Embarking on the job hunt, you've likely realized that a stellar orthodontic dental assistant cover letter can be your ticket to standing out. Don't just echo your resume; give life to your proudest professional moment in a story that captures your unique qualifications. Striking a balance between formality and genuine interest without falling into clichés is key, all within the concise space of one page. Let's dive into crafting a cover letter that bridges the gap between you and your dream dental practice.
- Step your best foot forward in the orthodontic dental assistant cover letter introduction;
- Be inspired by other professionals' certified cover letters;
- Structure your orthodontic dental assistant cover letter to feature what matters most;
- Close off your orthodontic dental assistant cover letter to make a memorable impression on recruiters.
But where to start writing? Upload your resume into Enhancv's AI, which will prepare your orthodontic dental assistant cover letter (all you need to do is personalize it, and you'll be good to go).
If the orthodontic dental assistant 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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Orthodontic Dental Assistant cover letter example
Charlotte May
Houston, Texas
+1-(234)-555-1234
help@enhancv.com
- Alignment with Clinic Values: The cover letter highlights the candidate's understanding of the clinic's commitment to high standards of sanitation and patient education, showing a direct match between the applicant’s abilities and the job’s requirements.
- Quantifiable Achievements: Mentioning a specific achievement, like reducing infection risk by 30%, provides concrete evidence of the candidate's impact in previous roles, demonstrating the capacity to bring tangible benefits to the potential employer.
- Skills Match: Emphasizing key skills such as patient education and meticulous attention to detail, which are integral in an orthodontic assistant role, directly addresses the in-demand skills set that the employer is likely looking for.
The must-have sections and format of your orthodontic dental assistant cover letter
When writing your orthodontic dental assistant cover letter, keep in mind that it'll only be read by the recruiters and not the Applicant Tracker System (or software used to assess your profile). That's why you should structure your content with a/an:
- Header (apart from your contact information, include your name, the role you're applying for, and the date);
- Personalized salutation;
- Opening paragraph to win the recruiters over;
- Middle paragraph with key details;
- Closing that starts from clichés;
- Sign off (that's not mandatory).
Industry standards dictate your paragraphs to be single-spaced and to wrap your content in a one-inch margin. Designing your orthodontic dental assistant cover letter, refer to one of our templates, which automatically takes care of the spacing and margins.
Choose the same font for your orthodontic dental assistant cover letter as you did for your resume: the likes of Lato and Bitter would help you to stand out in a sea of cover letters in Arial or Times New Roman.
Export your whole orthodontic dental assistant cover letter from our builder in PDF to keep the same formatting and image quality.
The top sections on a orthodontic dental assistant cover letter
- Header: Includes your contact information, the date, and the employer's details; it establishes the formality of the letter and ensures the recruiter can easily identify and contact you for a follow-up.
- Greeting: Addresses the hiring manager or the dental practice owner directly if possible; this shows you have taken the time to personalize your application and demonstrates professionalism.
- Introduction: Briefly mentions your relevant experience as an orthodontic dental assistant, captures the employer's attention, and outlines why you are interested in this specific role at their practice.
- Body: Highlights specific skills such as proficiency in dental software, chairside assisting, taking orthodontic records, preparing and sterilizing instruments, and providing patient care, which are integral to the orthodontic assistant role.
- Closing: Reiterates your enthusiasm for the position, invites the hiring manager to review your attached resume, and includes a polite call to action prompting them to schedule an interview, signaling your proactive approach.
Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter
Proficiency in Dental Terminology and Orthodontic Procedures: Understanding the specialized language and techniques specific to orthodontics is crucial for efficient communication with both the orthodontist and the patients.
Experience with Orthodontic Instruments and Appliances: Familiarity with handling braces, retainers, and other corrective devices showcases the ability to assist effectively during procedures.
Excellent Chairside Manner: Being able to put patients at ease, especially children and teenagers who are common orthodontic patients, is essential for successful treatment and a positive office environment.
Attention to Detail and Precision: Orthodontics requires exact measurements and adjustments, so a keen eye for detail ensures that the treatment is carried out correctly.
Radiology Certification Specific to Orthodontics: Being certified to take and process dental X-rays, particularly those used in orthodontics such as cephalometric and panoramic radiographs, is often a required skill.
Sterilization and Infection Control Awareness: As with any dental practice, but especially in the long-term nature of orthodontic treatment, adhering to strict infection control protocols to ensure patient and staff safety is imperative.
The orthodontic dental assistant cover letter salutation: how to address hiring managers
After covering the format of your orthodontic dental assistant 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 [Practice Name] Team,
- Dear [Department Name] Manager,
- Dear Ms./Mr. [Last Name],
- Dear Members of the [Practice Name] Selection Committee,
How to start your orthodontic dental assistant cover letter introduction
The opening paragraph of your orthodontic dental assistant cover letter can seem like a real enigma.
Where do you start writing?
In your orthodontic dental assistant cover letter introduction, focus on yourself by stating what:
- gets you motivated and excited about the role;
- you like best about the company, from culture to awards.
Write no more than two sentences, which are both authentic and show your enthusiasm for the opportunity.
Storytelling in the middle (or body) of your orthodontic dental assistant cover letter
You've got your whole resume sorted, detailing your achievements and skills. What else can you write in your orthodontic dental assistant cover letter?
For starters, take the time to re-assess the job requirements and re-discover the most crucial skills and requirements (or keywords).
After making a list of these important keywords, look back on your experience to select just one of your past accomplishments.
Choose the achievement that is the most noteworthy, relevant to the role, and matches the required skills.
Use the next between three and six paragraphs to narrate how:
- you've grown your skill set, thanks to your achievement;
- you'd use the know-how you've gained in your new role;
- your accomplishment could help your potential employers grow.
Remember that recruiters don't need a retelling of your whole resume, but want to find out what makes you, you.
Final words: writing your orthodontic dental assistant cover letter closing paragraph
The final paragraph of your orthodontic dental assistant cover letter allows you that one final chance to make a great first impression.
Instead of going straight to the "sincerely yours" ending, you can back up your skills with a promise of:
- how you see yourself growing into the role;
- the unique skills you'd bring to the organization.
Whatever you choose, always be specific (and remember to uphold your promise, once you land the role).
If this option doesn't seem that appealing to you, close off your orthodontic dental assistant cover letter with a follow-up request.
You could even provide your availability for interviews so that the recruiters would be able to easily arrange your first meeting.
Lacking experience: here's how to write your orthodontic dental assistant cover letter
As a candidate with no experience, it's important to be honest from the get-go of your application.
Use your orthodontic dental assistant cover letter to sell your unique talents. Choose an accomplishment from your academic background or your volunteer work to show the skills that are relevant to the role.
Focus on your career objectives and how you see the job to align with them. Be specific and, at the same time, realistic about where you picture yourself in five years.
Key takeaways
Your orthodontic dental assistant cover letter is your best shot at standing out by showing your motivation and the unique skills you'd bring to the job:
- Chose no more than one achievement, which you'd be talking about in the body of your orthodontic dental assistant cover letter, by focusing on skills and outcomes;
- Address recruiters with their first or last name, or "Dear Hiring Manager" in your orthodontic dental assistant cover letter greeting;
- Introduce in no more than two sentences what makes your profile unique (perhaps it's your motivation, enthusiasm, or appreciation of the company you're applying for);
- Select the same font you have used in your resume (avoid Times New Roman and Arial, as most candidates tend to invest in them);
- Close your orthodontic dental assistant cover letter with a promise of how you see yourself growing in the company and the benefits you'd bring about.
