13 Orthodontic Dental Assistant Resume Examples for 2025

Creating a resume for an orthodontic dental assistant role requires precision. We'll share examples and advice to help you highlight your skills, experience, and knowledge in orthodontics. Understand what hiring managers look for in resumes and how to structure yours for better results. Learn key terms and actions to include that show your proficiency and readiness for the role.

  Compiled and approved by Steve Grafton
  Last updated on See history of changes

  Next update scheduled for

At a Glance

Here's what we see in the best resumes for orthodontic dental assistants:

  • Show Impact With Numbers: The best resumes show results, like 30% increase in patient satisfaction, 50% reduction in wait times, 20+ handled patients per day, or handling 4+ orthodontic procedures daily.

  • Include Skills Mentioned In The JD: Include skills on your resume that you have and are mentioned on the job description. Some popular ones are x-ray technology, impression taking, sterilization, patient records, and bracing systems. But don't include all of them, choose the ones you have and are mentioned in the JD.

  • Highlight Certifications: Include certifications like CDA or RDA on your resume. These show your qualifications more clearly.

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Positioning your education

Place your education near the top of your resume if you recently finished a dental assisting program or are new to the field of orthodontic assistance. This shows employers your relevant training right away. For those who have been working in orthodontic clinics or related areas, your work experience should be listed first.

Your education section should highlight credentials important for an orthodontic dental assistant, like a certificate in dental assisting or x-ray certification. Include details of any hands-on training or externships, as these are vital experiences that employers look for. Make it easy for hiring managers to find this information quickly.

Show technical skills

Include technical skills specific to orthodontics, such as knowledge of orthodontic appliances and familiarity with dental software programs like Dentrix or Orthotrac.

Mention your ability to take and develop dental X-rays. This is a crucial skill for orthodontic dental assistants and will make your resume stand out.

Ideal resume length

Wrap up your resume in one page if you are starting out or have been assisting orthodontic dentists for less than ten years. Keep your content lean and focused on your most relevant experiences, such as hands-on skills and certifications you hold. This ensures you spotlight your qualifications and keep the hiring manager's attention.

If you have a longer career history, you may stretch to two pages, but prioritize recent roles that showcase your capacity to handle dental equipment and provide excellent patient care. Remember, your resume is a quick look at why you're right for the job, not your life story, so include only what really counts for the role.

Highlight certifications

For an orthodontic dental assistant position, include your certifications such as CPR or specialized dental assisting certifications. This adds value to your resume.

List any continuing education courses related to orthodontics. Employers look for candidates committed to staying updated with the latest practices.

Optimize for applicant tracking systems

When you apply for a job as an orthodontic dental assistant, your resume might first be read by a computer program. This is called an applicant tracking system (ATS). To help your resume get seen by a person, you need to make it easy for the ATS to read.

  • Use simple, clear job titles like 'dental assistant' and include specific skills like 'orthodontic patient care' and 'dental equipment sterilization'.
  • Make sure you list your certifications like 'Certified Dental Assistant (CDA)' or 'Radiology Certified' if you have them. Put them in a clear section for education and certifications.

Format your resume with simple layouts and standard fonts like Arial or Times New Roman. This makes it easier for the ATS to find the important parts of your resume.

Customize your resume

You need to make sure your resume speaks directly to the job you want. It should show that you have the right skills and experience. Read the job post carefully, and match your resume to it. This makes it clear you're a good fit for the role of an orthodontic assistant.

  • Highlight any experience you have with dental office practices and orthodontic procedures; use phrases like managed patient records and assisted with brace fittings.
  • Show your knowledge of dental health software or equipment by including specific tools you've used, like Digital X-ray Imaging or Invisalign system.
  • For a career change, link past jobs to this field. If you've worked in customer service, add provided top care to clients to show your people skills.

Avoiding careless errors

As an orthodontic dental assistant, your attention to detail is key. On your resume, you must show this by avoiding simple mistakes. First, make sure you spell all terms correctly. Words like 'orthodontics' can be hard. Use a spell checker. If you list any tools or procedures, spell these right too. For example, 'bracket placement' not 'bracket placing.'

Next, watch the job dates on your resume. They should match up. If you worked in a clinic from January 2019 to March 2021, make sure all dates you list are within this time. This shows you are careful and truthful. It is good to be clear about when you worked at each job. This way, it is easy for the hiring manager to see your experience. Remember, small details can have a big effect on how we see your skills as an orthodontic dental assistant.

Strong action verbs for resumes

When you update your resume, choose strong action verbs that show your skills and achievements in dental assisting. Your choice of words can have a big impact. For example, instead of 'worked on,' use verbs that showcase your hands-on experience and your ability to work with patients and dental equipment.

Think about the specific tasks you do every day and how you can describe them on your resume. Using the right verbs will help your resume stand out to hiring managers in the dental field. Here is a list to get you started:

  • To display your proficiency in patient care, use assisted, comforted, prepared, educated, and monitored.
  • Show your technical ability with x-rayed, sterilized, maintained, documented, and operated.
  • To highlight your organizational skills, include verbs like organized, managed, ordered, stocked, and scheduled.
  • For demonstrating your teamwork, use collaborated, supported, coordinated, liaised, and contributed.
  • To show your commitment to ongoing learning and compliance, opt for completed, attended, followed, updated, and adhered.

Want inspiration for other action verbs you can use? Check out synonyms to commonly used action verbs like Help, Develop, Streamline, Led, Improved.

Show achievements, not tasks

When you're crafting your resume as an orthodontic assistant, it's tempting to list your daily tasks. Instead, show what you've achieved. This makes your resume stand out and tells employers you can bring real value to their office.

Examples:

  • Instead of saying you 'prepared patients for treatment,' you could say, 'Enhanced patient comfort and readiness for treatment, resulting in a 15% increase in positive patient feedback.'
  • Swap 'sterilized tools' with 'Implemented a new sterilization technique that reduced equipment prep time by 20%.'

Key skills for orthodontic assistants

When crafting your resume as an orthodontic assistant, it's crucial to highlight specific skills that show you're well-suited for the job. Here's a list of skills you might include, depending on your experience and the role you're aiming for:

  • Radiography proficiency
  • Orthodontic appliance maintenance
  • Infection control techniques
  • Dental software knowledge
  • Impression taking
  • Bracket placement assistance
  • Wire bending skills
  • Patient record management
  • Equipment sterilization
  • Dental anatomy understanding

You don't need to list every skill, just those you're good at and fit the job you want. Place these skills in a dedicated section on your resume. This helps your resume pass Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) which look for specific keywords related to the job.

Remember, while you may have many skills, focus on including those most relevant to the role of an orthodontic assistant. This might include tasks you've performed, tools you've used, or specific techniques you're familiar with. For instance, if you've worked with certain dental software or have experience with specific orthodontic procedures, make sure to include these details.

Highlighting leadership growth

As an orthodontic dental assistant, showing your growth into leadership roles can make your resume stand out. If you've been promoted or have taken on more responsibility over time, this is a good sign to potential employers that you can handle important tasks and lead a team.

Think about times you've trained new staff or led a project. Here are some ways you can show this experience:

  • "Promoted to lead dental assistant after consistently demonstrating skill in patient care and team coordination."
  • "Tasked with overseeing inventory management, a role usually reserved for more senior staff."

Even if you're unsure how to show leadership, consider times you've helped improve a process or took charge when your supervisor was away. Describing these instances can show employers your potential for leadership. Include statements like:

  • "Initiated a new tool sterilization protocol to increase efficiency."
  • "Served as acting supervisor when needed, ensuring clinic operations ran smoothly."

Show impact with numbers

Using numbers on your resume can help show the real impact of your work as an orthodontic dental assistant. These figures make your achievements clear and easy to understand.

Think about the tasks you do every day and how you can measure them. For example:

  • How many patients do you assist in a typical day or week? This number can show your ability to handle a busy workload.
  • Did you help reduce appointment wait times? Mention the percentage of time saved.

Even if you're not sure of exact figures, you can estimate. Think about:

  • The number of orthodontic procedures you've been involved in, which shows your experience.
  • Any improvements in patient satisfaction scores at your clinic. Even a small increase is worth mentioning.
  • If you helped to decrease supply costs, estimate the percentage of cost savings.
  • The number of new tools or technologies you've mastered, indicating your commitment to staying current in your field.

Remember, these numbers prove your effectiveness and can set you apart from other applicants.

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