How to Write a Dental Job Listing That Attracts Top Talent (200+ Applicants in 3 Days!)

How to Write a Dental Job Listing That Attracts Top Talent (200+ Applicants in 3 Days!)

If you’re preparing to open your own dental practice, staffing will make or break your experience—and your success. And believe it or not, one of the most overlooked strategies in building a top-tier team is this: writing the right dental job listing.

Why does that matter? Because the job ad you post determines who shows up to represent you at the front desk, greet your patients, and uphold your brand when you're chairside. A weak listing means wasted interviews. A strong one? It becomes a magnet for the best candidates—even those who aren’t actively looking.

Yes, Dental Job Listings Can Be Strategic (and Even Fun)

One of our clients recently posted a receptionist ad that brought in over 200 qualified applicants in just three days.

Let me say that again—200+ applicants. In three days.

It worked not because the office was in a high-traffic city (it wasn’t), or because they offered wild compensation (they didn’t), but because the ad spoke directly to the kind of person they wanted on the team.

Let’s break down what made it work—and how you can write your own magnetic job post.

What Makes a Dental Job Listing Actually Work

Here’s what you’ll see below:

• The exact job listing that brought in 200+ applicants

• Why this ad outperformed traditional listings

• The one thing the doctor wished he had done differently

1. The Ad That Attracted 200+ Applicants

Title: Awesome Dental Practice Seeks Ambitious Receptionist (Chester, XX)
Compensation: $10–15/hr

Hi there, and thanks for reading this post!

We are a fast-growing, fun-loving, patient-centered, tech-savvy dental practice just outside beautiful Chester. Our staff is awesome, and we’re looking for people who bring the same energy to help us provide the best dental care in the area.

As the face of the practice and the first person most patients see, we’re looking for someone with:

• Awesomeness

• Awesome awesomeness

• And lastly, epic awesomeness

Also helpful: you’re articulate, outgoing, friendly, and—just generally—a decent human being.

There’s opportunity to grow. Soon, we’ll have an opening for a treatment manager—the next natural step for a great receptionist.

Dental experience is a plus, but not required. Training provided.

Send your resume and check us out at www.XXdental.com. Thanks!

End of ad. Simple, right? But also bold, fun, and human.

2. Why This Dental Job Listing Worked So Well

Let’s get into the strategy behind this success. There are three specific reasons this ad stood out:

It’s Written for the Applicant
Most job listings sound like this: “Must be proficient in Dentrix. Two years of experience required. Must work well in a fast-paced environment.”
Sound familiar?

That’s all about you. But great candidates want to know what’s in it for them. This listing flips the script by painting a picture of what it feels like to work there—and why it’s a job worth considering.

It’s Informal (on Purpose)
You might think job ads should sound “professional.” But here’s the thing: formal doesn’t equal compelling.
This ad was written in a relaxed, authentic tone—and that’s exactly why it resonated. The right tone gives applicants a sense of your culture before they even walk in the door.

It Evokes Emotion
Good copy gets attention. Great copy makes people feel something.
This ad made people laugh. It made them feel seen. And it made them want to work with people who clearly love what they do.

That kind of emotional connection is how you attract applicants who are excited about more than just a paycheck.

3. What the Doctor Wished He Had Done

After receiving 200+ applications, the doctor faced a new problem—how to sort through all that talent without burning out.

His only regret? Not using video interviews.

We walked through how to set up a simple, automated video interview process that would have saved him hours—and helped him screen for personality and communication fit long before in-person interviews.

If you’re preparing to hire, consider:

• Asking applicants to submit a 60-second intro video

• Using a tool like Loom, Spark Hire, or even Google Forms

• Creating an interview rubric in advance to make screening fast and fair

Quick Recap: How to Write a Dental Job Ad That Works

• Make it about them (not just your practice’s needs)

• Use a tone that reflects your real culture

• Don’t be afraid to add humor or emotion

• Invite the right people—not just the most people

• Automate your screening process to save time

Your Team Starts With Your Ad

Hiring isn’t just about filling a seat. It’s about inviting someone to carry your vision forward with you. And it starts with how you write your ad.

Want help writing your own standout job listing or automating your hiring process for your startup?

Let’s chat. The Ideal Practices team can help you plan your practice—and your team—the smart way.

Schedule your free consultation and start building a practice culture that attracts the right people from day one.

—Stephen Trutter