How to ace a dental assistant interview

If you’re ready to start working as a dental assistant, you may have applied to a few job postings. This means that your next step is to prepare for interviews. Making a good impression in an interview is often the key to getting hired for any job, and understanding how to interview for a role in dental care will help you put your best foot forward.

Dental assistants are expected to have experience with a combination of technical and administrative responsibilities, or be able to pick them up quickly. Learn how to talk about your work experience to make the best impression on your interviewer.

We’ll cover preparing for your interview, common interview questions you can expect, what to ask to get a better understanding of the job, and factors to consider when it’s time to make a decision.

How to prepare for your dental assistant interview

When it’s time to prepare for your interview, here are a few steps you can take to help ensure everything goes as smoothly as possible.

1. Do your research

Going into your interview, it’s important to learn about the company you’re applying to work for. Interviewers want to see that you’re interested in their specific job opportunity and may ask you questions related to the company’s values, mission or culture. By reviewing the job posting as well as the company’s website and social media, you’ll be able to tailor your answers to fit the company. You’ll also be able to demonstrate your familiarity with the company when it comes time to ask your own questions.

2. Plan for the content of the interview

Think about the questions you’ll be asked and the ones you want to ask them. Interviewers will want to learn more about your experience, skillset and personality, which is often done by asking variations on a few common questions. Researching what kinds of questions come up in dental assistant interviews and thinking about how you’ll answer them will save you time and stress.

At the same time, think carefully about what you’d like to ask your interviewer. Asking questions is an opportunity to learn more about the role and your potential employer, but it can also convey messages about your understanding and interests.

3. Get ready for the day itself

When it comes to the day of the interview, there are a few things you can do to set yourself up for success. First, plan an appropriate business casual outfit. This means chinos or dress pants with a button-down shirt, cardigan or sweater. Women may also opt for a professional dress or skirt in the place of pants. Avoid athletic clothes, jeans, sneakers, flashy jewelry and strong scents, which may distract from your overall presentation.

Second, bring copies of your resume. It can be helpful to have a copy to reference for yourself. If there are multiple interviewers, bring a copy for each one so they don’t have to share.

Finally, show up early. You don’t want to be so early that you run the risk of rushing your interviewers, but getting to the interview location 5-10 minutes ahead of schedule conveys professionalism and gives you time to settle in.

Common interview questions for dental assistants

During your interview, you’ll be asked a variety of questions about your professional and personal experiences. These questions may take a number of forms, but your interviewers are generally trying to learn specific information about you. Here are some common questions you should be prepared to answer during your dental assistant interview.

What dental experience do you have?

Your dental experience is one of the most important factors to potential employers. Interviewers want to hear about your work experience, skills and technical knowledge. You can expect to be asked about your education and any certifications you have, your familiarity with dental procedures and tests, and your experience with administrative tasks like keeping records and scheduling appointments. You may be asked specifically about your computer skills, your understanding of HIPAA guidelines, and your experience with radiology and expanded functions.

Why do you want to work at this dental practice?

You may be asked this question on its own, or it may be paired with a question about why you want to work as a dental assistant in general. Either way, this is where researching the company beforehand pays off. Framing your answers around the vision or values you found in the company’s materials shows that you’ve done your homework and will be a good fit.

What is your greatest strength and weakness?

With these kinds of questions, your interviewer wants to see how you evaluate yourself. Your answers should be kept to the context of the job you’re applying for: a strength would be a skill or knowledge area from the job description that you already excel in.

As for a weakness, you don’t want to give an answer that makes you seem unqualified. Consider speaking about an area in the job description where you’re competent but perhaps less experienced or comfortable.

It’s also important to emphasize your ability to learn in your answer. Interviewers are looking for people who’ll take the initiative to improve their skillsets without needing to be asked.

How do you approach working with dental patients?

Dental procedures can be a source of anxiety for both adults and kids. Your interviewer will want to see that you have the empathy and interpersonal skills necessary to help patients be more comfortable during their appointments. If you have experience with this from past positions or clinical training, this is the time to share it. Highlighting your experience working with different patient populations is also valuable.

What was a difficult work situation you’ve been in, and how did you handle it?

Your interviewer will also want to see how you approach problem-solving. Your answer could be technical like creating a fix for a widespread scheduling issue. But generally, the most helpful examples are interpersonal, such as resolving an issue with a coworker. Talking about interpersonal relationships can show that you know how to collaborate well with others and maintain your professionalism in the face of conflict.

What questions to ask your interviewer

Towards the end of your interview, you’re usually given the chance to ask a few questions. This is a valuable opportunity to learn more about the job and company you’re applying to. But the questions you ask will also tell your interviewer a lot about you. Avoid asking questions that make you sound unfamiliar with the job duties. Instead, try a few of these possibilities.

What is a typical day like at this practice?

This question can give you insights into what you’d be doing in a routine day. You may be able to learn about the flow and timing of the work, where your responsibilities would intersect with others’ and how the dental practice is structured.

What challenges do new dental assistants at this practice typically face?

It’s very helpful to know what to expect at a new job, including the areas where you might struggle. Knowing where previous dental assistants have had trouble means those areas won’t catch you by surprise, and it gives you a chance to refine any relevant skills.

How do you measure success?

Just like it’s beneficial to know what may be challenging, it’s also helpful to know how your supervisor will evaluate your work. This is another question that can give you a head start on focusing your energy where it will make the biggest impact.

What do you like about working here?

At the end of the day, it’s ideal to work at a place you like. This question and your interviewer’s readiness to answer it can give you an initial sense of the practice’s tone and culture.

Other factors to consider when choosing a dental assistant job

As you plan your questions and prepare for your interviews, think about what might influence you to take one opportunity over another. Are you looking for a specific kind of work culture? Do you need robust insurance coverage? Do you eventually want to move from dental assistant to dental hygienist? If you’re a strong candidate, you may find yourself with multiple offers, and these kinds of questions can determine which one is likely to be the best long-term fit for you.

At HealthPartners, we want to be the best place you’ve ever worked. We pride ourselves on having teams who care about each other as much as their patients. To help our dental assistants focus on providing exceptional care, we offer excellent health and dental coverage, competitive pay, generous PTO and sick leave, and many other benefits. Plus, if you’re interested in advancing your career, we offer continuing education reimbursements and flexible scheduling to support you through the process. Join our team today.