Dental Assistant Resume Writing Tips

Most of the time, a dental assistant receives ‘on the job’ training and there are no courses required before submitting a dental assistant resume. However, there are states which require certification and/or licensure with their respective State Boards. Before submitting a dental assistant resume based on misleading information scattered about the web, don’t assume that there are no legal requirements in the state in which you live and intend to work. Go to the website of the state in question, or call the Department of Business and Professional Regulation for accurate information before compiling a dental assistant resume.

Dental Assistant Resume – Objective Statement

Depending on the state in which the applicant lives, and whether or not this is a first job, the objective statement at the beginning of the dental assistant resume is quite likely to be highly varied. A first time applicant in a state that allows on-the-job training might say something to the effect of, ‘To develop a career as a dental assistant whilst earning a suitable income.’ However, in states where licensing or certification is required, it might read, ‘To utilize my skills as a licensed professional dental assistant in a busy dental clinic.’

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Qualifications for a Dental Assistant Resume

Course qualifications may vary from state to state as well, based on the legal requirements of that state. In states where the applicant is allowed to train on the job, qualifications may include other jobs that dealt with the public or in other health related fields. There are times when dental assistants who give x-rays will be required, by law, to complete the examination provided by the Dental Assisting National Board, called the Radiation Health and Safety exam. Any skills that are pertinent to the duties of a dental assistant, such as the ability to give x-rays, should be listed here.

Dental Assistant Professional Experience

Professional experience is nothing more than a trendy way of saying ‘work history.’ This portion of the dental assistant resume will list any pertinent jobs beginning with the most recent. If on-the-job training is being sought, other types of customer service or health related jobs can be referenced. Be as honest and forthcoming as possible because references will be checked. Since not all states will require certification, it is not always necessary to have worked in a dental office or clinic prior to submitting a resume for employment.

Educational Requirements for a Dental Assistant Resume

Because licensure and/or certification may not be required, this is another area of the resume that will vary from state to state. Of course, even in states where it is not necessary to be licensed, there are still vocational schools and colleges that offer certification programs in dental assisting. If coursework has been completed, it will be listed here along with the degree or certificate received, the school/college where the coursework was studied, and the date of completion. Also, if a dental assistant received on-the-job training from another dental office, it can be listed here as it constitutes educational training.

According to the United States Bureau of Labor, approximately 300,000 dental assistants held jobs last year and the numbers are expected to skyrocket in the next decade. Learning to format a dental assistant resume can enable an applicant to get a job in a relatively lucrative career with a future. There are dental assistant resume samples on this site that may help interested job seekers to format a professional resume from the comfort of home. In addition, there are a great number of articles that help individuals seeking employment learn where to find job openings and how to go about submitting resumes.