Dental Hygienist Resume Keywords 2026

Use these specific keywords in your resume to help you pass Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and catch the attention of recruiters hiring for Dental Hygienist roles.

Hard Skills

  • Dental prophylaxis
  • Scaling and root planing (SRP)
  • Periodontal charting
  • Oral cancer screening
  • Radiographic imaging
  • Dental sealant application
  • Fluoride treatments
  • Local anesthesia administration (where permitted)
  • Prophylaxis for pediatric and adult patients
  • Impressions and study models
  • Debridement and stain removal
  • Infection control and sterilization
  • Instrument sharpening
  • Treatment planning support
  • Periodontal maintenance

Soft Skills

  • Patient education
  • Patient rapport building
  • Communication skills
  • Chairside manner
  • Team collaboration
  • Time management
  • Attention to detail
  • Empathy and compassion
  • Patient anxiety management
  • Cultural sensitivity

Technical Proficiencies

  • Digital radiography
  • Intraoral camera use
  • Ultrasonic scalers
  • Electronic health records (EHR)
  • Dental practice management software
  • Dentrix
  • Eaglesoft
  • Open Dental
  • HIPAA compliance
  • OSHA standards

Industry Certifications & Credentials

  • Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH)
  • Licensed Dental Hygienist
  • CPR/BLS certification
  • Local anesthesia certification
  • Nitrous oxide monitoring certification
  • Infection control certification
  • Continuing education (CE) in periodontal therapy

Action Verbs

  • Assessed
  • Educated
  • Diagnosed (in collaboration with dentist)
  • Implemented
  • Performed
  • Documented
  • Collaborated
  • Improved
  • Monitored
  • Maintained
Pro Tip

Don't just list these keywords! Weave them naturally into your Professional Summary and Work Experience bullet points to show how you used these skills to achieve results.

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