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Dental Nurse Resume Examples

Dental Nurses assist dentists and help providing oral healthcare services to patients. Based on our most successful sample resumes, typical Dental Nurse duties are greeting patients, preparing them for procedures, offering oral care advice, sterilizing equipment and instruments, and helping the dentist when required. They may also need to handle several administrative tasks like updating records. A well-written example resume should mention assets like nursing expertise, empathy, communication, interpersonal skills and teamwork. Education requirements include dental assistant certification and in some cases, state licensure.

Looking for cover letter ideas? See our sample Dental Nurse Cover Letter.

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Dental Nurse Duties and Responsibilities

Both patients and dentists rely on dental nurses to do what they can to provide a positive experience. If you're scouting job postings, you'll likely see these core duties listed:

Health Procedures Dental nurses provide a variety of services designed to assess the condition of patients. They commonly ask questions to complete a medical history and perform acts such as checking blood pressure and pulse. Depending on their training, dental nurses may take and develop x-rays or set casts for models of teeth.

Patient Assistance Dental nurses provide a friendly face for nervous patients. They help keep people calm and informed. After a procedure, they may go over care instructions, such as when to change bandages or what medicines can be taken to relieve pain. Likewise, dental nurses routinely offer advice on proper teeth brushing techniques and the importance of flossing.

Dental Assistance As members of the dental team, dental nurses do what is necessary to keep procedures running smoothly. They may ensure an area is clean and stocked before a procedure starts and then work alongside the dentist to adjust lighting or suction off saliva. One of their key responsibilities is regularly sterilizing instruments and equipment so that germs are not spread.

Administrative Tasks Dental nurses may be assigned office tasks such as answering the phones, scheduling appointments, calling to remind patients about upcoming cleanings, ordering supplies, and dealing with billing/insurance issues.

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Dental Nurse Skills

Successful dental nurses take pride in their efforts to provide quality patient care. They are highly organized individuals capable of multitasking in order for things to get done. Dental nurses also possess outstanding interpersonal skills that create trusting bonds with those they serve. Other traits desirable for dental nurses include:
  • Following directions thoroughly
  • Respecting patient confidentiality
  • Displaying empathy for people who are frightened of dental treatment
  • Exhibiting good hygiene since they come into close contact with clients
  • Committing to safety procedures
  • Knowing proper terminology for dental equipment
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Dental Nurse Education and Training

A common way for a person to become a dental nurse is to complete an accredited certificate or diploma program through a community college or vocational institution. Such studies take about a year and involve both classroom work and supervised practical experience. Others opt to do two years of study and receive an associate's degree. Some aspiring dental nurses do not enroll in post-secondary studies but instead receive on-the-job-training directly from an employer. Licensing requirements vary by state and by the nature of tasks performed.
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Dental Nurse Salary

The median annual salary for dental nurses, classified by the Bureau of Labor Statistics as dental assistants, is $36,940. Dental nurses in the 10th percentile earn about $25,460 a year, and the highest paid make about $52,000 a year. Dental nurses in Minnesota, New Hampshire, and Alaska make the highest median salaries in the U.S. - $46,620, $45,980, and $45,330, respectively.
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Dental Nurse Resources

Whether you're interested in becoming a dental nurse in the UK or a dental assistant in the U.S., plenty of sources exist that can help you get on your way. A few to peruse include:

American Dental Assistants Association - The mission of this group, which has been in existence for more than 90 years, is "advancing the careers of dental assistants and promoting the dental assisting profession in matters of education, legislation, credentialing, and professional activities which enhance the delivery of quality dental health care to the public." Check out its website for the latest industry news and connect via its social media channels to folks sure to be helpful in providing insight and answering questions.

Dental Assisting National Board - Learn about the certification process and how it might enhance your career opportunities on the website of this organization that has been around since 1948.

American Dental Association - The go-to place for everything related to the dental field, this organization's website has a plethora of information in its "career" section on how each dental team member contributes to the entire oral health experience.

Society of British Dental Nurses - This not-for-profit serves as a way for dental nurses to gain a collective voice, learn more about their profession and advance their career prospects.

Levinson's Textbook for Dental Nurses - Written by the former chair of the National Examining Board for Dental Nurses, this book helps students preparing for their dental nurse qualification to master key concepts. A companion website provides self-assessment exercises designed to test knowledge.

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