CAAPID CV Guide — What to Include and What to Cut (2026)

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Your CV is not a list of everything you've ever done.

Most international dentists submit 4-5 page CVs crammed with every certificate, every conference, every volunteer hour they've accumulated since dental school.

Nobody reads past page one.

Admissions committees spend seconds — not minutes — scanning your CV. If they can't quickly see your value, they move on.

The goal isn't to show everything you've done. The goal is to show who you've BECOME.

A cluttered CV that lists activities doesn't differentiate you. A focused CV that demonstrates impact makes admissions committees want to learn more.

This guide shows you exactly what to include in your CAAPID CV, what to cut, and how to format it so admissions committees actually read it.

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CAAPID CV Guide: Your CAAPID CV should be 1-2 pages maximum, formatted in reverse chronological order with clean, professional fonts. Include: education, clinical experience, research, publications, volunteer work, leadership, awards, and certifications. Cut: irrelevant experiences, outdated information, excessive detail, and anything that doesn't demonstrate growth or impact. Focus on showing who you became through experiences, not just listing what you did.

[TABLE OF CONTENTS]

1. What is a CAAPID CV?

2. CAAPID CV vs Resume: Is There a Difference?

3. How Long Should Your CAAPID CV Be?

4. CAAPID CV Format and Structure

5. What to Include in Your CAAPID CV

6. What to Cut from Your CAAPID CV

7. CAAPID CV Section: Education

8. CAAPID CV Section: Clinical Experience

9. CAAPID CV Section: Research and Publications

10. CAAPID CV Section: Volunteer Work and Community Service

11. CAAPID CV Section: Leadership and Extracurriculars

12. CAAPID CV Section: Awards and Honors

13. CAAPID CV Section: Certifications and Training

14. CAAPID CV Section: Professional Memberships

15. CAAPID CV Section: Languages and Skills

16. How to Write CV Descriptions That Show Impact

17. CAAPID CV Formatting Rules

18. Common CAAPID CV Mistakes to Avoid

19. CAAPID CV Red Flags for Admissions Committees

20. CAAPID CV Checklist Before Submitting

21. How P2A Consultancy Helps With Your CV

22. Frequently Asked Questions About CAAPID CVs

1. What is a CAAPID CV?

A CAAPID CV is a comprehensive document that outlines your academic background, clinical experience, research, achievements, and activities for your dental school application.

Purpose of your CAAPID CV:

What It Does	What It Doesn't Do
Summarizes your qualifications	Tell your personal story (that's for the personal statement)
Shows your experience and achievements	Repeat information from other application sections
Demonstrates your preparation for U.S. training	List everything you've ever done
Provides talking points for interviews	Replace the need for strong letters/statement

What admissions committees look for:

They Want to See	They Don't Want to See
Relevant dental experience	Unrelated jobs or activities
Clinical competence evidence	Generic job descriptions
Growth and progression	Static list of activities
Leadership and initiative	Padding with minor items
Clear, organized presentation	Cluttered, hard-to-read format

Your CV works WITH your other application components:

• CV: What you did (facts, timeline)

• Personal Statement: Who you are (story, character)

• Letters: What others think of you (external validation)

2. CAAPID CV vs Resume: Is There a Difference?

For CAAPID purposes, CV and resume are used interchangeably. Focus on comprehensive but concise documentation of your dental career.

Technical differences:

Feature	Traditional CV	Traditional Resume
Length	Multiple pages	1 page
Detail	Comprehensive	Highlights only
Used for	Academic/medical positions	Business/corporate jobs
Focus	Complete career history	Targeted to specific job

For CAAPID:

The terms are often used interchangeably. What matters is:

• Comprehensive coverage of relevant experiences

• Concise presentation (1-2 pages)

• Professional formatting

• Focus on dental/academic achievements

Don't overthink the terminology. Focus on creating a document that comprehensively but concisely presents your qualifications.

3. How Long Should Your CAAPID CV Be?

Your CAAPID CV should be 1-2 pages maximum. Anything longer is too long.

CV length guidelines:

Length	Assessment
1 page	Acceptable for early-career applicants
1.5 pages	Good balance
2 pages	Maximum recommended
3+ pages	Too long — needs cutting
4-5 pages	Way too long — major revision needed

Why shorter is better:

Long CV Problem	Impact
Won't be fully read	Key information missed
Suggests poor judgment	Can't prioritize what matters
Buried important content	Best achievements lost in clutter
Looks padded	Suggests lack of substance
Hard to scan quickly	Admissions moves on

The quality principle:

Every item on your CV should earn its place. If it doesn't demonstrate relevant skills, growth, or achievement, cut it.

How to fit everything in 2 pages:

• Cut irrelevant experiences

• Use concise descriptions (not paragraphs)

• Remove outdated information

• Consolidate similar items

• Focus on most impactful experiences

4. CAAPID CV Format and Structure

Use a clean, professional format with clear sections, consistent formatting, and easy-to-scan layout.

Recommended CV structure:

Section	Include
Header	Name, contact information
Education	Dental degree, other degrees
Clinical Experience	Positions, responsibilities, achievements
Research & Publications	Research projects, papers, presentations
Volunteer Work	Community service, dental camps
Leadership	Positions held, organizations
Awards & Honors	Recognition, scholarships
Certifications	Additional training, courses
Professional Memberships	Dental associations
Languages	Languages spoken (optional)

Formatting rules:

Element	Guideline
Font	Arial, Times New Roman, Calibri (professional fonts)
Font size	10-12 pt for body, 12-14 pt for headers
Margins	0.5-1 inch on all sides
Order	Reverse chronological (most recent first)
Consistency	Same formatting throughout
Spacing	Readable but not wasteful

Header format:

FULL NAME
Email: your.email@email.com | Phone: +1-XXX-XXX-XXXX
City, Country (or City, State if in U.S.)

Keep the header simple and professional. No photos, no fancy graphics.

5. What to Include in Your CAAPID CV

Include everything that demonstrates your qualifications, clinical abilities, academic achievements, and character relevant to dental education.

Must include:

Category	What to Include
Education	Dental degree, graduation date, institution, GPA (if strong)
Clinical Experience	All dental positions, clinical rotations, patient care
U.S. Experience	Any U.S. clinical experience, preceptorships, observerships
Research	Published papers, ongoing research, presentations
Volunteer Work	Dental camps, community service, health outreach
Leadership	Positions in organizations, teams led
Awards	Academic honors, scholarships, recognition
Certifications	BLS, ACLS, additional training

Should include (if relevant):

Category	Include If...
Teaching experience	You taught or mentored students
Professional memberships	You're active in dental organizations
Languages	You speak multiple languages (asset in healthcare)
Presentations	You presented at conferences
Additional education	You have relevant advanced degrees

Include with caution:

Category	When to Include
Non-dental work	Only if it demonstrates transferable skills
Hobbies/interests	Generally don't include
Personal information	Don't include (age, marital status, religion)

6. What to Cut from Your CAAPID CV

Cut anything that doesn't demonstrate relevant skills, is outdated, or adds clutter without adding value.

Definitely cut:

Cut This	Why
High school information	Too old, not relevant
Undergraduate details	Unless exceptional achievements
Irrelevant work experience	Jobs unrelated to healthcare
Minor certificates	Online courses, basic training everyone has
Outdated information	Experiences from 10+ years ago (unless significant)
Every conference attended	Only include if you presented
Every workshop attended	Only significant ones
Generic job duties	"Diagnosed and treated patients" (obvious)

Probably cut:

Consider Cutting	Unless...
Non-dental jobs	They demonstrate relevant transferable skills
Short volunteer activities	They had significant impact
Minor awards	They're from dental school or significant organizations
Old certifications	They're expired or basic

The "so what" test:

For every item, ask: "So what? What does this show about me?"

If the answer is "nothing much," cut it.

Item	"So What?" Test
"Attended dental conference 2019"	Shows nothing — cut
"Presented research at dental conference 2019"	Shows initiative, expertise — keep
"Volunteered at dental camp"	Vague — expand or cut
"Led team of 5 volunteers at dental camp, treated 200 patients"	Shows leadership, impact — keep

7. CAAPID CV Section: Education

List your dental education and any additional degrees in reverse chronological order with relevant details.

What to include:

Element	Example
Degree	Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS)
Institution	XYZ Dental College, Mumbai, India
Dates	August 2015 - May 2019
GPA (if strong)	GPA: 3.6/4.0 (or percentage equivalent)
Honors (if any)	Graduated with Distinction
Relevant coursework (optional)	Only if specifically relevant

Example format:

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS)
XYZ Dental College, University of Mumbai | Mumbai, India
August 2015 - May 2019
GPA: 78% (First Class with Distinction)
- Dean's List: 2017, 2018, 2019
- Thesis: [Title if relevant]

What NOT to include in education:

Don't Include	Why
High school	Not relevant
Every course taken	Too detailed
Low GPA	If below 3.0, consider omitting
Unrelated degrees	Unless they add value

If you have additional degrees:

List in reverse chronological order:

1. Most recent degree first

2. Dental degree

3. Other relevant degrees

4. Don't include unless relevant to your application

8. CAAPID CV Section: Clinical Experience

Clinical experience is often the most important section. Show what you did, where, and what impact you had.

What to include:

Element	Details
Position/title	Dental Associate, General Dentist, etc.
Organization	Clinic/hospital name
Location	City, Country
Dates	Month/Year - Month/Year
Responsibilities	Key duties (concise)
Achievements	Impact, numbers, outcomes

How to write clinical experience descriptions:

Weak (what most people write):

Dental Associate
ABC Dental Clinic | Mumbai, India
June 2019 - Present

- Diagnosed and treated patients
- Performed extractions, restorations, and root canals
- Maintained patient records

Strong (what you should write):

Dental Associate
ABC Dental Clinic | Mumbai, India
June 2019 - December 2024

- Provided comprehensive dental care to 25+ patients daily across general, restorative, and surgical procedures
- Achieved 95% patient satisfaction rating through compassionate care and clear communication
- Mentored 3 junior dentists, developing their clinical skills in complex restorative cases
- Implemented new sterilization protocols that reduced instrument turnover time by 20%

The difference:

Weak Description	Strong Description
Lists duties	Shows impact
Vague	Specific numbers
Anyone could write it	Only YOU could write it
No differentiation	Demonstrates value

U.S. clinical experience (critical):

If you have U.S. clinical experience, highlight it prominently:

Clinical Preceptorship
[Dental School Name] | New York, NY
[Dates]

- Completed 70-hour hands-on training in operative dentistry under Dr. [Name], Associate Professor
- Performed cavity preparations (Class I-V) and crown preparations to U.S. standards
- Received evaluation and feedback on clinical techniques from dental school faculty

9. CAAPID CV Section: Research and Publications

Include research experience, published papers, presentations, and ongoing projects.

What to include:

Type	How to List
Published papers	Full citation in standard format
Submitted papers	Note "Under Review at [Journal]"
Research projects	Title, institution, your role, dates
Presentations	Conference name, date, presentation title
Posters	Conference, date, poster title

Example format:

RESEARCH & PUBLICATIONS

Publications:
1. [Your Name], [Co-authors]. "[Title of Paper]." [Journal Name], vol. X, no. X, Year, pp. XX-XX.
2. [Your Name], et al. "[Title]." [Journal], Year. (Under Review)

Research Experience:
Research Assistant
Department of Oral Pathology, XYZ Dental College | Mumbai, India
January 2018 - May 2019
- Investigated [research topic] under Dr. [Name]
- Collected and analyzed data from 150+ patient samples
- Presented findings at [Conference Name]

Presentations:
- "[Title]." Oral presentation at [Conference], [Location], [Date].
- "[Title]." Poster presentation at [Conference], [Date].

If you have no research:

Not everyone has research experience. If you don't:

• Don't include this section

• Don't invent or exaggerate

• Strengthen other sections instead

10. CAAPID CV Section: Volunteer Work and Community Service

Show your commitment to service and community through meaningful volunteer experiences.

What to include:

Include	Avoid
Dental camps and outreach	One-day events with no impact
Sustained volunteering	Brief, superficial activities
Leadership in service	Passive participation
Measurable impact	Vague descriptions

How to write volunteer descriptions:

Weak:

Volunteer
Dental Camp | 2020
- Provided dental care to underserved patients

Strong:

Lead Volunteer Dentist
Remote Village Dental Outreach, Rural Health Initiative | Gujarat, India
March 2020, October 2020, March 2021 (3 camps)

- Led team of 8 dental professionals providing free care in villages without dental access
- Treated 350+ patients across three camps, performing extractions, restorations, and oral health education
- Developed oral hygiene education curriculum delivered to 500+ school children
- Organized follow-up care system connecting patients to nearby clinics

The difference:

Weak	Strong
One line	Full description
No numbers	Specific impact
Passive	Leadership shown
Generic	Unique contribution

11. CAAPID CV Section: Leadership and Extracurriculars

Demonstrate leadership abilities through positions held and initiatives led.

What to include:

Leadership Type	Examples
Organizational leadership	President of dental society, club officer
Team leadership	Led clinical team, managed staff
Project leadership	Organized events, initiated programs
Mentorship	Trained junior dentists, tutored students

Example format:

LEADERSHIP & ACTIVITIES

President
Student Dental Association, XYZ Dental College
August 2018 - May 2019

- Led executive board of 12 members serving 400+ dental students
- Organized annual dental symposium with 15 speakers and 300 attendees
- Initiated peer tutoring program that improved first-year pass rates by 15%
- Managed $10,000 budget for student activities and events

What demonstrates leadership:

Strong Leadership	Weak Entry
"Led team of 8"	"Member of dental society"
"Initiated program"	"Participated in events"
"Increased by X%"	"Was involved in"
"Organized event for 300"	"Attended meetings"

12. CAAPID CV Section: Awards and Honors

List awards, scholarships, and recognition that demonstrate excellence.

What to include:

Include	Format
Academic awards	Dean's List, Honors, Distinctions
Scholarships	Merit-based scholarships
Competition awards	Clinical competitions, research awards
Professional recognition	Awards from dental organizations

Example format:

AWARDS & HONORS

- Best Clinical Performance Award, XYZ Dental College, 2019
- Merit Scholarship (Top 5% of class), 2017-2019
- First Place, State Dental Quiz Competition, 2018
- Dean's List, 6 consecutive semesters

What NOT to include:

Don't Include	Why
Participation certificates	Not achievements
Awards from childhood	Too old
Every small recognition	Clutters CV
Purchased awards	Obvious and embarrassing

13. CAAPID CV Section: Certifications and Training

Include relevant certifications and additional training that enhance your qualifications.

What to include:

Certification Type	Examples
Required certifications	BLS, ACLS (if current)
Clinical training	Implant courses, endodontic training
U.S.-relevant training	Preceptorships, clinical programs
Specialized skills	CAD/CAM training, laser certification

Example format:

CERTIFICATIONS & TRAINING

- Basic Life Support (BLS), American Heart Association, Valid through 2026
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), 2024
- Implant Placement and Restoration, [Institution], 40 hours, 2023
- Clinical Preceptorship, [U.S. Dental School], 70 hours, 2024

What NOT to include:

Don't Include	Why
Expired certifications	No longer valid
Every online course	Too minor
Basic courses everyone has	Doesn't differentiate
Irrelevant certifications	Not related to dentistry

14. CAAPID CV Section: Professional Memberships

List memberships in dental and professional organizations.

What to include:

Include	Examples
Dental associations	ADA, state associations, IDA
Specialty organizations	If pursuing specialty interest
Academic societies	Dental honor societies

Example format:

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

- American Dental Association (ADA), International Member, 2023-Present
- Indian Dental Association, 2019-Present
- Academy of General Dentistry, 2022-Present

Keep this section brief. Memberships alone don't mean much — active involvement matters more.

15. CAAPID CV Section: Languages and Skills

List languages spoken and relevant technical skills.

Languages:

Language	Proficiency Level
English	Fluent
Hindi	Native
Spanish	Conversational

Format:

LANGUAGES

- English: Fluent (TOEFL: 105)
- Hindi: Native
- Gujarati: Native

Technical skills (optional):

Only include if relevant:

• CAD/CAM design

• Digital dentistry software

• Specific equipment proficiency

Don't include:

• Basic computer skills (Microsoft Office)

• Skills everyone has

• Exaggerated proficiencies

16. How to Write CV Descriptions That Show Impact

Transform generic duty lists into impact statements that demonstrate your value.

The P2A CV Philosophy:

Your CV should show who you BECAME, not just what you DID.

Every experience should reveal:

• A skill you developed

• Impact you created

• Growth you achieved

• Value you added

Formula for strong descriptions:

Action Verb + Specific Task + Quantified Result

Weak	Strong
"Treated patients"	"Treated 30+ patients daily, achieving 95% satisfaction rating"
"Did extractions"	"Performed 500+ extractions including complex surgical cases"
"Helped at dental camp"	"Led volunteer team serving 200+ patients in underserved community"
"Worked on research"	"Published findings in peer-reviewed journal after analyzing 150+ samples"

Action verbs to use:

Category	Strong Verbs
Leadership	Led, Directed, Managed, Supervised, Coordinated
Achievement	Achieved, Increased, Improved, Exceeded, Delivered
Creation	Developed, Created, Designed, Initiated, Established
Clinical	Performed, Treated, Diagnosed, Restored, Completed
Teaching	Mentored, Trained, Educated, Instructed, Guided

Numbers matter:

Without Numbers	With Numbers
"Treated many patients"	"Treated 5,000+ patients over 4 years"
"Improved efficiency"	"Reduced patient wait time by 30%"
"Led team"	"Led team of 8 dental professionals"
"Participated in camps"	"Served 1,000+ patients across 5 dental camps"

17. CAAPID CV Formatting Rules

Follow these formatting rules to ensure your CV is professional, readable, and effective.

Font and size:

Element	Recommendation
Font	Arial, Times New Roman, Calibri
Body text	10-11 pt
Headers	12-14 pt
Name	14-16 pt

Layout rules:

Rule	Guideline
Margins	0.5" - 1" on all sides
Alignment	Left-aligned text (not justified)
Spacing	Consistent throughout
Sections	Clear headers with space between
Bullets	Standard bullets (•), aligned

Consistency checklist:

Element	Must Be Consistent
Date format	"May 2019" or "05/2019" — pick one
Location format	"City, Country" throughout
Header style	Same formatting for all section headers
Bullet style	Same bullet type throughout
Spacing	Same spacing between sections

Formatting don'ts:

Don't	Why
Use fancy fonts	Unprofessional, hard to read
Use colors	Keep it black and white
Add photos	Not appropriate for U.S. applications
Use tables/graphics	Can cause formatting issues
Use headers/footers with page numbers	Keep it simple
Cram text to fit	Better to cut content

18. Common CAAPID CV Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common mistakes that weaken your CV and hurt your application.

Mistake 1: CV is too long

Problem	Solution
4-5 pages	Cut to 2 pages maximum
Includes everything	Include only relevant, impactful items
Padding with minor items	Quality over quantity

Mistake 2: Generic descriptions

Problem	Solution
"Diagnosed and treated patients"	Add specifics, numbers, impact
"Participated in dental camp"	Describe role, impact, numbers
Duties without achievements	Show results, not just tasks

Mistake 3: Inconsistent formatting

Problem	Solution
Different date formats	Pick one format, use everywhere
Mixed fonts	One font family throughout
Uneven spacing	Consistent spacing between sections

Mistake 4: Including irrelevant information

Problem	Solution
Non-dental jobs	Remove unless transferable skills
High school	Remove entirely
Personal details (age, religion)	Never include

Mistake 5: Timeline gaps without explanation

Problem	Solution
Unexplained gaps raise questions	Account for all time since graduation
Missing years	Include what you were doing

Mistake 6: Typos and errors

Problem	Solution
Spelling mistakes	Proofread multiple times
Grammar errors	Have someone else review
Wrong dates	Double-check all dates

Mistake 7: Not highlighting U.S. experience

Problem	Solution
U.S. experience buried	Put prominently near top
Treated same as other experience	Highlight with more detail

19. CAAPID CV Red Flags for Admissions Committees

Admissions committees notice certain red flags that raise concerns about your application.

Red flags:

Red Flag	What It Suggests
Unexplained timeline gaps	What were they hiding?
Inflated titles	Exaggeration or dishonesty
Inconsistent dates	Carelessness or fabrication
Too many short positions	Job hopping, can't commit
Vague descriptions	Didn't actually do much
Obvious padding	Lack of real substance
Unprofessional formatting	Poor attention to detail
Typos and errors	Carelessness
Claims that don't match letters	Dishonesty

What raises questions:

Issue	What Admissions Wonders
Gap after dental school	Why weren't they practicing?
Many brief positions	Can they commit to a 2-3 year program?
No clinical experience listed	Are they actually a practicing dentist?
Claims without specifics	Did they actually do this?

How to address legitimate gaps:

If you have a legitimate gap (illness, family, visa issues), you can briefly address it:

• In a short note on CV

• In personal statement

• In supplemental essays if asked

Be honest, brief, and focus on moving forward.

20. CAAPID CV Checklist Before Submitting

Use this checklist to ensure your CV is complete and polished before submitting.

Content Checklist:

Section	Included?	Polished?
☐ Header with contact info
☐ Education
☐ Clinical experience
☐ U.S. experience (if any)
☐ Research (if any)
☐ Volunteer work
☐ Leadership
☐ Awards
☐ Certifications
☐ Professional memberships

Quality Checklist:

Element	Done?
☐ 1-2 pages maximum
☐ Reverse chronological order
☐ No unexplained gaps
☐ Descriptions show impact (not just duties)
☐ Numbers and specifics included
☐ U.S. experience prominently featured
☐ Irrelevant content removed

Formatting Checklist:

Element	Done?
☐ Professional font (Arial, Times New Roman)
☐ Consistent date format
☐ Consistent formatting throughout
☐ Proper margins (0.5-1 inch)
☐ Easy to scan quickly
☐ No photos or graphics

Final Checks:

Check	Done?
☐ Proofread for typos
☐ Someone else reviewed it
☐ Dates are accurate
☐ Information matches other application components
☐ Contact information is correct
☐ Saved as PDF (preserves formatting)

21. How P2A Consultancy Helps With Your CV

P2A transforms cluttered CVs into powerful documents that showcase your best self.

The CV problem for international dentists:

Most international dentists submit CVs that:

• Are too long (4-5 pages)

• List duties instead of achievements

• Don't highlight what matters

• Use generic, forgettable language

• Bury U.S. experience (if they have it)

• Don't show growth or impact

Our approach:

Step 1: We listen to EVERYTHING

We don't just edit your existing CV. We sit with you and learn about all your experiences — dental, personal, everything. We find the stories and achievements you've forgotten or undervalued.

Step 2: We identify what matters

Not everything belongs on your CV. We identify the experiences that:

• Demonstrate clinical competence

• Show leadership and initiative

• Reveal growth and character

• Differentiate you from other applicants

Step 3: We make it genuine and impactful

We don't write robotic, checkbox language. We craft descriptions that show who you BECAME through each experience.

Before P2A	After P2A
"Volunteered at dental camp"	"Led team of 8 serving 350 patients across 3 camps in villages without dental access"
"Worked as dental associate"	"Provided comprehensive care to 30+ patients daily, achieving 95% satisfaction while mentoring 3 junior dentists"

Step 4: We polish and perfect

• Clean, professional formatting

• Optimal 1-2 page length

• U.S. experience prominently featured

• Every word earning its place

Our results:

CVs that make admissions committees want to read more — not documents they skim and forget.

[Book Your Free Strategy Call]

22. Frequently Asked Questions About CAAPID CVs

How long should my CAAPID CV be?

1-2 pages maximum. Most admissions committees won't read past 2 pages. Focus on quality over quantity.

What format should my CAAPID CV use?

Use reverse chronological order with clear section headers. Professional fonts (Arial, Times New Roman), 10-11 pt body text, consistent formatting throughout.

What should I include in my CAAPID CV?

Include: education, clinical experience, U.S. experience, research, publications, volunteer work, leadership, awards, certifications, and professional memberships.

What should I NOT include in my CAAPID CV?

Don't include: high school information, irrelevant work experience, personal details (age, religion, marital status), photos, expired certifications, or every minor certificate.

Should I include a photo on my CAAPID CV?

No. Photos are not appropriate for U.S. dental school applications and may cause bias concerns.

How do I describe my clinical experience effectively?

Use the formula: Action verb + Specific task + Quantified result. Show impact, not just duties. Include numbers whenever possible.

Should I include non-dental work experience?

Only if it demonstrates relevant transferable skills like leadership, communication, or problem-solving. Otherwise, cut it.

How do I handle gaps in my CV?

Be honest about gaps. If there's a legitimate reason (family, health, visa issues), briefly address it. Don't leave unexplained gaps that raise questions.

Should I list every conference I attended?

No. Only include conferences where you presented or had a significant role. Attendance alone doesn't add value.

How important is U.S. clinical experience on my CV?

Very important. If you have U.S. experience, feature it prominently. It demonstrates familiarity with U.S. standards and commitment to practicing in America.

Should I include my GPA?

Include if strong (3.0+ or equivalent). If below average, consider omitting.

How do I make my CV stand out?

Show impact, not just duties. Use numbers. Highlight unique experiences. Demonstrate growth and leadership. Keep it concise and well-formatted.

Can I use the same CV for all schools?

Yes, your CAAPID CV goes to all schools. Make sure it's comprehensive enough for any school's interests while remaining concise.

Should I have someone review my CV?

Yes. Have multiple people review for content, formatting, and typos. Fresh eyes catch things you miss.

Is it okay to list experiences from many years ago?

Include older experiences only if significant. Generally focus on the last 5-7 years. Outdated minor experiences clutter your CV.

Your CV Is Your First Impression

Admissions committees see your CV before your personal statement, before your letters, before your interview. It's often the first detailed look at who you are.

A cluttered, generic CV signals a cluttered, generic applicant.

A focused, impactful CV signals someone worth learning more about.

Your CV should make them want to read your personal statement. Your personal statement should make them want to interview you. Your interview should make them want to accept you.

It starts with your CV.

P2A Consultancy helps international dentists transform their CVs from forgettable lists into powerful documents.

[Book Your Free Strategy Call]

About the Author

Dr. Dev Prajapati Co-Founder, P2A Consultancy

Dr. Dev has reviewed hundreds of international dentist CVs and seen the same mistakes repeated. When he applied through CAAPID, his focused, impactful CV helped him stand out and match into Howard University's AEGD Residency Program.

Now he helps international dentists craft CVs that open doors instead of closing them.