Dental Hygienist Working Interview

You aced your first interview with a potential employer, and you've been invited back for dental hygiene working interview!

This can be overwhelming but also exciting!

If you use these simple techniques, you will leave a lasting impression that will help you get employed.

In this article, we are going to go over basic work expectations for a dental hygienist, frequently asked questions about hygienist working interviews, and tips for tips to pass your dental hygienist working interview. 

Up first? Basic work expectations for dental hygienists. . . 

Basic Work Expectations for a Dental Hygienist

  • Examine: Examine each patient and discuss any observations with the dentists and the patient.
  • Teach: Teach patients proper oral hygiene strategies to maintain oral health, including good brushing and flossing habits. 
  • Educate: Educate patients on the importance of excellent nutrition and how it affects their oral health.
  • Produce: Produce and develop dental radiographs (x-rays). 
  • Apply: Apply fluoride and sealant to teeth as needed for protection from cavities
  • Clean: Clean teeth of stains, plaque, and tartar
  • Document: Adding preventive agents on patients teeth (e.g., sealants and fluorides)

Now that we have a foundation for the basic work expectations for a dental hygienist, let's take a look at FAQ's for hygienist working interviews . . . 

Frequently Asked Questions About Hygienist Working Interviews

Here is a list of frequently asked questions about hygienist working interviews: 

What is a Working Interview Dental Hygienist? 

A working interview allows a dental hygienist applicant to demonstrate their abilities to a dental office. You could work as a dental hygienist for a few hours, a full day, or even a couple of days. 

Will I get paid for a working interview as a dental hygienist?  

Yes, you should be paid for a working interview. Be sure to confirm this when it is being set up with a potential employer.  

Using an online staffing platform, such as, you guessed it, Princess Dental Staffing is a great way to ensure that you will be paid! 

When a dental hygienist working interview is set up as a temp request on the Princess Dental Staffing platform, the hours and hourly rate you will be paid for your time are known because the employer sets the hours, and when you are chosen for the working interview, the hourly rate is pre-set by you as the candidate.

Now, on to our tips and tricks for passing and acing your working interview as a dental hygienist . . . 

Tips to Pass your Dental Hygienist Working Interview

1. Dress properly

Make sure your scrubs are clean and ironed, your shoes are polished, and wear light make-up only.

Wear your simplest jewelry as possible. Also, since you never know what the office setting will be like, it's always better to be underdressed with jewelry than overdressed.

2. Look at the schedule.

When you arrive in the clinic, and after you greet the employees, it is advisable to look and review the schedule for the day!

Checking the schedule will help you get prepared on what to expect on that day and can enhance your productivity in the clinic.

3. Be organized and familiarize yourself.

When you're in a new setting, it's easy to forget about simple habits.

So if you are unsure where to get the equipment or the tools you needask employees to guide you. In that way, you will know where to go and to prepare before you start working. 

You can also assist the dentist by preparing the tray and placing the necessary tools like a clean mirror, explorer, scalers, probes, syringes, and so on. 

Doing this kind of task sends strong message to the dentist that you appreciate his or her time by not making them look through the equipment.

4. Be friendly

Be polite to your coworkers. After working dental interviews, many workplaces question assistants and receptionists who they believe would fit in well with the office culture.

They may not even remember you if you didn't introduce yourself, let alone recommend you for the job if you didn't.

5. Send a thank-you card or email.

After your dental hygiene working interview, it would be best to send a thank you letter or email. This will serve as a reminder to the office of who you are and how serious or eager you want the position.

What to do After Your Dental Hygienist's Working Interview?

Most of the time, employers will tell you if you pass or fail the dental hygiene working interview.

But whatever the outcome of your working interview, it is always best to ask for feedback.

Why?

Because feedback will help you improve and enhance your skills! Remember that constructive criticism is essential for you to grow, helps to give you a new perspective, and opens your eyes to things you may have overlooked or never considered.

Next steps

We hope that this article gives you an insight into what to expect from your dental hygiene working interview! You may also want to check our related articles below:

 

 

 


Chris Lewandowski

Published January 25, 2022

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