How to Land a Job as a Dental Assistant: Tips for Standing Out and Getting Hired

You’ve completed your dental assistant training — or maybe you’re almost there. Now comes the next step: landing your first job in the dental field.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to stand out in today’s job market, from resumes and interviews to appearance and communication skills. Whether you’re applying for your first position or brushing up before reentering the workforce, these tips will help set you apart.

1. Craft a Clean, Professional Resume

A dental office might receive dozens of applications. Make yours rise to the top by ensuring it’s:

• Clear, concise, and error-free (have a grammar-savvy friend proofread it)

• Up-to-date with relevant education, clinical experience, and volunteer work

• Easy to scan with clear headings and bullet points

💡 Pro Tip: Use a professional email address. If your current address is something like surferchick42@hotmail.com, consider switching to something simple like firstname.lastname@gmail.com.

2. Clean Up Your Online Presence

Before they ever meet you, many employers will look you up online. What they find matters.

• Remove any inappropriate photos, comments, or language from your public profiles

• Update privacy settings on your personal accounts

• Consider starting a LinkedIn profile to showcase your education and goals

Remember: you’re applying for a professional role where trust, maturity, and appearance matter.

3. Prepare for Phone Calls from Employers

If your resume makes the cut, you may get a phone call before an interview. Treat that call like step one of the interview process.

Make sure you:

• Have a professional voicemail greeting (no music or slang)

• Answer clearly and respectfully

• Eliminate background noise during the call

• Ask for clarification when needed — it shows that you’re careful and interested

4. Dress the Part — Yes, It Matters

Your appearance communicates professionalism before you ever speak.

For an interview:

• Wear scrubs if you’ve been told it’s a working interview

• If not, wear clean, modest business-casual clothing — nothing too tight, flashy, or heavily scented

• Avoid: flip-flops, loud jewelry, scrunchies, excessive makeup, long fingernails, or anything you’d wear to a concert

You want the focus to stay on your skills and personality — not your outfit.

5. Nail the In-Person Interview

Now it’s time to shine. Here’s how to make the most of the opportunity:

• Smile and show enthusiasm — you’re applying for a people-facing role

• Arrive early, not rushed (10–15 minutes ahead is ideal)

• Dress appropriately — scrubs for a working interview, or clean business attire

• Listen well — don’t just wait for your turn to speak

• Speak clearly, using professional language (avoid “like,” “um,” “you know,” etc.)

• Ask thoughtful questions — this shows engagement and helps you evaluate the office too

• Stay calm and confident — nerves are normal, but being prepared helps

• Follow up — send a short thank-you email to reaffirm your interest

6. Be the Kind of Assistant You’d Want to Hire

Throughout the hiring process, keep in mind what dental offices are really looking for:

• Someone who makes patients feel welcome

• A team player who communicates clearly

• A dependable, professional, and positive presence

Let that come through in everything you do — from your voicemail to your thank-you email.

Ready to Start Your Dental Assisting Career?

At Triangle School of Dental Assisting, we help students succeed in the classroom and beyond. Many of our graduates go on to land jobs quickly — and stay in touch with us for ongoing support and job leads.

Interested in becoming a dental assistant in just 15 weeks? Contact us today or apply now to learn more about our next class.