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Dentist CV Example

Crafted for qualified dentists seeking positions in private practice, NHS settings, or specialist clinics. Showcases your clinical expertise, diagnostic skills, and commitment to patient-centred care.

Recommended template: StructuredPro

Key Skills to Include

Restorative DentistryEndodonticsProsthodonticsOral DiagnosisTreatment PlanningPatient CommunicationGDC CompliancePractice ManagementDental Imaging

Quick Tips

  • Include your GDC registration, DBS status, and indemnity insurance details prominently.
  • Highlight specialist interests or additional qualifications such as implantology or cosmetic dentistry.
  • Quantify your experience with patient volumes, treatment success rates, or practice revenue growth.
  • Demonstrate your commitment to CPD with specific courses, conferences, or study group participation.

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How to Write Your Dentist CV

A dentist CV should present your clinical competence, professional credentials, and commitment to patient-centred care in a clear, well-structured format. Whether you are seeking an associate position, a principal role, or a specialist post, your CV needs to demonstrate your range of clinical skills, your compliance with regulatory requirements, and your contribution to practice development. Focus on clinical outcomes, patient satisfaction, and professional development to create a compelling application.

CV Structure

Lead with a profile that includes your GDC registration, years of experience, and clinical interests. Use reverse-chronological work experience with detailed descriptions of your clinical scope, patient volumes, and practice contributions. Include sections for qualifications, CPD, and any teaching or research activities. A two-page CV is standard for general dental practitioners; specialists may require additional pages for publications and courses.

CV Format

Use a professional, clean template that allows your clinical credentials to be easily identified. Ensure your GDC registration number is visible in the header or profile section. Organise your CPD activities chronologically and include dates, providers, and hours. Submit as a PDF to maintain formatting integrity.

CV Profile Examples

General Dental Practitioner

GDC-registered general dental practitioner with nine years of post-qualification experience across mixed NHS and private practices. Skilled in restorative dentistry, endodontics, and prosthodontics with a particular interest in minimally invasive techniques and aesthetic outcomes. Manages a patient list of 3,500, consistently achieving high patient satisfaction scores and maintaining excellent clinical governance standards. Committed to evidence-based practice and continuous professional development.

Dentist — Private Practice

Experienced dentist specialising in cosmetic and restorative dentistry within a high-end private practice in central London. Proficient in porcelain veneers, composite bonding, dental implant restoration, and full-mouth rehabilitation. Completed advanced training in implantology through the Royal College of Surgeons and regularly attends international dental conferences to stay at the forefront of clinical developments. Known for creating natural-looking results and building lasting patient relationships.

Associate Dentist — NHS

Dedicated NHS associate dentist with six years of experience providing comprehensive dental care in a busy high-street practice serving a diverse urban community. Experienced in managing complex medical histories, treating anxious patients, and delivering emergency dental care alongside routine prevention and restorative work. Consistently meets UDA targets while maintaining high clinical quality and patient satisfaction standards.

State your GDC registration, years of post-qualification experience, and the types of dental settings you work in. Mention your clinical interests and any specialist training. Include one achievement that demonstrates your clinical or commercial contribution.

Key Skills for Your Dentist CV

Restorative Dentistry

Performing direct and indirect restorations to repair damaged teeth and restore function and aesthetics.

Endodontics

Diagnosing and treating pulpal disease through root canal therapy using rotary systems and advanced obturation techniques.

Prosthodontics

Designing and fitting crowns, bridges, dentures, and implant-supported prostheses to replace missing teeth.

Oral Diagnosis

Conducting comprehensive clinical examinations to identify dental disease, oral pathology, and treatment needs.

Treatment Planning

Developing evidence-based treatment plans that address patient needs while considering clinical, financial, and personal factors.

Patient Communication

Explaining diagnoses, treatment options, and care instructions in clear, accessible language to support informed consent.

GDC Compliance

Practising in accordance with GDC Standards for the Dental Team and maintaining registration through verifiable CPD.

Practice Management

Contributing to the operational and commercial management of dental practices including team leadership and service development.

Dental Imaging

Taking and interpreting dental radiographs including periapicals, bitewings, and OPGs in compliance with IRMER regulations.

Work Experience Examples

For each role, describe the practice setting, patient list size, and range of treatments you provide. Include both NHS and private work if applicable. Mention any leadership responsibilities, mentoring activities, or service development initiatives. Quantify your impact with patient satisfaction scores, revenue growth, or clinical audit outcomes.

Associate Dentist

Riverside Dental Practice — Bath

Provided mixed NHS and private dental care within a five-surgery practice, managing a personal patient list of 3,200 patients.

Responsibilities

  • Delivered a full range of dental treatments including examinations, restorations, extractions, root canal treatments, and crown and bridge work.
  • Performed clinical assessments and developed individualised treatment plans based on patient needs, preferences, and clinical findings.
  • Managed emergency dental appointments, providing pain relief, temporary restorations, and appropriate referrals.
  • Mentored foundation dentists during their training year, providing clinical supervision and feedback on case management.
  • Ensured compliance with GDC standards, CQC regulations, and IRMER requirements across all clinical activities.

Achievements

  • Grew the private revenue stream by 40% within two years through the introduction of cosmetic bonding and teeth whitening services.
  • Achieved a 98% patient satisfaction rating based on annual survey results across 800 respondents.
  • Completed a postgraduate certificate in Restorative Dentistry from the University of Bristol, enhancing complex case management capabilities.

Foundation Dentist

Greenhill NHS Dental Practice — Sheffield

Completed a twelve-month foundation training programme in a busy NHS dental practice serving a socioeconomically diverse patient population.

Responsibilities

  • Delivered NHS dental treatment across prevention, restorative, and surgical disciplines under the supervision of a training principal.
  • Managed a daily patient list of twelve to fifteen appointments, including examinations, scale and polish, fillings, and extractions.
  • Attended weekly tutorial sessions covering clinical topics, ethics, professionalism, and practice management.
  • Participated in clinical audits on antibiotic prescribing and radiograph quality, presenting findings to the practice team.

Achievements

  • Completed the foundation training year with an outstanding portfolio assessment and positive educational supervisor report.
  • Conducted a clinical audit on radiograph quality that led to the introduction of standardised exposure protocols, improving reject rates from 8% to 2%.

Education & Qualifications

List your BDS or equivalent dental degree first, followed by your foundation training. Include postgraduate qualifications, specialist training, and membership of royal colleges or specialist societies. Present your CPD portfolio with key courses and verifiable hours.

BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery)

Primary dental qualification enabling registration with the General Dental Council to practise dentistry in the UK.

MFDS/MJDF

Membership of the Faculty of Dental Surgery or Joint Dental Faculties, demonstrating postgraduate clinical competence.

Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma

Advanced training in specialist areas such as restorative dentistry, implantology, or orthodontics.

GDC Registration

Mandatory registration with the General Dental Council required to practise dentistry legally in the UK.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should a dentist include on their CV?
Include your GDC registration number, BDS qualification, foundation training details, and any postgraduate qualifications. Detail your clinical scope — the treatments you provide, patient list size, and practice setting. Include CPD activities, clinical audit participation, and any teaching or mentoring responsibilities. Patient satisfaction data and practice development contributions strengthen your application significantly.
How important is CPD on a dentist CV?
Very important. The GDC requires dentists to complete verifiable and non-verifiable CPD to maintain registration. Your CV should include a dedicated CPD section listing key courses, conferences, and training programmes with dates and hours. Focus on CPD that is relevant to the role you are applying for and demonstrates your commitment to staying current with clinical developments.
Should I include clinical audit on my dentist CV?
Yes, clinical audit is an important element of professional practice and demonstrates your commitment to quality improvement. Describe the audit topic, methodology, findings, and any changes implemented as a result. Completed audit cycles — where you re-audited to confirm improvement — are particularly impressive and show a thorough approach to clinical governance.
How do I present private and NHS experience on a dentist CV?
Clearly differentiate your NHS and private experience within each role, describing the types of treatments delivered in each setting. If you have developed private services within a practice, highlight this as a commercial achievement. Mention UDA targets and attainment for NHS work, and patient list growth or revenue figures for private practice to give employers a clear picture of your activity levels.

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