Crafting a CV that effectively showcases your hands-on patient care experiences and the technical proficiencies required for dental nursing can be a formidable challenge. Our comprehensive guide offers tailored strategies and examples that will help you articulate your unique skills and qualifications, ensuring your CV stands out to potential employers.
Land the job of your dreams with our bespoke guide on how to:
- Design and format your professional dental nurse CV;
- Curate your key contact information, skills, and achievements throughout your CV sections;
- Ensure your profile stays competitive by studying other industry-leading dental nurse CVs;
- Create a great CV even if you happen to have less professional experience, or switching fields.
When writing your dental nurse CV, you may need plenty of insights from hiring managers. We have prepared industry-leading advice in the form of our relevant CV guides.
Resume examples for dental nurse
Explore additional dental nurse cv samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.
By Experience
Senior Dental Nurse
- Clear organizational structure enhancing readability - The CV is neatly organized into sections that cover key areas such as experience, education, skills, achievements, and passions. This clarity in presentation aids in swiftly identifying relevant information, ensuring each area of expertise is properly showcased for the role of a Senior Outpatients Nurse.
- Emphasis on leadership and mentorship - Freddie Hughes's career trajectory highlights a strong focus on leadership and mentorship. With specific examples such as mentoring junior nurses and leading multidisciplinary teams, Hughes demonstrates a commitment to nurturing talent and fostering a collaborative work environment, which is crucial in healthcare settings.
- Impactful improvements in patient care delivery - The CV underscores significant achievements that demonstrate Hughes’s ability to enhance healthcare processes and patient outcomes. For instance, the implementation of a patient information delivery framework resulted in a 35% improvement in treatment plan understanding, indicating not just numerical success but also an elevated standard of patient care.
Lead Dental Nurse
- Structured Content Presentation - Isabelle Reed's CV is meticulously structured with clearly defined sections that enhance readability. Each section follows a logical order, highlighting her relevant experience and skills. The use of bullet points ensures key achievements are concise and easily digestible, exemplifying a professional presentation.
- Consistent Career Progression - Reed's career trajectory showcases significant growth within the dental sector, advancing from a Junior Dental Nurse to leading roles at NHS England. Her progression reflects not only her dedication but also her expanding capabilities in more specialized areas such as orthodontics and radiology, indicating a determined professional development path.
- Impact-Focused Achievements - The CV is distinguished by the strategic inclusion of achievements quantified by impact metrics, such as a "30% increase in patient satisfaction scores" and "25% enhancement in patient flow efficiency". Such metrics not only demonstrate personal competence but also underline her ability to drive tangible improvements in clinical settings.
Dental Nurse Manager
- Thorough and Clear Structure - The CV stands out with its well-organized format, allowing for easy navigation through sections such as experience, education, skills, and achievements. Each section is concise and clearly delineated, which enhances readability and ensures that the most relevant details are immediately accessible to the reader.
- Adaptability through Diverse Roles - This CV showcases a robust career progression, demonstrating Jacob's ability to grow from a Healthcare Administrator to a Practice Manager. Transitioning between roles within different healthcare settings illustrates his adaptability and competence in managing both clinical and operational aspects of healthcare delivery.
- Strategic Achievements with Tangible Impact - Jacob's achievements are emphasized by metrics that demonstrate his effectiveness, such as improving patient satisfaction by 20% and reducing operational costs by 15%. These figures not only highlight his capability but also reflect significant contributions to organizational goals, enhancing the CV’s relevance to potential employers.
Dental Nurse Supervisor
- Well-Structured and Concise Presentation - The CV is well-organized, presenting crucial information in an easily navigable format. Each section is clearly delineated with headings that succinctly outline the candidate's roles, educational background, skills, and achievements. This clarity ensures that hiring managers can quickly assess the candidate's qualifications and decide on their suitability for the role.
- Clear Demonstration of Career Growth - Oscar Evans’ career trajectory is marked by steady advancement, moving from a Dental Nurse to a Clinical Nurse Supervisor. Each role indicates increased responsibilities and achievements, such as leading a team and implementing compliance audits. This consistent upward movement displays a clear pattern of professional growth and industry expertise.
- Robust Emphasis on Compliance and Operational Efficiency - The CV highlights Oscar's specialized skills in the area of CQC compliance and operational efficiency. Notably, the implementation of compliance audits and strategic management initiatives have resulted in improved team satisfaction, reduced costs, and increased patient satisfaction. Such accomplishments underscore the candidate's ability to enhance operational protocols and maintain high compliance standards in a healthcare setting.
Trainee Dental Nurse
- Career Growth and Transition - Daisy Shaw's CV reveals a thoughtful career progression from a Receptionist to a Customer Service Manager in the dental field, showcasing her growing responsibilities and skills development. Starting at NHS Dental Clinic, she not only honed her administrative skills but developed customer handling finesse, which paved the way for leadership roles in subsequent positions. Her trajectory clearly displays a move toward management and enhanced patient care, underlying her commitment to career development.
- Comprehensive Skill and Tool Utilization - The CV highlights an impressive array of industry-specific skills and tools, including proficiency in Digital Scheduling Systems and Healthcare Administration. These are crucial in her line of work, helping to maintain efficient operations and patient satisfaction. Furthermore, her ability to implement new digital systems and protocols not only levels-up operational efficiency but also significantly enhances patient care, a primary objective in the dental care industry.
- Achievements with Business Impact - Daisy's accomplishments go beyond mere numbers; they reflect significant positive impacts on business operations and patient satisfaction. Her leadership in implementing a feedback system and digital record-keeping procedures not only increased client satisfaction by 35% but also decreased record errors by 20%, showcasing her ability to drive meaningful improvements. Her awards, such as the 'Employee of the Year' for elevating patient satisfaction through service initiatives, underscore her capability to deliver strategic business results.
By Role
Dental Nurse Practitioner
- Career Advancement and Industry Commitment - James Lewis's CV showcases a clear progression from an Apprenticeship Development Officer to a Senior EPA Assessor. This trajectory highlights his commitment and growing influence in dental education and apprenticeship management, marked by his transition through various reputable organizations such as Pearson UK and Health Education England.
- Comprehensive Use of Digital Tools and Innovation - The CV emphasizes James's expertise in leveraging digital tools to streamline assessment processes and enhance EPA efficiency. By integrating these technologies, he effectively reduced administrative tasks, which not only showcases technical acumen but also his ability to adapt and improve educational systems.
- Achievements with Direct Impact on Educational Standards - While the CV provides numerical achievements, such as a 30% increase in successful EPA completions, it also highlights the broader impact of these achievements. James's contributions led to enhanced educational standards and compliance within the dental sector, underlining his role in advancing industry benchmarks.
Dental Nurse Anaesthetist
- Clear and Structured Presentation - The CV is exceptionally well-organized, with clear headings and a consistent structure that makes it easy for readers to navigate. Each section, from experience to education, is presented concisely, ensuring all pertinent information is immediately accessible and understood.
- Progressive Career Trajectory - Edward Mitchell's career demonstrates a clear upward progression, moving from Anaesthetic Registrar to Senior Anaesthetic Registrar, and ultimately to Consultant Anaesthetist. This progression highlights not only his dedication and growth within the medical field but also his increased responsibility and leadership capabilities over time.
- Industry-Specific Achievements and Impact - The CV effectively details quantifiable achievements that are highly relevant to the medical field, such as reducing patient recovery time by 15% and ICU stays by 25%. These figures reflect significant impacts on patient care efficiency and hospital operations, enhancing the overall quality of healthcare services provided.
Dental Nurse Educator
- Clear and Structured Content Presentation - The CV is organized in a manner that makes it easy to navigate, with well-defined sections such as experience, education, skills, and achievements. Each section provides concise and clear information, which allows the reader to quickly grasp the candidate's qualifications and professional journey.
- Progressive Career Trajectory - Finley Robinson's career progression is evident through the increasing levels of responsibility, moving from Dental Nurse to Lead Dental Nurse. This trajectory highlights a strong commitment to professional growth and provides insight into how their capabilities have expanded over time.
- Unique Industry-Specific Skills and Initiatives - The CV details niche skills like radiography and implant procedures, indicative of specialized expertise. Furthermore, it mentions innovative initiatives such as implementing staff referral schemes and leading radiography training, showcasing the candidate's proactive approach in enhancing clinical practices.
Paediatric Dental Nurse
- Clear structure and logical flow - The CV is well-structured with distinct sections such as experience, education, skills, and achievements that provide a clear and logical flow. This facilitates easy navigation and ensures that each section serves a specific purpose, contributing to an overall concise presentation.
- Evidence of career growth and specialization - Jack Taylor's career trajectory from a Junior Nurse to a Band 5 Nurse reflects a clear progression, underscoring his growing responsibility and specialization in paediatric nursing. This advancement illustrates not only professional development but also a deepening expertise in a niche field.
- Emphasis on achievements impacting hospital operations - The CV highlights specific achievements like reducing response times and infection rates, which relate directly to operational improvements within the hospital. These accomplishments indicate an ability to deliver results that enhance patient care and optimize departmental efficiency.
Orthodontic Dental Nurse
- Structured Clarity and Conciseness - The CV is well-organized, with clear headings for each section that allow for easy navigation through the content. The concise descriptions under each point enhance readability and ensure the hiring manager can quickly grasp the candidate’s qualifications and achievements.
- Evidence of Professional Growth - From Dental Nurse to Senior Dental Nurse roles, the CV showcases a clear upward career trajectory. Each position change reflects a growth in responsibility and expertise, emphasizing a proactive attitude and commitment to professional development within the dental industry.
- Unique Use of Dental Software and Digital Tools - The inclusion of digital chart systems and new patient management software demonstrates Oscar's adaptability and technological proficiency. These unique elements highlight his ability to integrate modern tools for enhancing data accessibility and improving clinic efficiency, vital in today's rapidly evolving healthcare environment.
Community Dental Nurse
- Structured and Concise Presentation - Olivia Turner's CV is outstanding in terms of clarity and structure, with concise bullet points across the sections that enhance readability. Roles, responsibilities, and achievements are clearly documented, making it easy to quickly gather a comprehensive understanding of her professional background.
- Progressive Career Trajectory - The CV effectively details Olivia’s career progression from Assistant Project Manager to Senior Project Manager, signifying her growth within the healthcare sector. This trajectory not only illustrates her capabilities but also her commitment to the industry, marking her as a seasoned professional with increasing responsibilities and achievements over time.
- Industry-Specific Expertise - Olivia’s proficiency in agile methodologies and healthcare systems denotes a strong technical depth unique to her field. Her experience with case management software and project implementation strategies underlines her technical competencies, tailored for managing healthcare projects efficiently, a critical asset for a project manager in such specialized domains.
Dental Nurse Coordinator
- Clear and Organized Content Presentation - Mia Ward's CV showcases a well-structured layout, beginning with essential information such as name, title, and location, followed by a succinct summary of her nursing experience. The content is presented in a clear and concise manner, with each section being neatly divided and easily readable. The use of bullet points in the experience section allows for quick scanning and highlights key achievements and responsibilities effectively.
- Steady Career Growth and Leadership Development - The CV reflects a strong career trajectory, moving from a Staff Nurse role to Senior Staff Nurse, and finally to a leading position at St. Mary's Hospital in London. Mia’s promotions, evident in her progression from one hospital to another, illustrate her commitment to professional growth and leadership within the healthcare sector. Her experiences across different institutions also suggest adaptability and a broadening of her skill set.
- Significant Achievements with Tangible Impact - Mia Ward's achievements section offers evidence of impactful contributions in the healthcare settings she has worked in. Her ability to reduce patient wait times by 40% and readmission rates by 25% demonstrates not just her nursing expertise but her capability to implement effective systems and processes with substantial business relevance. The CV successfully links her personal contributions to broad organizational goals, highlighting the value she brings to healthcare teams.
Dental Nurse Assessor
- Structured Career Progression - Daniel Baker's CV effectively illustrates a robust career trajectory within the dental nursing education field. Each subsequent role reflects a logical progression, demonstrating career growth from a Dental Nursing Coordinator to a Senior Dental Nursing Educator, highlighting his increasing responsibilities and expertise development over time.
- Integration of Cutting-Edge Technologies - The CV showcases an industry-specific strength in integrating modern dental technologies into the curriculum. This not only enhances the learning experience but also aligns the educational processes with contemporary industry practices, preparing students with practical, market-relevant skills.
- Focus on Achievements with Impact - Each section of the CV highlights accomplishments with clear, quantifiable outcomes. For instance, increasing student pass rates and engagement scores, reducing completion times, and raising satisfaction ratings all emphasize Daniel’s ability to create impactful educational improvements that translate into real-world benefits for students and institutions.
Locum Dental Nurse
- Impressive Career Growth and Development - Archie Clark's career trajectory is a strong indicator of professional growth, transitioning from a Dental Assistant to a Senior Dental Assistant, and finally a Dental Nurse. This progression reflects not only a solid accumulation of industry experience but also a readiness to take on higher responsibilities, showcasing his capacity for continuous professional development.
- Advanced Scheduling and Efficiency Enhancements - Archie's experience includes a significant achievement in implementing an advanced scheduling system that has increased clinic efficiency by 35%. His expertise in optimizing appointment scheduling demonstrates technical proficiency and a focus on improving operational workflows, which are crucial in a busy dental environment.
- Strong Leadership and Training Capabilities - A highlight of Archie's experience is his ability to lead and train his team, resulting in improved patient satisfaction and a notable decrease in procedural errors. His creation of a Continuous Professional Development (CPD) plan to enhance his team's skills exemplifies his leadership qualities and commitment to fostering professional growth within his team.
Dental Nurse Receptionist
- Clear and Structured Presentation - The CV is thoughtfully organized, starting with a detailed summary followed by well-defined sections such as experience, education, skills, and achievements. This structure ensures clarity and allows easy navigation, helping potential employers quickly identify key information relevant to the role of a Dental Nurse and Receptionist.
- Adaptability and Cross-Functional Experience - Rosie Gray's career showcases significant adaptability, transitioning smoothly between roles as a Dental Nurse and Receptionist. Her ability to manage dual responsibilities, streamline processes, and collaborate with healthcare professionals highlights her versatile skill set and suitability for dynamic work environments in dental care.
- Achievements with Business Impact - The CV emphasizes quantifiable achievements with notable business relevance, such as improving patient satisfaction by 30% and enhancing clinic efficiency. These accomplishments underscore Rosie's impactful contributions, demonstrating her capacity to implement strategies that positively influence patient care and operational success.
Mobile Dental Nurse
- Structured Career Advancement - Archie Clark's CV effectively outlines a progressive career in dental nursing, moving from a trainee role to a senior position within a few years. This trajectory not only demonstrates their growth and capability for handling more complex responsibilities but also reflects their commitment to advancing within the dental care sector.
- Exceptional Use of Industry-Specific Techniques - The CV is rich with references to industry-specific methodologies, such as mobile dentistry and equipment sterilization protocols. These technical details, along with GDC registration and the use of the Agilio platform, illustrate Clark's deep understanding of the dental field and its operational challenges.
- Strong Leadership and Community Involvement - Archie excels not just in clinical settings but also in leadership, having mentored junior nurses and led outreach programs. Their achievements in community education on oral health further highlight their capability and passion for fostering public health, making them a well-rounded candidate with a strong community focus.
Dental Nurse Consultant
- Emphasizes structured career growth - The CV effectively illustrates Ivy Ward's career trajectory from a Staff Nurse to a Senior Ophthalmic Nurse, reflecting significant progress and increasing responsibilities within the field of ophthalmology. This upward movement underscores her continuous professional development and commitment to advancing her career.
- Highlights industry-specific expertise - The CV details Ivy's knowledge in ophthalmic surgery and patient care, showcasing her specialized skill set. Her participation in advanced courses and certifications like the Ophthalmic Nursing Certification conveys her dedication to maintaining technical proficiency and adopting new practices specific to ophthalmology.
- Showcases strategic leadership and process improvement - Throughout her career, Ivy has demonstrated leadership in streamlining workflows and increasing department efficiency. Initiatives such as reducing patient wait times by 20% and implementing a new patient tracking system display her ability to lead effectively and drive impactful process improvements in healthcare settings.
Special Care Dental Nurse
- Structured Presentation and Clarity - The CV is designed with a clear structure that efficiently organizes the candidate's experience, education, skills, and achievements. Each section is distinctly segmented, allowing an easy flow of information which makes it simple for evaluators to assess the candidate's qualifications. The use of bullet points in the experience section succinctly conveys key responsibilities and achievements, enhancing readability and accessibility.
- Dynamic Career Growth - Daisy Shaw's career trajectory illustrates consistent growth within the dental industry. Beginning as a Dental Assistant and advancing to a Senior Dental Nurse, the CV highlights promotions that reflect her increasing responsibilities and expertise. This progression not only signifies her capability but also her dedication and loyalty to the field, making her a promising candidate for further professional development.
- Impactful Achievements with Industry Relevance - The achievements listed in the CV are directly connected to industry-specific outcomes, like cross infection control and clinical efficiency. Each accomplishment is quantified, showcasing significant improvements achieved through her initiatives, such as a 30% decrease in contamination incidents and a 20% reduction in procedure times. These metrics not only demonstrate technical proficiency but also underscore her ability to contribute to organizational success through effective resource and process management.
Dental Nurse Radiographer
- Clarity and Structured Presentation - The CV is presented with clear sections that logically organize information, making it easy to navigate. The concise and structured layout ensures that key points, such as experience and education, are quickly accessible to the reader.
- Career Progression Reflecting Growth - Daisy Shaw's career trajectory is marked by consistent growth with increasing levels of responsibility. From a Dental Nurse to a Radiographer Specialist, her advancement demonstrates not only commitment but also the ability to handle more complex tasks and lead projects effectively.
- Industry-Specific Tools and Methodologies - The CV showcases proficiency in specialized tools like the iTero intraoral scanner and methodologies such as OPG and CBCT. This technical depth highlights Daisy’s strong expertise in cutting-edge radiography solutions, which are crucial for her role in enhancing patient care.
Dental Nurse Administrator
- Structured and Detailed Presentation - The CV is presented with clarity and structure, effectively organizing sections such as experience, education, skills, and achievements. Each part is concise, with bullet points that offer a quick understanding without overwhelming the reader.
- Progressive Career Development - Evie Perry's career trajectory showcases consistent growth and advancement within the dental industry, transitioning from a Senior Dental Nurse to roles with increasing responsibility such as a Dental Practice Manager and eventually a Dental Laboratory Administrator. This progression highlights her dedication and capacity for leadership.
- Emphasis on Industry-Specific Tools and Skills - The CV includes detailed mentions of specific tools and methodologies such as Sage Accounting and Labtrac, exhibiting technical proficiency crucial in dental administration. This focus underscores her depth of experience in handling industry-specific technology and processes.
Formatting your dental nurse 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 nurse 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 nurse 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
For certain fields, consider including infographics or visual elements to represent skills or achievements, but ensure they are simple, professional, and enhance rather than clutter the information.
The top sections on a dental nurse CV
- Personal Statement showcasing motivation to highlight your enthusiasm and dedication to dental nursing.
- Employment History with relevant dental roles to underline practical experiences in the field.
- Certifications and Dental Training to demonstrate relevant qualifications and specialised knowledge.
- Clinical Skills and Procedures to show hands-on expertise and technical competencies.
- Patient Care Experience to reflect your ability to provide excellent support and service to patients.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Highlight any qualifications specific to dental nursing, such as a National Diploma in Dental Nursing or a degree in oral health, as these credentials are pivotal for establishing your foundation in the field.
- Detail your experience with various dental procedures and patient care, including chairside assistance, instrument sterilisation, and infection control measures, to demonstrate your practical skills and adaptability in a clinical environment.
- Mention your proficiency in using dental software and managing patient records, as well as your ability to efficiently coordinate appointments and support the dental practice's administrative operations.
- Include any additional certifications or continued professional development courses you have undertaken, such as radiography or oral health education, to showcase your commitment to staying current in the rapidly evolving dental sector.
- Emphasise your communication skills and your ability to provide empathetic patient care, reflecting on how you support patients through their dental experiences and manage anxious or nervous individuals during treatments.
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Our checklist for the must-have information in your dental nurse CV header
Right at the very top of your dental nurse 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 nurse:
- Lead Dental Nurse | Radiography Cert | Sedation Expert | Patient Care Focused | 10+ Years Experience
- Senior Dental Nurse | Impression Taking Skilled | Oral Health Education | NVQ L3 Qualified | 8 Years
- Qualified Dental Nurse | Infection Control Lead | NEBDN Certificate | Chairside Support | 5+ Yrs Exp.
- Experienced Dental Nurse | Practice Management | CPD Dedicated | Child Patients Specialist | 12 Years' Experience
- Dental Nurse Practitioner | Orthodontic Assistance | X-Ray Proficient | NVQ L3 Dental Nursing | 6 Years
- Junior Dental Nurse | New Graduate | Enthusiastic Learner | ECC Certificate | Patient Comfort Advocate
Choosing your opening statement: a dental nurse CV summary or objective
At the top one third of your CV, you have the chance to make a more personable impression on recruiters by selecting between:
- Summary - or those three to five sentences that you use to show your greatest achievements. Use the CV summary if you happen to have plenty of relevant experience and wish to highlight your greatest successes;
- Objective - provides you with up to five sentences to state your professional aims and mission in the company you're applying for
CV summaries for a dental nurse job:
- A meticulous dental nurse with over seven years of hands-on experience in dental surgery assistance, adept in four-handed dentistry and proficient with the latest dental technology, particularly in endodontics and prosthetics. Recognised for excellence in patient care and exceptional ability to manage dental emergencies.
- With five years devoted to paediatric dental care, an empathetic dental nurse capable of creating a calming environment for young patients, skilled at educating children on dental hygiene. Proficient in dental charting software and lauded for implementing innovative patient care techniques that enhanced clinic efficiency.
- Formerly a medical support assistant, I bring three years of healthcare expertise to a career in dental nursing. My detail-oriented approach, combined with extensive knowledge of sterilisation protocols and patient management software, positions me as an asset to a fast-paced dental practice.
- Transitioning from a career in health administration, I offer strong organisational skills and a commitment to patient-oriented service. Eager to apply my four years of experience in healthcare coordination to supporting dental health professionals and ensuring an exceptional patient experience.
- Eager to embark on a career as a dental nurse with no prior experience but armed with a BSc in Health Sciences and a certified proficiency in medical terminology. My objective is to rigorously apply my knowledge and compassionate nature to learn swiftly and contribute positively to patient care.
- Looking to leverage my extensive customer service background into a fulfilling new direction as a dental nurse, despite having no direct experience. My aptitude for fast learning, deep interest in dental health, and strong commitment to providing empathetic patient support are key to my future growth and success.
How to meet job requirements with your dental nurse CV experience
We've now reached the essence of your actual CV - your experience section. This is the space where you can list your career roles and on-the-job successes. Many candidates tend to underestimate just how much time and effort they should put into writing this CV section. Your experience shouldn't be a random list of your responsibilities, but instead:
- Match the job description with your skills, values, and accomplishments;
- Start each bullet with a strong action verb, followed up with one key skill and your outcome of applying this skill;
- Spotlight parts of your career history that are relevant to the job you're applying for.
Before we move on, make sure to check out some professional CV experience sections.
Best practices for your CV's work experience section
- Provided chairside assistance to dentists during a variety of treatment procedures, ensuring patient comfort and efficient workflow in over 500 clinical cases.
- Maintained strict compliance with cross-infection control procedures, contributing to a 30% improvement in clinical hygiene standards within the dental practice.
- Performed accurate dental charting and recorded patient treatment information in electronic and paper records, displaying exceptional attention to detail and data accuracy.
- Managed stock control for dental materials and instruments, reducing wastage by 20% through effective inventory management and reordering protocols.
- Conducted dental radiography tasks under the guidance of the dentist, resulting in a 25% increase in diagnostic imaging efficiency and patient throughput.
- Assisted in the formulation of treatment plans by offering administrative support and liaising with multidisciplinary teams to enhance overall patient care.
- Provided patient education and post-operative care instructions, achieving a 95% patient satisfaction rate through clear communication and empathetic engagement.
- Supervised and trained junior dental nurses and trainee dental nurses, resulting in a more skilled and confident dental care team within the practice.
- Contributed to the practice's quarterly quality assurance audits to ensure continuous improvement and adherence to industry regulations and standards.
Work Experience
Lead Dental Nurse
Bright Smile Dental Clinic
03/2020-Ongoing
- Managed a team of dental nurses, improving practice efficiency by 20% through optimising appointment scheduling and patient flow.
- Implemented a new digital record-keeping system that decreased administrative errors by 15% and increased patient satisfaction.
- Led infection control procedures, ensuring 100% compliance with CQC standards, which contributed to the clinic's reputation for safety and hygiene.
Work Experience
Senior Dental Nurse
Harley Street Dental Practice
05/2017-02/2020
- Facilitated patient consultations, providing clear explanations of proposed dental treatments, leading to a 10% increase in treatment acceptance.
- Supervised and trained junior dental nurses and apprentices, enhancing team skill levels and reducing the need for external training services.
- Contributed to a dental research study on oral hygiene that was published in a recognised dental journal.
Work Experience
Dental Nurse Team Leader
Oral Health Associates
11/2014-04/2017
- Streamlined dental instrument sterilisation processes, cutting down preparation times by 25%, allowing for additional daily appointments.
- Managed stock control effectively, negotiating with suppliers to reduce costs by 5% without compromising on quality.
- Coordinated outreach programs to promote dental health education in local schools, reaching over 500 children.
Work Experience
Dental Surgery Nurse
City Dental Hospital
08/2012-10/2014
- Introduced a patient follow-up system that increased repeat patient visits by 30% through enhanced customer relationship management.
- Assisted in complex dental surgeries, demonstrating high precision in instrument handling and patient care during high-stress situations.
- Developed an emergency response protocol for dental accidents, leading to a 50% reduction in response time.
Work Experience
Dental Nurse & Equipment Coordinator
Innovative Dental Solutions
02/2011-07/2012
- Assisted with the integration of CAD/CAM technology for dental prosthetics, increasing operational efficiency by 15%.
- Maintained dental office supplies and inventories, leading to a continuous availability of necessary materials and a 10% cost saving due to bulk purchasing.
- Supported the establishment of a teledentistry service that enhanced patient access, especially for those in remote areas.
Work Experience
Registered Dental Nurse
Total Care Dental Center
09/2009-01/2011
- Performed chair-side assistance in over 1,000 dental procedures, ensuring efficient turnover and patient comfort.
- Provided oral hygiene advice to patients, contributing to a marked improvement in community dental health as evidenced by a decrease in cavity rates.
- Played a key role in the transition from paper-based to digital patient records at the practice.
Work Experience
Dental Nurse & Anesthetic Technician
Community Smile Dental Clinic
01/2014-12/2016
- Pioneered the adoption of a new anaesthetic monitoring system resulting in heightened patient safety during surgical procedures.
- Collaborated with the dental team to plan and execute a charity event providing free dental check-ups, benefiting over 200 local residents.
- Organised professional development workshops for the dental nursing staff, leading to improved team performance and patient care.
Work Experience
Dental Nurse Practitioner
Modern Dental Care Ltd.
06/2013-12/2013
- Engaged in the successful rollout of a patient satisfaction survey, which led to a clinic-wide improvement action plan and 15% better feedback scores.
- Set up a new cross-infection control system, which was later adopted as the blueprint for other clinics in the group.
- Contributed to the design and implementation of an ergonomic workspace setup, reducing physical strain on dental staff.
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
If applicable, briefly mention a situation where things didn’t go as planned and what you learned from it, demonstrating your ability to learn and adapt.
Mix and match hard and soft skills across your dental nurse CV
Your skill set play an equally valid role as your experience to your application. That is because recruiters are looking for both:
- hard skills or your aptitude in applying particular technologies
- soft skills or your ability to work in a team using your personal skills, e.g. leadership, time management, etc.
Are you wondering how you should include both hard and soft skills across your dental nurse CV? Use the:
- skills section to list between ten and twelve technologies that are part of the job requirement (and that you're capable to use);
- strengths and achievements section to detail how you've used particular hard and soft skills that led to great results for you at work;
- summary or objective to spotlight up to three skills that are crucial for the role and how they've helped you optimise your work processes.
One final note - when writing about the skills you have, make sure to match them exactly as they are written in the job ad. Take this precautionary measure to ensure your CV passes the Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessment.
Top skills for your dental nurse CV:
HARD SKILLS
Patient Care
Dental Health Maintenance
Infection Control
Radiography
Sterilization Techniques
Dental Materials Knowledge
Equipment Maintenance
Clinical Skills
Oral Anatomy Knowledge
Dental Prophylaxis
SOFT SKILLS
Communication
Teamwork
Empathy
Attention to Detail
Problem-Solving
Multitasking
Stress Management
Adaptability
Organisational
Customer Service Orientation
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.
Listing your university education and certificates on your dental nurse 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 you have received professional endorsements or recommendations for certain skills, especially on platforms like LinkedIn, mention these to add credibility.
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Key takeaways
Here are five things you need to remember about writing your dental nurse CV for success:
- Sort your experience based on the reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent career items, to showcase how you've grown your career;
- Include within your CV header your relevant contact details, a headline that could spotlight your unique value, and a photo - if you're applying for roles outside the UK or US;
- Decide to use the CV summary, if you happen to have more professional experience, and an objective, if you want to showcase your career goals;
- Within the experience section, write your bullets using action verbs, skills, and success, instead of just merely listing your on-the-job responsibilities;
- Prove your technical skills, using your education and certificates, and your soft skills, with your achievements and strengths sections.
