– Evaluated clinical findings and dental records to assist in patient plans, helping improve overall patient oral hygiene by 17%.
– Used electronic health recording system for clinical activities, and recorded oral conditions on dental and periodontal charts.
– Adjusted treatment plans along with dentist in 30-minute meetings prior to first patient arrival each day.
EDUCATION
Associate of Arts
Dental Hygiene
North Seattle College
2008 – 2010 / Seattle, WA
SKILLS
– Compassionate
– Multi-tasking
– Oral Prophylaxis
– Teamwork
– Teeth Cleaning
– Soft Tissue Management
Why this resume works
- On your dental hygienist resume, numbers make a difference because they provide evidence for your claims.
- Try listing the number of patients you treated on a daily basis; this will inform the hiring manager of the patient volume you’ve managed and will assure them you can handle a fast-paced environment while not compromising the quality of care.
- Dental hygienists provide many services, so you want to highlight where you shine, keeping in mind your target job’s requirements.
- For example, if you know the job you’re applying to expects expertise in fluoride treatment, then be sure to include that on your dental hygienist resume, demonstrating your skills in your skills section and in your job description bullet points.
- When you’ve finished writing, don’t forget to check your resume against our AI-powered tool that will make sure you hit all the important parts.
Copy this text for your dental hygiene student resume!
Emily Turner
Dental Hygiene Intern
CONTACT
[email protected]
(123) 456-7890
Kansas City, MO
CAREER OBJECTIVE
Motivated dental hygiene student eager to contribute my acquired theoretical knowledge in a real-world setting through a dental hygiene internship at Tempmee. Committed to providing excellent patient care and working collaboratively with a team of seasoned professionals to enhance my hands-on experience.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Cashier
Family Dollar
2022 – current / Kansas City, MO
– Assisted and engaged with a diverse customer base enhancing customer service by 44%
– Maintained a high level of accuracy in financial transactions, which improved store operations efficiency by 52%
– Organized merchandise and contributed to improving the shopping environment by 56%
– Developed problem-solving abilities when addressing inquiries and resolving issues promptly
PROJECTS
SmileGuard
Volunteer
2021
– Leveraged Guru Dental to educate community members on dental procedures, improving awareness by 44%
– Utilized CAESY Cloud to explain complex dental concepts, which increased advanced oral knowledge by 89%
– Managed the distribution of dental hygiene resources, reaching 17% more people than previous event
– Achieved a 27% increase in community participation and awareness through innovative outreach strategies
SeniorSmile
Volunteer
2020
– Conducted dental imaging services using Eaglesoft to identify and address specific issues, achieving a 44% improvement in oral health
– Administered preventive care and oral hygiene instructions, which improved residents’ overall oral health by 66%
– Championed better oral health practices, achieving a 34% reduction in dental problems
– Deployed Dexis for accurate radiographs, which led to 99% accurate dental problem diagnoses
SKILLS
– Dentrix
– Dexis
– Guru Dental
– CAESY Cloud
– axiUm
– Hygienetown
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science
Dental Hygiene
University of Missouri-Kansas City
2020 / Kansas City, MO
Why this resume works
- Capitalize on your customer service and community engagement skills, highlighting your contributions to improving oral health awareness.
- Including a detailed list of technical skills in your dental hygiene student resume, coupled with your commitment to patient care, makes you a well-rounded candidate, ready to excel in a clinical environment while serving the community.
- Use your dental hygienist cover letter to demonstrate that even though you lack paid work experience, you’ve been making the most of the time and are coming in with relevant skills.
Copy this text for your entry-level dental hygienist resume!
Cesar Cabal, RDH
Entry-Level Dental Hygienist
CONTACT
[email protected]
(123) 456-7890
Denver, CO
OBJECTIVE
Dynamic and results-driven dental hygienist graduate with a strong foundation in dental office best practices and providing superior customer service. Consistently exceed practice goals and patient satisfaction, always providing creative solutions to improve the patient experience. Ambitious and excited to embrace new challenges at Light Dental Studios, contributing to the practice’s overall success of building patient relationships that foster preventative care and lifelong dental health.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Dental Office Receptionist
Slimdental
2020 – current / Denver, CO
– Manage the front office of practice, greeting 50+ patients per day and responding to information requests.
– Implement a new filing system to streamline front office operations that is saving 6 hours per week of manual work and is improving productivity by 17%.
– Verify insurance information, collect co-pays, and inform patients of financial obligations.
– Review provider charges including dates of service, procedures, and accurately enter information in the billing software program.
– Investigate issues with past due invoices, and use proven service strategies to reduce unpaid accounts by 23%.
– Enhance professional growth by participating in 30+ hours of educational programs, in-service, and workshops a year.
Hostess
Grimaldi’s
2019 – 2020 / Denver, CO
– Welcomed and led diners to tables in a friendly manner.
– Managed reservations, calling guests for confirmation 24-48 hours prior to scheduled arrival.
– Maintained a clean and tidy lobby and hostess stand.
– Monitored restaurant flow to decrease wait times for customers by more than 5 minutes during peak hours.
– Assisted servers in busy hours by carrying drinks, clearing tables, and communicating new tables.
– Cleaned menus, wrapped silverware, answered phones, paid out to-go orders, and restocked coloring sheets, crayons, napkins, toothpicks, and mints at hostess stand.
SKILLS
– Organized
– Critical Thinking
– Teeth Cleaning
– Teamwork
– Soft Tissue Management
– Multi-tasking
EDUCATION
Associate of Arts
Dental Hygiene
Community College of Denver
2019 – 2021 / Denver, CO
Why this resume works
- Your entry-level dental hygienist resume should have a clear resume objective that indicates foundational skills and experience in your dental practice training as well as your goals and how you will support the dental office. Hiring managers want to see your enthusiasm through your resume’s objective.
- In your job descriptions, it’s great to include all applicable and transferable experience, including medical front office experience and customer service experience.
- Go beyond listing your responsibilities; focus on the results you achieved.
- Hiring managers are more interested in your “actions,” so focus your content on what you did and the results of your actions, such as process improvements and patient satisfaction.
- Sometimes when you don’t have much experience, you may want to be choosy when it comes to your resume template. There are tons of options out there, and it shouldn’t be too difficult to find an editable template that will help you fill the space on your resume.
Copy this text for your dental hygiene instructor resume!
John Mitchell
Dental Hygiene Instructor
WORK EXPERIENCE
Dental Hygiene Instructor
Case Western Reserve University
2018 – current / Cleveland, OH
– Operated DentSim to enhance student learning, resulting in a 44% improvement in student performance on clinical simulations
– Incorporated DEXIS Imaging Suite for practical demonstrations, which led to a 51% increase in comprehension of radiographic techniques
– Leveraged Blackboard Learn for course management, achieving a 32% reduction in administrative tasks
– Utilized Visible Body software for anatomical education, resulting in a 44% improvement in understanding of oral health
Registered Dental Hygienist
DentalOne Partners
2015 – 2018 / Columbus, OH
– Employed Microsoft PowerPoint for patient education that resulted in a 38% increase in patient compliance with oral hygiene recommendations
– Managed patient records with Dentrix software, leading to a 74% reduction in paperwork errors
– Used Zoom for virtual consultations, which contributed to a 57% growth in patient engagement
– Launched the use of Visible Body software for anatomical education, resulting in a 54% improvement in patient understanding of oral health
Food Server
The Cheesecake Factory
2013 – 2015 / Columbus, OH
– Demonstrated exceptional communication skills and customer service in a fast-paced environment, achieving a consistent 94% customer satisfaction rating
– Collaborated with the kitchen team to ensure precise order preparation, leading to a 33% reduction in food preparation time
– Played a key role in reducing table turnaround time by 17 by optimizing seating arrangements using OpenTable
– Implemented a drink suggestion system which increased beverage sales by 33%, enhancing the overall dining experience for guests
SKILLS
– DentSim
– DEXIS Imaging Suite
– Blackboard Learn
– Microsoft PowerPoint
– Dentrix
– Zoom
– Formlabs Form 3
– Epic Dental
– Visible Body
– Google Forms
– OpenTable
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science
Dental Hygiene
Ohio State University
2010 – 2014 / Columbus, OH
CERTIFICATIONS
Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH)
Why this resume works
- Including diverse experiences in your dental hygiene instructor resume showcases adaptability and versatility, positioning you as a well-rounded candidate for dental hygiene instruction and clinical roles.
- Moreover, mentioning achievements in improving patient understanding of oral health and other result-driven outcomes will give you an edge over other applicants.
Copy this text for your pediatric dental hygienist resume!
Danielle Oyewo, RDH
Pediatric Dental Hygienist
CONTACT
[email protected]
(123) 456-7890
San Francisco, CA
WORK EXPERIENCE
Pediatric Dental Hygienist
Fountain Pediatric Dentistry
2019 – current / San Francisco, CA
– Provide pediatric dental care to 12 pediatric patients daily.
– Serve 60+ pediatric patients with disabilities, including cerebral palsy, down syndrome, and autism, with compassion while providing an educational and fun visit.
– Identify oral health issues, advise families on dental hygiene practices to see improvements up to 97%.
– Take impressions, examine gums, clean teeth, and create treatment plans unique to patients’ needs.
Pediatric Dental Hygienist
Park Slope Dentistry
2010 – 2019 / San Francisco, CA
– Treated 8-10 pediatric patients daily, giving exams, cleanings and education to patients and guardians.
– Leveraged a positive and empathetic attitude along with behavior management training to ensure children and adolescents received top-of-the-line care.
– Ensured high-end personalized service for patients through quality care, individualized attention, and exceptional communication with patients’ parents.
– Actively participated in outreach programs for uninsured/under-insured families, and provided education on proper nutrition and oral home care, decreasing cavities and decay by 37%.
Dental Assistant
Smile Network
2008 – 2010 / San Francisco, CA
– Trained on-the-job x-ray use, preparing and sterilizing dental equipment, taking impressions for study casts, and appropriate oral hygiene strategies.
– Provided friendly front office management for 4 hours each day, greeting patients, answering phone calls, scheduling appointments, and billing insurance forms.
– Enhanced professional growth and development by participation in 100+ hours of educational programs, in-service meetings, and workshops.
– Directed children and families to exam rooms, and ensured rooms were clean and sanitized before all appointments.
SKILLS
– Oral Prophylaxis
– Collaboration
– Teeth Cleaning
– Soft Tissue Management
– Verbal Communication
– Time Management
EDUCATION
Associate of Arts
Dental Hygiene
City College of San Francisco
2006 – 2008 / San Francisco, CA
Why this resume works
- Pediatric dental hygienists work with children and adolescents while providing comprehensive communication to the patient’s parents or guardians as well. Showcase your ability to communicate with children and adults alike.
- Providing age-appropriate dental care while simultaneously having the ability to communicate with adults is important to get across in your pediatric dental hygienist resume.
- If applicable, list any patient populations that require specialized or unique training (i.e. autistic children with sensory issues) as unique specializations like this increase your work value to an employer.
Copy this text for your dental hygienist assistant resume!
Olivia Campos
Dental Hygienist Assistant
CONTACT
[email protected]
(123) 456-7890
Miami, FL
WORK EXPERIENCE
Dental Assistant
Kevin Lehman DDS
2014 – current / Miami, FL
– Collaborated with 3 dentists and 8 hygienists to treat 18-20 patients per day
– Prepared treatment areas for preventative care procedures and surgeries by sterilizing instruments, assembling equipment, and confirming patient data in charts
– Captured quality x-ray images, completed laboratory request forms, and prepare materials for impressions
– Educated patients on dental hygiene and treatment prep, increasing patient satisfaction by 32%
Dental Assistant
Joseph Lichter DDS
2012 – 2014 / Miami, FL
-Prepared for dental procedures by sterilizing tools, taking 45+ impressions for casts, and taking 100+ X-rays
-Led patients to exam rooms and conducted polite conversation, easing patient anxiety by 34%
-Networked with 50+ local dental professionals through LinkedIn to learn modern dental techniques, increasing efficiency by 36% after feedback implementation
-Fostered professional development through 200+ hours of online courses and workshops
-Gathered patient charts and updated any patient information in the database before shift end
Secretary
TLI Legal Group
2009 – 2012 / Miami, FL
-Greeted and directed clients to meeting rooms, answered questions, and directed clients to legal team members
-Fielded incoming calls, directed calls to appropriate staff across 8 lines, and took messages
-Designed schedules for 3 front office staff, reducing scheduling conflicts by 87%
-Implemented automated email system, decreasing number of missed appointments by 83%
SKILLS
– Scheduling
– Dentrix
– Time Management
– Insurance Forms
– Written Communication
– X-Rays
– Sterilization
– Patient Education
EDUCATION
High school diploma
Miami Senior High School
2002 – 2006 / Miami, FL
Why this resume works
- Dental hygienist assistants play a very important role in the dental office, and since there are only a few key differences between an assistant and a hygienist, strive for specificity when discussing your responsibilities, especially how your work helped patient care, grew the practice, or improved processes, etc.
- Hiring managers want to see how you supported patients, ensuring their safety and comfort while simultaneously securing patient satisfaction.
- Dental hygienist assistants wear many hats, so be sure to include patient care and front office responsibilities where applicable in your dental hygienist assistant resume.
- A vitally important part of a dental hygienist assistant’s job is keeping patient records up to date and accurate. Demonstrating how you did this in past roles is a quick, surefire way to demonstrate your competency.
Copy this text for your registered dental hygienist resume!
Hal Feeney, RDH
Registered Dental Hygienist
CONTACT
[email protected]
(123) 456-7890
Houston, TX
WORK EXPERIENCE
Community Healthcare Network
Registered Dental Hygienist
2019 – current / Houston, TX
– Perform screenings, preventative care, sealants, and fluoride treatments for 10+ daily.
– Assess for periodontal receding gums and signs of gum disease in geriatric patients.
– Trained 5 interns in reviewing patients’ medical history, sharpening dental instruments, and proper sterilization procedures.
– Refined clinic’s equipment maintenance process, helping save $3K in repair costs in 2020.
Henry the Dentist
Registered Dental Hygienist
2017 – 2019 / Houston, TX
– Treated 9 patients daily with patient assessment, treatment planning and explanation, dental hygiene/periodontal treatment, and scheduling follow-up appointments.
– Met with dentists to determine patient treatment and education plans, seeing a 16% decrease in periodontal disease in 2018.
– Sterilized equipment, and prepared exams rooms daily with tools needed for the first patient.
– Assisted desk with scheduling, billing, and updating charts during receptionist turnover.
Diamond Braces
Front Desk Support
2014 – 2017 / Houston, TX
– Managed the front office of a busy orthodontic practice, welcoming 80+ patients each day.
– Verified insurance, collected co-pays, and informed patients of payment information.
– Reviewed provider charges, including dates of service, procedures, and accurately entered data in the billing software.
– Investigated past due invoices, and followed up to reduce unpaid accounts by 33%.
SKILLS
– Critical Thinking
– Collaboration
– Creative
– Teeth Cleaning
– Soft Tissue Management
– Multi-tasking
EDUCATION
Houston Community College
Associate of Arts, Dental Hygiene
2012 – 2014 / Houston, TX
Why this resume works
- Highlight any leadership or training roles in your registered dental hygienist resume. Recruiters will take notice of your collaboration and leadership skills, making your resume stand out from the crowd.
- Registered Dental Hygienist resumes should not only focus on the specific techniques you use in your day-to-day but also on your focus on empathetic patient care.
- Answering questions, comforting patients, and talking to loved ones are the hard-to-quantify parts of the job that make you truly exceptional.
- Be sure to list any specific skills on your resume (i.e. patient populations, specialized dental services/technologies) that you possess that match the job description.
