Dentist resume template
A clean starting structure with example content grounded in what dentists actually do day to day, not generic filler. Download and replace the bracketed placeholders with your own details.
Which resume format should you use?
Reverse chronological
You have a steady work history. This is the format almost every recruiter and ATS expects by default.
Functional
You're changing fields or have gaps in your employment. Leads with skills rather than a job-by-job timeline.
Combination
You're early career or have worked consistently but for only a few employers. Blends a skills summary with a shorter chronological history.
This template uses the reverse chronological format: the one most dentists should default to, since most Australian recruiters and ATS software expect it.
Professional summary
Registered dentist with hands-on experience across diagnostic assessment, preventive care and restorative procedures. Comfortable managing a full clinical list, explaining treatment options in plain language, and maintaining the infection control and record-keeping standards required under the Dental Board of Australia's Code of Conduct. Known for calm patient management and steady clinical technique.
Key skills
- Clinical assessment and diagnosis
- Restorative and surgical procedures (fillings, extractions, root canals)
- Infection control and sterilisation protocols
- Diagnostic imaging and X-ray interpretation
- Patient communication and anxiety management
- Dental drill and ultrasonic scaler operation
- Intraoral camera use for diagnosis and patient education
- Practice management software (scheduling, clinical notes, billing)
- Regulatory compliance and clinical record-keeping
Experience: example bullet points
- Examined and diagnosed dental conditions across a mixed patient caseload, using clinical assessment and diagnostic imaging to plan evidence-based treatment
- Performed preventive, restorative and surgical procedures including fillings, extractions and root canals under strict infection control protocols
- Explained treatment options and costs in plain language, improving patient uptake of recommended treatment plans and reducing appointment no-shows
- Maintained accurate clinical records in practice management software, supporting compliance with Dental Board of Australia record-keeping requirements
- Managed anxious and paediatric patients with tailored communication approaches, reducing procedure cancellations and improving return visit rates
- Supervised infection control and sterilisation processes in line with practice regulations and workplace health and safety requirements
Education
Bachelor of Dentistry / Doctor of Dental Medicine (or Bachelor of Oral Health pathway followed by postgraduate dental qualification), plus current registration with the Dental Board of Australia (AHPRA) and ongoing CPD to maintain registration.
Keywords an ATS is likely to scan for
Applicant tracking systems match your resume against terms in the job ad before a person ever sees it. Only include the ones that actually apply to your experience, but if a term below matches something you've done, use the same wording the job ad uses.
- Dental Board of Australia
- AHPRA registration
- Australian Dental Association (ADA)
- infection control
- informed consent
- scope of practice
- Medicare and private health fund billing
- CPD compliance
- clinical governance
- radiography licence
- dental practice regulations
- patient records
Getting past ATS screening
- Match the specific skills, certifications and terms used in the job ad, not just your own wording for the same thing.
- Keep formatting simple: no tables, text boxes, columns, headers/footers or graphics. Parsers frequently drop content placed in these.
- Submit as .docx or PDF unless the job ad specifies otherwise.
- Use standard section headings (Experience, Education, Skills) rather than creative alternatives.
- List your core skills and technical competencies in their own section so a keyword scan can find them instantly.
This is a starting point, not a guarantee of interviews. Tailor every bullet point to your own real experience and the specific job ad.