Healthcare

BDS / Dentist CV example

Dental CVs differ from medical ones in an important way: much of the assessment is procedural. A practice principal or clinical lead wants to know which procedures you carry out unassisted, roughly how many, and how recently. A dentist who has placed 200 composite restorations in the last year and one who has placed twenty are in different positions regardless of how long each has been qualified.

Registration is the gate. Your registration with the relevant dental regulator, the date and the number where it is conventional to give it belong near the top. For overseas-qualified dentists, the position on registration and on any required examinations should be stated explicitly, including examinations booked but not yet passed.

Continuing professional development is a formal obligation in most jurisdictions rather than an optional extra, and dental CVs are expected to show it. Verifiable hours, the topics covered and any structured programmes are all worth space.

This example is written for a dentist roughly three years post-qualification working in general practice with hospital experience.

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Kavya Iyer

BDS · General Dental Practitioner

kavya.iyer@example.co.uk

+44 7700 900318

Luton, United Kingdom

Profile

BDS-qualified dentist with three years in general practice, holding a mixed NHS and private list of around 1,600 patients. Perform approximately 700 direct restorations, 120 extractions and 60 root canal treatments a year, carry out surgical extractions unassisted, and completed 42 hours of verifiable CPD in the last cycle. Developing a special interest in direct composite restorative work. Current indemnity in place.

Dental Registration

August 2022

Registered Dentist

General Dental Council (GDC)

GDC number available on request

Dental Education

September 2017 – July 2022

BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery)

University of Birmingham · Birmingham, United Kingdom

Final-year research project on patient-reported outcomes following anterior composite restorations.
Completed outreach placements in community dental services across two academic years.

Merit

Clinical Experience

September 2023 – Present

General Dental Practitioner

Chiltern Green Dental Practice · Luton, United Kingdom

Hold a mixed NHS and private list of approximately 1,600 patients across a broad demographic including a large paediatric cohort.
Perform around 700 direct restorations, 120 extractions and 60 root canal treatments a year.
Carry out anterior and premolar endodontics unassisted using rotary instrumentation and rubber dam; refer molar cases with complex canal anatomy to a specialist endodontist.
Undertake surgical extractions with flap raising and suturing unassisted, including retained roots and partially erupted third molars within my competence.
Manage a regular cohort of anxious patients using acclimatisation appointments and structured behaviour management, including six patients transferred from colleagues after failed appointments.
Supervise and support two dental nurses, and mentor a trainee nurse through their qualification year.

September 2022 – August 2023

Dental Foundation Trainee

Marlow Street Dental Care · Bedford, United Kingdom

Completed the 12-month foundation training year under an approved educational supervisor.
Built from a supervised list to independent management of approximately 20 patients a day by the final quarter.
Maintained a full portfolio including case presentations, reflective logs and educational supervisor reports.

Vocational Training & Hospital Attachments

February 2023 – April 2023

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (attachment)

Bedford General Hospital · Bedford, United Kingdom

Eight-week attachment. Assisted in minor oral surgery lists and observed management of dental trauma and facial infections.
Performed surgical extractions under consultant supervision.

May 2023 – June 2023

Paediatric Dentistry (attachment)

Community Dental Service, Bedfordshire · Bedford, United Kingdom

Six-week attachment. Restorative treatment for children including stainless steel crowns and pulpotomies under supervision.
Experience of treating patients with additional needs in a community setting.

Clinical Skills & Procedures

RestorativeComposite restorations, Amalgam restorations, Crowns and onlays, Rubber dam isolation, Shade matching

EndodonticsAnterior root canal treatment, Premolar root canal treatment, Rotary instrumentation, Working length radiography

Oral SurgerySimple extractions, Surgical extractions with flap raising, Suturing, ID block and infiltration anaesthesia

Prevention & PeriodonticsBasic periodontal examination, Non-surgical periodontal therapy, Fluoride application, Oral hygiene instruction

Prosthodontics & PaediatricAcrylic and cobalt-chrome dentures, Denture repairs and relines, Stainless steel crowns, Behaviour management

Courses & Certifications

October 2024

Direct Composite Anterior Restorations (two-day hands-on course)

Restorative Dentistry Academy

March 2024

Dental Radiography and Radiation Protection Update

Faculty of General Dental Practice

June 2024

Immediate Life Support (Dental)

Resuscitation Council UK

expires June 2025

January 2024

Safeguarding Children and Adults – Level 2

NHS England

Audit & Research

Audit: radiograph justification and reporting standards

Lead auditor

Reviewed 100 consecutive intraoral radiographs against the practice standard for justification and written report.
Found written reports present in 74% of records; introduced a template field in the practice software.
Re-audit at six months showed 96% compliance.

Conferences & Workshops

May 2024

British Dental Conference and Dentistry Show

Delegate · Birmingham, United Kingdom

Sessions on adhesive dentistry and periodontal management.

Professional Memberships

September 2022 – Present

British Dental Association

Member

Volunteer Experience

November 2023 – Present

Volunteer Dentist

Community Oral Health Outreach · Luton, United Kingdom

Provide oral health education and screening at quarterly community events, with referral into NHS services where treatment is needed.

Languages

EnglishNative

TamilC1

HindiB1

References

References available on request.

BDS / Dentist example on the Clinical Classic layout. All details are fictional and shown for demonstration only.

What recruiters expect

Before writing anything, it helps to know what the person reading is checking for. In this field that is usually a short, specific list:

Registration status, regulator and date, plus indemnity arrangements where relevant.
Procedures performed, with approximate annual volumes and whether unassisted.
The practice setting: NHS, private, mixed, hospital or community, and the patient demographic.
Continuing professional development, including verifiable hours and topics.
Any special interests being developed, with the training that supports them.

Recommended CV structure

This is the running order the example uses. It is a starting point rather than a rule, but the order reflects what tends to be read first in this profession.

Profile — Three or four lines positioning you for the role.
Dental Registration — Practising licences and regulator registrations.
Dental Education — Degrees, diplomas and school-leaving qualifications.
Clinical Experience — Paid roles, in reverse chronological order.
Vocational Training & Hospital Attachments — Specialty rotations with dates and supervising unit.
Clinical Skills & Procedures — Grouped skills, for example "Languages" and "Tooling".
Courses & Certifications — Completed certifications with the issuing body.
Audit & Research — Research projects, studies and audits.
Conferences & Workshops — Talks given and conferences attended.
Professional Memberships — Bodies you belong to, with membership numbers where relevant.
Volunteer Experience — Unpaid roles that show relevant skills.
Languages — Spoken languages with CEFR levels.
References — Referees, or a line saying they are available on request.

Sections worth adding

Publications — Include case reports and undergraduate research if you have them.
Teaching — Relevant for anyone supervising dental students, therapists or nurses.

Skills worth including

Grouped rather than listed in one block. Grouping makes a long list readable and shows that you can tell the difference between the things you use daily and the things you have touched.

Restorative Dentistry

Composite restorations · Amalgam restorations · Indirect restorations (crowns, onlays) · Rubber dam isolation · Shade matching

Endodontics

Anterior root canal treatment · Premolar root canal treatment · Molar root canal treatment (referred or supervised) · Rotary instrumentation · Working length radiography

Oral Surgery

Simple extractions · Surgical extractions with flap raising · Suturing · Local anaesthetic techniques (ID block, infiltration) · Post-operative management

Prevention & Periodontics

Basic periodontal examination · Non-surgical periodontal therapy · Oral hygiene instruction · Fluoride application · Smoking cessation advice

Prosthodontics & Paediatric

Acrylic and cobalt-chrome dentures · Denture repairs and relines · Paediatric restorations · Stainless steel crowns · Behaviour management for children

Beyond the technical list: Managing anxious patients, Explaining treatment options and costs clearly, Working with dental nurses and hygienists, Obtaining valid consent, Time management in a full appointment book. These belong inside your experience bullets, demonstrated, rather than in a list of adjectives.

Example professional summary

Three or four lines, positioned for the role rather than describing your personality. Two versions you can adapt:

BDS-qualified dentist with three years in general practice, holding a mixed NHS and private list of around 1,600 patients. Perform approximately 700 direct restorations, 120 extractions and 60 root canal treatments a year, carry out surgical extractions unassisted, and completed 42 hours of verifiable CPD in the last cycle. Developing a special interest in direct composite restorative work.

Recently qualified dentist completing vocational training in a mixed practice, with hospital attachments in oral and maxillofacial surgery and paediatric dentistry. Confident in restorative and simple oral surgery procedures, and building experience in non-surgical periodontal therapy.

Writing your experience

The difference between a CV that gets a call and one that does not is almost always in the bullet points. Each pair below shows a real rewrite of the kind of line that appears on most CVs in this field.

Weak

Carried out general dentistry procedures.

Stronger

Hold a mixed NHS and private list of approximately 1,600 patients, performing around 700 direct restorations, 120 extractions and 60 root canal treatments a year.

List size and annual procedure volumes are the two facts a practice owner most wants to know.

Weak

Experienced in root canal treatment.

Stronger

Carry out anterior and premolar endodontics unassisted using rotary instrumentation and rubber dam; refer molar cases with complex canal anatomy to a specialist endodontist.

Precise about scope and about what is referred, which builds rather than damages credibility.

Weak

Good with nervous patients.

Stronger

Manage a regular cohort of anxious patients using acclimatisation appointments and structured behaviour management, including six patients transferred from colleagues after failed appointments.

Turns a common claim into an evidenced practice pattern.

Weak

Attended courses to keep up to date.

Stronger

Completed 42 hours of verifiable CPD in the last cycle, including a two-day hands-on course in direct composite anterior restorations and a radiography update.

Hours plus specific content, which is what a CPD record actually contains.

Taken from the example

The sample CV for this profession is fully written. A few sections from it, so you can see the level of specificity that works:

Experience

General Dental Practitioner, Chiltern Green Dental Practice

Hold a mixed NHS and private list of approximately 1,600 patients across a broad demographic including a large paediatric cohort.
Perform around 700 direct restorations, 120 extractions and 60 root canal treatments a year.
Carry out anterior and premolar endodontics unassisted using rotary instrumentation and rubber dam; refer molar cases with complex canal anatomy to a specialist endodontist.
Undertake surgical extractions with flap raising and suturing unassisted, including retained roots and partially erupted third molars within my competence.

Rotations

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (attachment) — Eight-week attachment. Assisted in minor oral surgery lists and observed management of dental trauma and facial infections.
Paediatric Dentistry (attachment) — Six-week attachment. Restorative treatment for children including stainless steel crowns and pulpotomies under supervision.

Audit and research

Audit: radiograph justification and reporting standards — Reviewed 100 consecutive intraoral radiographs against the practice standard for justification and written report.

Education

BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery), University of Birmingham — Merit

Certifications and registration

Registered Dentist — General Dental Council (GDC)
Direct Composite Anterior Restorations (two-day hands-on course) — Restorative Dentistry Academy
Dental Radiography and Radiation Protection Update — Faculty of General Dental Practice
Immediate Life Support (Dental) — Resuscitation Council UK
Safeguarding Children and Adults – Level 2 — NHS England

Common mistakes

No procedural volumes

Practice principals are assessing whether you can hold a list from day one. Approximate annual figures for the common procedures answer that question directly.

Ambiguity about what you do unassisted

Molar endodontics, surgical extractions and implant work are routinely referred. Say clearly what you carry out yourself and what you refer.

Omitting continuing professional development

CPD is a registration requirement in most jurisdictions. A dental CV without it looks like a CV from someone not keeping their record.

Claiming a special interest without training

Listing "implantology" or "orthodontics" as a special interest without the corresponding certification is easily tested at interview.

Patient-identifiable case detail

Describe cases by procedure and complexity, never by anything that could identify a patient.

ATS considerations

Applicant tracking systems behave differently by sector, and generic advice is often wrong for a given field. These points are specific to bds / dentist applications:

Write "BDS" and "Bachelor of Dental Surgery" both, since international recruiters search the expanded form.
Name the regulator explicitly - "General Dental Council (GDC)", "Pakistan Medical and Dental Council" - along with your registration date.
List procedures using standard clinical terminology rather than informal shorthand.
Include the practice type: "NHS", "private", "mixed", "community dental service". These are common shortlisting criteria.

The Minimal ATS layout is built for this, and the ATS guide covers what parsers do to a file in more detail.

Questions about bds / dentist CVs

How do I present procedural experience honestly?

Give approximate annual volumes from your records, and separate what you perform unassisted from what you perform under supervision or refer. Practice owners are used to reading this and value the precision.

How should overseas-qualified dentists present registration?

State your current registration and jurisdiction, then your exact position on the registration route you are pursuing, including examinations passed, booked or still to sit. Vagueness here causes more delay than an incomplete route does.

How much detail about CPD is appropriate?

The total verifiable hours for the current cycle and three or four substantive courses. A full list of every hour is unnecessary; omitting CPD entirely is conspicuous.

Should I mention indemnity?

A single line confirming current indemnity arrangements is normal and reassuring for a prospective employer. Do not include policy numbers.

How long should a dental CV be?

Two to three pages for a general dental practitioner. Longer for hospital and specialist posts, where audit, teaching and research carry more weight.

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Kavya Iyer

BDS · General Dental Practitioner

kavya.iyer@example.co.uk

+44 7700 900318

Luton, United Kingdom

Profile

Dental Registration

August 2022

Registered Dentist

General Dental Council (GDC)

GDC number available on request

Dental Education

September 2017 – July 2022

BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery)

University of Birmingham · Birmingham, United Kingdom

Final-year research project on patient-reported outcomes following anterior composite restorations.
Completed outreach placements in community dental services across two academic years.

Merit

Clinical Experience

September 2023 – Present

General Dental Practitioner

Chiltern Green Dental Practice · Luton, United Kingdom

Hold a mixed NHS and private list of approximately 1,600 patients across a broad demographic including a large paediatric cohort.
Perform around 700 direct restorations, 120 extractions and 60 root canal treatments a year.
Carry out anterior and premolar endodontics unassisted using rotary instrumentation and rubber dam; refer molar cases with complex canal anatomy to a specialist endodontist.
Undertake surgical extractions with flap raising and suturing unassisted, including retained roots and partially erupted third molars within my competence.
Manage a regular cohort of anxious patients using acclimatisation appointments and structured behaviour management, including six patients transferred from colleagues after failed appointments.
Supervise and support two dental nurses, and mentor a trainee nurse through their qualification year.

September 2022 – August 2023

Dental Foundation Trainee

Marlow Street Dental Care · Bedford, United Kingdom

Completed the 12-month foundation training year under an approved educational supervisor.
Built from a supervised list to independent management of approximately 20 patients a day by the final quarter.
Maintained a full portfolio including case presentations, reflective logs and educational supervisor reports.

Vocational Training & Hospital Attachments

February 2023 – April 2023

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (attachment)

Bedford General Hospital · Bedford, United Kingdom

Eight-week attachment. Assisted in minor oral surgery lists and observed management of dental trauma and facial infections.
Performed surgical extractions under consultant supervision.

May 2023 – June 2023

Paediatric Dentistry (attachment)

Community Dental Service, Bedfordshire · Bedford, United Kingdom

Six-week attachment. Restorative treatment for children including stainless steel crowns and pulpotomies under supervision.
Experience of treating patients with additional needs in a community setting.

Clinical Skills & Procedures

RestorativeComposite restorations, Amalgam restorations, Crowns and onlays, Rubber dam isolation, Shade matching

EndodonticsAnterior root canal treatment, Premolar root canal treatment, Rotary instrumentation, Working length radiography

Oral SurgerySimple extractions, Surgical extractions with flap raising, Suturing, ID block and infiltration anaesthesia

Prevention & PeriodonticsBasic periodontal examination, Non-surgical periodontal therapy, Fluoride application, Oral hygiene instruction

Prosthodontics & PaediatricAcrylic and cobalt-chrome dentures, Denture repairs and relines, Stainless steel crowns, Behaviour management

Courses & Certifications

October 2024

Direct Composite Anterior Restorations (two-day hands-on course)

Restorative Dentistry Academy

March 2024

Dental Radiography and Radiation Protection Update

Faculty of General Dental Practice

June 2024

Immediate Life Support (Dental)

Resuscitation Council UK

expires June 2025

January 2024

Safeguarding Children and Adults – Level 2

NHS England

Audit & Research

Audit: radiograph justification and reporting standards

Lead auditor

Reviewed 100 consecutive intraoral radiographs against the practice standard for justification and written report.
Found written reports present in 74% of records; introduced a template field in the practice software.
Re-audit at six months showed 96% compliance.

Conferences & Workshops

May 2024

British Dental Conference and Dentistry Show

Delegate · Birmingham, United Kingdom

Sessions on adhesive dentistry and periodontal management.

Professional Memberships

September 2022 – Present

British Dental Association

Member

Volunteer Experience

November 2023 – Present

Volunteer Dentist

Community Oral Health Outreach · Luton, United Kingdom

Provide oral health education and screening at quarterly community events, with referral into NHS services where treatment is needed.

Languages

EnglishNative

TamilC1

HindiB1

References

References available on request.