When interviewing candidates you want to learn about their past actions as a method of predicting what their behavior will be like in your practice. You also want to determine if the candidate has the essential characteristics that will lead to job success. These sample questions have been divided into categories to determine if the candidate is: coachable, conscientious, growth oriented, enthusiastic, and self aware.
Coachable: Determine if the candidate can adjust their performance when given feedback. Look for specific verbal cues, anecdotes, and non-verbal behaviors that demonstrate openness to learning, humility, and resilience.
| Sample Questions | Does the Candidate: |
| Describe tough or difficult feedback you’ve received. How did you respond? | Use positive language? Ex: “I learned,” “I adapted,” or “I applied feedback.” |
| Describe a time when you realized you didn’t have the skills to do a job well. What did you do? | Share stories where they applied feedback or learned from mistakes? |
| Describe a task or responsibility that you had at your last job that posed a challenge for you. How did you respond? | Openly describe skills they need to improve without deflection? |
| How would you describe your learning style? How would you go about learning our ways of doing things? | Demonstrate resilience by describing how they handle challenges and bounce back after failures? |
| What was the best career advice you’ve been given? | Share examples of personal growth where they applied feedback or learned from mistakes? |
| What helps you bounce back when things don’t go your way? | Have an open posture? (nods & maintains eye contact?) |
| Describe tough or difficult feedback you’ve received. How did you respond? | Smile when discussing challenges (indicating confidence and a growth mindset). |
| What skills do you think you need to improve? What’s gotten in the way of your progress? | Have a relaxed tone, showing comfort with self-reflection? |
| Describe a task or responsibility that you had at your last job that posed a challenge for you. How did you respond? |
Red flags:
- Uses defensive language or deflects ownership for past mistakes
- Avoids answering questions about feedback or challenges
Conscientious: Is the candidate detail-oriented and dedicated to fulfilling their responsibilities? Focus on how the candidate demonstrates responsibility, attention to detail, and accountability.
| Sample Questions | Does the Candidate? |
| What do you typically do when you realize it’s the end of the day but you haven’t completed a task? | Take ownership of mistakes by openly admitting them and explaining how they corrected or learned from mistakes? |
| What are your least favorite parts of your job? Why? How would you assess your performance doing these things? | Give examples of double-checking work, organizing or changing habits to avoid errors? |
| What do you see as the most important parts of this job? | Recognize the priorities and seeks additional training when needed? |
| Describe a mistake you made at your last position. What did you do when you realized it? How do you typically respond when you notice you’ve made a mistake? | Lean in and maintain eye contact when discussing their role? |
| Give me an example that illustrates how you pay attention to details. | Use a calm and measured tone when recounting mistakes or challenges? |
Red flags:
- Glosses over past mistakes or blames others.
- Gives inconsistent descriptions of job duties or provides vague answers about paying attention to details.
Growth mindset: Is the candidate open to learning new techniques? Focus on their willingness to learn and actively seek out new opportunities.
| Sample Questions | Does the Candidate? |
| What did you do volunteer to do at your last job that was outside your job description? | Share examples of how they took the initiative to improve their skills or volunteer for tasks outside their role? |
| What new skill or technique would you like to learn? | Show enthusiasm about learning new techniques? Are they eager to learn and improve by taking CE courses or volunteering for projects? |
| Describe the last CE class you took. What did you learn and implement as a result? | Did the candidate share stories about how they implemented what they learned? |
| What have you done in the last year to improve your skills? | Does the candidate express excitement and engagement when discussing learning or taking on new challenges? |
Red flags:
Shows resistance to learning or give vague answers about past growth opportunities.
Enthusiasm: Does the candidate genuinely like this work? Focus on whether their answers convey genuine passion and motivation for their job.
Red flags:
- Express indifference about their work?
- Did they focus only on extrinsic rewards (pay, benefits) as reasons to do this work?
Self-aware: Is the candidate insightful and can manage emotions appropriately? Focus on their ability to judge their own behavior, work performance, and emotional responses.
| Sample Questions | Does the Candidate? |
| What three words would you use to describe yourself? | Honestly acknowledge both strengths and weaknesses? |
| How would your former (current) co-workers describe you? | Describe past conflicts without blaming others? Does s/he focus on solutions and lessons learned? |
| How would you describe your behavior at a team meeting? | Share examples of how they manage stress and challenging situations effectively? |
| What assets would you bring to our team? | Demonstrate calm, thoughtful responses? Does the candidate express confidence without arrogance? |
| Describe a conflict you had in your last office. What did you ultimately learn from that experience? | |
| What kinds of people do you work with the best? The least? | |
| How would rate your skills against your job duties? What do you do well and what do you do not so well? | |
| Tell me about a time you disagreed with a dentist or colleague. What happened? How did you handle it? | |
| What give you stress? How do you deal with that stress? |
Red flags:
- Blaming others or showing defensiveness when discussing weaknesses or conflicts.
Job Specific Questions
Dental Assistant Questions
- What is your favorite dental procedure to assist with, and what steps do you take to complete it?
- What do you see as the most important parts of your job?
- What steps would you take to prepare for a patient’s arrival?
- What would you do to get an accurate alginate impression for an anxious patient?
- How would you rate your experience/proficiency using our practice management software? Describe your experience/skills in scheduling or checking out patients?
- What was your worst/best day as a DA?
- Tell me about a time you worked with a fearful/anxious patient. What did you do and say?
- What would you do if a hygienist asked you to help sterilize her instruments?
- What do you see as your role in helping the dentist manage his/her time?
Hygienist Questions
- Which new patient treatment do you enjoy the most, and how do you approach it?
- What drew you to this career?
- How would you describe your philosophy of care for your patients?
- What would you say to a patient with significant gum disease about their oral care?
- How would you define a “difficult” patient? How do you work with these patients?
- What are the signs/symptoms of gingivitis you would look for in a patient? How would you treat these patients?
- How do you inspire patients to come to their hygiene appointments?
- How long do you take to complete a prophy?
- What do you see as your role in co-diagnosing and preparing patients for the dentist’s clinical recommendations? What do you say or do?
- How do you feel about having production goals? How do you go about reaching or exceeding these goals?
- Tell me about a time you disagreed with a dentist/colleague. What happened? How did you handle it?
- How do you determine if a patient needs an x-ray?
- What have you said to inspire reluctant patients to get x-rays, complete treatment, etc?
- What was your most challenging procedure/patient?
- What complaints or negative reviews did you get at your previous office?
- What was your average production at your previous office? (Hygienist)
- How do you inspire/motivate patients to value their dental health?
- What do you see as your role in helping the dentist manage his/her time? (DA and Front Desk)
Front Desk
- What’s your favorite type of appointment to see on the schedule and why?”
- What do you see as the most important aspect of your job?
- What would you do if a patient says they need to see the dentist today but the schedule is completely booked?
- What would you say to a patient who has an outstanding balance and calls to schedule an appointment?
- What do you see as the most important factors to consider when scheduling patients?
- How would you rate your experience/proficiency with billing codes?
- How would you rate your expertise with our dental practice software?
- How do you handle situations where you have patients waiting in front of you, the phone is ringing and you get an instant message from the dentist who wants to ask you a question?
- What would you say to a patient who wants to cancel their appointment the day before? How would you go about reducing open appointments in general?
- Tell me about a time you disagreed with a dentist/colleague. What happened? How did you handle it?
