Dental Hygienist Cover Letter | Writing Guide With Examples and Tips

There are a few instances where the hiring manager asks you not to send a cover letter. However, if that's not the case, your application will be incomplete if you only send a resume. The cover letter gives you an opportunity to connect with the recruiter and create a personal connection. Let your personality and writing skills shine as you describe your achievements.

This article will give you a detailed guide to help you get started on your dental hygiene cover letter. Some of the topics we'll cover include:

• How to write your cover letter introduction.
• The structure of your cover letter.
• The importance of a call to action.
• The right way to close your cover letter.

How To Write a Cover Letter for Dental Hygienists

Writing an effective cover letter can be challenging, especially if you don't know what the hiring manager is looking for. The job description is always a great place to start. Take some time to review it to get the right keywords and action verbs and incorporate them in your cover letter.

Hiring managers get a lot of applications and only have a few seconds to go through each. Keep your cover letter short but make it engaging to get the recruiter's attention. Constantly tailor your cover letter for each job you're applying to. Using a generic cover letter for multiple jobs will cause you to miss out on many opportunities.

Highlight your top achievements and skills to show the recruiter what you can achieve for the company. If you're an entry-level candidate, you can highlight relevant coursework that has prepared you for the dental hygienist role.

The structure of your dental hygiene cover letter should have the following information:

• A header section(with your contact and personal details)
• A formal greeting
• Cover letter introduction
• The body of the cover letter
• The call to action
• A professional sign-off/farewell

Start With The Contact Information

Your contact and personal details will go to the header section, which is the first section of your cover letter. These details include your full name, phone number, professional email address, home address, and Linkedin profile(optional). Ensure that these details are correct; otherwise, the recruiter won't be able to reach you.

The date you're writing the letter should go before the recruiter's details. It's always better to add the recipient's name to give your letter a personal touch. The addressee's details include the full name, job title, company name, and street address.

Example 1

Example 2

Begin Your Cover Letter Introducing Yourself

The introduction section goes right after the header. This part of your cover letter is crucial because if you do it the wrong way, the chances of the recruiter reading the rest of your cover letter are low.

This is your first interaction with the hiring manager, so make it good. Your introduction section should be engaging and fun to read. Start by expressing your interest in the position and mention where you heard about the position where possible. Highlight an achievement that will draw the recruiter in and interest them in reading your cover letter.

Let's look at a few tips to help you write a strong introduction.

• This section should start with a professional greeting and the addressee's name. If you've done your research and have yet to find the name of the recipient of the letter, you can use the phrase 'Dear Hiring Manager'. However, you should avoid the phrase 'To whom it may concern', which is unprofessional and impersonal.
• Show the recruiter you're excited to work at the dental clinic by expressing your interest in the position.
• Highlight your experience and an achievement that gets the hiring manager's attention.

Correct example

CORRECT

Dear Mr. Anthony,

I'm excited to see an open dental hygienist position at Dental Smiles Clinic and would like to express my interest. I have six years of experience in the dental industry and have catered to hundreds of patients, educating them on proactive oral hygiene.

Incorrect example

INCORRECT

To whom it may concern,

I recently saw that you have an open position for a dental hygienist at Dental Smiles Clinic, and I would love to apply for the job. I have experience working with many dentists and have an Associate's degree in Dental Hygiene.

Highlight Why You're the Perfect Dental Hygienist For the Job

The body of your cover letter highlights your job responsibilities and the results you achieved. This is your chance to impress the recruiter with your achievements. If there are any specific duties you were tasked with at a previous role highlighted in the job description, incorporate them in your cover letter.

This section can have two to three paragraphs.

The first paragraph covers your job responsibilities and achievements at the workplace. If you have a figure to quantify your achievements, include it. It may be the reason you get the position over your competitors, as the recruiter gets an idea of the results you can achieve for the company.

The second paragraph highlights how your previous experience and skills have prepared you for the position. Any award you've won due to your expertise and diligence will go to this section. This is a great way to stand out and beat your competitors, especially if you're tied on qualifications. Also, add your educational achievements to this section, especially if the recruiter highlights this as a major requirement.

Correct example

CORRECT

In my previous role at Keridam Dental Clinic, I was tasked with maintaining the x-ray machine and other medical equipment, updating patient information and scheduling appointments using dental charting software, and educating patients on the best treatment plans and oral hygiene. I welcomed the patients and ensured they were comfortable before procedures, increasing the customer service rating by 40%, the highest to date.

In my years of working in the industry, I have improved my communication skills which is one of the requirements for this job. My experience and skills have prepared me for this position, and I believe I have what it takes to excel and give the best patient care.

Incorrect example

INCORRECT

In my previous job, I was part of the dental hygiene team and gained a lot of experience working with patients. I was in charge of preventive care, giving dentists chairside assistance during procedures and scheduling patient data on the database. I believe that this experience has prepared me for this job.

Finish Your Cover Letter with a Call to Action (CTA)

Cover letters end with a call to action, which prompts the recruiter to reach out to you. If you leave it out, you risk not hearing back from the recruiter. This short section should show your eagerness to hear from the hiring manager but not in a demanding way.

Also, thank the recruiter for reading your application and considering you for the position. Here are some examples to consider as you write your cover letter.

Examples

The Professional Sign-off/Farewell

A professional sign-off is a must at the end of your cover letter. Failure to do this leaves it incomplete. Let's look at some dos and don'ts for the farewell section.

How to finish your letter

• Most Sincerely
• Kind Regards
• Respectfully
• Sincerely
• Best Regards
• Sincerely Yours
• Regards
• Respectfully Yours

What you have to avoid

• Affectionately
• Cheers
• Have a great day
• Warmest regards
• Love
• Fondly
• Yours Faithfully
• Take care

Complement Your Cover Letter with a Professional Resume

A cover letter without a resume will not get you the desired position. A complete application needs both. A dental hygienist resume will ensure you summarize your achievements and qualifications to show the recruiter what you've previously achieved. Use our resume examples and resume templates to get some ideas and designs as you craft yours.

Key Points: Writing an Effective Cover Letter as a Dental Hygienist

• Start your cover letter with a header section with the correct contact and personal information.
• Write a catchy introduction to draw the recruiter's attention and get them to continue reading the cover letter.
• Ensure that your cover letter has all the required sections.
• Use a simple layout that makes it easy to read through your cover letter.
• Add your accomplishments in the body of the cover letter.
• Proofread! Proofread! Proofread!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you get hired without a dental hygienist cover letter?

Yes, you can, but only if the recruiter has stated that they don't require a cover letter.

Which alternative jobs are available for dental hygienists?

• Dental treatment coordinator
• Dental hygiene instructor
• Medical coding specialist
• Dental sales
• Researcher
• Dental influencers