Dental Hygienist Resume Example and Template
A strong Dental Hygienist resume demonstrates expertise in periodontal assessment, patient education, and clinical hygiene procedures. Highlight your credentials, patient communication skills, and contributions to preventive dental health.
Dental practices prioritize hygienists who perform efficient cleanings, identify oral health risks early, educate patients on home care, work collaboratively with dentists, and maintain strict infection control standards.
A complete, realistic Dental Hygienist resume, laid out in an ATS-tested template. The candidate is illustrative: the name, employers and figures were written for this example and identify no real person, so you can copy its structure and wording freely.
Updated September 2026
Victoria Brown: Dental Hygienist
Portland, Oregon, United States
Summary
Dental Hygienist with Associate degree and 6 years of clinical experience in general and periodontal practices. Proficient in patient assessment, scaling and root planing, radiography, and patient health education. Managed 12-14 daily patient appointments while maintaining 96% patient satisfaction. Recognized for thorough assessments that identify early periodontal disease and treatment needs. Strong communication with diverse patient populations.
Work Experience
Dental Hygienist, Cascade Periodontal Specialty
Aug 2021 – Present. Specialty periodontal practice
- Perform comprehensive periodontal exams and scaling and root planing for patients with mild to advanced periodontal disease.
- Obtain and analyze intraoral radiographs to assess bone levels and identify early periodontal pathology.
- Educate patients on periodontal disease progression and home care; provide motivational interviewing to support behavioral change.
- Document detailed clinical findings and treatment outcomes; communicate assessment and treatment plan to supervising periodontist.
Dental Hygienist, Smiles Family Dentistry
Mar 2019 – Jul 2021. General dental practice
- Provided routine prophylaxis and therapeutic cleanings for 12-14 patients daily across age groups.
- Screened patients for oral cancer, periodontal disease, and other pathology; referred abnormal findings to dentist promptly.
- Performed intraoral and extraoral radiographs with attention to safety and image quality.
Dental Hygienist, Community Health Center Dental Clinic
Jun 2018 – Feb 2019. Community health clinic
- Provided preventive dental hygiene services to underserved patient population.
- Educated patients on oral health, fluoride use, and access to dental care resources.
Education
Oregon Institute of Technology
Associate Degree, Dental Hygiene. Sep 2016 – May 2018
Portland High School
High School Diploma, General Education. Sep 2012 – Jun 2016
Skills
Prophylaxis, Scaling and Root Planing, Periodontal Assessment, Radiography, Patient Education, Intraoral Photography, Fluoride Application, Sealant Application, Infection Control, Patient Communication, Clinical Documentation, Periodontal Disease Recognition
Languages
English
Certificates and Awards
- Registered Dental Hygienist, Oregon State Board of Dentistry, 2018
- CPR and BLS, American Heart Association, 2024
Why this look works
Dental hygienists are the clinical foundation of preventive care. This clean, professional template reflects the expertise and attention to detail that patients and dentists expect in their oral health partners.
Resume tips for this job
- Lead with patient satisfaction scores and appointment volume. 96% satisfaction and 12-14 patients daily show your efficiency and clinical skill.
- Highlight periodontal disease identification and patient education. Hygienists who catch early disease and engage patients in home care add enormous value to practices.
- Include specific procedures: SRP, fluoride, sealants, intraoral photography. If you're certified in expanded functions like LA or nitrous oxide, list those.
Common questions
Do I need a Bachelor's degree or is an Associate sufficient?
An Associate degree in Dental Hygiene is standard and sufficient for most positions. Some practices or advancing to educator or researcher roles prefer a Bachelor's, but it's not required for clinical practice.
Should I mention my RDH license number?
Your resume should confirm you hold a current RDH license in your state. You don't need to list the license number itself; your employer will verify licensing through the state board.