Dental Hygienist Resume Example
Also known as: RDH, Registered Dental Hygienist, Oral Health Specialist, Dental Therapist
About This Dental Hygienist Resume
With more than 200,000 dental hygienists working across the U.S., having a resume that sparkles is more crucial than ever to stand out. Dental offices increasingly use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to analyze resume text, looking for exact keywords corresponding to job descriptions. Your resume should highlight clinical proficiency, patient education skills, and commitment to preventive oral health.
Key Skills to Include
Hard Skills
Soft Skills
Technical Skills
Essential—Skills marked with a star are most important for this role
How to Write This Resume
Follow these 5 steps to create a compelling resume
Use reverse-chronological format so recruiters see your latest achievements first. Keep to one page as hiring managers often have many resumes to review. Use chronological resume layout with legible fonts. Save as PDF unless specifically requested as Word document. Keep formatting simple for ATS compatibility.
Include license, years of experience, and patient care philosophy. Highlight your approach to creating comfortable, anxiety-free experiences. Balance hard skills with soft skills like patient rapport and teamwork.
Example
Registered Dental Hygienist with 4+ years providing comprehensive preventive care. Skilled in periodontal therapy and patient education with focus on creating comfortable, anxiety-free experiences. Increased patient retention by 25% through personalized oral health education.
Detail specific procedures: prophylaxis, scaling and root planing, radiographs, sealants, local anesthesia administration, and nitrous oxide if certified. Include 8-12 skills even for entry-level positions. List dental software experience prominently.
Numbers make a difference because they provide evidence for your claims. List the number of patients you treat daily to inform the hiring manager of the patient volume you've managed. Include patient satisfaction metrics and retention rates.
Example
Provide preventive care for 10-12 patients daily, maintaining 98% patient satisfaction and contributing to 25% increase in patient retention.
RDH licensure is required and should be prominently displayed. Include license number and any expanded function certifications like local anesthesia, nitrous oxide, or laser therapy. Show commitment to staying current through continuing education.
Pro Tips
Expert advice to make your resume stand out
Highlight License Prominently
RDH licensure is required. Include license number and any expanded function certifications. This is often the first filter for hiring managers.
Show Technology Skills
List dental software (Dentrix, Eaglesoft, Open Dental) and digital radiography experience prominently. Technology proficiency is increasingly important.
Emphasize Patient Rapport
Ability to calm anxious patients and build relationships is highly valued by dentists. Mention techniques you use and patient satisfaction results.
Quantify Patient Volume
Include daily patient numbers (e.g., "10-12 patients daily") to show efficiency and ability to manage busy schedules while maintaining quality.
Include Continuing Education
Show commitment to staying current with latest techniques and technologies. List relevant CE courses and certifications.
Make It ATS-Friendly
Include relevant keywords from job descriptions, avoid complex formatting, use standard section labels, and keep formatting simple.
Remember
These tips are guidelines, not rules. Adapt them to your unique experience and the specific job you are applying for.
Tools to Help You Succeed
Use our AI-powered tools to optimize your Dental Hygienist resume
Frequently Asked Questions
Only if you're a recent graduate with a strong GPA (3.5+). Experienced hygienists should focus on professional accomplishments and patient outcomes.