Are you a dentist writing a cover letter for a dental job opening? 

Princess Dental Staffing’s here to help!

We’ll show you what to avoid and what to include in your cover letter when applying to dentist jobs to help you get the hiring manager’s attention and get hired.

What to Avoid

According to this survey, dentists should avoid:

1. Typos
2. Bad formatting
3. Buzzwords
4. Gaps in their work history

What to Include

According to that same survey, dentists should include a link to their Facebook and Twitter profile if the hiring manager is a Millenial. Millenial hiring managers also place importance on education, schools attended, and GPA. So be sure to include those too if you know the hiring manager.

If the manager is a Boomer, focus on proven results and references.

Generation X hiring managers will generally place more importance on your resume over your cover letter.

Remember, a great cover letter is as much about the dental practice as it is about you!

Pay Attention to Detail 

Many hiring managers use cover letters to disclose inconsistencies. For example, if your resume says you pay close attention to detail, but your cover letter is addressed to the wrong person, that could land your cover letter and resume in the no pile.

More on how to get your resume into the yes pile.

Dentist Cover Letter in 7 Steps

Start with the Heading

Wondering what you should include in your heading? Here’s what we recommend:

• Your name
• Your phone number
• Your email address
• Your LinkedIn Profile URL
• Recipient's name
• Recipient's title
• Dental practice name
• Dental practice address
• Dental practice city, state, zip

Use a proper greeting

Address the dentist as Dr. or use other honorifics (Mr., Mrs., Ms) for a hiring manager. Avoid using “to whom it may concern” if it can be avoided.

Introduce yourself

The first paragraph is a great opportunity for you to introduce yourself. Include a frame of reference by including the position title you’re applying for along with the practice name and where you saw the job posting. Use one or two sentences to describe who you are, what you do and why you love it.

Explain why you’d be a good fit for the position

This is where your research skills come in handy. How much do you know about the company and the position they’re hiring for? This is where you have an opportunity to match your experience and skills to the position. Show the company that you understand who they are and what they’re looking for.

Share why you’re excited about working for this company

Dental practices want dentists who are excited about their work. Do your best to convey enthusiasm for the work you do, as well as for the company you’ll be working for.

Closing Paragraph

The final paragraph is an opportunity to reiterate what makes you a good fit for this position.

Signature

Whether you close with “sincerely” or “best regards” or “all the best” a proper signature shows respect.

Dentist Cover Letter Example

[Your Name]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email]
[Your LinkedIn]

[Recipient's Name]
[Recipient's Title]
[Dental Practice Name]
[Practice Address]
[City, State, Zip]

Dear Dr. [Recipient's Last Name],

When I saw that Phoenix Dental Center was hiring for a dentist, I immediately started my application! I didn’t want to miss this amazing opportunity to work with one of the best dental offices in the valley. I’ve been a practicing dentist for seven years with an enthusiasm for patient care.

I’m currently working for ABC Dental. As a dentist there, I work with a diverse population and a wide range of procedures including crowns, veneers, implants, dentures, and fillings. Some of my competencies include:

• Strong communication skills
• Patient empathy
• Manual dexterity and fine motor skills
• Patient management
• Team player 

As a member of your team at Phoenix Dental Center, I’ll take time to get to know my patients and their comfort requirements. I am well-educated and personable and I look forward to collaborating with your team that has over 80 years of experience.

I am very excited about sending this letter to you, and look forward to discussing this position with you further. 

All the best,

[Your Name]

Dentist Cover Letter Templates

Template #1

[Your Name]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email]
[Your LinkedIn]

[Recipient's Name]
[Recipient's Title]
[Dental Practice Name]
[Practice Address]
[City, State, Zip]

Dear Dr. [Recipient's Last Name],

I am writing to express my interest in the [Position Title] position at [Dental Practice], as advertised on [where you found the job posting]. With [number of years] years of experience in general and [any specialized area, if applicable] dentistry, I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to your team and bring my commitment to high-quality patient care.

During my tenure at [Your Previous Employer], I have developed a strong skill set that I believe aligns well with the needs of your practice. My experience includes [mention specific skills or experiences, such as managing a diverse patient load, performing complex procedures, or working with specific populations]. I am particularly proud of [mention any significant achievements or experiences, such as a successful community dental health initiative, a challenging case, or a professional development accomplishment].

One aspect of my career that I find most rewarding is [mention a specific aspect, such as patient education, cosmetic dentistry, or working with children]. I believe that effective communication and compassionate care are as important as technical proficiency in dentistry. My approach to patient care focuses on [mention your approach, such as building trust, providing tailored treatment plans, or ensuring patient comfort].

I am impressed by [Dental Practice]'s reputation for [mention something specific about the practice, such as innovative treatment approaches, community involvement, or patient satisfaction]. I am particularly drawn to your commitment to [mention a specific aspect that attracts you, such as state-of-the-art technology, a particular philosophy of care, or a specific patient demographic]. I am enthusiastic about the prospect of being part of such a dynamic and respected team.

Enclosed is my resume, which provides further detail about my professional journey. I am eager to bring my expertise in dentistry to [Dental Practice/Hospital Name] and am confident in my ability to make a positive impact. I look forward to the possibility of discussing this exciting opportunity with you.

Thank you for considering my application.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

Dentist Cover Letter New Graduate Template

[Your Name]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email]
[Your LinkedIn URL]

[Recipient's Name]
[Recipient's Title]
[Practice/Hospital Name]
[Practice/Hospital Address]
[City, State, Zip]

Dear Dr. [Recipient's Last Name],

I am writing to express my interest in the [Position Title] position at [Practice Name] as advertised on [where you found the job posting]. As a recent graduate from [Your Dental School], I am eager to bring my dedication, skills, and enthusiasm to a dynamic team like yours.

In school, I excelled in both academic and practical aspects of dentistry. I was particularly drawn to [specific area of interest, e.g., pediatric dentistry, cosmetic dentistry], where I developed strong skills in [specific skills, e.g., patient communication, precise dental procedures]. My clinical rotations provided me with extensive experience in a variety of dental treatments and patient care, including [mention any specific experiences or achievements].

One of my key strengths is my ability to connect with patients, making them feel at ease during their dental visits. This skill was honed through my volunteer work at [mention any relevant volunteer experience], where I learned the importance of empathy and clear communication in healthcare.

I am particularly impressed with [Practice Name]’s commitment to [mention something specific about the practice, like their approach to patient care, community involvement, or a particular area of expertise]. I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to contribute to such a forward-thinking and patient-centered practice.

I am confident that my background in dentistry, combined with my passion for providing exceptional patient care, would make me a valuable addition to your team. I am looking forward to the opportunity to discuss how my skills and experiences align with the needs of your practice.

Thank you for considering my application.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

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