Dental Assistant Cover Letter Guide
Create the perfect Dental Assistant cover letter to get a job in no time. Use our templates below to give the hiring manager the best impression possible of your ability to assist the dentist during dental procedures and make patients smile.
Dental Assistant Cover Letter
If you’re applying for a Dental Assistant position, your cover letter is particularly important because it’s an opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of the role and how you can contribute to the dental practice. A well-crafted letter that complements your resume can display your skills and experience and set you apart from other applicants.
First, you must confirm that you know how to carry out the essential duties of a Dental Assistant and show off your passion for patient care and your dedication to the dental field.
In this article, we’ll go over how to mention the following topics in your cover letter:
- How to highlight your past job performances
- How to prove that you can fill any dental clinic’s needs
- Keywords to make you stand out on cover letters for a Dental Assistant position
With the following tips and by using our cover letter editor, you’ll have a personalized cover letter in minutes!
Let’s make your application shine like your patient’s pearly whites!
Dental Assistant Cover Letter Example
Before you jump into the writing process, it’s best to look over an example of a well-written cover letter. This gives you a great idea of how to structure your letter.
Hiring Manager’s name
Company name
Company address
Date
Dear Mr/Ms. [Hiring Manager Name]
I am writing to you to express my interest in the Dental Assistant role being offered by [Dental Clinic]. As a Registered Dental Assistant with the North Dakota State Board of Dental Examiners (NDSBDE) and with over 4 years of experience with providing first-class care to patients, I feel I am just the candidate you’re looking for.
During my career, I have become fully proficient with routine procedures such as cleaning, filing, polishing, and taking x-rays. I aim to have equipment ready before the attending dentist needs it and to adapt quickly if things change for any reason.
Throughout my workday, I take pride in keeping a spotless treatment room and maintaining a calm, friendly, and informative environment for patients. It’s my goal to ensure the best hygiene and experience during treatment.
Additionally, I am also gaining increased proficiency in orthodontics. I am currently working towards a certification in this area of dentistry, which I hope to complete successfully by November.
I would highly relish the opportunity to work with [Doctor] at [Dental Surgery] and have attached my resume with this letter to provide further details on my career. I hope you agree that I would be able to bring just the methodical and attentive approach you are looking for.
Please feel free to contact me by phone between 4 pm – 8 pm daily or by email at any time. I look forward to discussing the position further with you in the near future.
Sincerely,
Name
Address
Phone number
Email address
You can also customize your resume to go along with this letter in a pinch by using our simple-to-use resume builder. That and the following advice will give hiring managers the perfect smile when reading your application.
How to Write a Dental Assistant Cover Letter With Experience
It’s a fact that providing your experience as a Dental Assistant can significantly enhance your cover letter.
However, simply listing your work history isn’t enough.
Remember, your cover letter shouldn’t be a replica of your resume. It should showcase your motivation and potential value to the prospective employer.
How to Start Your Dental Assistant Cover Letter
A strong opening is crucial; otherwise, the hiring manager may not proceed with your application.
So, how should you begin?
Let’s examine some right and wrong approaches.
Wrong ❌
I am a Dental Assistant with 5 years of experience. I am writing this letter to apply for the Dental Assistant position at your clinic.
This generic opening lacks impact and reveals little about you beyond your experience.
Right ✅
With 5 years of experience as a Dental Assistant, during which I helped increase patient satisfaction by 30% at XYZ Dental Clinic, the Dental Assistant position at your clinic caught my attention as the ideal opportunity to further develop and apply my skills.
This example highlights an accomplishment, your experience, and your eagerness to excel and grow.
Your opening paragraph should lay the foundation for the rest of your letter, emphasizing your skills and motivation for joining the new clinic.
To conclude your letter, be sure to address the clinic’s requirements and explain how your experience and skills align with those needs.
Keep it personalized and engaging, for example, if the job description includes patient care as a critical part of your role, you can write the following:
I am confident that my passion for dentistry, dedication to ensuring each patient experiences as little pain as possible, and strong work ethic make me a valuable addition to your team.
With this approach, you’re well on your way to crafting a compelling Dental Assistant cover letter.
Tips for Showing Past Productivity as a Dental Assistant
As an experienced Dental Assistant you’re able to display your productivity in previous positions in a cover letter by highlighting specific accomplishments and responsibilities. This can include:
- Mentioning the number of patients seen on a daily basis
- Detailing any specialized procedures performed, such as orthodontic work or dental implants
- Discussing any training or mentoring of new staff members
- Highlighting any successful patient education efforts, such as improving patient compliance with oral hygiene instructions
- Demonstrating proficiency with dental software and other technology used in the office
- Describing any contributions to the office’s organization and efficiency, such as implementing new scheduling protocols or improving inventory management
If you have solid data that you can mention, it will look great!
For example:
“I worked with over 50 patients and had an approval rating of 99% in our customer surveys.”
By emphasizing their accomplishments and contributions, you can prove to hiring managers that you are a valuable asset to any dental team.
What to Mention in a Dental Assistant Cover Letter When You Lack Experience
Lacking experience as a Dental Assistant might seem discouraging when you see a job posting that asks for it, but don’t let that prevent you from applying.
Even without experience, you can create a cover letter that shows how your qualities align with the position and that you’re a fantastic fit for the role.
So, what’s the secret?
First, thoroughly understand the clinic’s needs by analyzing what they expect from their assistants and the clinic’s goals.
Next, use your education, internship, or volunteer experience to illustrate that you’re a good fit.
In many cases, dentists value the education their assistants have. It’s typically not necessary to have a certificate to work as a Dental Assistant, however if you have one it can set you apart.
In your cover letter, be sure to provide examples of your personality and any relevant experiences while touching on:
- Clinic’s needs
- Your achievements
- Your relevant skills
Incorporating these three points will give the hiring manager confidence in your abilities.
What Dental Clinics Need from a Dental Assistant
There are many duties that a dental clinic needs a Dental Assistant to fulfill. A hiring manager will have their eye out for anyone who can do the job correctly.
Here are some examples that you could mention in a cover letter:
- Providing chair side assistance to the dentist during procedures
- Sterilizing and preparing dental instruments and equipment for use
- Performing basic laboratory procedures
- Assisting with patient education and communication
- Maintaining patient records and updating medical histories
- Ordering and stocking dental supplies and materials
- Cleaning and maintaining dental equipment
- Managing appointment scheduling and patient flow
By spotlighting your ability to perform any of these tasks effectively, you can show your value to the dental clinic and your dedication to providing high-quality patient care.
Relevant Achievements to Mention for a Dental Assistant Position
Even if you don’t have direct experience as a Dental Assistant, you can still highlight relevant achievements in your cover letter to present your qualifications for the position. Here are a couple of examples of achievements you can mention:
- Completion of a certification course
- Award in customer service
- CRP certification
- Language skills
- Teamwork awards
You will earn major points if you can demonstrate that you consistently dealt with patients in the past in a calm and cool manner.
That will show you have great communication skills and a lot of empathy which are often needed for this position.
Also, speaking a second language is becoming more and more crucial, especially in areas with a diverse population
Valuable Dental Assistant Keywords and Phrases
You may have never worked as a full-time Dental Assistant, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have any qualifications!
Some of your skills will stand out when your cover letter is being looked over. As a Dental Assistant, these keywords will help you get noticed:
- Familiarity with dental software
- Interpersonal communication
- Attention to detail
- Time management
- Problem-solving
- Teamwork
- Empathy
- Compassion
- Multitasking
- Organizational skills
- Adaptability
- Professionalism
- Continual learning
Additionally, make sure to include keywords that appear in the ad for the position you’re going for.
By emphasizing these transferable skills, you can showcase how your previous experience and skills can translate to success in a Dental Assistant role.
💡Tip
When writing the motivation statement, seize the opportunity to convince the employer that you’re eager to learn and willing to work harder than other applicants. If it’s possible, mention an instance that exemplifies how you’ve done this in the past for a different role or while in school.
Have a look at these 2 examples of how you can apply all these tips.
The first example is ideal if you are looking to change professions and have never worked as a Dental Assistant in the past.
I am delighted to apply for the Dental Assistant position at XYZ Clinic. As a motivated professional with a background in customer service and experience in maintaining a clean and organized work environment. I am confident in my ability to quickly adapt to the dental field and contribute to your practice by efficiently sterilizing and preparing dental instruments and equipment for use, as well as performing basic laboratory procedures.
If you recently graduated and are looking for your first job as a Dental Assistant, have a look at the following example.
I am excited to submit my application for the Dental Assistant position at XYZ Clinic. As a recent graduate from ABC Dental Program, I have gained hands-on experience in sterilizing and preparing dental instruments, and performing basic laboratory procedures during my studies. My strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and commitment to patient care make me a perfect candidate to contribute positively to your practice.
Just like these examples show, even if you lack experience compared to other applicants, by mentioning your ability to meet the clinic’s needs, your relevant accomplishments, and stating your commitment, you can demonstrate that you have what it takes.
How to Write a Cover Letter for a Dental Position With an Employment Gap
Navigating an employment gap in your cover letter can be challenging.
However, a gap in someone’s career is quite normal. According to a 2019 survey by Monster, 59% of workers have been unemployed or had a gap during their career. It can even be viewed as a positive.
After all, there are many reasons that people take a break from work. It could have been a medical reason, or you just felt you needed time to learn something new.
For example, when working in medicine or dentistry nothing helps a resume like extra courses and certifications. If those are the reasons you weren’t employed, don’t be afraid to show them off!
For example, a hiring manager at a dental clinic will think it’s impressive that you studied any of the following topics during your time off:
- Infection control and sterilization techniques
- Radiology and dental imaging
- Dental materials and equipment
- Dental anatomy and terminology
- Patient communication and management
- Dental office management and administrationYou may also have volunteered to provide dental work to people who could not afford it otherwise. Or, maybe you had personal issues, which is completely understandable.
Either way, you’ll want to be specific about any long periods you took off work in your cover letter.
Wrong ❌
I am an experienced Dental Assistant with a passion for patient care. While I took a brief break from work, I continued to attend dental workshops and maintain my skills and knowledge. I am eager to bring my dedication and refreshed perspective to your clinic.
This gives a reason, but it’s pretty vague. You’ll want to be more specific.
Let’s look at a correct example of addressing an employment gap:
Right ✅
After spending several years as a dedicated Dental Assistant, I took a two-year break to care for a family member. During this time, I maintained my skills and knowledge by attending a course on patient communication and management. I’m now eager to bring my refreshed perspective and dedication to patient care to your clinic.
By being honest about the gap, focusing on the skills you’ve gained, and adhering to the appropriate cover letter format, you can successfully address an employment gap and boost your chances of securing the position.
Dental Assistant Cover Letter Key Takeaways
We understand, cover letters can be tricky even with these tips. However, if you know what to focus on, you shouldn’t have a problem grabbing a hiring manager’s attention.
Take into account the key advice in this article:
- Provide data or proof: Show any data that proves you worked well with patients and that you know how to use instruments and tools related to dentistry.
- Demonstrate your knowledge and enthusiasm: Include dental technology that highlights your
- Address the clinic’s needs: Mention how you will meet the needs of a clinic with your skills and education.
- Use specific examples: Avoid using general terms, or anything unrelated to working as a Dental Assistant. State exactly what related skills, experience, and certifications you have.
Using a template that’s specific to a Dental Assistant job for your resume and cover letter, and applying our tips will help you stand out from the rest of the applicants. With those tools and advice, you’ll get all the help showing off all your essential qualities and prove that you are up to the task.
Trouble getting your Cover Letter started?
Beat the blank page with expert help.
Related Cover Letters