12 Job Interview Questions for a Dental Nurse
To increase your job chances of securing a job offer you will learn the answers to 12 dental nurse job interview questions.
This article will help you to prepare and to pass your next job interview:
You will be given an explanation of the type of answer the interviewer is looking for ( a guide to what the employer wants you to discuss )
You will be given an example job interview answer for each individual interview question, allowing you to tweak this answer, making it relevant to your own experiences.
Job Interview Questions and Answers for a Dental Nurse
Job Interview Question 1:
“Tell me about yourself?”
One of the most common asked questions in interviews normally asked at the beginning of an interview, this question gives you the opportunity to deliver a short statement about your experiences and skills relevant to the job position you are applying for.
- Start with a “selling” line that will highlight your main strength and/or achievement relating to your dental nurse experience
- Keep each point brief as you can explain each point again in more detail throughout the interview
- You want to intrigue the interviewer and get them to want to know more about you
- End this answer with a reason why you’re looking for a new job
Potential Interview Answer
“I’ve been working as a dental nurse for 8 years. I am highly experienced in reassuring clients to help them walk in to the dental room in a confident and calm manor allowing the dentist to progress quickly with the dental operation. I am now ready for a new challenge and with your company having a great reputation, I believe this is the opportunity I have been waiting to apply for”
Job Interview Question 2:
“Why did you leave your last dental nurse poistion”
Be positive with this answer and smile – employers like to hear that you left for a good opportunity or reason, a chance to do something special or for a good career move.
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- Start the answer with a look back
- Explain what you enjoyed about your previous role
- Give a Positive reason for leaving
Potential Interview Answer
“I enjoyed working at Company Name and really enjoyed the interaction of working with a wide range of patients -I feel I gained a lot of transferable skills from this experience, which I can use in this role such as knowing how to sterilize instruments, how to pass on accurate patient details to the dentist and how to support the dentist during operations without getting in the dentist way . It was a hard choice to leave but I felt that this great opportunity is the next obvious step for me”
Job Interview Question 3:
“Why did you apply for a dental nurse job at this company?”
Your research will pay off with this question; explain you have always wanted to work for their company and the reason why. Discuss how your goal has always been to work in this industry as you always wanted to (job criteria) and finally finish by explaining how your previous experience or qualifications will add value to the company.
Potential Interview Answer
“Since becoming qualified my goal has been to work with your organisation, as I believe my vision is in line with your company mission. Your reputation as a dentist is procedures you and I want to part of a dentist that works to high standards. My own experience in preparing materials and using high tech equipment will allow us to work collaboratively together”
Job Interview Question 4:
“Give an example of working within the dental practice team?”
Some people are thrown when they are asked this question when they are applying for a position to work alone. Every company works as a team, so you are a good team player, give an example of when you have worked well within a team.
Potential Interview Answer
“A team always works better than an individual as you have a wider skill base and more collective experiences to rely on. You also have the advantage of motivating to achieve goals and targets. In my last job, I worked as part of a small dental team, we will were highly successful in completing a wide range of dental procedures, professionally and quickly”
Job Interview Question 5:
“Did you get on well with your last dentist manager?”
A dreaded question for many! When answering this question never give a negative answer. “I did not get on with my manager” or “The management did not run the business well” will show you in a negative light and reduce your chance of a job offer. Answer the question positively, emphasizing that you have been looking for a career progression. Start by telling the interviewer what you gained from your last job
Potential Interview Answer
“I enjoyed my last job, I quickly learned how to multi-task and prioritize work and over the last 3 years I have seen myself grow. I am now ready to take the next step up the ladder with my career and feel I would suit working for a company such as this”
If you were made redundant, let the interviewer know, this is not a negative!
Job Interview Question 6:
“How would you be an asset to us?”
Think again about the job specification and the skills needed for this role. Have a paragraph prepared highlighting how you will be able to do the job and what you can bring to the team. It goes without saying that this paragraph should be positive.
Potential Interview Answer
“I’m the type of person who likes to get a task completed; I am driven, hard-working and have excellent time management. I have worked in the dental industry for 5 years and have made excellent customer contacts and built good working relationships with dental suppliers which will be of advantage to any employer who employees me”
Job Interview Question 7:
“What are your strengths?”
This is one of the most common questions you will be asked. Give an answer relevant to the skills and qualities relevant to the position you are applying to. The interviewer is trying to find if your strengths match the job. For example, if you are applying for a job where accuracy is an important issue, one of your strengths could be that you have an eye for detail. It may useful to find different words to describe similar attributes and qualities in order to avoid repetition.
Potential Interview Answer
“I have often been told that I have an eye for detail and that I am very accurate and precise. This was very important during my last role where we used expensive equipment and materials for a range of dental procedures”
Job Interview Question 8:
“What are your weaknesses in relation to working as a dental nurse?”
Again, another commonly asked question. A frequent mistake to make when answering this question is to say something negative like “I can sometimes let things get on top of me”. Be positive and sell yourself with every interview question, turn a negative into a positive. For example,
Potential Interview Answer
“In the past, I felt I needed to improve my knowledge of new x-ray machines to ensure I could work it correctly. To improve I have studied the manual, attended a training course and now I fully understand how to operate it”
This will show that you can identify your weaknesses but at the same time, you are willing to improve. Most importantly: do not mention a weakness that is any way related to the job you are being interviewed for! This might sound obvious but it is a common mistake!
Job Interview Question 9:
“What are the key roles and duties for a dental nurse?”
This question is asked to ensure you understand and have experience in the day to day running of the dentist. Break this question into at least 3 different key roles (this may depend on your past duties)
Potential Interview Answer
“There are 3 key main roles for a dental nurse, first preparing and tidying the dental surgery, secondly a key part of the running of the dentist – sterilizing instruments and keeping dental operation areas sterile and finally helping the dentist record information about each patient and carrying out stock control.”
Job Interview Question 10:
“Do you think you have enough dental nurse experience?”
If you’re asked this, then the interviewer does not believe you have enough experience. If you have you need to make this clear, explain about your previous experiences and give detail to the parts that are relevant to this new job role.
If you do not have the experience they need, you need to show the employer that you have the skills, qualities and knowledge that will make you equal to people with experience but not necessary the skills. It is also good to add how quick you can pick up the routine of a new job role.
Potential Interview Answer
“Altogether I have 8 years of experience as a dental nurse, in my current role I spend a large amount of time on the welfare of patients. Ensuring the are relaxed and prepared for the dentist, talking to patients during the dental treatment and supporting them with techniques to improve cleanliness”
Job Interview Question 11:
What is your biggest achievement as a dental nurse?
We have all achieved many things throughout our lives, from losing weight to passing a driving test. If you make your answer relevant to the job you are applying for. Talk about how you had a goal you initially thought you couldn’t achieve and then through working hard you achieved your goal.
Potential Interview Answer
“I was once asked to give a presentation with the lead dentist as part of a dental conference, at first I thought I wouldn’t be able to deliver it without embarrassing myself. I wrote the presentation with the dentist and practiced it in front of small groups until I had the confidence to deliver it to a large group. I was really pleased with the result on the day and I was good feedback from the lead dentist”
Job Interview Question 12:
“Do you have any questions for me?”
Good interview questions to ask interviewers at the end of the job interview include questions on the company growth or expansion, questions on personal development and training and questions on company values, staff retention and company achievements.
Conclusion
Many people are afraid of job interviews. The truth is if you prepare for your job interview, by predicting the job interview questions, you can easily prepare your job interview answers. If your job interview answers highlight your unique selling point, are stated in the positive and are said in a confident manner, then you can influence the job interview to increase job offer.
