20 Aspen Dental Interview Questions and Answers

Aspen Dental is a provider of general dentistry services with over 700 locations across the United States. The company offers a wide range of services including teeth cleanings, fillings, extractions, dentures, and more.

If you’re interviewing for a position at Aspen Dental, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience in the dental field, your customer service skills, and your ability to work in a fast-paced environment. To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of sample Aspen Dental interview questions and answers.

Aspen Dental Interview Process

The interview process at Aspen Dental is pretty standard. You will have an initial phone interview, followed by an in-person interview. The in-person interview will be with the Office Manager and the Dentist. They will give you a tour of the office and ask you about your background. They may offer you the position during the interview.

What is the length of the hiring process?

The hiring process can take up to two months.

What is the difficulty level of the interviews?

The interviews are not too difficult. However, it is important to be prepared to answer questions about your experience and why you want to work for Aspen Dental.

What is the overall experience like?

Overall, the experience is positive. The interviewer is friendly and willing to answer any questions you may have.

1. Why do you want to work at Aspen Dental?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand why you are a good fit for their company. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific aspects of Aspen Dental that appeal to you or what drew you to apply for the position.

Example: “I applied for this position because I was drawn to your mission statement and values. I believe in providing excellent care to my patients while also helping them feel comfortable and relaxed during their dental visits. I am excited about working at a company that shares these same values.”

2. What is your greatest strength and weakness?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to be prepared with an answer that shows your strengths while also being honest about any weaknesses you may have. When answering this question, consider the skills listed on the job description and highlight how your strengths can help you perform those duties.

Example: “My greatest strength is my ability to work well under pressure. I am always able to stay calm when things get busy at work, which helps me provide excellent customer service. My weakness is that sometimes I take on too much work at once. If I’m feeling overwhelmed, I try to communicate that to my manager so they can help me prioritize tasks.”

3. How would you handle an upset patient?

Aspen Dental is a provider of general dentistry services, so you may be asked to interact with patients who are upset about their dental health. Employers ask this question to make sure that you can handle challenging situations and remain calm while resolving them. In your answer, try to show the employer that you have empathy for the patient’s situation and will do everything you can to help them feel comfortable again.

Example: “I understand that it can be upsetting when you’re not feeling well or aren’t happy with your appearance. I would first listen to what they had to say and reassure them that we could find a solution together. If they were unhappy with their current dentist, I would explain how our office handles similar situations and offer to speak with them further.”

4. Have you worked in the dental industry before?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your background and experience. If you have worked in the dental industry before, share what kind of work you did and how it prepared you for this role. If you haven’t worked in the dental industry before, explain why you’re interested in working at Aspen Dental.

Example: “I’ve been working as a dentist for five years now. I started out as an assistant, where I learned all about the tools dentists use and how they interact with patients. After two years, I became a registered dentist, which allowed me to perform my own procedures. Now that I’m ready for a new challenge, I’m excited to join Aspen Dental.”

5. Do you have any experience with office management?

Aspen Dental is a large company with many locations. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience managing employees or projects in the past. If you do, share an example of how you managed your team and what skills you used. If you don’t have any management experience, you can talk about other leadership roles you’ve held in the past.

Example: “I have worked as a dental hygienist for five years now. In my current role, I am responsible for leading my team of hygienists and assisting the dentist with patient care. I also manage our social media accounts and create content for our website.”

6. Are you certified as a dental hygienist?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn if you have the necessary qualifications for the job. If you are not certified, explain what steps you took to become certified and when you plan to complete them.

Example: “I am a registered dental hygienist in California. I completed my certification exam last year and have been working as a dental hygienist since then. I’m planning to take the national certification exam next month.”

7. Give me an example of when you had to deal with an angry or difficult patient, how did you handle it?

Aspen Dental is looking for candidates who can handle difficult situations with patients. This question helps them determine how you would react to a challenging situation and if you have the skills to diffuse it.

Example: “I once had a patient who was upset because they were having trouble scheduling an appointment. I listened to their concerns, apologized for any inconvenience and offered to help them find another time that worked better for them. They appreciated my willingness to help and we found a time that suited them.”

8. What is your availability?

Employers ask this question to make sure you are available for the hours they need. Before your interview, check out their website or call them to see what days and times they offer appointments. If you can work those hours, let them know that in your answer.

Example: “I am currently only able to work weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., but I would be happy to do so if needed. I have two children at home who require my care during the day, so I cannot work evenings or weekends. However, I am willing to take on extra shifts as needed.”

9. Tell us about a time where you used initiative to make improvements or solve problems.

Aspen Dental is looking for team members who are willing to take initiative and make improvements in their work. This question helps the interviewer determine if you have experience doing this, and it also allows them to learn more about how you did so. When answering this question, try to think of a specific example that shows your ability to use initiative while also showing what you accomplished.

Example: “At my previous job, I noticed that we were running low on supplies. I asked my manager if they knew why we were out of supplies and they said they didn’t know. So, I decided to look into it myself. I found that our supply room was messy and disorganized. It took me some time to organize everything, but once I did, I realized that there were several boxes of supplies that had been misplaced. After finding those supplies, I organized the supply room again.”

10. What are some things that excite you most about working in healthcare?

This question is a great way to show your passion for the healthcare industry. When answering this question, it can be helpful to list specific things that you enjoy about working in healthcare and how they make you excited.

Example: “I love helping people feel better about themselves. I find it exciting when I am able to help someone who has been struggling with their dental health feel more confident. It’s also very rewarding to see patients who have avoided going to the dentist for years finally get the care they need.”

11. Describe your experience preparing patients for treatment (i.e. cleaning their teeth).

This question is an opportunity to show your ability to work with patients and their unique needs. When answering, it can be helpful to provide a specific example of how you helped a patient prepare for treatment.

Example: “I always make sure that my patients understand the procedure they’re about to undergo. I also ensure that they have all the necessary tools or supplies needed for their appointment. For instance, when performing a cleaning, I’ll ask if they have any special dental products like floss or mouthwash. If so, I’ll let them know that we have those items available in our office.”

12. What do you think is important to remember when treating elderly patients?

Aspen Dental is a provider of general dentistry services, and they may have patients who are elderly. This question helps the interviewer understand how you will treat their patients with special needs. Use your answer to show that you can be compassionate and respectful when working with older patients.

Example: “I think it’s important to remember that not all elderly people are in the same place physically or mentally. Some may be more independent than others, so I would make sure to ask them what they need from me during treatment. It’s also important to take extra care when treating an elderly patient because there could be underlying medical conditions that we don’t know about.”

13. Describe your knowledge of proper sterilization techniques.

Sterilization is an important part of the dental industry. It’s essential to keep patients safe and free from infection, so interviewers may ask this question to make sure you know how to properly sterilize equipment. In your answer, explain that you understand the importance of sterilization and have experience doing it correctly.

Example: “I am very familiar with proper sterilization techniques because I worked in a hospital for two years. There, we had to follow strict protocols when cleaning and sterilizing equipment. I can use all types of sterilization methods, including autoclaving, chemical disinfection and steam sterilization.”

14. We work with a lot of different types of people at Aspen Dental. Can you give me an example of when you successfully worked with someone who was very different from yourself?

This question is a great way to show your ability to work with people from different backgrounds and personalities. It also shows that you can adapt to new situations and environments.

Example: “I once worked with a patient who was very quiet, but I could tell they were in pain. After asking them some questions about their life, I learned that they had recently lost their spouse. I took the time to listen to them and make them feel comfortable. By doing so, I was able to help them get through their dental procedure without any issues.”

15. Would you be comfortable taking x-rays on patients?

Aspen Dental is a provider of general dentistry services, which means that they offer a wide range of dental procedures. One of the most common procedures they provide is taking x-rays on patients. The interviewer wants to know if you have experience with this procedure and how comfortable you are doing it.

Example: “I’ve taken x-rays on patients before, but I would need some training from your team on how to use their equipment. I’m very comfortable working with patients while taking x-rays because I understand the importance of getting accurate images. I also like helping patients feel more at ease during this process.”

16. What are some ways we could improve our customer service?

Interviewers may ask this question to see if you have any ideas for improving the company’s customer service. They want to know that you’re willing to help them improve their processes and procedures, so it can be beneficial to share some of your thoughts on how they could do this.

Example: “I think one way Aspen Dental could improve its customer service is by making sure all employees are aware of what services the company offers. I’ve worked at other dental offices where there was a lot of confusion about which insurance plans we accepted or whether we offered certain procedures. If everyone knew exactly what services were available, it would make things easier for patients.”

17. If hired, what changes would you like to see right away?

This question is a way for employers to learn about your goals and expectations. They want to know that you’re motivated, eager to make improvements and have ideas on how to do so. When answering this question, be positive in your response. Explain what you would like to see changed or improved and provide examples of how you would implement those changes.

Example: “I’d like to see the office become more efficient with its scheduling. I’ve noticed that there are often patients who wait longer than necessary before being seen by a dentist. I think we could improve this process by implementing an online appointment system. This would allow patients to schedule their own appointments at times that work best for them, which may help reduce the number of no-shows.”

18. We pride ourselves on creating a welcoming environment for all patients. What makes a good first impression?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your customer service skills. They want to know that you can make patients feel comfortable and welcome in the office. In your answer, share a few tips for making a good first impression. Consider sharing some of the ways you’ve helped customers in the past.

Example: “I think it’s important to greet patients as soon as they arrive at the office. I always try to be friendly and welcoming when someone comes into my work area. If I see them before they get to the front desk, I’ll offer to help them find what they’re looking for or direct them to where they need to go. This helps set the tone for their visit and makes them feel more comfortable.”

19. In addition to English, are there other languages you are fluent in?

Aspen Dental is a global company with locations in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The interviewer may ask this question to determine if you can communicate effectively with patients who speak other languages. If you are fluent in another language, share your experience working with multilingual patients.

Example: “I am fluent in Spanish, which I learned growing up in my hometown of Miami. In my last position as a dental hygienist, I worked alongside two dentists who spoke Spanish, so I was able to translate for them when they had questions or concerns about their patients.”

20. Do you enjoy working independently or in a team setting?

Aspen Dental is a provider of general dentistry services, so they want employees who can work independently. However, the company also values teamwork and collaboration. When answering this question, it’s important to show that you’re comfortable working both independently and in teams.

Example: “I enjoy working both independently and collaboratively. I find that when working independently, I’m able to focus on my tasks without any distractions. This allows me to get more done than if I were working in a team setting. However, I also love collaborating with others because it helps me learn new things from my coworkers. It also gives me an opportunity to teach others what I know.”