Crafting a CV that effectively highlights your meticulous attention to detail and patient care skills can be a daunting task as a dental hygienist. Our guide provides you with tailored tips and examples to showcase your qualifications and experience, ensuring your application stands out to potential employers.
- Applying the simplest CV design, so that recruiters can easily understand your expertise, skills, and professional background;
- Ensuring you stand out with your header, summary or objective statement, and a designated skills section;
- Creating your CV experience section - no matter how much expertise you have;
- Using real life professional CV examples to enhance the structure and outline of your profile.
If you still have no muse to write your professional CV, find some more industry-leading examples.
Formatting your dental hygienist CV to meet the role expectations
Staring at the blank page for hours on end, you still have no idea how you should start your professional dental hygienist CV. Should you include more colours, two columns, and which sections? What you should remember about your CV format is this - ensure it's minimalistic and doesn't go over the top with fancy fonts and many colours. Instead, focus on writing consistent content that actually answers the job requirements. But, how about the design itself :- Use the reverse chronological order to showcase your experience, starting with your most recent role;
- Include your contact details (email address, phone number, and location) - and potentially your professional photo - in the header;
- Must-have CV sections include summary or objective, experience, education, and skills: curate the ones that fit your profile;
- Your professional dental hygienist CV should be between one-to-two pages long: select the longer format if you have more experience.
A little bit more about your actual CV design, ensure you're using:
- plenty of serif or sans serif font (e.g. Montserrat, Exo 2, Volkhov) as they are Applicant Tracker System (ATS) compliant. Avoid the likes of Arial and Times New Roman because most candidates' CVs are in this typography.
When submitting your CV, are you still not sure what format it should be? Despite the myth that has been circling around, most modern ATS systems are perfectly capable of reading PDFs. This format is an excellent choice as it keeps all of your information intact.
PRO TIP
Use font size and style strategically to create a visual hierarchy, drawing the reader's eye to the most important information first (like your name and most recent job title).
The top sections on a dental hygienist CV
- Professional Summary showcases your career highlights and unique skills.
- Dental Hygiene Licensing confirms your legal qualification to practice.
- Clinical Experience outlines your work history within dental practices.
- Dental Hygiene Skills highlights your technical abilities and patient care expertise.
- Education and Training details your academic background and specialty courses.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Highlight relevant educational qualifications, including your degree in dental hygiene or dental therapy from an accredited institution, ensuring you mention any specialised coursework or training such as periodontal therapy or paediatric dentistry.
- Emphasise your proficiency in clinical skills, including teeth cleaning, applying fluoride treatments, taking and developing dental radiographs, and assisting in the management of oral health diseases.
- Detail your experience with patient care, focusing on your ability to build rapport, educate patients on proper oral hygiene practices, and your gentle and effective approach to dental procedures.
- Include any additional certifications you hold, such as in local anaesthesia, nitrous oxide sedation, or CPR, which demonstrate your commitment to providing a comprehensive care experience.
- Outline your familiarity with dental software and digital charting, as well as any experience you have with the latest dental hygiene technologies, to show your adaptability and technical proficiency.
Recommended reads:
Our checklist for the must-have information in your dental hygienist CV header
Right at the very top of your dental hygienist CV is where you'd find the header section or the space for your contact details, headline, and professional photo. Wondering how to present your the name of the city you live in and the country abbreviation as your address;
- are tailored to the role you're applying for by integrating key job skills and requirements;
- showcase what your unique value is, most often in the form of your most noteworthy accomplishment;
- select your relevant qualifications, skills, or current role to pass the Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessment. Still not sure how to write your CV headline? Our examples below showcase best practices on creating effective headlines:
Examples of good CV headlines for dental hygienist:
- Senior Dental Hygienist | Periodontics Specialist | Oral Health Education | BSc | 10+ Yrs Experience
- Lead Dental Hygienist | Paediatric Care Focus | Infection Control Expert | GDC Registered | 15 Yrs Expertise
- Qualified Dental Hygienist | Preventive Treatments Enthusiast | Radiography Certified | 8 Years of Clinical Practice
- Dental Hygiene Professional | Patient Engagement Specialist | NQF Level 3 | 5+ Years Dedicated Service
- Expert Dental Hygienist | Gum Disease Management | Community Health Initiatives | 12 Years’ Experience
- Junior Dental Hygienist | Emerging Technologies in Dentistry | Diploma in Dental Nursing | 2 Years Hands-On Practice
What's the difference between a dental hygienist CV summary and objective
Why should it matter to you?
- Your dental hygienist CV summary is a showcasing your career ambitions and your unique value. Use the objective to answer why your potential employers should hire you based on goals and ambitions. The objective is the ideal choice for candidates who happen to have less professional experience, but still meet some of the job requirements.
Before you select which one will be more relevant to your experience, have a look at some industry-leading CV summaries and objectives.
CV summaries for a dental hygienist job:
- With over 7 years of dedicated experience within prestigious dental clinics in London, I have honed my skills in providing top-tier patient care and advanced periodontal treatments, coupled with a robust knowledge of dental hygiene practices. My efforts have consistently resulted in a 30% reduction in patient cavities and a consistent patient satisfaction rate above 95%.
- As a meticulous dental hygienist bringing forth an exceptional 5-year track record from a high-volume dental practice in Manchester, I am adept in the latest oral healthcare techniques, including digital x-rays and intraoral camera use, which bolstered my clinic's efficiency by 20%. I led community oral health seminars, impacting over 500 individuals' hygiene habits.
- A seasoned nurse with a decade of experience seeking to transition into dental hygiene, bringing forth a deep understanding of patient care protocols and a strong empathy skill set. Recently completed an intensive dental hygienist course accredited by the British Dental Association and eager to apply a solid foundation of preventative oral care methodologies.
- After a successful 8-year career in public health education, I am pivoting to dental hygiene with a dedication to applying my knowledge of health promotion and disease prevention. Having successfully completed a comprehensive dental hygienist training program and eager to utilise my skills in providing exceptional educational support and oral healthcare services.
- Keen to embark on a career as a dental hygienist, I bring a fresh and enthusiastic perspective combined with a foundational knowledge from recently obtained Dental Hygiene qualifications. My objective is to leverage my thorough understanding of dental anatomy and a commitment to ongoing professional development in order to provide exemplary patient care.
- As an ambitious newbie to the field of dental hygiene, my goal focuses on utilising my recently acquired Diploma in Dental Hygiene from the University of Edinburgh. I am eager to contribute with a fresh enthusiasm and up-to-date knowledge, aspiring to help patients achieve and maintain optimal oral health as I grow in practical experience and expertise.
Narrating the details of your dental hygienist CV experience section
Perhaps you've heard it time and time again, but, how you present your experience is what matters the most. Your CV experience section - that details your work history alongside your accomplishments - is the space to spotlight your unqiue expertise and talents. So, avoid solely listing your responsibilities, but instead:
- adverts' keywords and integrate those in your experience section;
- Use your CV to detail how you've been promoted in the past by including experience in the reverse chronological order.
Before you start writing your dental hygienist CV experience section, dive into some industry-leading examples on how to structure your bullets.
Best practices for your CV's work experience section
- Performed thorough dental cleanings and periodontal maintenance procedures, including scaling and root planing, to ensure optimal oral health for patients.
- Effectively managed patient appointments and records, utilising dental practice software to maintain accurate and up-to-date information.
- Applied preventative materials such as sealants and fluorides to protect teeth from decay, following up with education on proper oral hygiene practices.
- Maintained strict compliance with cross-infection control protocols, ensuring all equipment and surfaces were sterilised according to the latest clinical guidelines.
- Carried out oral cancer screenings and dental x-rays, adeptly interpreting results to identify any irregularities or areas of concern.
- Collaborated closely with dentists to develop comprehensive treatment plans that addressed both the immediate and long-term needs of the patient.
- Assisted with various dental procedures, providing efficient chairside support and improving patient comfort levels throughout treatments.
- Engaged in continuous professional development by attending workshops and seminars, staying up-to-date with advancements in dental hygiene techniques and technologies.
- Offered personalised oral hygiene advice and demonstrations, tailoring recommendations to each patient's specific needs to enhance their at-home care routine.
- Implemented a patient-focused oral hygiene programme that increased patient satisfaction scores by 20% over two years.
- Delivered preventive and maintenance care to over 1,500 patients, improving their oral health, and reducing cavities by 25%.
- Trained four junior hygienists in advanced periodontal therapy techniques, enhancing the overall skill set of the clinic's hygiene team.
- Streamlined dental cleaning processes with new ultrasonic equipment, reducing average appointment time by 15 minutes.
- Conducted oral cancer screening for approximately 2,000 patients, with early detection in six cases facilitating timely treatment.
- Participated in a community outreach program that provided free dental care to over 300 underserved individuals.
- Implemented digital radiography, cutting down radiation exposure to patients by 40% and improving the imaging process.
- Managed supply inventory with a budget of £5,000/month, reducing waste and saving the practice £600 annually.
- Pioneered a dental hygiene blog for the practice's website, attracting an average of 1,500 readers per month and enhancing patient engagement.
- Coordinated with a team of dentists to develop tailored treatment plans for periodontal patients, reducing tooth loss rate by 30%.
- Maintained a consistent patient recall rate of 85%, ensuring timely and regular dental hygiene care for the clinic's clientele.
- Spearheaded a weekly educational workshop for patients, focusing on preventative care and resulting in a 10% decrease in plaque-related issues.
- Oversaw the transition to patient electronic health records, enhancing the efficiency of patient information management.
- Developed and implemented a new teeth-whitening service which increased cosmetic procedures uptake by 50% over a year.
- Engaged in monthly professional development, ensuring the adoption of the latest dental hygiene techniques and maintaining state-of-the-art service delivery.
- Created a cross-functional team with dental assistants to optimise operatory turnover times, reducing patient wait times by an average of 10 minutes.
- Successfully managed a patient load that was 20% higher than the industry average while maintaining high service standards.
- Launched a successful referral program that brought in 200 new patients over a year through positive word-of-mouth.
- Contributed to a 15% yearly increase in overall practice revenue through up-selling additional treatments such as fluoride and sealants.
- Conducted comprehensive research on the efficacy of different dental hygiene instruments, leading to a practice-wide upgrade that improved patient outcomes.
- Played a key role in the development of a practice-wide infection control protocol, ensuring compliance with NHS guidelines and patient safety.
- Led a team in executing a new patient-education initiative that contributed to a 40% reduction in periodontal disease recurrence within the practice.
- Utilised advanced laser therapy techniques for non-surgical periodontal treatment, achieving a 95% patient success rate in gum health improvement.
- Designed and launched a clinic-wide ergonomic assessment, leading to improved workstations and a 20% reduction in occupational-related strain for the dental hygiene team.
Lacking professional expertise: how to write your CV to highlight your best talents
Don't count on your lucky stars when you're applying for a role, where you happen to have less (or almost none) professional experience. Recruiters sometimes do hire inexperienced candidates if they're able to present their unique value from the get-go. So, instead of opting for the traditional, CV experience section:
- List any applicable expertise you happen to have - no matter if it's a part-time job, internship, or volunteer work. This would hint to recruiters that your profile is relevant;
- Focus your CV on your transferrable skills or talents you've obtained thanks to your whole life and work experience. In effect, you'll be spotlighting your value as a candidate;
- Separate more space for your applicable academic background and certificates to show you have the technical know-how;
- Ensure that within your objective, you've defined why you'll like the job and how you'll be the perfect match for it. Always ensure you've tailored your CV to individual applications.
Looking for more good examples for your first job? We'll show you how other candidates, with less professional experience, have created their job-winning CVs.
Recommended reads:
PRO TIP
Describe how each job helped you grow or learn something new, showing a continuous development path in your career.
The CV skills' divide: between hard and soft skills
Of course, you may have read the job requirements plenty of times now, but it's key to note that there is a difference between technical and personal skills. Both are equally relevant to your job application. When writing about your skill set, ensure you've copy-pasted the precise skill from the job requirement. This would not only help you ensure you have the correct spelling, but also pass any Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessments.
- Hard skills show your technological capabilities. Or whether you'll be a good technical fit to the organisation. Ensure you've spotlighted your hard skills in various sections of your CV (e.g. skills section, projects, experience) by including the technology and what you've attained;
- Soft skills pinpoint your personality and people or communication skills, hinting at if you'll easily accomodate into the team or organisation. Quantify your soft skills in your CV achievements, strengths, summary/objective, and experience sections. Always support your soft skills with how they've helped you grow as a professional.
Top skills for your dental hygienist CV:
Oral Health Assessment
Teeth Cleaning
Radiography
Scaling and Root Planing
Dental Prophylaxis
Periodontal Therapy
Applying Fluorides and Sealants
Charting in Dental Software
Knowledge of Dental Anatomy
Sterilisation Techniques
Communication
Empathy
Attention to Detail
Interpersonal Skills
Time Management
Problem-Solving
Teamwork
Adaptability
Patient Education
Stress Management
PRO TIP
Order your skills based on the relevance to the role you're applying for, ensuring the most pertinent skills catch the employer's attention first.
Listing your university education and certificates on your dental hygienist CV
The best proof of your technical capabilities would be your education and certifications sections. Your education should list all of your relevant university degrees, followed up by their start and completion dates. Make sure to also include the name of the university/-ies you graduated from. If you happen to have less professional experience (or you deem it would be impressive and relevant to your application), spotlight in the education section:
- that you were awarded a "First" degree;
- industry-specific coursework and projects;
- extracurricular clubs, societies, and activities.
When selecting your certificates, first ask yourself how applicable they'd be to the role. Ater your initial assessment, write the certificate and institution name. Don't miss out on including the completion date. In the below panel, we've curated relevant examples of industry-leading certificates.
PRO TIP
If there's a noticeable gap in your skillset for the role you're applying for, mention any steps you're taking to acquire these skills, such as online courses or self-study.
Recommended reads:
Key takeaways
What matters most in your dental hygienist CV-writing process is for you to create a personalised application. One that matches the role and also showcases your unique qualities and talents.
- Use the format to supplement the actual content, to stand out, and to ensure your CV experience is easy to comprehend and follows a logic;
- Invest time in building a succinct CV top one third. One that includes a header (with your contact details and headline), a summary or an objective statement (select the one that best fits your experience), and - potentially - a dedicated skills section or achievements (to fit both hard skills and soft skills requirements);
- Prioritise your most relevant (and senior) experience closer to the top of your CV. Always ensure you're following the "power verb, skill, and achievement" format for your bullets;
- Integrate both your technical and communication background across different sections of your CV to meet the job requirements;
- List your relevant education and certificates to fill in gaps in your CV history and prove to recrutiers you have relevant technical know-how.
