Professional Resume Template for

Dental Assistant

Clarissa M. Sterling

Seattle, WA

(206) 555-0142

clarissa.sterling@email.com

linkedin.com/in/clarissa-sterling

Professional Summary

Methodical Dental Assistant with 5 years of clinical practice in high-volume general and cosmetic dentistry offices. Competent in managing clinical workflows for up to 25 patients daily, reducing patient wait times by 18% through optimized operatory setup. Proven expertise in four-handed dentistry, digital radiography (capturing 3,000+ diagnostic images with a <1.2% retake rate), and Dentrix. Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) with active registration in dental radiography and infection control.

Work Experience

Dental Assistant — Pinecrest Family Dental

Seattle, WA | January 2024 – Present

  • Executed four-handed dentistry assisting for 3 dentists in a busy 8-operatory clinic, supporting an average of 24 patient procedures daily.
  • Captured 1,200+ digital X-rays and 3D intraoral scans annually using Dentrix and Dexis, maintaining a retake rate of under 1.1%.
  • Streamlined clinical sterilization protocols according to CDC guidelines, reducing instrument turnaround times by 15% across 4 sterilization stations.
  • Maintained and tracked clinical inventory worth $18,000, negotiating with 2 local suppliers to reduce supply costs by 8% over 12 months.

Dental Assistant — Beacon Hill Dentistry

Seattle, WA | June 2021 – December 2023

  • Assisted 2 general dentists with restorative, endodontic, and oral surgery procedures, improving daily patient throughput by 14%.
  • Prepared and sterilized 6 operatory rooms per day, ensuring 100% compliance with OSHA and infection control standards.
  • Managed patient scheduling and charting in Eaglesoft, decreasing data-entry errors by 22% over a 12-month period.
  • Coordinated patient check-ins and treatment plan explanations, boosting patient satisfaction ratings to 96% and post-visit survey returns by 15%.

Education

Associate of Applied Science in Dental Assisting

Cascade Community College · Seattle, WA · 2021

Skills

Four-handed dentistry, Digital radiography, Dentrix, Eaglesoft, Infection control, Instrument sterilization (autoclave), Coronal polishing, Nitrous oxide monitoring, Patient charting, Intraoral scanning (Dexis), OSHA & CDC compliance, Treatment planning, Inventory management

Projects

Practice Management Software Transition

Role: Lead Assistant & Charting Coordinator

Tools: Eaglesoft, Dentrix, MS Excel

Co-led the migration of 4,200 digital patient records during a practice-wide software transition, reducing patient check-in bottlenecks by 25%.

Sterilization Workflow Optimization

Role: Safety Officer & Lead Assistant

Tools: CDC Sterilization Protocols, OSHA Checklists

Designed a color-coded instrument sterilization workflow, reducing cross-contamination risk indicators to 0% and saving 8 labor hours weekly.

Certifications

  • Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) (2021)
  • Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) (2021)
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers (2025)

Additional information

  • Languages: English (Native), Spanish (Bilingual)
  • Volunteer Work: Provided clinical support to 120+ low-income patients annually at the Seattle Union Gospel Mission Dental Clinic
  • Availability: 2 weeks notice

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Job Market Insights

Market data and opportunities for

Dental Assistant

Job Market Insights

$36,190

-

$61,780

Avg:

$47,300

Growth Outlook:

Employment of dental assistants is projected to grow 6 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations. The demand is driven by an aging population requiring more oral healthcare services and an increased industry focus on preventive dental care. As dentists delegate more routine clinical and administrative tasks to assistants, job openings are expected to remain steady.

6% growth over 10 years

Key Skills Required

Focus on these skills when customizing your resume for recruiter screenings.

Active Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) or Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) credential || Proficient in digital radiography (RHS certified) and practice management software such as Dentrix or Eaglesoft || Expert in four-handed chairside assisting across general, restorative, and surgical dental procedures

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FAQ

Common questions about the

Dental Assistant

position

What certifications are required to work as a dental assistant?
What is the difference between a dental assistant and a dental hygienist?
What are expanded functions for a dental assistant?
Which practice management software is most common in dental offices?
How does a dental assistant maintain infection control standards?
Is radiographic certification required for dental assistants?
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