Embarking on the job hunt, you've likely discovered that a polished dental hygienist cover letter is key to catching an employer's eye. It's not just a mirror of your resume; your cover letter should spotlight your crowning professional achievement, weaving it into a compelling narrative. Ensure it's a formal, concise page free of clichés to make a memorable impression. Let's unravel how to encapsulate your skills and experiences into an exceptional cover letter that stands out.
- Personalize the greeting to address the recruiter and your introduction that fits the role;
- Follow good examples for individual roles and industries from job-winning cover letters;
- Decide on your most noteworthy achievement to stand out;
- Format, download, and submit your dental hygienist cover letter, following the best HR practices.
Use the power of Enhancv's AI: drag and drop your dental hygienist resume, which will swiftly be converted into your job-winning cover letter.
If the dental hygienist isn't exactly the one you're looking for we have a plethora of cover letter examples for jobs like this one:
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Dental Hygienist cover letter example
CHARLOTTE MAY
Cincinnati, OH
+1-(234)-555-1234
help@enhancv.com
- Emphasizing practical accomplishments, such as the development and successful implementation of a personalized dental care initiative, showcases measurable results and a proactive approach to patient care.
- Including quantifiable outcomes, like the 30% increase in patient retention, provides concrete evidence of the candidate’s ability to contribute positively and significantly to a dental practice.
- Highlighting a commitment to patient education demonstrates the candidate’s understanding of the importance of preventive care and their dedication to promoting long-term oral health, which is crucial for a dental hygienist.
- Expressing eagerness to integrate into a team and contribute to its goals (“I am eager to bring my expertise to your esteemed team”) illustrates a collaborative mindset and helps create a connection with the potential employer.
What about your dental hygienist cover letter format: organizing and structuring your information
Here is one secret you should know about your dental hygienist cover letter assessment. The Applicant Tracker System (or ATS) won't analyze your cover letter.
You should thus focus on making an excellent impression on recruiters by writing consistent:
- Header
- Greeting
- Introduction
- Body paragraphs (and explanation)
- Promise or Call to action
- Signature (that's optional)
Now, let's talk about the design of your dental hygienist cover letter.
Ensure all of your paragraphs are single-spaced and have a one-inch margins on all sides (like in our cover letter templates).
Also, our cover letter builder automatically takes care of the format and comes along with some of the most popular (and modern) fonts like Volkhov, Chivo, and Bitter.
Speaking of fonts, professionals advise you to keep your dental hygienist cover letter and resume in the same typography and avoid the over-used Arial or Times New Roman.
When wondering whether you should submit your dental hygienist cover letter in Doc or PDF, select the second, as PDF keeps all of your information and design consistent.
The top sections on a dental hygienist cover letter
- Header: The header should include the dental hygienist's contact information, the date, and the employer's contact information because it establishes professionalism and makes it easy for the recruiter to know who the letter is from and how to respond.
- Introduction: This section should grab the employer's attention by briefly mentioning the hygienist's enthusiasm for the dental field and the specific position, as it sets the tone and shows genuine interest.
- Professional Experience and Skills: In this section, the dental hygienist should outline relevant clinical skills, experience with patient care, and any specialized training (such as in periodontics or pediatric dentistry) to demonstrate their competence and suitability for the job.
- Knowledge of the Practice: Discussing familiarity with the specific dental practice's philosophy, community involvement, or the types of services they offer shows that the candidate has done their research and is particularly interested in this workplace.
- Closing and Call to Action: The cover letter should end with a polite closing statement, a reiteration of the candidate's interest in the position, and a call to action, encouraging the employer to schedule an interview, showing eagerness and readiness to move forward in the hiring process.
Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter
- Proficiency in dental hygiene practices: Recruiters look for candidates who can demonstrate up-to-date knowledge and skills in dental cleaning, periodontal therapy, and other preventive oral care techniques.
- Strong communication skills: Effective communication is essential for educating patients on oral health practices, explaining procedures, and building rapport to ensure a comfortable patient experience.
- Detail-oriented: Dental hygienists must be meticulous in their work, as precise cleaning and thorough examination are critical for identifying issues such as cavities or gum disease early on.
- Experience with dental software and digital charting: Being familiar with the latest dental technology and software for record keeping shows that a candidate is adept at maintaining accurate patient records.
- Compassion and good chair-side manner: Hygienists should be able to provide care with patience and empathy, particularly when dealing with anxious patients or those in discomfort.
- Time management skills: The ability to efficiently manage appointments and perform cleanings and examinations within allotted time slots is crucial to keep the dental office running smoothly.
The dental hygienist cover letter salutation: how to address hiring managers
After covering the format of your dental hygienist cover letter, let's look at the salutation.
Back in the day, the cordial "To whom it may concern" or "Dear Sir/Madam", might have worked out fine.
But, nowadays, your cover letter should approach hiring managers on a more personal basis.
So, what to do about your cover letter salutation?
If you've messaged the recruiters and are on a first name basis or a more formal one, use the hiring manager's name in the greeting (e.g. "Dear Sophie," "Dear Ms. Givens", or "Dear Mr. Everett,").
Always aim to make the effort to find out the name of the hiring manager, who'd be assessing your application. Search on LinkedIn, double-check the advert on the corporate website, or message the brand on social media to find out more about the role.
If you can't find the hiring manager's name (and still want to sound professional), use "Dear HR Team,", "Dear Hiring Manager,", or the likes.
List of salutations you can use
- Dear Hiring Manager,
- Dear Dr. [Last Name],
- Dear [Clinic or Practice Name] Team,
- Dear Ms. [Last Name],
- Dear Mr. [Last Name],
- Dear Members of the [Department Name] Department,
Introducing your profile to catch recruiters' attention in no more than two sentences
The introduction of your dental hygienist cover letter is a whole Catch 22 .
You have an allocated space of no more than just a paragraph (of up to two sentences). With your introduction, you have to stand out and show why you're the best candidate out there.
Set out on a journey with your dental hygienist cover letter by focusing on why you're passionate about the job. Match your personal skills and interests to the role.
Another option for your dental hygienist cover letter introduction is to show you're the ideal candidate. Write about how your achievements and skills are precisely what the company is looking for.
However you decide to start your dental hygienist cover letter, always remember to write about the value you'd bring about. Making it both tangible (with your metrics of success) and highly sought out.
How to write an achievement-focused dental hygienist cover letter body
We've got the intro and greeting covered. Now, comes the most definitive part of your dental hygienist cover letter - the body.
In the next three to six paragraphs, you'd have to answer why should recruiters hire you.
What better way to do this than by storytelling?
And, no, you don't need a "Once upon a time" or "I started from the bottom and made it to the top" career-climbing format to tell a compelling narrative.
Instead, select up to three most relevant skills for the job and look back on your resume.
Find an achievement, that you're proud of, which has taught you these three job-crucial skills.
Quantify your accomplishment, using metrics, and be succinct in the way you describe it.
The ultimate aim would be to show recruiters how this particular success has built up your experience to become an invaluable candidate.
Closing paragraph basics: choose between a promise and a call to action
You've done all the hard work - congratulations! You've almost reached the end of your dental hygienist cover letter.
But how do you ensure recruiters, who have read your application this far, remember you?
Most dental hygienist professionals end their cover letter with a promise - hinting at their potential and what they plan on achieving if they're hired.
Another option would be to include a call for follow-up, where you remind recruiters that you're very interested in the opportunity (and look forward to hearing from them, soon).
Choose to close your dental hygienist cover letter in the way that best fits your personality.
Is it beneficial to mention that you have no experience in your dental hygienist cover letter?
Lacking professional experience isn't the end of the world for your dental hygienist cover letter.
Just be honest that you may not have had roles in the industry, but bring about so much more.
Like, your transferable skills, attained thanks to your whole work and life experience (e.g. the skills your summer spent working abroad taught you).
Or, focus on what makes you, you, and that one past success that can help you stand out and impress recruiters (think of awards you've attained and how they've helped you become a better professional).
Alternatively, write about your passion and drive to land the job and the unique skill set you would bring to enhance the workplace culture.
Key takeaways
Creating your dental hygienist cover letter should be a personalized experience for the role and the recruiter, where you:
- Format your cover letter using the same ATS-friendly font (e.g. Railway) as you did for your resume;
- Greet recruiters, using their name, and follow up with two sentences to introduce yourself, your interest in the role, and to stand out;
- Map out one key success from your career (or life) that has taught you job-crucial skills;
- Substitute your lack of experience with an achievement from your internships, degrees, or volunteering gigs;
- End with a promise for your potential or your availability for an interview.
