How To Write a Great Dental Job Advertisement

Attracting the creme de la creme candidate in the dental industry begins with catching their attention with a well-crafted ad or job posting. Dental ads that are lackluster and non-specific lose the audience you’re trying to attract, while inexperience in how to write a job ad makes your company stand out for all the wrong reasons. 

Understanding what makes for great dental job ads is the first step in hiring right the first time. 

Before we jump in, below is a summary of what you can expect:

Key Takeaways for Writing a Great Dental Job Ad

• Craft an engaging, specific job posting to attract top dental candidates and avoid looking unprofessional.
• Keep word count between 300–700 words to maintain attention while including all essential details.
• Use clear, honest job titles to build trust and avoid misleading candidates.
• Hook candidates in the first 14 seconds with a strong opening statement or question.
• Include essential details such as requirements, salary/benefits, and working hours.
• Showcase your company culture to attract candidates who are the right fit for your team and values.
• Understand how culture impacts performance and define your office’s core values in your ad.
• Tailor the tone of your ad to reflect the environment (e.g., stability vs. growth-oriented).
• Offer competitive salaries and benefits and reference data like the DentalPost Salary Survey Report.
• Describe realistic job expectations (qualifications, day-to-day duties, work hours).
• Leverage platforms like DentalPost to reach top-quality candidates in the dental industry.

The Anatomy of a Winning Dental Job Ad

Crafting a standout dental job ad requires a balance of clarity, precision, and personality. You need to include all the essential details that will motivate top candidates to apply—without overwhelming them with too much information or losing their interest with vague, generic language.

Why Word Count Matters

Think of word count as a tightrope walk: too long, and you risk losing the reader’s attention; too short, and you fail to communicate what makes your opportunity unique. With today’s shorter attention spans and the fact that many candidates read job ads on mobile devices, brevity and impact are key.

Aim for a sweet spot between 300 and 700 words, which gives you room to share what makes your practice a great place to work while keeping the message concise. Within that space, you can establish the right tone to reflect your company culture and values—helping candidates quickly determine if they’re the right fit.

Before we dive deeper into showcasing your company culture, let’s start with the first impression your job ad makes: the job title.

Why It’s Never ‘Just’ a Job Title

Think of your job title as the headline of your ad—it’s the very first thing candidates see, and it sets the tone for everything that follows. If you’ve ever clicked on a clickbait headline only to find content that doesn’t match, you know how frustrating (and trust-breaking) that can be. A misleading or vague job title creates the same effect for applicants, leaving them skeptical or uninterested.

Your job title needs to be clear, accurate, and enticing—it should give candidates an instant understanding of the role while sparking curiosity to learn more.

Why a Strong Job Description Matters

You have just 14 seconds—according to a LinkedIn survey—to make a great impression with your job ad. That’s less time than a microwave’s express start button! Every word counts, so your job description should instantly communicate why this is a fantastic opportunity and why your practice is the right place to work.

A winning job description typically includes:

• An attention-grabbing opening statement or question
• A brief but compelling introduction to your practice
• Key job requirements and responsibilities
• Salary, perks, and benefits that matter
• Work schedule and expectations (full-time/part-time)

Showcasing Your Company Culture Attracts the Right People

A job ad isn’t just about listing duties—it’s your chance to paint a picture of what it’s like to work in your dental practice. In fact, one of the most effective ways to avoid a bad hire is by clearly defining your company culture.

Culture-based recruiting is becoming a major trend because it focuses on hiring people who are a great fit for the organization—not just the job. Your practice’s culture is shaped by values, expectations, communication styles, growth opportunities, and even the pace of day-to-day work.

If describing your office culture feels tricky, consider taking our Culture or Core Values Assessments to help define and articulate what makes your practice special. Once you can clearly express your values, you’ll naturally attract candidates who will thrive in your environment.

Why Defining Your Company Culture is Important

Including your practice’s culture in your dental job ad is essential because it lets your applicants know whether they will be a good fit. 

Research on company culture indicates that it can influence organizational performance, which can, in turn, affect important aspects of your company, such as productivity, patient satisfaction, cohesion, and employee/employer satisfaction.

Remember, the office culture of a dental practice starts with the dentist. It builds on your core values and beliefs, the style of dentistry practiced, and more. The dentist sets the tone and pace! 

Knowing your culture helps create a more effective job ad when the time comes to bring on a new Dental Assistant, Registered Dental Hygienist, Receptionist, etc.

Examples of Culture-Defining Job Descriptions

The tone and language of your job ad speak volumes about your practice’s culture. Let’s compare two real-world examples that highlight how different approaches can attract very different candidates.

Dr. A’s Job Ad

“Are You the Type of Person Who Appreciates Stability?”

Would you like to work for a dentist with a stellar reputation in the community, known for integrity and consistent, high-quality care? Do you thrive in a professional, respectful environment with co-workers who have been happily employed for years? We are seeking a qualified RDH who values clear expectations, enjoys routine, and wants to earn a competitive salary while working alongside a team that truly feels like family.

What This Ad Communicates:
From this job ad, it’s clear that Dr. A’s practice is well-established, traditional, and focused on consistency. Words like “integrity” and “stability” reflect a dental team that values professionalism, loyalty, and predictable day-to-day operations. The mention of long-term staff sends a strong signal that this is a steady, reliable workplace—perfect for a candidate who prefers a structured and dependable environment.

Dr. B’s Job Ad

“Do You Get Excited by Opportunities for Growth?”

Are you passionate about learning and ready to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment? Do you want to be part of a modern, forward-thinking dental practice that offers cutting-edge treatments and prioritizes continuing education? We’re seeking an energetic RDH with a “can-do” attitude—someone who’s willing to cross-train, pitch in with marketing initiatives, and go the extra mile for patients. Flexible hours, innovative tools, and opportunities to grow with our practice await!

What This Ad Communicates:
Dr. B’s practice is vibrant, growth-focused, and thrives on adaptability. The tone is enthusiastic and forward-looking, appealing to candidates who want to be part of an evolving, fast-paced team. Words like “cutting-edge,” “opportunities for growth,” and “flexible” paint a picture of a workplace that values innovation, patient engagement, and proactive teamwork.

The Takeaway

Both Dr. A and Dr. B are offering great opportunities, but the tone and focus of each ad attract very different types of candidates. By clearly showcasing your practice’s personality, values, and work environment, you’ll naturally draw applicants who are a cultural fit—and avoid wasting time on those who aren’t.

How to Match Salary Expectations

Most job hunters have clear salary expectations and generally look for higher-paying positions or better benefits. How do you know if what you can offer them is competitive enough?

Our detailed Salary Survey Report provides trends and insights into salary data for each dental position. It is a helpful tool for hiring managers and practice owners to know what wage dental professionals now expect.

While you may not feel comfortable posting wages online, company benefits like paid leave, health insurance, or reimbursements for CE tuition are essential to include in your job descriptions. They may just be what encourages a candidate to apply. 

Finally, the job requirements should paint a realistic picture for the candidate of how a typical day in the role would look for them. Be sure to include the minimum qualifications the job seeker would need, the day-to-day duties of the candidate, and what their working hours will be. 

Build a Better Team with DentalPost 

With the ongoing labor shortage within the dental industry, more and more dental practices are learning how to craft brilliant job ads. Trump the competition and find high-quality candidates using the biggest online job board for dental professionals in the U.S. and Canada.

Click here to create your Employer Account, set up your first ad, or breath new life into a non-performing job ad today.