Ace Your Dental Hygiene Instructor Interview: The Top Questions and Answers

Dental Hygienists wear many hats within the dental office they serve. The skills an RDH must possess are varied but specific, so the interview process can be challenging.

You will see many of the typical interview questions you’ve faced in the past, sure. They’ll assess your hard skills, your soft skills, your personality, and your motivations.

Besides these more general questions, you will also be asked questions that are very specific to the job to see if you have the right skills and knowledge. To help you prepare for your next interview, we have 30 dental hygienist interview questions and answers.

20 Common Dental Hygienist Interview Questions with Example Answers

• Tell me about yourself. A lot of the time, this is the first question asked in an interview. Your answer should highlight your relevant skills and experiences. To Give an Example: I’ve been a dental hygienist for eight years. I’ve gotten very good at cleaning teeth, checking patients’ oral health, and teaching them how to properly clean their teeth over the course of my career. I’m proud to get to know my patients and help them have the best oral health possible. I strongly believe that patients should be educated and given the information and tools they need to consistently practice good oral hygiene at home.
• “Why do you want to work here?” is a question that is often asked to see how much you know about the company before the interview. Your answer should show that you know about the dentist office and that their values and goals are similar to your own. Example Answer: I want to work here because I like this practice and how dedicated you are to keeping up with the latest developments in dental hygiene. I liked the continuing education options you provide and how you stress helping your dental hygienists learn more and getting better at their job. I think that learning new things all the time is important for giving patients the best care. I am also drawn to your commitment to patient education. I think that giving patients information about their oral health is very important for promoting long-term dental health. Your commitment to educating patients and giving them the right tools and resources fits with the way I do my job as a dentist.
• What are your strengths and weaknesses? The strength you talk about should have something to do with the job. When you talk about your weaknesses, it’s important to remember to focus on how you’re getting better at them. One possible answer is that I think my technical skills would make me a good dental hygienist. In order to do dental cleanings, periodontal assessments, and use different dental instruments, I have developed strong technical skills. I know how to use both ultrasonic and hand scalers to get rid of plaque and calculus completely while putting the patient’s comfort first. My weakness would be my public speaking skills. When I have to talk to a big group of people, I have a little trepidation. But I’m trying to get better by going to workshops on communication and looking for chances to talk about oral health with smaller groups. I think that if I push myself, I will get better every day and improve my skills.
• As a dental hygienist, how do you teach people how to take care of their teeth and gums properly? Your own dental hygiene habits and knowledge are important. Not only do you work in a dentist’s office, but you also teach your patients as part of your job. The patient’s age and what they already know are important, so I would check to see if they knew the right way to do things before I started. If I teach them how to take care of their teeth, they probably won’t change their habits. Still, they might understand something they’re not showing, and I don’t want to talk down to them. No matter how I explained it, I would show the patient the right way to brush and floss their teeth. Then I would have the patient practice while I watched and gave them advice and direction when needed.
• How much experience do you have with x-rays and diagnostic tests? Your answer helps them get a better idea of how much experience you have with the job’s duties. They will also be able to tell if you know about the newest technology and tools. I’ve taken and developed hundreds of x-rays for people of all ages over the last five years. I always follow the practice’s rules for how to do things and all safety rules. I also regularly check up on patients to see how their oral health is doing and see if any further action needs to be taken.
• What are the signs and symptoms of gingivitis? What would you tell a patient who had these symptoms? As a Dental Hygienist, it’s part of your job to check on patients’ oral health and figure out what needs more work. It is very important that you can not only spot gingivitis but also talk to the patient about it. When you have gingivitis, your gums will be dark red and swollen. The patients gums will bleed easily when brushing or flossing. They may also complain of gum tenderness and bad breath. If I thought the patient might have gingivitis, I would tell them that it’s common and easy to fix with good oral hygiene. Also, I want to stress that if you don’t take steps to reverse gingivitis and keep your oral health in better shape, you could end up with more serious gum disease and other health problems. They should floss more often, preferably once a day, and try harder to brush for two minutes twice a day if they want to get rid of their gingivitis.
• How much training and experience do you have as a dental hygienist? The person interviewing you just wants to make sure you have the education and experience to do the job. Athens Technical College gave me an AAS in dental hygiene, and Smile Factory in Jefferson, GA, was where I did my clinical internship. I have been an RDH in Georgia for five years and work at Tooth Hurty Dentistry.
• How familiar are you with HIPAA? As a dental hygienist, you should know a lot about HIPAA rules. It’s an important part of your job, and the interviewer will probably ask you about it. That’s why you should review certain HIPAA procedures if you need to. They want you to show that you know the rules and will follow them with discretion. I took a course at Athens Technical College that was all about HIPAA compliance, so I know all of the current rules and guidelines. I don’t talk about patients in public places, and I’m careful not to say personal things where other people can hear them.
• How do you get patients who won’t cooperate to do what you want them to do? Not all of your patients will be cool, calm, and collected. You will actually see a lot of patients who won’t cooperate, get angry, or say they don’t agree with you or the dentist. The company you’re applying to wants to know that you can keep your cool under pressure. They should be able to tell from your answer that you can handle disagreements and solve problems without involving higher-ups. No matter the situation, I would maintain a positive attitude. If you react with anger or hostility, the patient will become even more defensive. Getting rid of confusion is the best way to deal with patients who won’t cooperate. People often don’t cooperate or argue because they don’t understand what is being asked of them or explained. I would use words the patient can understand to talk about the diagnosis, treatment options, or procedure.
• How do you deal with nervous or scared patients? Going to the dentist can be scary for many people, especially kids. People who are scared or nervous will come to you a lot, so you need to know how to deal with them. Patients are more at ease when they feel good about the person doing the procedures. That’s why I try to get to know all of my patients. It can be hard to tell when a patient is anxious, but when I do, I always talk to them and listen to what they have to say. I try to understand how they feel and give them whatever they need to calm down, whether that’s more information or just a friendly smile.
• Which do you think your patients should do: water flossing or string flossing? Both have their pros and cons. They might be looking for a certain answer based on their process, but you need to show that you understand the pros and cons of both ways. People have been flossing with string for a long time, but it’s not always the best way to do it. This is what I try to do: base my advice on the patient and what they need. If they have trouble with dexterity, don’t always floss, or are younger, I would suggest water flossing because it is easier for them.
• As a Dental Hygienist, part of your job is to find problems and, if necessary, bring them to the attention of a higher level of management. Can you tell if someone is grinding their teeth? Bruxism, or grinding your teeth, is a common problem that many people may not even be aware they have. Yes. It is easy to tell if someone has Bruxism by looking at their teeth and hearing what they have to say. If the person has headaches, jaw pain or stiffness, or tooth pain along with flattened, worn-down, or damaged teeth, this is a sign that they grind their teeth.
• How would you tell a patient what could happen if they don’t floss? No one likes it. Well, many of your patients won’t anyway. But it is an important part of good oral care, and it is your job to teach your patients about it. They want to know that you not only know about the risks but can also tell your patients about them. What I say will depend on the patient, but I will make it clear what will happen. If you don’t floss, you could have some serious problems with your teeth. It won’t just be bad breath. Bad oral hygiene can cause gum disease and make you more likely to get other serious illnesses.
• A dental hygienist will always work as part of a bigger group. How do you work inside a group? Sometimes they work with dentists, dental assistants, or other dental hygienists. You need to demonstrate that you can work together with the other people on your dental team. I am an excellent team player. People in a dental office can only get things done if they are all willing to work together. Communication is important, as is collaboration. I often work with other team members on patients, and I’m always quick to suggest that they make an appointment with the dentist if I think they need one.
• We’ve already said it a few times, but we’ll say it again: as a Dental Hygienist, part of your job is to teach patients. How important is that, and what do you think your role will be in doing that? You should understand the importance and your role. Patient education is essential. When patients are properly educated, they have fewer oral health problems, can take better care of their teeth at home, and can make better decisions. As a Dental Hygienist, one of my main jobs is to teach my patients about how to take care of their teeth and which treatments and procedures are best for them.
• The person is worried about the mercury that was used in their filling. How do you deal with it? You will probably have one or two patients who don’t understand a certain topic, treatment, or procedure. Mercury sounds scary, and it is known to be poisonous. This kind of question may come up for patients who have read about the procedure. Your potential boss wants to know that you know what you’re talking about and can explain it to patients in a way they can understand. I would acknowledge their concern and not dismiss them. Afterward, I would say that silver fillings, also known as dental amalgams, are created by mixing mercury, silver, tin, and copper. Mercury makes up most of the mixture and acts as a glue. For example, mercury is dangerous by itself, but when mixed with other things, it is mostly safe. There is no need to worry because the mercury you are exposed to from your filling is much less than what you are exposed to in everyday life.
• Who is likely to get cavities? How can they avoid getting them? This is a test your potential employer is giving you. Everyone has germs in their mouth, and everyone can get cavities. Still, some groups are more likely to be affected, so be aware of them. Everyone is at risk of developing a cavity. However, some have a higher risk of tooth decay. Patients who are children, old, or have long-term illnesses like diabetes are more likely to get hurt. People should avoid sugary and starchy foods, brush their teeth twice a day, floss every day, and see their dentist every six months to keep their teeth healthy.
• Describe your average day as a Dental Hygienist. Show that you understand what you are supposed to do on the job. Read through the job description carefully and make sure you include any specific duties they list. I usually start my day by going over the charts for any patients I have scheduled. This helps me figure out what each patient needs and how to best get ready for their visit. I get ready for my first patient once I have a better idea of what my day will be like. On a normal day, I would see at least ten patients and do oral exams, teach them about their teeth, take x-rays, clean and bleach their teeth, and do patient education. I also clean and disinfect my room, tools, and equipment.
• Why did you decide to become a dental hygienist? They want to know what drove you and learn more about your personality. You can answer this question in any way you want, as long as you are honest. At my dentist’s office, everyone always seemed to enjoy their work, and I wanted to help people. For an extrovert like me, it seemed like a good fit. Although good oral hygiene may seem like a simple thing, a huge number of people don’t know how to take care of their teeth properly or what can happen if they don’t.
• Do you clean and take care of instruments as part of your job? Your potential employer wants to know how you see those responsibilities. Are you willing to help out, do something that’s not your job, and work as a team player? Of course you are! It shouldn’t be up to one person to prepare instruments and sterilize tools and equipment. It is my job to make sure that everything I need to treat my patient is clean and available for me and anyone else who needs it.

10 Additional Dental Hygienist Interview Questions for Employers

• Describe the steps you would take to do a thorough dental prophylaxis, including the tools and methods you would use.
• What would be the best way to teach a patient about good oral hygiene, with a focus on avoiding periodontal disease?
• What are the good and bad times to use dental x-rays, and how do you make sure the patient is safe during the procedure?
• Explain the steps you would take to check a patient’s periodontal health, including what measurements you would take and how you would interpret the results.
• What steps would you take to find a patient who has early signs of dental caries or tooth decay and treat them?
• Explain why keeping patient records and charts is important in a dental hygiene practice, including the specifics of what you would write down during a routine exam.
• What rules and steps would you follow for infection control to keep the clinical area safe and clean for both patients and staff?
• Explain how to put on dental sealants, including how to prepare the tooth’s surface and what tools you would need.
• How would you look at and deal with the nutritional factors that affect oral health? What tips would you give your patients to help them eat in a way that is good for their teeth and gums?
• Talk about the steps you would take to do a full oral cancer screening, including the areas you would check and the specific signs and symptoms you would look for.

How to Answer Tricky Dental Hygiene Interview Questions (for Dental Hygienist)

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