The demand for dental care in the UK is growing fueled by an ageing population needing dental care and increased demand for 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 dental nurse cover letter can give your application the boost it needs and help you land your next great job.
In this writing guide, along with the corresponding dental nurse cover letter example, we’ll discuss the following topics to help you write the best cover letter possible:
- The proper cover letter format and what paragraphs to include
- How to maximise the effect of each cover letter paragraph (header, greeting, introduction, body and conclusion)
- Mistakes to avoid when writing your dental nurse cover letter.
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For more ideas and inspiration, check out our related cover letter examples:
Best format for a dental nurse cover letter
A clean and well-organised cover letter sends the message that you’re a dental nurse who can be trusted. This is the simple structure to follow when writing:
- The cover letter header
- The greeting / salutation
- The cover letter introduction
- The middle paragraphs (body of the letter)
- The ending paragraph of your cover letter (conclusion and call-to-action)
Although all of these sections are essential, the power of the cover letter is its flexibility. To an extent that a CV alone doesn't allow, a cover letter is designed to convey your career achievements, personal qualities, and passion for dental nursing in a holistic fashion. It 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 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. As this writing guide continues, we’ll be looking at one section at a time.
October 15, 2023
Dear Dr. Stewart,
I am an experienced dental nurse trainee, with three years of experience in a range of practices. Earlier this year, I passed my level 3 diploma in Principles and Practice of Dental Nursing. With the necessary qualifications under my belt, I now look forward to putting them 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 patient and practitioner expectations, 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 at a higher level of responsibility during consultations. Using state-of-the-art dental technology in this practice setting, 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 to a wider range 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 displaying your name, contact information, and any relevant, professional social media URLs like LinkedIn. An attractively formatted header also serves to draw the hiring manager’s eye to your application and helps set you 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.
Goal of the cover letter header: Prominently display your identifying information in a way that distinguishes your job application from the rest in an eye-pleasing manner.
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. For instance, ‘Dear [Dental Practice Name] Team’ may be suitable in many instances.
Just make sure to avoid the impersonal ‘To Whom It May Concern’ or 'Dear Sir or Madam.'
Goal of the cover letter greeting: Set the right personal but professional tone by addressing your cover letter recipient by name.
Cover letter introduction
The introduction of your dental nurse 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 the reader's 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.
Goal of the cover letter introduction: Capture the reader’s attention with compelling reasons for being the best dental nurse job candidate.
See the greeting and introduction below from our dental nurse cover letter example.
Dear Dr. Stewart,
I am an experienced dental nurse trainee, with three years of experience in a range of practices. Earlier this year, I passed my level 3 diploma in Principles and Practice of Dental Nursing. With the necessary qualifications under my belt, I now look forward to putting them into practice in a new environment.
Cover letter middle part (body)
The middle part — or body — of your dental nurse cover letter allows you 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, and personality traits that make you a productive dental office team member. Don’t forget to mention your approach with patients — the cover letter is a great place to showcase caring and empathy.
Use the STAR method
The STAR method offers a way to structure for organising the relevant accomplishments highlighted in your cover letter, perhaps as anecdotes. Since space is limited, it can help you convey your value to the dental practice by succinctly describing a previous contribution. 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
Goal of the cover letter body: Elaborate with evidence of the work experience and skills that make you an excellent candidate for this dental nurse position.
Below is an example of what you might include in the body of your dental nurse cover letter.
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 patient and practitioner expectations, 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 at a higher level of responsibility during consultations. Using state-of-the-art dental technology in this practice setting, 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.
How to close a cover letter (conclusion and sign-off)
The closing of your dental nurse cover letter should reiterate the highlights of your skills and experience, leaving hiring managers interested in knowing more about the value you can bring to their office. The best way to do this is with 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, but avoid coming across as entitled to the position.
Finally, sign off with a conclusion like ‘Sincerely’ or ‘Best regards’ followed by your full name.
Goal of the cover letter closing: End on a confident note by restating why you are an ideal dental nurse candidate and encouraging the hiring manager to respond.
Below you’ll find the closing section of our adaptable dental nurse cover letter example.
I am aware that you are expanding your practice to cater to a wider range 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 cover letter and how to avoid them
One of the easiest ways to set yourself apart from other candidates applying for the same dental nurse job is to prevent certain 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 requires attention to detail, spelling and grammar mistakes on your cover letter instantly make you look like a disorganised applicant. Using a spelling and grammar-check tool and asking a trusted friend to proofread can help eliminate these mistakes.
- Generic cover letters: Each cover letter should be adapted to the role you are applying for. Avoid boring introductions and get straight to the point, speaking directly to the employer about why you are interested in this particular dental nurse role and what makes you an exceptional candidate.
- Flawed formatting: Dental nurses should opt for professional and classic cover letter design elements and formatting. Bright colours or fancy fonts are usually inappropriate for this profession. Using one of Resume.io’s professionally-designed cover letter templates can help you get all the visual details right so your cover letter looks as good as it reads.
Key takeaways for a dental nurse cover letter
- Dental nurses are in high demand and a great cover letter can be the key to landing your perfect position.
- Address the cover letter to the recipient by name, or use a greeting with the name of the dental practice or hospital where you are applying.
- Your dental nurse 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.
