New dentists have many career options after graduating from dental school. One possibility is joining an existing practice as a new associate.
This may seem like the best way for a new dentist to get started, but it’s important that the practice owner and new hire are on the same page from the start. This starts with getting to know each other during the first interview and continues as you talk about important topics like pay, benefits, lab costs, supplies, and more.
Whether you’re looking to join a practice or hire a new associate, this article will offer helpful guidance. Let’s start with 9 questions that job candidates might ask when they are considering joining a practice.
If you have an associate dentist interview coming up proper preparation is key. As a candidate, you’ll need to demonstrate your clinical skills experience, bedside manner and professionalism. Being ready to address the common dentist interview questions will help you stand out.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll overview the associate dentist role and explore examples of the top interview questions you’re likely to face. Plus, you’ll get tips and sample responses to help you craft winning answers.
Follow our associate dentist interview tips to showcase your talents and land the job!
What Does an Associate Dentist Do?
Let’s briefly review the typical duties and responsibilities of an associate dentist:
-
Provide comprehensive oral health care to patients of all ages
-
Conduct exams to assess oral health issues and determine treatment plans
-
Perform common procedures like cleanings, fillings, extractions, crowns and root canals
-
Educate patients on proper dental hygiene and home care techniques
-
Refer patients to dental specialists for complex treatments
-
Stay up-to-date on the latest dental techniques, technologies and regulations
-
Manage dental hygienists, assistants and administrative staff
-
Adhere to industry compliance standards for safety, sterilization and record-keeping
-
Participate in continuing dental education to maintain licensure
Now that we’ve covered the day-to-day role, let’s look at the types of interview questions you’re likely to receive.
Common Associate Dentist Interview Questions
Here are examples of the most frequent interview questions for associate dentist positions:
General Interview Questions
Why are you interested in this associate dentist position?
Tips: Show enthusiasm for the role and familiarity with the practice/facility. Highlight aspects of the position that appeal to you and match your skills.
What distinguishing qualities or skills do you bring to this role?
Tips: Discuss clinical strengths like restorative procedures, patient education, or experience with certain treatments. Emphasize soft skills like bedside manner.
How do you stay up-to-date on the latest dental technologies and treatments?
Tips: Reading industry journals, attending conferences and continuing education courses, researching equipment and techniques. Demonstrate commitment to lifelong learning.
Where do you see yourself in your dental career in 5 years?
Tips: You can express interest in professional growth, leadership, or specialty training. Reassure you are committed to excelling in the associate dentist role long-term.
Why did you decide to pursue dentistry as a career?
Tips: Share what attracted you to the field. You can mention the ability to directly improve patients’ health and quality of life. Emphasize your passion.
Behavioral Interview Questions
Tell me about a time you dealt calmly and effectively with a difficult patient.
Tips: Share a specific example. Emphasize compassion, active listening skills, identifying underlying issues and finding solutions.
Describe a situation where you had to adapt your approach to explain a complex treatment plan.
Tips: Demonstrate your ability to communicate complex topics in an accessible way to build patient understanding and confidence.
Give an example of a time you provided excellent patient education on good oral health habits.
Tips: Briefly recap the situation and highlight qualities like patience and clarity. Emphasize helping improve long-term outcomes through education.
Tell me about a time you made a mistake in your clinical work. How did you handle it?
Tips: Own up to the mistake transparently. Emphasize the lessons you learned and changes you implemented in your practice as a result.
Have you handled any dental emergencies? What was the situation and how did you respond?
Tips: Highlight calm under pressure. Discuss following protocols, getting expert support if needed, and prioritizing patient well-being.
Scenario-Based Questions
If a patient was anxious about a procedure, how would you reassure them and make them comfortable?
Tips: Emphasize compassion, active listening, addressing concerns, explaining the process clearly, and making sure they feel respected and cared for.
Imagine you discover a potential issue during a routine exam. How would you communicate this sensitively to the patient?
Tips: Discuss delicately explaining the issue, using visuals, avoiding jargon, encouraging questions, and emphasizing you’ll determine next steps together.
If a parent refused recommended treatment for their child, how would you respond?
Tips: Express understanding of their concerns. Explain risks of delays, provide educational resources, and encourage bringing up any questions at future visits.
How would you handle a situation where a patient questioned or refused to pay their bill?
Tips: Validate frustrations politely. Offer to review charges in detail, set up payment plans if needed, and follow office policy while maintaining a positive rapport.
Dental Knowledge and Skill Questions
How would you diagnose a patient presenting with acute tooth pain?
Tips: Visual exam, tapping teeth to pinpoint, vitality testing, x-rays to check for decay or cracks, collecting health history for context.
Walk me through your process for a routine dental cleaning appointment.
Tips: Patient history review, explain process, oral cancer screening, plaque removal, gum evaluation, flossing, fluoride treatment, home care education.
What steps are involved in placing a dental crown?
Tips: Initial numbing, tooth preparation, temporary crown, impressions for lab work, fitting appointment to cement permanent crown.
Describe your approach to educating a patient on proper brushing and flossing techniques.
Tips: Visual demonstration on model, tips like quadrants, angle and motions. Observe their technique and offer constructive guidance. Customize to needs.
Questions to Ask the Interviewer
Always prepare 1-2 thoughtful questions for the interviewer around goals, challenges, team culture and more:
-
What qualities make an associate dentist successful here?
-
How is the practice equipped in terms of technology and dental equipment?
-
What opportunities are there for professional development and growth?
-
Could you describe the office culture and working environment?
How to Prepare for an Associate Dentist Interview
-
Research the practice, their specialties and the dentists you’ll meet with
-
Review the job description closely and think of relevant examples and success stories
-
Practice answering likely interview questions out loud to build confidence
-
Prepare questions to ask about the role, practice and expectations
-
Review your CV and be ready to expand on your experience and skills
-
Get a good night’s rest and dress professionally to make a great impression
Using this guide to common associate dentist interview questions, you’ll demonstrate your clinical expertise, patient care abilities and communication skills. With preparation and practice, you’ll be ready to impress the interviewers and stand out from fellow candidates!
What’s the long-term plan for the practice?
Incoming associates must think about their long-term potential for growth and success. The business owners should be open to talking about their plans to grow, open new locations, or sell the business in the future. Candidates will evaluate whether their career plans fit into the long-term vision for the practice.
If the owner is getting ready to retire, the candidate should know if there will be a chance to buy the business when the time comes. If this option is part of the employment offer, it should be documented in writing. No one wants to join only to find out that the promise of ownership was just a ploy and not a real plan.
Do your homework.
Do an internet search on the other dentist to find out more about them than what was on their resume or in the links you may have shared. Read any blog posts they’ve written, podcasts they’ve done or stories about community work they’ve been involved in. Glance at LinkedIn to see if you have a shared school or other connection. Candidates should know as much about the practice as possible, which can help in preparing good questions.
DENTAL ASSISTANT Interview Questions & Answers! (How to PASS a Dental Assistant Job Interview!)
How do you answer a dental interview question?
This question can show the interviewer that you are knowledgeable about all dental health standards. Your answer should also address how you would care for varying types of patients. Be sure to positively describe your bedside manner as you answer this question.
What do Interviewers look for in a dentist?
Interviewers want to know that you can assess complex dental issues, prioritize treatments, and communicate a strategic plan effectively to patients. This question allows you to showcase your problem-solving skills, clinical expertise, and patient communication abilities, all of which are essential for a successful dental practice.
What does a dentist do in a dental interview?
As a dentist, you are responsible for addressing and managing dental emergencies or complications that may arise during treatment. This question helps interviewers assess your ability to think quickly, adapt to unexpected challenges, and provide appropriate care to patients.
Why should you ask a dental interview question?
Asking this question allows interviewers to gauge your commitment to ongoing education and professional development, ensuring that you can provide the best possible care to your patients and adapt to changes in the dental industry.
