Why this matters:

A clean and well-organized exam room is essential for ensuring safe operations and communicating professionalism and trust. Your candidate should be well-versed in disinfection protocols and guidelines, dental instrument sterilization, proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and disposal of biohazardous waste. Use of correct vocabulary for equipment and protocols will demonstrate a high level of familiarity with the setting and procedures.

What to listen for:

• A detailed description covering proper procedures for exam room disinfection and setup
• Mentions of the importance of reviewing the patient’s record to set out the correct tools

Why this matters:

Your dental assistant’s ability to correctly take X-ray images will significantly impact patients’ in-office experience, the overall length of appointments, and the quality of care. Candidates should be familiar with all the necessary equipment for dental X-ray imaging, understand how to operate an X-ray machine correctly, and know how to use the software to process, save, and analyze those images.

What to listen for:

• Examples that demonstrate attention to safety protocols and correct order of operations
• Emphasis on the importance of providing patients with accurate instructions and all necessary PPE
• Mentions of ensuring proper placement, alignment, and exposure for capturing sharp images

Why this matters:

Proper care of dental instruments is key for maintaining patient and personnel safety and ensuring compliance with regulations. How your dental assistant cares for your tools will greatly impact their longevity and your ability to maximize those investments. The answer to this question will provide you with insight into your candidate’s familiarity with proper cleaning and sterilization procedures and their ability to operate sterilizing machinery and chemicals safely.

What to listen for:

• Examples that demonstrate adherence to procedures and best practices for minimizing contamination and infection transmission
• Mentions of the importance of extending equipment life
• Familiarity with sterilizing instruments similar to those used in your practice

Why this matters:

One of the most important duties of a dental assistant is aiding dentists during dental procedures. You need a highly observant and organized candidate with an excellent ability to anticipate needs and respond to unexpected events. The best candidates will have experience assisting in a multitude of dental procedures such as root canals, extractions, and prosthetics placements, among others.

What to listen for:

• Examples highlighting your candidate’s skills as a team player and knowledge of dental terminology
• An ability to manage multiple tasks, handle tense situations, and work around others to expedite procedures.

Why this matters:

Accidents can happen in any healthcare setting — especially when working with sharp objects near delicate areas such as the mouth. Your candidate’s answer will provide insight into how they handle a tense situation and their capacity for calming the patient down, owning up to their mistake, and making proper amends.

What to listen for:

• A clear explanation of what the candidate did wrong, the patient’s reaction, and the specific steps taken to mitigate the situation
• Use of respectful language when referring to the patient, which indicates the candidate’s general attitude toward others and how they handle conflict

What to listen for:

• Examples that demonstrate an organized and systematic approach to managing their work
• Emphasis on the importance of maintaining an organized work environment and following procedures
• Mentions of tools such as checklists, to-do lists, calendars, or electronic reminders to aid their work

Why this matters:

Nervous patients are a routine occurrence in dental practices. As one of the first contact points with patients, your dental assistant should be receptive to indicators of discomfort such as body language or comments. Your candidate should demonstrate great care in communicating an image of safety, trust, and professionalism to all patients.

What to listen for:

• Examples that demonstrate an excellent capacity for observing and reading others
• An empathic approach that acknowledges and validates the patient’s fears
• The best candidates will mention how they modified their workflow for the patient’s comfort

Why this matters:

As healthcare professionals, dental assistants have the obligation to educate patients on proper dental care. You need a candidate who can tactfully address dental hygiene shortfalls and communicate the importance of correcting those mistakes. The best candidates will demonstrate a deep commitment to their role as dental healthcare providers and a passion for educating others.

What to listen for:

• An answer that illustrates your candidate’s communication skills and their ability to break down complex information into simple terms
• Mentions of the importance of using respectful language when addressing patients
• Professional values that align with those of your practice

Why this matters:

As places where people with different working styles come together, dental offices are as prone to disagreements as any other team environment. To ensure smooth operations and a comfortable environment, you need staff that is considerate of others and can handle conflict professionally. The answer to this question will help you learn more about your candidate’s conflict resolution style and how they address uncomfortable situations in the workplace.

What to listen for:

• A good answer will detail a respectful interaction in which the affected party explains to the other person what they are doing wrong and how it’s affecting them
• Details about making the conversation private to avoid escalations and shaming the other person in public