If you are preparing to interview for a role as a dental hygienist, you’ll already be aware that the would-be employer is going to be testing you with the questions they ask.
They’re going to be looking at whether you can demonstrate key skills – so how do you show this?
What sorts of questions are likely to be asked and how can you ensure you’re an appealing candidate?
Although the experience will vary from interviewer to interviewer, you can increase your chances by practicing some common interview questions.
You’re likely to get asked things like:
- your comfort level with HIPAA,
- what prompted your interest in dental hygiene,
- and why do you particularly like the dental office in question?
Being able to answer these questions well will put you a step ahead of the competition.
In this article, we’re going to explore some of the common dental hygienist interview questions so you know how to prepare for the challenge ahead.
Having some answers already practiced can make a real difference to your confidence levels and how well you present, so don’t underestimate the importance of good preparation!
Dental Hygienist Interview Questions And Answers
We are going to explore some of the top dental hygienist interview questions and give you ideas about how to answer them.
The most common questions include:
- What level of familiarity do you have with HIPAA?
- What are your greatest strengths as an RDH?
- What prompted your interest in dental hygiene?
- Why do you like this dental office in particular?
- What experience do you have with teaching patients about oral health?
We’ll look at each question and the potential answers in more detail below.
1. What level of familiarity do you have with HIPAA?
This is probably one of the most important questions to be prepared for since HIPAA is so critical to a functional dental office.
You should therefore spend a bit of time brushing up on all the HIPAA policies so you are prepared to answer both this question and any specific follow-ups.
Example answer:
I covered HIPAA compliance in detail during my dental hygiene course, and I always comply with its policies.
In my last office, we had a dedicated system for discussing HIPAA, with regular reminders, and a rolling review to ensure we were complying with best practices.
See also: Associate Dentist Interview Questions and Answers
2. What are your greatest strengths as an RDH?
This question is seeking to find out where you excel, but also what strengths you view as particularly important.
It’s crucial to think about what you want to show about yourself here.
What areas do you shine in, and are they important enough to use as examples?
You want to appear confident here, so think hard about what really matters to you about yourself, and talk about this.
Example answer:
I am excellent at connecting with patients and making them feel at ease.
I take pride in doing high-quality work and minimizing errors because I genuinely care about the patient’s experience, and I want them to feel safe and satisfied.
I am also good at communicating with my colleagues and promoting a comfortable, friendly environment.
See also: Why Do You Want to Be a Dental Assistant
3. What prompted your interest in dental hygiene?
This question seeks to get at the heart of why you care about dental hygiene, so think carefully about the honest answer – What did attract you to the career?
Did you have any particular experiences that steered you in this direction?
Talk about them. You’ll be a more memorable candidate if you do, and you’ll probably find it easier to speak passionately.
Example answer:
When I was five, I was very frightened of going to the dentist – but the hygienist there put me completely at ease.
See also: Dentist Interview Questions
He made me laugh and showed me how the chair worked, and it completely dissolved that fear for me.
I’ve always wanted to pass that sort of reassuring experience on to others.
See also: Dental Receptionist Interview Questions
4. Why do you like this dental office in particular?
With this question, the employer wants to know how you’ll fit into their culture and how much research you have done.
So put the time in and find out a few specifics that you like about their office.
The more details you can give, the better you’ll look as a candidate.
Example answer:
I’ve heard that there’s a great atmosphere and patient care is prioritized here.
I like the culture and the environment, and I think I’d fit in well.
I enjoy an office where everybody is dedicated to doing their best, and this seems like the right place for me.
See also: Why Do You Want to Be a Dental Hygienist
5. What experience do you have with teaching patients about oral health?
The would-be employer wants to know that you’re capable of explaining things to patients well, so this is also something you should be prepared to talk about.
It’s a crucial aspect of the job, after all, and you want the employer to know you can do it well.
Example answer:
I took pride in this at my last job and spent many hours each week teaching patients the proper approach for brushing and flossing.
I find this a rewarding aspect of the job, and I make a point of familiarizing myself with best practices.
See also: Tell Me About Yourself Dentist Interview
Dental Hygiene Interview Questions To Ask Employer
You’ll likely want to ask a few questions yourself, as this is a great way to find out more and make yourself look engaged.
A few good options include:
- How would you describe the office culture?
- What duties does this position require?
- What does a typical schedule look like?
- Why did the last person leave this position?
- What do the day-to-day responsibilities look like for somebody in this role?
- How is success for the position measured?
See also: Dental Sterilization Technician Interview Questions
Dental Hygienist Interview Questions and Answers PDF
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Conclusion: Interview Questions for Dental Hygienists
If you’ve prepared for the most common dental hygienist interview questions, you’ll already be well on your way to success!
Make sure you give thorough answers and practice in advance so you can speak fluidly and confidently.
This can help to set you apart from other candidates and give you a better chance of getting the job.
Good luck with your upcoming dental hygienist interview!
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