Dental Hygiene Cover Letter - How To Distinguish Yourself From Thousands Of Similar Letters.


The dental hygiene cover letter is usually the first contact you will make with a prospective employer. Hiring managers may receive thousands of resumes for one available dental hygienist position. However, the applicant that includes an attention grabbing cover letter is the one to receive a telephone call for an interview.

Don't be shy! Express your enthusiasm and interest in the position, but do not sound desperate. This gives the impression that you will do anything for a quick buck and does not demonstrate dedication. The internet is a great source to find a sample dental hygiene cover letter. Use these as a guide only. Make your words your own. Do not copy the letter verbatim.

Address your dental hygiene cover letter to a specific person. If you do not have a manager's name, addressing the letter as "Dear Hiring Manager" will suffice. Include your contact information below your signature line, even if you are using stationary with this information in the heading. This is a convenience for the hiring manager who wants to contact you immediately after reading your dental hygiene cover letter and resume.

Proofread for any spelling or grammatical errors. The cover letter is representative of you as a potential candidate and should be professional and free of any mistakes.

Mention any previous experience as a licensed dental professional in your dental hygiene cover letter. Outline any specialty areas, including teeth cleanings, radiographs, sealants, scalings and root planings. These are especially important if the employment ad asks for experience in these areas specifically. The hiring manager knows that you are ready to hit the ground running.

Highlight your unique talents and characteristics in the dental hygiene cover letter that makes you the perfect candidate. However, cover letters should be brief, with a few paragraphs on one page. Do not attempt to tell your life's story. Give an overview of your educational level and previous jobs related to the dental hygiene position. Include any salary requirements if asked to do so in the job posting.

The final paragraph in your dental hygiene cover letter should include your next step, which is a follow-up call for an interview. However, if the ad explicitly states "no phone calls please", this is an opportunity to show your ability to follow directions and your attention to detail skills. Do not call, or imply that you will. Remember, the goal of your dental hygiene cover letter is to land an interview, not for your resume to end up in file 13.