The common “What are your weaknesses?” question in an interview can leave you feeling pretty alarmed.
After all, the goal of succeeding in an interview is always to paint yourself in a positive light.
Here’s how to address the common “What are your weaknesses as a dental assistant?” question.
When you address this question, think honestly about a time in your work experience when your shortcomings led to growth. Don’t dwell on the past or try to shift the blame. Instead, focus on how you grew and changed in response to the situation.
Adding specificity to the question can help you gear your answer towards more positive growth and help your hiring manager recognize that you are constantly improving yourself as a business professional.
For example, instead of saying that you lack time management skills, it would be better to refer to an instance where you were late for a patient appointment and soon afterward implemented a time management system into your workflow to help you stay organized.
The former answer displays an ongoing problem that makes you seem less attractive to employers, while the latter evidence personal and professional growth.
In the rest of this article, we’ll look at some helpful examples of answering the “What are your weaknesses as a dental assistant?” question.
What Are Your Weaknesses as a Dental Assistant Answers
1. example answer
One personal growth area that I have been working on is time management.
I recall one instance where I had several appointments to deal with throughout the day, and because I was relatively new to the office, I did not have time to prepare a room for a patient later in the day.
In response to the delay, I started further developing my time management skills, using proven methods to break up my day into more manageable chunks, easing my stress about the workload and helping me stay on schedule.
2. example answer
One difficult situation arose a couple of years ago when the dentist and I had a miscommunication that led to clerical errors regarding a patient’s condition.
See also: Dentist Interview Questions
The lack of communication caused a fair amount of tension in the office, frustrating for both parties.
When the issue was resolved shortly thereafter, the dentist and I worked together to improve the in-practice memo system and put conscious effort into being more precise with our communications.
The dentist and I were always on the same page for the next several years after that, thanks to our dedication to communication.
3. example answer
Handling upset or difficult patients has been a struggle I have greatly improved upon in the last several years.
While I have always been empathetic towards people who are ignorant of proper oral health practices to educate them, managing patients who try to subvert or dismiss my medical recommendations is emotionally taxing.
To combat my frustration with upset, nervous, or uninformed patients, I’ve disciplined myself constantly to be patient.
In that process, I’ve learned that some patients will lash out when they hear something that distresses them, and that’s a perfectly natural response.
Learning to be patient with those facing a rough decision has been a significant part of my personal growth in the last three years.
4. example answer
One difficulty that I experienced in my prior occupation was speaking up.
Communication and organization were lax in my previous practice, causing all practice members to feel undervalued and overworked.
While many of us felt this way, it took a while before anyone spoke up about how the practice was managed.
Working through how all of the technicians, hygienists, and dentists felt about their convoluted work schedules helped me appreciate that conflicts in the office are not always personal insults.
See also: Dental Hygienist Interview Questions
Instead, they are usually the product of unhappiness with the work environment a whole.
Learning to communicate my expectations and follow through on my convictions was certainly challenging in that environment, but it has been part of my growth in the last several years.
5. example answer
Approaching situations with honesty and integrity has always been my goal as a dental assistant for patients and healthcare professionals.
That tendency has pressed me into conflict with the dentist and technician’s decisions at times, which I had to learn how to navigate in a cordial yet honest manner.
When I saw something I disagreed with, my inclination used to be to speak up and try to insert what I felt would be the better approach.
Over time, I learned that there was a more nuanced way to introduce my ideas and share my opinions in a less confrontational way.
How to Answer Dental Assistant Weaknesses?
Talking about your growth areas always feels highly personal and may not be something you want to discuss.
However, planning and thinking about what skillset you are still working on is essential.
Translate the question about weaknesses from “What is your weakness?” to “How are you growing?”.
Tie your work experience challenges into your personal growth and intertwine the two to paint your hiring manager a picture of your development as a well-rounded individual and a dental assistant.
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Conclusion: What Is Your Greatest Weakness as a Dental Assistant
Tackling difficult interview questions isn’t something most people want to do, but as a dental assistant, you’ll be expected to have an answer ready for several questions.
In response, preparation is critical. Think ahead not only about situations you’ve struggled with but also about how you’ve grown out of those struggles.
How does your life today reflect personal growth out of a difficult situation?
If you can take heart this question and demonstrate your willingness to change to improve the work environment, you will surely leave a positive impression on your interviewer.
Good luck with your upcoming dental assistant interview!
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