Your First Dental Assistant Resume
Not sure what to put on your resume? Use this sample as your guide. We'll show you exactly what employers want to see from a new dental assistant.
Download Sample Resume (.docx)Edit it in Microsoft Word or Google Docs — just swap in your own name and details.
What to Include — Section by Section
Each section below explains what to write and shows you a real example. Follow this structure and you'll have a strong resume ready to send.
Contact Information
Put your name, phone number, email, and city/state at the very top. You don't need your full street address.
Example
Victoria Martinez (206) 555-0192 · vic.martinez@email.com · Burien, WA
Objective Statement
Write 2–3 sentences about who you are and what kind of dental office you want to work in. Keep it simple and confident.
Example
Motivated and detail-oriented dental assistant graduate seeking a full-time position in a general or pediatric dental practice. Completed Dental Assistant training through Aspire Dental Assistant Academy. Eager to contribute to a patient-focused team and grow my skills in a professional dental setting.
Education & Certification
List your Aspire training first. Include the program name, location, and the month and year you completed it. Add your high school diploma or GED below that.
Example
Dental Assistant Certificate — Aspire Dental Assistant Academy, Burien, WA (November 2026) · Hands-on clinical training: chairside assisting, X-rays, infection control, tray setups · CPR/BLS Certified (American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR) High School Diploma — Highline High School, Burien, WA (2022)
Licenses & Credentials
This section is important — don't skip it! What you list here depends on which state you trained in. See the PA and WA guidance below.
Example
FOR PENNSYLVANIA STUDENTS: If you passed your RHS (Radiologic Health & Safety) exam: · Radiologic Health & Safety (RHS) Certification — [Month Year] If your RHS exam is still in process: · Radiologic Health & Safety (RHS) Certification — In Process ────────────────────────────── FOR WASHINGTON STUDENTS: All WA graduates complete their RDA application while still in school so it is processed by graduation. List it like this: · Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) — Washington State, [Year]
Special Skills & Additional Certifications
This section can set you apart from other applicants. Include languages you speak, any other healthcare certifications you hold, and any other skills that make you a stronger candidate. Dental offices that serve diverse communities actively look for bilingual staff — if you speak another language, always list it!
Example
Languages: · Bilingual: English and Spanish (fluent) · Conversational Tagalog Additional Healthcare Certifications: · Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) — [State], [Year] · Medical Assistant Certificate — [School], [Year] · Phlebotomy Certification — [Year] · First Aid Certified — [Year] Other Skills: · Electronic health records (EHR/EMR) — Dentrix, Eaglesoft, or Open Dental · Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) · Strong patient communication and customer service · Experience working with pediatric or special needs patients Note: Only list what applies to you. Even one or two items here can make a big difference.
Clinical Skills
List the specific skills you learned at Aspire. Employers scan for these keywords — don't leave them out.
Example
· Chairside assisting (4-handed dentistry) · Dental X-rays (periapical, bitewing, panoramic) · Infection control & sterilization · Instrument tray setups · Patient intake & medical history review · Dental charting · Impression taking · HIPAA compliance · CPR/BLS certified
Work Experience
List any jobs you've had — even if they're not dental. Customer service, caregiving, retail, and food service all show that you're reliable and work well with people. Use bullet points to describe what you did.
Example
Barista — Starbucks, Burien, WA (2023–2026) · Provided friendly, fast service to 100+ customers daily · Trained 3 new team members on drink preparation and POS systems · Maintained a clean and organized workspace following health and safety standards
References
You can write 'Available upon request' or list 1–2 people who can speak to your work ethic. Ask your Aspire instructor if they're willing to be a reference — most are happy to help.
Example
Available upon request.
Quick Tips for a Strong Resume
Keep it to one page. Employers spend about 6 seconds on a first read.
Use a clean, simple font like Arial or Calibri at size 11–12.
Spell-check everything. Typos can cost you an interview.
Save it as a PDF before emailing it so the formatting stays intact.
Tailor your objective to each office you apply to — mention their name if you can.
Don't leave gaps unexplained. If you took time off for family or school, it's okay to say so briefly.
If you speak another language, put it near the top of your resume — it's a major asset in dental offices that serve diverse communities.
Ready to Build Yours?
Download the sample resume, open it in Word or Google Docs, and replace the example information with your own. It should take about 30 minutes.