Applying for a job as a dental assistant? There’s a good chance you’ll have to go through at least one round of interviews before landing your dream job. Below, our dental education team here at Howard Healthcare Academy has compiled a list of common interview questions for dental assistants, as well as tips for acing your next interview.
Start prepping for your next interview and begin your dental assistant journey by enrolling in our Dental Assistant Program today!
Not sure what you’re going to hear at your next interview? Here’s a list of some of the most common interview questions for dental assistants asked during the interview process
How to Answer: Convey knowledge of the role, your own personal strengths, and a strong desire to help others.
How to Answer: Outline all educational experience and spend time talking about the particular advantages of the dental assistant program you completed. Cover all applicable professional experience, especially time spent within a dental office.
How to Answer: Clearly outline steps and emphasize organization skills, dedication to patient comfort and safety, and the ability to multitask.
How to Answer: The above situation always varies from patient to patient — in your answer, emphasize a strategy that uses professional communication skills, adaptability, empathy, and a genuine desire to help the patient.
How to Answer: Similar to the last question, interviewers use this question to look for applicants with strong interpersonal skills, adaptability, and professional composure. When answering this question, it often helps to give a specific example.
How to Answer: Convey a strong sense of personal discretion, as well as an understanding of HIPAA and how they implement regulations.
How to Answer: With this question, interviewers are trying to get a feel for your general literacy with technology, as well as whether additional training will be necessary. Spend time covering your experience with all types of dental software and machines you have used.
How to Answer: Confidently answer that you feel a good dental assistant should have specific traits, such as initiative, a good bedside manner, and have strong organizational skills. Add any other skills that you feel are necessary as a dental assistant.
How to Answer: Give examples of how you have handled working in a laboratory setting. Give a detailed response, such as “In my previous role, I often assisted my supervising dentist by making crowns and casts for patients undergoing dental procedures. I also developed retainers for temporary and permanent braces, as well as aligners.”
How to Answer: Before answering, keep in mind that many dental offices do not have a dedicated office staff for these tasks. Therefore, it is often up to dental assistants to do some administrative tasks.
Let your interviewer know that you can handle making and confirming appointments, answering phones, filing, and organizing insurance claims. Doing these tasks can help you increase your income and you may even be given more responsibilities. Be sure to mention any previous administrative duties you have had in the past, as it can help you stand out for the job.
Now that you know some of the most common interview questions for dental assistants that will likely be asked in your dental assistant interview, here are a few extra tips and tricks you can use to help distinguish yourself from other applicants.
Confidence is Key: Maintain eye contact, smile, and answer interviewers with a healthy measure of assuredness. This will go a long way in conveying that you are fit for the job.
Ask the Right Questions: Interviewers like when you ask questions. Just be sure that your dental assistant job interview questions are well-articulated and pertain to essential aspects of the position. It helps to prepare your dental assistant interview questions beforehand.
Always Remember Your Selling Points: You are a unique applicant with a skillset and personality that others don’t have. Be sure to cover your unique “selling points” during your interview to separate yourself from other applicants. Your dental assistant questions and answers should be straightforward, but also include your unique skill sets and some enthusiasm.
Prepare For Your Interview: Before your interview, you should do your best to prepare. You should have an idea of mind about how to introduce and describe yourself, as well as have some stories prepared from previous dental assistant work or when you completed your dental assistant program. Interviewers love to hear stories about possible candidates for the job, and your personality and expertise can help set you apart from other candidates.
Bring Copies of Your Resume: Always bring several copies of your resume with you for your dental assistant interview. This helps to show that you are prepared, and you might have the opportunity to meet with multiple people during your interview.
Have Pen and a Paper: You should have a reliable pen and small notepad with you during your interview in case you need to take notes. Keep your resume in plain sight, on the desk or in front of you, so it is closeby in case you need it when answering your dental assistant interview questions.
Be On Time: Being on time for your dental assistant interview is one of the most important tip that can help make your interview go well. If you are early for your job interview, it makes a good first impression. The interviewer or hiring manager will notice that you are prompt, which helps make you stand out and shows that you will not be late for the job if you get it.
Want to learn more about how to ace your next dental assistant interview? Ready to get your dental assistant career started? Enroll here at Howard Academy to take the next step today!
Thinking about becoming a dental assistant? You’re doing your research — and that’s a great first step! The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the job outlook for dental assistants is favorable. Specifically, it estimates a faster than the average growth rate of 7% through 2032. So, how do you become a dental assistant?...
If you are applying for a job as a dental assistant, it is essential to create an excellent dental assistant cover letter. Cover letters help prospective employers understand why you should be hired. They showcase your professional ability, highlight your strengths, and show that you are serious about the opportunity to work as a dental...
If you want to become a dental assistant, you want to understand more about how much dental assistants make and whether it is a decent salary. Dental assistants’ pay depends on several factors, such as specific responsibilities and roles, location, education, and professional experience. A typical dental assistant’s salary in the United States is between...
An expanded duty dental assistant, also known as an expanded functions dental assistant (EFDA), is a certified dental assistant who has undergone additional training and schooling to earn the licensure and skills that enables them to perform specific dental procedures. EFDAs can perform specific dental procedures that you would expect a dentist to perform, but...
We’re happy to answer any of your questions and show you around.
Talk to a member of our Admissions team right away.
Fill out this form and we’ll reach out and talk through your options.
Info@HowardAcademy.edu