Interview Questions

Dental Hygienist Interview Questions


Dental Hygienists are generally responsible for providing basic dental care tasks, mostly focused on keeping patients' teeth and gums clean. They usually work under supervision and management of a licensed dentist.

Whether you're a job seeker preparing to be interviewed for the role of Dental Hygienist or an employer preparing to interview candidates for Dental Hygienist position, these Dental Hygienist interview questions will help you prepare yourself for the job interview session.

Dental Hygienist Interview Questions

Below are a list of some skill-based Dental Hygienist interview questions.

  1. How do you ensure patient comfort and relaxation during dental procedures?
  2. Can you describe a time when you had to handle a difficult or anxious patient? How did you manage the situation?
  3. Can you share an experience where you identified a potential oral health issue during a routine cleaning and how you addressed it with the patient?
  4. How do you educate patients about proper oral hygiene practices and motivate them to maintain good oral health?
  5. Can you describe a time when you had to work collaboratively with the dentist and other dental staff to provide comprehensive patient care?
  6. How do you ensure infection control and sterilization protocols are followed in your work?
  7. Can you share a challenging case where you had to modify your approach to accommodate a patient's unique needs or medical conditions?
  8. How do you handle patients who may be resistant to dental treatments or reluctant to follow your recommendations for oral care?
  9. Can you discuss your experience with patient record management and documentation, including maintaining accurate and detailed patient records?
  10. You have a patient who is very nervous about dental procedures and is resistant to having their teeth cleaned. How would you approach and handle this situation?
  11. During a routine cleaning, you notice a suspicious lesion in a patient's mouth. How would you communicate your findings to the dentist and ensure appropriate follow-up?
  12. You have a patient who consistently neglects their oral hygiene and does not follow your recommendations for preventive care. How would you motivate and educate the patient to improve their oral health habits?
  13. While performing a cleaning, you accidentally nick a patient's gum and they start bleeding. How would you manage the situation and provide appropriate care?
  14. You have a patient who is experiencing dental anxiety and is requesting sedation for their dental procedures. How would you assess their suitability for sedation and explain the options available to them?

These interview questions for a Dental Hygienist assess the candidate's ability to handle challenging situations, communicate effectively with patients, collaborate with the dental team, manage unexpected incidents, and provide patient-centered care. The responses will help evaluate the candidate's problem-solving skills, empathy, professionalism, and adherence to professional guidelines and protocols in a dental setting.

Dental Hygienist Interview Questions and Answers

Every interview is different and the questions may vary. However, there are lots of general questions that get asked at every interview.

Below are some common questions you'd expect during Dental Hygienist interviews. Click on each question to see how to answer them.

  1. Why Do You Want This Job?
  2. What is Your Greatest Weakness?
  3. Are You a Leader or a Follower?
  4. What Is Your Greatest Accomplishment?
  5. Do You Have Any Questions for Us?
  6. What is Your Salary Expectation?
  7. Why Do You Want To Leave Your Current Job?
  8. What is Your Greatest Strength?
  9. Tell Me About Yourself
  10. Why Should We Hire You?