On the front line of preventive oral care, dental hygienists are in high-demand with gleaming career prospects. But landing the best jobs takes some persuasive polish, especially to create a successful dental hygienist cover letter.
You’ve come to the right place for help. Resume.io is a leading provider of job-winning resources, including 180+ free cover letter examples. We also offer formatting advice, plus field-tested templates and builder tools to help you create both job application documents.
This cover letter writing guide, along with a dental hygienist cover letter example, will discuss:
- The best format for structuring a cover letter
- Writing psychology for effective cover letter samples
- Design and formatting tips
- Common writing mistakes to avoid.
Dental hygienist role and job outlook
With oral health care becoming a more prominent focus of general health awareness, the vitally important role of dental hygienists has gained enhanced recognition. Typically working together with dentists, dental hygienists provide a wide range of oral hygiene services. From patient screening procedures and X-rays to cleaning teeth and applying protective substances, their direct involvement with patient care can be extensive. Educating and counseling patients about oral health practices can be another core job role.
American Dental Association career information highlights the diversity of opportunities for dental hygienists. Other than working in general dental practices, dental hygienists are employed in:
- specialty practices such as periodontics or pediatric dentistry
- public health clinics, hospitals and nursing homes.
- teaching positions at dental schools and inb dental hygiene education programs
- research, office management or business administration
- companies that market dental-related materials and equipment
An American Dental Association fact sheet states that dental hygiene is projected to be among the 30 fastest growing occupations in the U.S. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the dental hygiene job market is expected to grow by 6% from 2019 to 2029, faster than the workforce average. BLS data indicates the median annual income for dental hygienists in 2021 was $77,810.
Best format for a dental hygienist cover letter
What many job applicants fear about the hardest part of a writing task — getting started — is unfounded when it comes to your dental hygienist cover letter sample. Following the same basic framework that’s ideal for all occupations, we’ll take you through each step at a time.
First, just one rule: keep it short — 300 to 450 words maximum. That means your dental hygienist cover letter must fit on a single page with enough white space to offset the text-dense sections.
Now ready to dive in, be sure to include these cover letter sample components in the following order:
- Cover letter header
- Cover letter greeting / salutation
- Cover letter introduction
- Cover letter middle paragraphs (body)
- Cover letter closing (conclusion and sign-off)
Here is an adaptable cover letter example for a dental hygienist that you can customize for your own version, tailored to the position and employer:
Dear Ms. Lockington,
Having graduated two years ago with an Associate’s Degree in Dental Assisting, I am looking for a role as a Dental Hygienist to continue my dental education.
I have spent the past two years as a Certified Orthodontic Assistant at a large practice in Denver and I wish to move to a smaller practice where I can gain experience learning from working with a smaller group of dentists on a one-to-one basis. I have developed a chairside manner that was rated “warm and friendly” by 97% of my patients and I now want to further my technical knowledge of dentistry as I continue up the career ladder.
I have a basic level of experience in the following aspects of dentistry and would look forward to gaining more experience in these practices:
- Taking dental radiographs and fabricating crowns and implants
- Educating younger patients about oral hygiene techniques
- All aspects of operative and post-operative dental hygiene care
- Cleaning, polishing, and taking dental impressions
I have worked in a high-volume public sector practice and while this exposed me to a large number of patients and procedures, I feel that I want to join a practice that is more family-oriented where I can get to know a smaller set of patients on a personal level. Having said that, due to the volume of work in my previous role, my admin skills are highly polished.
I am starting a remote learning dentistry course and am dedicated to the profession, so I would hopefully become a fantastic member of your four-handed dental team. I would welcome the opportunity to visit your practice and talk about how I make a genuine difference to my patients. I have 40+ letters of recommendation that you may wish to read.
Sincerely,
Hannah Doyle
Cover letter header
The cover letter header fills a small space with a mighty purpose.
- It identifies the document as belonging to you in an unmistakable, easily retrievable fashion. When your name, occupation and contact information are prominently displayed at the top, anyone involved in the recruiting process – possibly including HR and dental staff in different offices — can readily trace it to you and know how to reach you.
- Your regard for detail and professionalism are reflected in the extra thought and effort you put into an eye-catching cover letter. Take advantage of the header’s creative expression potential through careful font choices, offset by white space and perhaps a touch of color. Readers are thus rewarded with a visually appealing letter that looks inviting to read.
Make them match
Aligning the visual styles of your dental hygienist cover letter and resume is one extra worthwhile step setting you apart from the masses of job applicants. The hiring manager’s first impression is more apt to have a lasting impact when it’s a matching pair.
Check out examples of headers in Resume.io’s collection of cover letter and resume templates.
Goal of the cover letter header: Distinguish yourself from other job applicants by attracting visual attention and conveying your regard for detail and professionalism.
Cover letter greeting
Your dental hygienist cover letter greeting should be addressed to the recipient by name if possible — the dentist, office manager, HR recruiter or someone else most closely involved in hiring decisions.
You can’t go wrong with “Dear Dr. Brown,” as it never goes out of style. Replace “Dr.” with “Mr.” or “Ms.” as appropriate, and be careful about the correct gender. “Greetings” or “Hello” instead of “Dear” may be okay in some instances if you’re certain it’s a casual enough workplace. Otherwise, take no chances and err on the formal side. The same goes for addressing the recipient by first name — don’t, unless you happen to know each other.
If no recipient has been specified in the job application instructions, make a reasonable effort to find out by asking someone you know, checking the employer’s website or making a phone call to inquire. If you are still unable to find out who the hiring manager is, avoid “To Whom it May Concern'' even as a last resort. Any of these generic alternatives are better: “Dear [Office Name] Team” or “Dear Dental Hygienist Hiring Team.”
Goal of the cover letter greeting: Start off on a professional note while making a direct personal connection with the hiring manager.
Cover letter introduction
The introduction of your dental hygienist cover letter is an opening hook to the reader. It’s where your case is launched for being a standout dental hygienist candidate, keenly interested in this specific opportunity. Your concisely compelling opening statements should express why you are excited about the position, and how your backstory and aspirations are a perfect fit for this employer’s needs and wants.
Your language and tone should be authentic and conversational, but still professional. Sound energetic, enthusiastic and confident, but not arrogant or pushy. Content-wise, don’t go overboard in the introduction, but leave your intrigued reader wanting more. The transition into the next cover letter section should not even be noticeable.
Including a positive remark about the employer in the cover letter shows you are knowledgeable and interested, adding credibility to your case for wanting to work there:
It’s an exciting opportunity to contribute my dental hygiene expertise at Smiles Dental, one of the busiest and most respected service providers in the city.
Goal of the cover letter introduction: Capture the attention of hiring managers with a compelling preview of your qualifications that motivates them to read more.
Dear Ms. Lockington,
Having graduated two years ago with an Associate’s Degree in Dental Assisting, I am looking for a role as a Dental Hygienist to continue my dental education.
Cover letter middle part (body)
The middle paragraphs of cover letters make connections between your qualifications and what the employer needs that you can deliver. How do you know? Because you’ve paid close attention to the advertised job description and also researched the hiring organization to determine what it most values in a dental hygienist. The spotlight is on what makes you a lucky find for this recruiter.
Single out a few of the most relevant accomplishments from your resume, mixed and matched with soft skills brought to bear. Avoid rehashing your resume highlights, but rather add context that will resonate with your future boss. Fact and figures are an impressive way to quantify any cost, efficiency or quality benefits to past employers. But don’t hesitate to share anecdotes that might touch a chord. Don’t shy away from challenges and difficulties you overcame, emphasizing lessons learned and beneficial outcomes.
Soft skills — notably communication, listening and empathy — are critically important to dental hygienists, even as requirements for technical proficiency are intense. According to a Dental Economics article by consultant Janet Hagerman, patient acceptance rates for dental treatment average only 30% to 50%. Building a winning rapport with patients is the key to helping them say yes to the typically costly dental care they need.
In addition to communication skills and empathy, a Hygienicator post by clinical educator Jasmine Williams emphasizes these qualities as important: attention to detail, optimism, flexibility, interpersonal team skills, confidence, problem-solving skills, respect and sense of humor.
Goal of the cover letter body: Illustrate how this employer would benefit from your commitment to excellence as a dental hygienist.
I have spent the past two years as a Certified Orthodontic Assistant at a large practice in Denver and I wish to move to a smaller practice where I can gain experience learning from working with a smaller group of dentists on a one-to-one basis. I have developed a chairside manner that was rated “warm and friendly” by 97% of my patients and I now want to further my technical knowledge of dentistry as I continue up the career ladder.
I have a basic level of experience in the following aspects of dentistry and would look forward to gaining more experience in these practices:
- Taking dental radiographs and fabricating crowns and implants
- Educating younger patients about oral hygiene techniques
- All aspects of operative and post-operative dental hygiene care
- Cleaning, polishing, and taking dental impressions
I have worked in a high-volume public sector practice and while this exposed me to a large number of patients and procedures, I feel that I want to join a practice that is more family-oriented where I can get to know a smaller set of patients on a personal level. Having said that, due to the volume of work in my previous role, my admin skills are highly polished.
How to close a dental hygiene letter (conclusion and sign-off)
Here you have one more opportunity to affirm you’re the best dental hygienist for the job, and to take it a step further. End your cover letter by reinforcing your greatest asset to this employer and saying thanks for the recruiter’s attention. Then close with an eager call to action, at the very least indicating how much you look forward to a response.
Don’t be afraid to express your desire to follow up in a week or so to ask about arranging a possible interview. Implying some expectation of further contact is not out of line, so the cover letter recipient feels less comfortable setting it aside and forgetting about it.
Last, simply sign off with “Sincerely,” "Best regards,” or “Best,” above your name. And you’re done!
Aim of the cover letter closing: End on a positive, self-assured note with a call to action that ideally results in an interview.
I am starting a remote learning dentistry course and am dedicated to the profession, so I would hopefully become a fantastic member of your four-handed dental team. I would welcome the opportunity to visit your practice and talk about how I make a genuine difference to my patients. I have 40+ letters of recommendation that you may wish to read.
Sincerely,
Hannah Doyle
Writing psychology: the person inside the professional
What recruiters need to know about your technical competencies as an oral hygiene expert is in your resume. When it comes to your personality and compatibility as a dental health team member, leave it to your dental hygienist cover letter to tell that story.
Strive to give prospective employers a heart-and-soul glimpse at who you are and what you would look like in their patient care setting. Above all, what would be the impact on the patient experience?
Put yourself behind the hiring desk momentarily — perhaps even wearing the shoes of your future dentist boss. Imagine coming across your own cover letter in a sea of other cookie-cutter documents from equally qualified dental hygienists… along with many more stand-alone resumes. What would make your cover letter captivating right away and impossible to set aside after reading?
Dental hygiene cover letter with no experience
Have you recently completed your studies? If you are new to the dental hygiene field, your cover letter gives you the chance to explain that. Here are some tips to help you out:
- Highlight your qualifications and enthusiasm for the dental industry.
- Draw upon other experiences and the skills that may overlap. For example, if you worked in customer service, you could note that you have a good manner.
- Show a willingness to learn. Tell the hiring manager that you are aware of the experience you lack but that you are eager to learn new skills.
- Highlight any additional training you are undertaking in your spare time.
Basic mistakes in a dental hygiene letter (and how to avoid them)
Other than not submitting a cover letter at all with your resume, below are some of the most common mistakes made by job applicants who do submit one. Giving yourself time to error-proof your dental hygienist cover letter is well worth the effort you put into creating it.
Be sure to avoid:
- Sending the same generic cover letter sample with multiple job applications.
- Too much technical terminology and not enough everyday language that an HR professional wouldn’t understand.
- Design and formatting flaws, which need not be a concern if you use a professional template.
Key takeaways for a dental hygiene cover letter
- Dental hygienists are in high demand with excellent job prospects, due to an aging population and research linking oral health to general health. An exceptional cover letter sample is essential to compete for the best jobs.
- Your persuasive case for being the ideal dental hygienist should be tailored to what the employer needs and values.
- A visually attractive, clean and polished look reflects your professionalism and regard for detail, also making your cover letter sample inviting to read.
- Using a professional cover letter template relieves you of the hassle and time-consuming steps in designing and formatting your cover letter, letting you focus on the wording.
For additional inspiration, you can check out our related medical cover letter examples.
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