Dentist CV Example & Writing Guide

As a dentist, you play a crucial role in ensuring your community's oral health and well-being. But with a growing number of dental professionals, how do you make your dentist CV shine? 

In our comprehensive dentist CV guide, along with our professional CV builder and CV examples, we’ll provide insider tips and real-world examples to help you craft a standout dentist CV that showcases your skills, experience, and commitment to patient care.

How to write a dentist CV

To begin writing your dentist CV, include the following sections: 

• The header
• The personal statement
• The employment history section
• The skills section
• The education section

To make your mark in New Zealand's competitive dental landscape, your CV needs to go beyond just listing your qualifications. It needs to showcase your clinical skills, patient care experience, and commitment to oral health. To do this, we recommend including the following: 

1. Highlight your hands-on experience, including procedures like restorative dentistry, endodontics, and prosthodontics.
2. Showcase your specialisations. List relevant certifications, courses, or specialised training, including orthodontics or periodontics.
3. Expand upon your ability to build rapport, explain procedures, and provide compassionate care. Use action verbs like "diagnosed,” “treated,” and “developed.”
4. Quantify your achievements and use metrics to demonstrate your impact. For example, "treated 100+ patients" or "achieved a 95% satisfaction rate.”

Choosing the best dentist CV format 

The CV format you choose can significantly impact your chances of being hired. For most dental professionals, a reverse chronological CV is the best format, highlighting your career progression and recent clinical experience.

While some dentistry professionals may benefit from a functional or combination format to outline specific skills or diverse backgrounds, the reverse chronological format generally provides the most effective way to showcase your qualifications and experience to potential employers.

Include essential contact details

Just as a welcoming smile puts patients at ease, clear and accurate contact information on your dental CV encourages potential employers to connect with you. Be sure to include the following information in your CV header:

• Full Name & Preferred Title: Clearly state your full name and desired dental role, e.g., "General Dentist" or "Orthodontist.”.
• Email Address: Use a professional email address that reflects your name.
• Phone Number: Provide a current, easily accessible phone number with a professional voicemail message.
• Location: Include your city and region, and indicate if you're open to relocating.
• Online Profile (Optional): To showcase your dental experience, include a link to your professional online profile, such as LinkedIn.

Clear contact information ensures potential employers can easily reach you to discuss opportunities and schedule interviews.

Incorporate an engaging personal statement

Consider your personal statement as a window into your dental practice – a concise and inviting overview of your approach to patient care and your commitment to oral health. Use your personal statement to showcase your passion for dentistry, your dedication to lifelong learning, and your unique strengths as a dental professional.

In 2-4 sentences, paint a picture of your ideal dental practice. Highlight your clinical skills, patient communication style, and any specialised areas of expertise that distinguish you as a professional. 

For example: “Responsible and committed aspiring dentist passionate about providing comprehensive oral healthcare. Driven by a genuine desire to improve the lives of New Zealanders through preventative care and advanced dental techniques. Keen to contribute to a collaborative and innovative dental practice committed to delivering exceptional patient experiences.”

Need more assistance creating your dentist CV guide? Check out our related CV examples: doctor CV example, nurse CV example, pharmacist CV example, psychologist CV example, and physical therapist CV example. 

Additionally, you can also review our dentist CV examples below: 

Discuss your dentistry experience

The employment history section of your dental CV is the most essential element of your dentist CV. It's your opportunity to showcase your clinical skills, patient care approach, and contributions to the dental practices where you've honed your craft. Use specific action verbs, metrics and numbers to quantify your impact. 

Instead of:

• “Cleaned teeth and performed checkups”
• “Treated cavities and extracted teeth”
• “Talked to patients about their oral health”

These can be rephrased as

• “Provided preventative and restorative care to a diverse patient base, including dental cleanings, examinations, fillings, and extractions”
• “Performed complex dental procedures, such as root canals, crowns, and bridges, using advanced techniques and technologies to achieve optimal patient outcomes”
• “Effectively communicated with patients to build trust and rapport, explaining treatment plans clearly and addressing concerns to ensure optimal recovery and oral health”

By using strong action verbs, specific details, and quantifiable achievements, you can create an employment history section that effectively showcases your dental expertise and makes a lasting impression on potential employers.

Include relevant dentistry skills

The skills section of your dental CV is your chance to highlight the clinical abilities, patient care expertise, and professional qualities that make you a valuable addition to any dental practice. Common dentistry skills include: 

Dentistry requires a unique blend of technical skills and soft skills. Ensure your CV showcases your clinical expertise alongside relevant skills to demonstrate your ability to provide exceptional patient care.

Detail your education & relevant dentistry certifications

The education and certifications section of your dental CV is your opportunity to highlight the qualifications and training that demonstrate your expertise and dedication to the dental profession in New Zealand. We recommend including the following details: 

• Education: Include details about your Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree and any notable achievements, including achievements or awards.
• Certifications: List important certifications and registrations, including your registration status with the Dental Council of New Zealand or membership with professional organisations, such as the New Zealand Dental Association (NZDA).
• Training: Include details about any specialised training courses you've completed, such as those related to specific dental procedures, technologies, or patient care approaches.

Select the best CV layout and design for a dentistry CV

When crafting your dental CV, think of it as your first consultation with a potential employer. A clear and compelling presentation is key! Choose a professional or modern CV layout and design that allows your qualifications and experience to shine, ensuring your key skills and accomplishments are easily understood and appreciated.

Dentist text-only CV example

Elevate your dental career with a polished CV crafted using our expert-approved online CV builder. Showcase your clinical skills, patient care experience, and qualifications with tailored templates designed to make a lasting impression on dental practices and employers.