How long should a dentist CV be?

Two pages maximum. One page is too short to show clinical breadth and outcomes; three pages suggests you have not edited. Focus on the most recent and relevant experience.

Do I need to include a photo on my dentist CV?

No. UK CVs do not include photos, date of birth, or marital status. Including a photo can introduce unconscious bias and is not expected by recruiters.

What if I am a newly qualified dentist with no post-DFT experience?

Lead with your Dental Foundation Training year. Quantify the supervised procedure mix you completed, your ARCP sign-off, and the patient volume you managed. Highlight any special interest developed during DFT or elective study, and state your availability and UDA willingness.

Should I list every CPD course I have ever done?

No. List 3-5 recent, relevant courses (past 2-3 years) with verifiable hours to show you are revalidation-ready. Focus on core topics (medical emergencies, safeguarding, radiography) and courses tied to your special interest. A long stale list looks like filler.

How do I tailor my CV for NHS vs private roles?

For NHS roles, foreground UDA throughput, mixed-needs patient volume, and protocol compliance. For private or mixed roles, highlight higher-value treatments (implants, cosmetic, Invisalign), treatment-plan conversion rates, and patient retention. The same clinical history gets reframed for each.

What if I qualified overseas?

State your BDS-equivalent degree, the country of qualification, and the route you took to UK registration (ORE or LDS). Include your GDC number and NHS Performers List number (if applicable) to confirm you are legally registered to practise in the UK. Highlight any UK-based DFT or postgrad training to show familiarity with UK protocols.

Dentist CV Example

Updated 31 July 2026

A strong dentist CV must prove you are legally fit to practise, clinically competent, and a good commercial fit for the practice. That means your GDC number in the header, quantified procedure mix and UDA throughput in your experience section, and a named special interest so the recruiter knows exactly which gaps in the appointment book you can fill.

Dentist CV examples

General Dental Practitioner with Special Interest

Mid-level

GDC-registered general dental practitioner with five years of post-qualification experience in mixed NHS and private practice. Proven track record delivering 6,800 UDAs annually while building a private implant restoration and cosmetic case mix. Special interest in implant-supported prosthetics, with PG Cert in Restorative Dentistry and hands-on training in digital workflows. Strong patient retention and treatment-plan acceptance rates.

Why it works: Quantifies UDA throughput and procedure mix, names a marketable special interest (implant restoration), and shows both NHS productivity and private treatment-plan conversion.

Implant-supported crown and bridge restorationCosmetic dentistry (veneers, composite bonding)Molar endodonticsSurgical and non-surgical extractionsInvisalign clear aligner treatmentIntraoral scanning and CAD/CAM workflows

JORDAN SAMPLE

General Dental Practitioner (Special Interest: Implant Restoration)

SUMMARY

CONTACT INFORMATION

Email:

jordan.sample.gdp@email.com

Phone:

+44 7700 900456

Location:

Birmingham

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordansample

SKILLS

•

Implant-supported crown and bridge restoration

•

Cosmetic dentistry (veneers, composite bonding)

•

Molar endodontics

•

Surgical and non-surgical extractions

•

Invisalign clear aligner treatment

•

Intraoral scanning and CAD/CAM workflows

•

Treatment planning and case acceptance

•

CQC compliance and infection control

•

GDC enhanced CPD and revalidation

•

Anxious and phobic patient management

•

Periodontal therapy and maintenance

•

Digital radiography and CBCT interpretation

EXPERIENCE

Associate Dentist

Apex Dental Group (mixed NHS/private, 8-surgery practice)

Mar. 2023

Present

•

Deliver 6,800 UDAs annually across 4 NHS sessions per week, consistently meeting contract targets with 97% patient satisfaction and zero clinical governance incidents.

•

Built private case mix to 28% of total revenue, completing 42 implant restorations, 18 Invisalign cases, and 65 cosmetic composite bonding treatments over 24 months.

•

Achieved 74% treatment-plan acceptance rate for private cases over £1,500 by introducing digital smile design consultations and same-visit intraoral scans.

•

Reduced failed endodontic referrals by 35% by completing molar RCT in-house using rotary instrumentation and apex locators, improving practice revenue retention.

Associate Dentist

Riverside Dental Care (NHS practice, 5 surgeries)

Sep. 2020

Feb. 2023

•

Delivered 5,400 UDAs annually in a high-volume NHS practice, treating 1,200+ patients per year with a broad case mix including restorative, endodontic, and minor oral surgery.

•

Maintained 96% on-time appointment completion rate and reduced DNAs by 18% through proactive recall and patient communication protocols.

•

Completed PG Cert in Restorative Dentistry part-time while in post, applying new skills to improve crown margin quality and reduce laboratory remakes by 22%.

•

Mentored one DFT trainee per year, providing clinical supervision and formative feedback across restorative and oral surgery competencies.

EDUCATION

Postgraduate Certificate in Restorative Dentistry

University of Birmingham

Restorative Dentistry

2021

2023

•

Modules in implant prosthodontics, advanced endodontics, and adhesive dentistry

Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS)

University of Manchester

Dentistry

2015

2020

•

Graduated with Commendation

ACHIEVEMENTS

•

GDC Registration Number: 234567

General Dental Council

•

NHS Performers List (England)

NHS England

•

Professional Indemnity: MDDUS (with implant restoration endorsement)

MDDUS

•

Invisalign Comprehensive Provider Certification

Align Technology

•

Implant Restoration and Digital Workflows (20 hours, verifiable CPD)

UCL Eastman Dental Institute

•

Medical Emergencies and Anaphylaxis (6 hours, verifiable CPD, 2025)

Resus UK

•

Safeguarding Adults and Children Level 2 (3 hours, verifiable CPD, 2024)

CPDA

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Languages:

English (Native)

Interests:

•

Implant prosthodontics and digital dentistry

•

Cosmetic and minimally invasive restorative techniques

Volunteering:

•

Volunteer dentist, Dentaid overseas mission to Nepal (2022), providing emergency dental care to underserved communities

Other:

•

Available for 4-5 clinical sessions per week (mixed NHS/private preferred)

•

Comfortable with 6,000-7,000 UDA commitment plus private case development

Build your dentist CV →

How to write a dentist CV

A UK dentist CV should run to two pages in reverse-chronological format. Open with contact details and your GDC registration number prominently displayed. Follow with a personal statement (3-4 sentences) that names your special interest, years of experience, and the type of practice you are targeting (NHS, private, or mixed).

What to include in each section

Section	What to show
Header	Name, GDC number, contact details, location
Personal statement	Special interest, experience level, NHS vs private focus
Experience	UDA targets, patient volume, procedure mix, outcomes
Skills	Named procedures you perform unsupervised, plus regulatory (CQC, safeguarding)
Education	BDS, DFT completion, Performers List, postgrad qualifications
Achievements	Indemnity provider, recent CPD (3-5 courses), certifications

Personal statement: Lead with your special interest and the value you bring. An NHS-focused CV should mention UDA delivery and mixed-needs patient management. A private-focused CV should highlight treatment-plan conversion, cosmetic or implant work, and patient retention.

Experience: Quantify your clinical scope. Annual UDA totals, patient volumes, procedure counts, and outcome metrics (complication rates, remake rates, patient satisfaction) let the reader assess your productivity and breadth at a glance. Avoid vague bullets like "performed dental check-ups and treatments."

Skills: List the specific procedures you are competent to perform unsupervised (molar RCT, surgical extractions, crown prep, implant restoration, Invisalign). Include regulatory fluency (CQC compliance, GDC CPD, safeguarding, infection control) and modern workflows (digital radiography, intraoral scanning, CAD/CAM).

Education and credentials: Spell out your qualification chain: BDS (institution and year), DFT/VT completion, NHS Performers List number, and GDC number. Overseas-qualified dentists should note the ORE or LDS route. Add postgraduate certificates or diplomas relevant to your special interest.

Achievements and CPD: List your professional indemnity provider (essential; you cannot legally treat patients without it). Include 3-5 recent, relevant CPD courses with verifiable hours to show you are revalidation-ready. Avoid long stale lists.

Practical details: State your availability (clinical sessions per week), NHS vs private preference, and willingness to take on a UDA commitment. Practices often shortlist on these logistics, so omitting them wastes interview slots.

Personal statement examples

Strong

GDC-registered general dental practitioner with seven years of post-qualification experience in mixed NHS and private practice. Special interest in implant restoration and cosmetic dentistry, with PG Cert in Restorative Dentistry and hands-on digital workflow training. Proven track record delivering 7,200 UDAs annually while building a private case mix generating £160,000 per year. Strong patient retention and treatment-plan acceptance rates, with a focus on evidence-based care and CQC compliance.

Weak

Hard-working and passionate dentist looking for a role where I can use my skills and grow my career. I have experience in general dentistry and enjoy helping patients. A team player who is committed to providing high-quality care and continuing professional development.

Writing your experience

Dental hiring managers want to see clinical productivity, scope, and outcomes. Every bullet should answer: how many patients, which procedures, and what results?

The result-plus-metric pattern

Weak bullets list duties. Strong bullets quantify the clinical and commercial impact you owned.

Weak (duty)	Strong (impact)
Responsible for general dentistry in an NHS practice	Delivered 6,400 UDAs annually across 4 sessions per week, treating 1,150 patients with a 96% satisfaction score and zero clinical governance incidents
Performed root canal treatments	Completed 78 molar RCTs over 18 months using rotary instrumentation, reducing endodontic referrals by 42% and retaining £22,000 in practice revenue
Provided cosmetic dentistry services	Built private cosmetic case mix to £95,000 annual revenue, completing 54 composite bonding cases and 12 veneer cases with 79% treatment-plan acceptance rate

Action verbs for dentists

Use verbs that reflect clinical decision-making and outcomes, not passive task completion: delivered, completed, achieved, reduced, built, designed, mentored, led, introduced, maintained.

For senior or clinical lead roles, add governance and leadership impact: led CQC audits, mentored associates, designed protocols, reduced complication rates, improved team compliance.

Key skills & ATS keywords

Hard skills

Direct and indirect restorationsRoot canal treatment (anterior, premolar, molar)Surgical and non-surgical extractionsCrown and bridge preparationImplant placement and restorationInvisalign and clear aligner therapyPeriodontal therapy and maintenanceDentures (full and partial)Intraoral scanning and digital impressionsCBCT interpretation and implant planningInhalation sedationPaediatric dentistry

Soft skills

Anxious and phobic patient managementTreatment planning and case presentationPatient communication and consentTeam collaboration with nurses and hygienistsTime management and appointment efficiencyClinical decision-making under pressureEmpathy and patient-centred care

ATS keywords

GDC registrationNHS Performers ListUDA deliveryCQC complianceInfection controlSafeguardingProfessional indemnityDental Foundation TrainingBDSMolar endodonticsImplant dentistryInvisalignDigital radiographyIntraoral scannerMedical emergenciesEnhanced CPDRevalidation

Education & certifications

List your BDS degree with institution and graduation year. Include your Dental Foundation Training (DFT or VT) completion, as this is the gateway to independent practice in the UK. State your NHS Performers List number if you hold one (essential for NHS work). Overseas-qualified dentists should note the ORE (Overseas Registration Exam) or LDS route and any equivalence process.

Postgraduate qualifications matter. A PG Cert, PG Dip, or MSc in a relevant field (restorative dentistry, endodontics, implantology, orthodontics) signals advanced competence and commitment to a special interest. Practices recruiting for specific clinical gaps (implant dentist, endo-focused associate) will shortlist candidates with formal postgrad training.

CPD and revalidation readiness

The GDC requires enhanced CPD: a minimum of 100 hours over a five-year cycle, including verifiable hours in core topics (medical emergencies, disinfection and decontamination, radiography and radiation protection). List 3-5 recent, relevant courses with hours and dates to show you are current and revalidation-ready. Avoid listing every course since qualification; focus on the past 2-3 years and tie them to your fields of practice.

Key certifications for dentists:

Medical emergencies and resuscitation (required, updated every year)
Safeguarding children and adults (Level 2 minimum, Level 3 for clinical leads)
Radiography and radiation protection (required for anyone taking radiographs)
Implant dentistry diplomas (DipImpDent RCS, MSc, or equivalent)
Invisalign or clear aligner certification
Sedation (SAAD Level 1 for inhalation sedation)
Endodontic or restorative postgraduate qualifications

If you have a named special interest, your CPD should reflect it. An implant-focused CV without recent implant CPD looks stale.

Common mistakes to avoid

Omitting the GDC registration number from the CV header
Put your GDC number next to your name at the top of the CV. Recruiters and CQC-conscious practice managers check it first, and a missing number is a red flag.
Writing vague experience bullets like 'responsible for general dentistry' or 'performed dental treatments'
Quantify your clinical scope: 'Delivered 6,800 UDAs annually, treating 1,200 patients with a case mix including 240 restorations, 54 RCTs, and 78 extractions.'
Failing to state a special interest or clinical focus
Name your special interest explicitly (endodontics, implants, cosmetic, orthodontics). Practices recruit to fill specific gaps, and a named interest gets you shortlisted over a generic GDP.
Not listing your professional indemnity provider
State your indemnity provider (Dental Protection, MDDUS, MDU, DDU) in the achievements section. You cannot legally treat patients without it, and confirming it up front removes a hiring blocker.
Pitching the same CV to NHS and private roles
Tailor your CV. NHS roles want UDA throughput, mixed-needs patient volume, and protocol compliance. Private roles want treatment-plan conversion, higher-value procedures (implants, cosmetic, Invisalign), and patient retention metrics.
Burying practical logistics (availability, UDA willingness, NHS vs private preference)
State your availability (sessions per week), contract preference, and UDA commitment willingness in the additional info section. Practices shortlist on these realities, so omitting them wastes interview time.

Junior vs senior: what changes

Aspect	Junior	Senior
Personal statement	Leads with DFT completion, supervised procedure mix, and clinical competencies achieved. Mentions developing special interest.	Leads with years of experience, named special interest with postgrad qualification, and commercial impact (UDA delivery plus private revenue). May mention leadership or governance role.
Experience bullets	Focuses on procedures completed under supervision, patient volume during DFT, and competency sign-off. Metrics are smaller (e.g. 680 patients in training year).	Quantifies independent productivity (7,000+ UDAs annually), private revenue, outcome metrics (complication rates, patient satisfaction), and leadership (mentoring associates, CQC audits).
Skills section	Lists core GDP procedures (restorations, simple RCT, non-surgical extractions) plus regulatory basics (GDC CPD, infection control). May include 'developing competence in molar RCT' or similar.	Includes advanced procedures (implant surgery, molar endo, sedation, complex restorative), digital workflows (CBCT, CAD/CAM), and governance skills (clinical leadership, protocol design, team training).
Education and CPD	BDS and DFT completion are the main credentials. CPD is recent core topics (medical emergencies, safeguarding, radiography) to meet GDC minimums.	Includes postgraduate qualifications (PG Cert, Diploma, MSc) in special interest area. CPD is advanced and tied to clinical focus (implant courses, sedation updates, leadership training).
Special interest	Described as 'developing' or supported by elective study or supervised cases during DFT. No independent case numbers yet.	Proven with postgrad qualification, independent case numbers (e.g. '62 implant restorations completed'), and outcome data. Often a revenue driver for the practice.
Practical details	States availability and willingness to take on UDA commitment (often 4,000-5,000 UDAs as a starting point). May express preference for mentoring or mixed practice to build skills.	States availability for clinical plus non-clinical sessions (governance, leadership). Comfortable with higher UDA targets (7,000+) or private revenue expectations. May be open to principal or clinical director roles.