The demand for dental care in the UK is growing fueled by an ageing population in need of dental care and a rise in cosmetic dental procedures. Dental nurses are an essential part of the equation as they allow dentists to treat a larger number of patients and provide quality care to all.
Whether you’ve spent the last year or two training for this work and are ready to land your first job, or you're an experienced dental nurse ready for a change, a thoughtful cover letter can give your application the boost it needs and help you land your next great job.
In this cover letter guide, along with the corresponding dental nurse cover letter example, we’ll cover the following topics to help you write the best cover letter possible:
- How to choose the best cover letter layout and what paragraphs to include
- How to maximise the effect of each cover letter paragraph (header, greeting, intro, body and conclusion)
- What approach to take when writing your cover letter
- What mistakes to avoid when writing your dental nurse cover letter.
Resume.io is an expert resource for job seekers in all fields and stages of their careers. Find more inspiration in our library of occupation-specific cover letter examples.
Best format for a dental nurse cover letter
A clean and organised cover letter sends the message that you’re a dental nurse who can be trusted. Luckily, there’s a simple structure to follow when writing:
- The cover letter header
- The greeting / salutation
- The cover letter intro
- The middle paragraphs (body of the letter)
- The ending paragraph of your cover letter (conclusion and call-to-action)
Although you should strive to include all of these sections, the power of the cover letter is its flexibility. Within the middle paragraphs, focus on your career achievements, personal qualities, and passion for dental nursing. Your cover letter gives you a chance to connect with the employer and explain your motivation and qualifications for the role in a way that’s more personable than your CV.
Our comprehensive cover letter writing guide offers more insight into formatting and crafting each section of your cover letter. Below you’ll find an adaptable dental nurse cover letter sample that you can use as a starting point for your own application.
Dear Dr Stewart,
I am an experienced dental nurse trainee. I have three years of experience in a range of practices, and have just passed my level 3 diploma in Principles and Practice of Dental Nursing. With the necessary qualifications under my belt, I am looking forward to putting my years of experience into practice in a new environment.
I have assisted dentists in a range of practice settings. My first two trainee placements focussed on the essential skills to keep a dental practice running. I was held to the highest standard in decontamination of instruments, and maintaining detailed patient records for both private and NHS patients. This gave me a holistic overview of how to exceed expectations for patients, which I know is a focus in your surgery.
My most recent placement at Harrow Dental Practice helped me to refine my patient-facing skills as I was faced with more responsibility during consultations. With the practice’s state of the art dental technology, I became confident in assisting with dental sedation and radiography. I have been consistently complimented on my reassuring bedside manner during such procedures by superiors and patients alike.
I am aware that you are expanding your practice to cater for a wider range of clientele of both private and NHS patients. I believe my experience assisting patients from all walks of life would make me a strong asset to the team. Please do not hesitate to reach out to Dr Ferton at Harrow Dental Practice for a recommendation. I hope to be able to tell you more about my dental nurse experience soon.
Sincerely,
Taylor Burton
Cover letter header
The cover letter header is the section at the top of the page which allows you to communicate your name, contact information, and any relevant, professional social media like LinkedIn. The header also serves to draw the hiring manager’s eye to your application and create attractive formatting that will stand apart from the other candidates.
Dental nurses should consider that the medical field is a formal one, and so a neutral or monochromatic colour scheme is a better choice than a bright or flashy header.
Cover letter greeting
The greeting of your dental nurse cover letter is fairly straightforward: ‘Dear’ followed by the correct salutation and last name of the dentist or hiring manager. If you’re not sure of the person’s salutation, you may use their first and last name.
Aim to include a personalised greeting on every cover letter you submit. If you can’t find the name of the person who will be reading your cover letter, a more generic greeting is acceptable. ‘Dear [Dental Practice Name] Team’ can work for a variety of situations.
Just make sure to avoid the impersonal ‘To Whom It May Concern.’
Cover letter introduction
The introduction of your cover letter is arguably the most important sentence on the page. When reviewing dozens of other candidates, the introduction allows the hiring manager to make a quick decision about whether or not they will keep reading the rest of your application.
That’s why it’s important to capture their attention with a compelling statement about your skills or interest in the position. There are several ways to do this, but an anecdote about a job achievement or a sentence about your motivation and connection to the role are good ways to start a dental nurse cover letter. See our cover letter example below.
Dear Dr Stewart,
I am an experienced dental nurse trainee. I have three years of experience in a range of practices, and have just passed my level 3 diploma in Principles and Practice of Dental Nursing. With the necessary qualifications under my belt, I am looking forward to putting my years of experience into practice in a new environment.
Cover letter middle part (body)
The middle part — or body — of the cover letter is the moment you’ll finally be able to dive deeper into the experience and skills that make you most qualified for the role.
As a dental nurse, you’ll want to focus on a mix of both technical skills that come from your training, as well as the personality traits that make you a productive team member of the dental office. Don’t forget to mention your approach with patients — the cover letter is a great place to showcase care and empathy.
I have assisted dentists in a range of practice settings. My first two trainee placements focussed on the essential skills to keep a dental practice running. I was held to the highest standard in decontamination of instruments, and maintaining detailed patient records for both private and NHS patients. This gave me a holistic overview of how to exceed expectations for patients, which I know is a focus in your surgery.
My most recent placement at Harrow Dental Practice helped me to refine my patient-facing skills as I was faced with more responsibility during consultations. With the practice’s state of the art dental technology, I became confident in assisting with dental sedation and radiography. I have been consistently complimented on my reassuring bedside manner during such procedures by superiors and patients alike.
Use the STAR method
The STAR method is a structure for organising the anecdotes that appear on your cover letter. Since space is limited, the STAR method can help you quickly convey your value and achievements. Here’s how it works:
S – Describe a Situation in the workplace, preferably one that’s relevant to your prospective employer
T – State the Task required of you in a few words
A – Explain the Action you took
R – Conclude with the positive Result that occurred because of your action
How to close a dental nurse cover letter (conclusion and sign-off)
The closing of your dental nurse cover letter should reiterate the highlights of your skills and experience and leave the hiring manager interested in knowing more about the value you can bring to their office. The best way to do this is via a call to action.
This sentence expresses enthusiasm for the role and invites the hiring manager to get in touch. Keep your tone positive and confident, just remember to avoid coming across as entitled to the position.
Finally, sign off with a conclusion like ‘Sincerely’ or ‘Best regards’ followed by your full name.
I am aware that you are expanding your practice to cater for a wider range of clientele of both private and NHS patients. I believe my experience assisting patients from all walks of life would make me a strong asset to the team. Please do not hesitate to reach out to Dr Ferton at Harrow Dental Practice for a recommendation. I hope to be able to tell you more about my dental nurse experience soon.
Sincerely,
Taylor Burton
Basic mistakes in a dental nurse cover letter and how to avoid them
One of the easiest ways to set yourself apart from other candidates applying for the same job is to eliminate the basic errors that can dash your credibility and professional image. Here are some of the most common to watch out for:
- Spelling and grammar mistakes: When so much of your job consists of attention to detail, spelling and grammar mistakes on your cover letter instantly make you look like a disorganised applicant. Luckily, spell check and asking a trusted friend to proofread can help eliminate these issues.
- Generic cover letters: Each cover letter should be adapted to the role you are applying for. Avoid boring introductions and make sure to show the employer why you’re interested in their particular opening.
- Poor formatting: Dental nurses should opt for professional and classic cover letter formatting. Bright colours or fancy icons are usually inappropriate for the medical field. A professionally-designed cover letter template can help.
Key takeaways
- Dental nurses are in high demand and a great cover letter can be the key to landing your perfect position.
- Make sure to address the cover letter to the person who will be reading it or use a greeting with the name of the dental practice or hospital where you are applying.
- The cover letter gives you a great opportunity to focus on both your technical skills and your patient care and teamwork abilities.
- An attractive, organised design can quickly set you apart from other candidates. Get started with our adaptable dental nurse cover letter sample.
For more ideas and inspiration, check out our related cover letter examples:
