If you’re preparing for a dentist interview, you’ve taken the first step toward a rewarding career in oral health care. As a UK-based career coach with over 25 years of experience, I’ve guided countless dental professionals through successful interviews. In this guide, you’ll find 30 detailed dentist interview questions and answers, including simple opening questions, competency-based scenarios using the STAR model, and ending questions. We’ll also cover salary expectations, job descriptions, and interview coaching tips to help you shine.
The Importance of a Dentist Role
Dentists play a vital role in maintaining oral health, diagnosing dental conditions, and providing preventative care to patients of all ages. Beyond clinical responsibilities, dentists are educators, communicators, and leaders in patient care. In the UK, dentist salaries vary based on experience, location, and role type. A general NHS dentist typically earns £40,000–£80,000 per year, while private practice roles can exceed £100,000 per year. The responsibilities include diagnosing dental problems, performing procedures such as fillings and extractions, educating patients on oral hygiene, and managing clinic staff.
With the right preparation and confidence, you can demonstrate your skills, professionalism, and patient-focused approach.
Opening Interview Questions and Answers
1. Tell me about yourself
Answer: Focus on your professional journey, key qualifications, and career highlights. “I am a qualified dentist with five years’ experience in NHS and private practice. My expertise includes restorative dentistry, patient education, and team leadership. I am passionate about delivering patient-centred care and continuously updating my skills.”
2. Why did you choose dentistry as a career?
Answer: Share a personal, authentic story. “I chose dentistry because I enjoy helping people maintain their oral health, combining science with creativity. Seeing patients leave with confidence after treatment motivates me daily.”
3. What are your strengths as a dentist?
Answer: Highlight clinical skills, patient communication, and teamwork. “My strengths are attention to detail in procedures, excellent patient communication, and a calm approach to anxious patients.”
4. What is your greatest weakness?
Answer: Present a weakness and show proactive improvement. “I used to struggle with time management during busy clinics, but I now use scheduling tools and prioritisation strategies to ensure efficiency without compromising care.”
5. Why should we hire you?
Answer: Combine skills and alignment with the clinic’s values. “I bring extensive clinical experience, a patient-focused approach, and strong teamwork skills. I am committed to continuous learning and delivering high-quality care that reflects your practice’s standards.”
Competency-Based Questions (Using the STAR Model)
6. Describe a time you handled a difficult patient.
Answer (STAR):
Situation: A patient was anxious about a root canal.
Task: I needed to calm the patient while ensuring treatment success.
Action: I explained the procedure step by step, used local anaesthesia effectively, and offered reassurance throughout.
Result: The patient completed treatment without distress and returned for follow-up care.
7. Give an example of teamwork in a dental clinic.
Answer (STAR):
Situation: During a busy NHS clinic day.
Task: Assist in coordinating multiple patient appointments efficiently.
Action: I collaborated with dental nurses, hygienists, and reception staff to streamline workflow.
Result: Patients experienced reduced waiting times, and the team received positive feedback from management.
8. Tell me about a time you implemented a new procedure or technique.
Answer (STAR):
Situation: The clinic wanted to adopt digital radiography.
Task: Train staff and introduce the system.
Action: I organised workshops, supervised practice sessions, and developed guidelines.
Result: Digital radiography was successfully adopted, reducing X-ray time by 30% and improving patient satisfaction.
9. Describe a challenging diagnosis and how you handled it.
Answer (STAR):
Situation: A patient presented with ambiguous oral lesions.
Task: Diagnose accurately without causing unnecessary alarm.
Action: Conducted thorough examinations, liaised with a specialist, and communicated findings transparently.
Result: Correct diagnosis led to timely treatment and relieved patient anxiety.
10. How do you manage stress during a busy day?
Answer: “I prioritise tasks, take brief mindful pauses, and maintain clear communication with my team. This ensures patient care is never compromised while I stay focused.”
Technical and Procedure-Related Questions
11. How do you perform a cavity filling?
Answer: Describe steps clearly: assess decay, prepare the cavity, isolate the tooth, apply filling material, and polish. Emphasise safety and patient comfort.
12. Explain the process of root canal treatment.
Answer: Detail the steps: diagnosis, anaesthesia, removal of infected pulp, cleaning canals, filling, and restoration. Mention post-treatment care.
13. How do you handle dental emergencies?
Answer: Prioritise patient safety, assess the severity, provide immediate treatment, and schedule follow-up.
14. What infection control measures do you follow?
Answer: Adhere to standard protocols: sterilisation, PPE, hand hygiene, and safe disposal of sharps.
15. How do you stay updated with dental research?
Answer: Regularly attend professional courses, read journals, and participate in workshops. Emphasise commitment to lifelong learning.
Behavioural and Ethical Questions
16. How do you handle ethical dilemmas in dentistry?
Answer: Follow professional guidelines, prioritise patient wellbeing, and consult colleagues when necessary. Example: recommending only necessary treatments.
17. Give an example of how you ensured patient confidentiality.
Answer: Maintain secure records, discuss cases privately, and only share information with authorised staff.
18. Describe a situation where you managed conflict in the team.
Answer: Use STAR: Identify the conflict, mediate a discussion, find a solution, and maintain team harmony.
19. How do you educate patients about oral hygiene?
Answer: Use clear, simple instructions, visual aids, and personalised plans to encourage long-term habits.
20. How do you adapt to patients with special needs?
Answer: Adjust communication, treatment approaches, and environment to ensure comfort and safety.
Ending Interview Questions and Answers
21. Do you have any questions for us?
Answer: Ask about clinic culture, continuing professional development, or patient care philosophy.
22. Where do you see yourself in five years?
Answer: Align personal growth with clinic goals. “I aim to expand my skills in cosmetic dentistry while contributing to team leadership and patient care excellence.”
23. How would you handle a patient complaint?
Answer: Listen actively, investigate professionally, implement corrective action, and follow up for satisfaction.
24. Why do you want to work at this clinic?
Answer: Highlight clinic values, reputation, or special programs. Show genuine interest.
25. What motivates you in dentistry?
Answer: Patient outcomes, teamwork, learning new techniques, and improving oral health literacy.
Practical Questions: Do’s and Don’ts
26. Do you work well under pressure?
Answer: Provide specific examples demonstrating calm, efficient decision-making.
27. Can you multitask while maintaining quality care?
Answer: Yes, through organisation, delegation, and prioritisation strategies.
28. How do you handle mistakes or procedural errors?
Answer: Admit errors, report appropriately, implement corrective actions, and learn to prevent recurrence.
29. Are you comfortable working with dental technology?
Answer: Yes, highlight experience with digital X-rays, CAD/CAM systems, or software.
30. How do you continue professional development?
Answer: Attend courses, workshops, webinars, and read latest journals.
General Interview Coaching and Tips
Preparing for a dentist interview is more than memorising answers. Confidence, professionalism, and authenticity are key. Use the STAR model to structure answers to competency-based questions. Focus on patient-centred examples, teamwork, and ethical decision-making. Maintain eye contact, dress professionally, and practice active listening.
Do’s:
Research the clinic thoroughly.
Prepare STAR-based examples.
Show enthusiasm for the role.
Emphasise patient care and teamwork.
Don’ts:
Avoid negative comments about past employers.
Don’t exaggerate experience.
Don’t ignore ethical or patient safety questions.
Avoid one-word answers; elaborate with examples.
Conclusion and Call to Action
Landing your dream dentist role requires preparation, practice, and confidence. With over 25 years guiding dental professionals, I can help you shine through interview training and one-to-one guidance. Take advantage of personalised support from an expert interview coach, including interview coaching online and job interview preparation strategies. Boost your success with tailored interview coaching at Interview Training. Book your session today and step into your dentist interview with confidence!
