Structuring your answers in preparation for a dental consultant interview is an excellent way to ensure you leave a positive impact on the hiring manager.
After all, if your job is marketing the practice, you should also be able to sell yourself.
Here are the seven most common dental consultant interview questions you will likely be asked during your interview:
- How well do you work with others?
- How do you plan to improve the practice?
- What consultant qualifications do you have?
- What motivates you?
- What is your prior experience in dentistry?
- How do you plan to market our practice?
- How do you handle conflict?
Planning for each answer, with an anecdotal story or two, will help you immensely during the hiring process.
Be clear, concise, and honest in your answers; you’re ahead of the curve.
Let’s look at these questions to see some sample answers and explanations that may help you prepare for the upcoming interview.
Dental Consultant Interview Questions and Answers
1. How well do you work with others?
One of the first questions you may be asked is how well you work with others.
You may have visions and goals for the practice that don’t align with the goals of others.
You must incorporate their feedback and suggestions and internalize them as a consultant.
Example answer:
As a dental consultant, I’ve always had a ‘practice-first’ mentality.
In other words, instead of just blazing ahead with what I perceive to be the best marketing and growth strategy for the practice, I incorporate the feedback of the dentists, technicians, hygienists, and other stakeholders before making any decision.
2. How do you plan to improve the practice?
As a dental consultant, you are responsible for evaluating the practice in its current state, envisioning how it could grow, and actualizing that change.
Doing so can be a lengthy process, but an important one.
Before you head to your interview, you should be able to generalize your methodology for improving practice.
Example answer:
My strategies for improving and growing practice are done on a case-by-case basis, but I usually employ the following general method.
First, I consider how excellent the practice is and what can be changed to make it more so.
Is the office management system up to date? Is the practice running ergonomically? Are dentists equipped with the right equipment? Are the employees being trained appropriately?
If any facet of these aspects needs changing, I seek to make those changes.
Subsequently, I look outward to see what marketing and growth opportunities can make the practice stand out and excel.
3. What consultant qualifications do you have?
Consultants can specialize in many areas, and dental consultants often have different approaches and strategies.
As such, it’s helpful for your hiring manager to qualify what prior consulting experience and educational background you have.
Example answer:
I have a master’s degree in dental hygiene and have spent ten years practicing as a hygienist.
See also: Dental Hygienist Interview Questions
I’m very familiar with working with dental insurance billing and coding, as well as the implementation of dental marketing plans.
I’m adept at using social media platforms and have used them to grow other businesses and promote my services.
4. What motivates you?
Aside from your qualifications, a dental practice will likely want to ensure that your ethical standards align with theirs.
As such, they’ll want to assess what motivates you to determine if you’re a good fit for the practice.
Example answer:
My ambition is to improve dental services, both internally and externally.
More specifically, I enjoy enabling dentists, hygienists, and technicians to operate in a legal, ethical, and growing practice environment.
5. What is your prior experience in dentistry?
Dental consultants often have significant experience working in a dental practice.
As such, if you have positive prior work experiences to bring to the table, make sure you mention them.
Example answer:
I worked for five years as a dental hygienist before I became a dental consultant.
During that time, I learned a lot about the in-office ergonomics of a dental practice, and I saw a lot of room for improvement.
My passion for bettering dental practices from the inside out stems from that work experience – both the good and the bad.
6. How do you plan to market our practice?
An excellent marketing strategy goes hand in hand with the rigors of managing a dental practice.
With that in mind, answer this question thoughtfully, given your experience as a dental consultant.
Example answer:
My approach to marketing starts with the practice and branches outwards.
My initial goal is to ensure the practice runs smoothly.
Are the patients satisfied? Is the equipment up to date? Is the management system adequate?
Once these fall into place, I can be confident and assertive in promoting the practice on social media, gathering testimonials, and interfacing with other healthcare professionals.
7. How do you handle conflict?
Conflict is inevitable in a workspace, especially when seeking to make changes within a dental practice.
See also: Nursing Conflict Scenario Examples Interview
Have an answer ready for how you plan to approach conflict in the workplace.
Example answer:
My first rule of thumb when conflict is never to be confrontational.
Generally, complaints and arguments stem from legitimate concerns that need to be addressed, and as a dental consultant, that’s my purview.
I seek to engage conflict with open ears, always taking on feedback where it’s due and explaining my decision-making process where necessary.
Dental Consultant Interview Questions and Answers PDF
Download our comprehensive PDF guide featuring expertly crafted dental consultant interview questions and model answers.
Gain the confidence and knowledge you need to excel in your upcoming job interviews.
Don’t miss out – get your PDF now and embark on your path to career success!
Conclusion: Interview Questions for Dental Consultants
An interview is always daunting, but you can confidently approach anything if you prepare your answers.
Your role in managing, growing, and promoting the practice is essential.
Make sure you represent yourself well as a business professional, laying out your game plan to improve dental practice.
Review these seven common dental consultant interview questions to prepare your answers and stand out to the hiring manager.
Best of luck with your upcoming interview!
Related articles of ours: