Dental Assistant Interview Questions & Answers
Best Dental Assistant Questions and Answers
Dear Readers, Welcome to Dental Assistant Objective Questions and Answers have been designed specially to get you acquainted with the nature of questions you may encounter during your Job interview for the subject of Dental Assistant Multiple choice Questions. These Objective type Dental Assistant Questions are very important for campus placement test and job interviews. As per my experience good interviewers hardly plan to ask any particular question during your Job interview and these model questions are asked in the online technical test and interview of many Medical Industry.
1) Tell me about your organizational and administrative skills and experience?
Another fact of working as a dental assistant has to do with your administrative and organizational expertise. Aside from working chair side with patients, you may also be required to greet them as they come in the door, answer telephone calls, schedule appointments, restock supplies, and more. You will need to convince the interviewer that your skills are on target with the needs of the job. For example, “I have experience with answering telephones and I have learned and implemented several methods of filing and record keeping” would be a great answer, but only if you are prepared to elaborate on that experience.
2) Will you comfortable working with children and adults?
You will likely be required to work alongside a dentist, so your interviewer will ask you this question in order to gauge your comfort level. Although it is okay to express a preference for one over the other, you should be able to provide an answer that portrays your ability to work with either age group. “Although I especially love working with children and keeping them excited about good oral hygiene, I am just as comfortable working with adults” is a fantastic example answer. Although you may not be assigned to work primarily with children, your preferences will likely be noted if you are hired.
3) Which is the most important job of a dental assistant at a dental facility?
While I feel that every task that a dental assistant performs is important, making patients feel comfortable is probably the most important. This is because a patient who is at ease is easy to handle. Equally important is sterilizing instruments because infection control is vital to managing dental procedures effectively.
4) Tell me briefly do you pay attention to detail?
Yes I am very detail oriented. Like, when i was working within a previous job i was always told to keep my are clean. So what I would do was wipe down all cabinets with disinfectant make sure everything was in order,make sure all instruments were autoclaved and put in its original spot. I would also make sure the oplatory was set properly making sure their was nothing missing or out of order. Overall making sure the setting was perfect.
5) Can you handle criticism?
“I will be able to perform to the best of my ability under any circumstance and I am always thankful for constructive criticism” is a good answer, but you should follow up with a reason why constructive criticism is helpful to you. “I am always willing to learn from my mistakes and learn better, more efficient methods of getting the job done” will suffice.
6) Can you work under constant supervision?
Since you will only be allowed to perform direct patient care under the supervision of a dentist, you must be able to work while being watched and readily accept criticism.
7) Is oral health and hygiene important for you as a dental assistant?
It seem’s like a silly question, but your interviewer has a very good reason to ask. If you are not passionate about your own oral health and hygiene, it is unlikely that you will be able to convey the importance of oral care to your patients. You may even choose to describe your oral care practices to your interviewer so that they can better understand your methods. You might answer with “Absolutely. I make sure to brush twice a day and after meals, and I see my own dentist at least twice per year.” You may also be asked to explain why oral health is so important for overall physical health, as well.
8) Described about a tough patient you had to deal with?
I wouldn’t say that I have had a “tough patient”. I would say however I have had several circumstances in which I had to use my skills and training to figure out the needs of each patient and do my best to meet their needs to make the appointment run as smoothly as possible. That sometimes can be tough, but it is one of the challenges I enjoy most in this field, making the dental experience as pleasant as possible for the patient.
9) How will you react suppose if a patient complains that you didn’t properly care for them during the last appointment?
I prepare a complaint form, I would do all I could to know what it was that make the patient unsatisfied and I do my best to fix the problem before the next visit.
10) What techniques you employ to keep an office organized?
Keeping a uplifting and positive attitude and use the teamwork technique. Always making sure everything is stocked and sterilized to make the day run smoothly.
11) Supose if we hired you then how long do you see yourself at this office?
I like stability. I dont want to move from one place to another, I want long term
12) What experience do you have as dental assistant?
I have much experience in exposing radiography and filling out claim forms. I am knowledgeable in sterilization of dental instruments also operatories.
13) Tell me are you an outgoing individual?
I see myself as an outgoing individual. I am very good at meshing with different types of people. But I also think its very important not to bring your personal life into work life. At work i am outgoing in a professional manner.
14) What will you contribute to this office?
Team work and motivation.I will give my best into making it a better environment.
15) How to calmed down upset patients?
With a calm voice and tell the pt I know why they are uncomfortable and that everything is under control and the procedure is going just fine and that they are doing great.
16) Rate your professional skills?
I would rate them an 8 but im always eger to learn new things.
17) Tell me have you shadowed a dentist’s office before?
Yes to check what it is like been in dental clinic.
18) Which role of leadership you have performed in your career so far?
They comfort the patient through emotional and anxiety.
19) How do you handle stress as dental assistant?
I prioritize and organize my work. Emergencies come first. If we are well-organized then we can handle the stress.
20) What is more important to you, money or work?
They are both got the same importance, but in order to get money you need to work.
21) Where you see your career in five years?
I see myself as a confident lead assistant. One that is often requested by patients due to my efficiency and ability to calm and educate patients.
22) Tell me what was your best experience thus far as a dental assistant?
I’ve had many great experiences thus far. My two best experiences would be any time I see a patient leave happy and promising a return. Also, when I perform a procedure to the best of my ability keeping the dr impressed with my work.
23) Describe your last experience working with a dentist?
The last time I worked with a dentist is when I was in school. He made me nervous just cause he was kind of pushy and tried to confuse everyone a little bit, but other than that we got along well. He was a very funny man and told me how good I did when helping out.
24) Tell me what dental knowledge do you possess?
I gained all the necessary knowledge while attending dental school for 18mo.
25) What you dislike most about being a dental assistant?
I try to use my skills and knowledge to overcome the difficulties that I encounter.
26) Tell me what key traits a dental assistant must needs to have?
Well organized,
Communication skills,
Multi-tasker.
27) Do you have any experience in a medical office?
I don’t have a lot of experience within the medical office but what i can assure you is that i am willing to learn what it takes to improve the hands on training that i have received during school.
28) Tell me what is your favorite type of patient?
Every patient because they each bring their own uniqueness into the office and offer new personalities and I enjoy the variety of personality.
29) Tell me what made you decide to be a dental assistant?
I really enjoy working with other people and why not take care of others people teeth.
30) How you rate your listening skills?
I am a detailed and attentive person and rate them above average.
31) Tell me have you carried out any phlebotomy activities during your previous job?
Yes but limited to dental treatments.
32) How would you manage emergencies?
I can work calmly in hectic situations. While following the standard operating procedures, I am able to prioritize tasks according to the emergency’s severity and contact the doctor for specific instructions.
33) What procedure you use to sterilize dental equipment?
Clean the instruments or rinse them off, then put them in a ultrasonic and then package and then put them in an autoclave.
34) Tell me can you work extended shifts in the absence of other dental assistants?
I am willing to work overtime, in nights and weekends as well.
35) Are you familiar with the equipment sterilization and the process machines?
Yes! There are different machines used for this purpose and they have to be operated according to their operation manual. The machines need to be maintained and tested on regular basis. The dental equipment needs to be sterilized daily.
36) Are you familiar with the functioning of x-ray machines?
Yes. The IR certification and my previous job have allowed me to gain hands on experience in radiology/radiography. I can not only operate the machines but also handle exposing and imaging.
37) How to manage infection control and clinical cleanliness?
Clinic’s standard procedures for infection control should be followed and taken care of while operating any/all equipment. The instruments should be properly sterilized, the disposable items should be properly disposed of e.g. breaking off injections and sending paper waste for recycling as well as managing all kinds of waste disposals, following appropriate control procedures for radiography, maintaining clean and sanitized water supply etc.
38) Tell me do you hold active WA dental assistant registration?
Yes! In addition, I possess an EFDA certification, OSHA training and an Intraoral Radiology Certification as well.
39) Tell me what checks should be a dental assistant perform before an earlier patient arrives?
A Dental Assistant should accurately review patient’s medical/dental history for assisting the dentist. Changes in the medical history should be monitored. The appointments should be managed and the payment history should also be reviewed accordingly.
40) How did you handle chair-side experience with children?
Out of every ten dental patients at Dental Habitat, two were children. I found it easy to handle children during a dental procedure because I can make them comfortable by diverting their attention to stories and jokes.
41) Do you have any experience of dental laboratory?
Yes, I do. I can effectively and accurately make casts and crowns. I can also make retainers and both temporary and permanent braces.
42) What typical tasks are performed in the role of a dental assistant?
I was responsible for both procedural and administrative support at Dental Habitat. From taking and recording patients information to providing support to complex dental procedures, I was expected to manage it all.
43) What are your strengths as dental assistant?
I am highly dependable, efficient, quick learner and excellent at providing effective customer service. I have substantial knowledge and experience in 4 handed dentistry. I don’t work for getting the job done, I work to get appreciated and that makes me work extraordinarily well.
44) How you feel that you are qualified for the position of a dental assistant?
I am registered as a dental assistant with the State of New Hampshire. I have worked as a dental assistant at Dental Habitat for three years which has prepared me well to work in a dental facility the caliber of Dental Aesthetics.
45) Tell me how well you get along with other people?
Interpersonal skills are important for a dental assistant. Dental assistants are able to cooperate efficiently with the doctor and make the patient feel comfortable and safe while they prepare them for treatment or instruct them in dental matters.
46) What initial procedures need to undertake when a patient is seated in front of the doctor as a dental assistant?
Adjust the seat for the patients, set up aprons, put a new glass of water, offer napkins, arranging special instruments (if required) and the medicines, taking and recording patient’s blood pressure, etc. Hand in the patients file to the doctor and if the patient is not new, brief the doctor about the progress or the problems the patient is facing.
47) Define 4-handed dentistry?
A method in which a dental assistant works closely with the dentist on the procedures being done in the mouth of a patient. This method decreases fatigue and improves the success of dental procedures.
48) What characteristic is most important for the job of dental assistant?
You are not actually expected to find the one single most important characteristic. Just take a moment to think about it and give a thoughtful answer based on your experience. One way to answer this question is to mention multi-tasking ability; it is important because it implies the ability to do all of the above mentioned tasks simultaneously and effectively.
49) How to cope many tasks which a dental assistant typically has to deal with during an average day?
This question is meant to test how much actual experience you have. Describe a typical day in some detail and explain how you manage it successfully: you are quick and always focused, you know the routine and have things ready beforehand or immediately when the patient comes in, etc.
50) Describe your qualifications as a dental assistant?
Besides education and specifics of where you worked, you can mention characteristics generally considered favorable:
Manual dexterity,
Good interpersonal skills,
Eeliability, etc.