17 Dental Laboratory Technician Interview Questions and Answers

Dental laboratory technicians work in commercial dental laboratories or in the dental department of a hospital. They use their knowledge of dental anatomy and dental materials to make crowns, bridges, dentures, and other dental appliances, according to dentists’ specifications.

Most dental laboratory technicians learn their trade through on-the-job training or formal education programs. Many technicians start as apprentices, working with experienced technicians and learning the necessary skills. Some technicians may choose to become certified, which can demonstrate their proficiency in the field and may lead to advancement opportunities.

If you’re interested in becoming a dental laboratory technician, you’ll need to know how to answer dental laboratory technician interview questions. This guide will provide you with sample questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Are you familiar with the different types of dental materials used in the lab?

The interviewer may ask you this question to assess your knowledge of the materials used in dental labs and how they differ from other types of laboratory settings. Use your answer to highlight your experience with different types of dental materials, including their advantages and disadvantages.

Example: “I have worked exclusively in a dental lab for the past five years, so I am very familiar with the different types of dental materials we use on a daily basis. One of the most common materials we work with is porcelain, which is an inert material that’s highly resistant to wear and tear. However, it can be quite expensive compared to other materials like zirconia or gold-based alloys. Another type of material we often use is composite resins, which are made up of plastic and resin components. These materials are great because they’re affordable and easy to apply.”

What are some of the most important skills for a dental laboratory technician to have?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills necessary to succeed in this role. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a few of your strongest skills and how they relate to working as a dental laboratory technician.

Example: “The most important skill for me is my attention to detail because I need to make sure that all of my work is accurate and precise. Another important skill is communication because I often collaborate with other technicians and dentists on projects. Finally, I think problem-solving skills are important because there are always unique challenges when working in a dental lab.”

How would you describe the relationship between a dentist and a dental laboratory technician?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your understanding of the role you would play in a dental office. They want to know that you understand how important it is to work well with dentists and other technicians. In your answer, try to emphasize the importance of communication between all members of the dental team.

Example: “I think it’s really important for dental laboratory technicians to have good relationships with their dentists. Communication is key when working together on a project, so I always make sure to be open and honest about any questions or concerns I might have. This helps ensure we’re both on the same page and can meet our deadlines.”

What is your experience working with porcelain?

Porcelain is a type of dental material that technicians use to create crowns, bridges and other restorations. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience working with porcelain so they can be confident in your abilities as a technician. In your answer, explain what types of projects you’ve worked on using porcelain. If you don’t have any experience working with porcelain, talk about the different materials you’ve used instead.

Example: “I have quite a bit of experience working with porcelain because I worked at my previous job for five years. There were many times when we had to work with porcelain because it’s one of the most durable dental materials. I’m comfortable working with all kinds of dental materials, though, including gold, silver, platinum and titanium.”

Provide an example of a time when you identified a problem with a patient’s previous dental work and resolved it.

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have experience working with patients and their dental records. It also allows you to demonstrate your problem-solving skills, communication abilities and attention to detail.

Example: “In my previous role as a dental laboratory technician, I noticed that one of my patient’s crowns was loose after they returned for a routine cleaning. The patient had not mentioned any issues with the crown, so I asked them if they had been chewing on anything hard or sticky. They said no, but I still wanted to make sure there wasn’t something wrong with the crown before replacing it.

I checked the patient’s dental records again and found that the dentist had used a different type of adhesive than usual when making the crown. This meant that the crown would need to be replaced rather than repaired. I informed the patient about this and scheduled another appointment for them to get a new crown.”

If a patient needed multiple dental restorations, how would you prioritize the work to ensure it was completed on time?

This question can help interviewers understand how you prioritize your work and ensure it’s completed on time. Use examples from previous experience to show that you’re organized, detail-oriented and able to meet deadlines.

Example: “In my last role as a dental laboratory technician, I worked with multiple patients who needed multiple restorations. In these situations, I would first complete the restoration that was most urgent or required the most attention. For example, if one patient had an abscessed tooth that needed immediate treatment, I would focus on completing that restoration before moving onto other restorations. This helps me stay organized and ensures all of the work is done in a timely manner.”

What would you do if you noticed a mistake on a patient’s new dental work?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle mistakes and errors. It’s important to be honest in your answer, as it can show that you are willing to take responsibility for your actions. In your response, try to explain what steps you would take to fix the mistake or error.

Example: “If I noticed a mistake on a patient’s new dental work, I would first apologize to them and let them know that I would do everything I could to fix the issue. If possible, I would remake the piece of dental work so they could have their original piece back. If this was not an option, I would make sure to give them a discount on the piece of dental work. I would also document the incident in our system so we could learn from the experience.”

How well do you pay attention to detail?

Attention to detail is an important skill for dental laboratory technicians because they must ensure that the products they produce are accurate and meet quality standards. Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your attention to detail and how you apply it in your work. In your answer, try to explain a situation where you used attention to detail to complete a task successfully.

Example: “I am very good at paying attention to detail, which has helped me succeed in my previous roles as a dental laboratory technician. For example, when I was working on a patient’s crowns, I noticed that one of them had a small chip. Instead of continuing with production, I fixed the chip before moving forward with the rest of the process. This allowed the patient to receive their product sooner than expected.”

Do you have experience working with precious metals?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience and skill in working with dental materials. If you have previous experience, describe it to show how you used your skills to complete projects. If you don’t have any precious metal experience, you can talk about your general knowledge of metals and their properties.

Example: “I’ve worked with precious metals before when I was a dental assistant at my last job. The dentist would often use gold or silver for fillings and crowns. I learned that these metals are malleable enough to be shaped into different forms but strong enough to hold up against wear and tear. I also learned how to work with other types of metals like titanium and stainless steel.”

When working with a team of dental professionals, how do you handle constructive criticism?

When working with a team of dental professionals, it’s important to be able to handle constructive criticism. This question helps employers understand how you respond to feedback and whether you can take steps to improve your work. In your answer, try to show that you are open to receiving feedback and use it to make improvements in your work.

Example: “I have found that when I receive constructive criticism from my colleagues, it is because they want me to succeed. When someone gives me feedback on something I am doing, I listen carefully and ask questions if I need clarification. Then, I reflect on the feedback and think about ways I could apply this information to my work. If I still don’t know what to do, I will ask for more specific feedback or advice.”

We want to improve our customer service. Describe a strategy you would use to improve communication with patients about their upcoming appointments.

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your customer service skills. They want to know how you would help their dental office improve its communication with patients and ensure they have a positive experience. In your answer, explain that you would use technology to send appointment reminders via email or text message. You can also mention that you would encourage the dentist to speak directly with patients on the phone when possible.

Example: “I think it’s important for dentists to communicate directly with patients as much as possible. I would suggest scheduling regular calls with patients to discuss upcoming appointments. This allows them to ask questions and get answers from the doctor in real time. It also gives me an opportunity to remind them of their upcoming appointments and answer any questions they might have.”

Describe your experience working with dental assistants.

This question can help interviewers understand how you interact with other members of the dental team. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific time when you worked with a dental assistant and what made that experience positive.

Example: “I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside several dental assistants throughout my career as a dental laboratory technician. I find that working with someone who is organized and detail-oriented makes for a great collaboration. In one instance, I was working on a crown restoration project with an experienced dental assistant. She noticed that there were some minor flaws in the restoration before we sent it off to the dentist. We fixed the issue together, which helped ensure the patient received the best care.”

What makes you a good fit for this dental laboratory?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your personality and how you would fit in with their team. They want someone who is friendly, hardworking and passionate about the dental laboratory industry. When answering this question, try to highlight some of your skills that make you a good fit for this role. You can also mention any personal experiences or qualifications that relate to working as a dental laboratory technician.

Example: “I am a highly organized person, which makes me a great fit for this position. I have experience working in a fast-paced environment where I had to prioritize my work and manage multiple projects at once. This skill set has helped me succeed in previous roles, so I know it will help me excel in this one too. Another reason why I’m a good fit for this job is because I love helping others. I feel like I could be an asset to this dental laboratory by providing excellent customer service.”

Which dental laboratory software programs are you familiar with?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience with specific software programs. You can answer this question by naming several dental laboratory software programs you’re familiar with and briefly describing what each one does.

Example: “I’m most comfortable using Dentrix, which is a program that allows me to create patient records, manage inventory and track my time. I’ve also used DentaQuest, which is an excellent program for creating treatment plans and managing patient information. In addition, I have some experience with iTero, which is a 3D imaging system that helps me design crowns and veneers.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of customer service?

Interviewers may ask this question to see how you prioritize your work and what skills you use to provide excellent customer service. When answering, consider which aspects of customer service are most important to you and explain why they’re important.

Example: “I think the most important aspect of customer service is being able to communicate effectively with patients. I always make sure that my patients understand everything I’m telling them about their dental procedures and any questions they have. In addition, I try to answer all of their questions before starting a procedure so they feel comfortable during it. This helps me ensure that they’re happy with the care they receive.”

How often do you perform quality checks on completed dental work?

This question can help interviewers understand how much responsibility you take for the quality of your work. It’s important to show that you’re committed to ensuring all of your work meets professional standards and is safe for patients.

Example: “I perform a thorough quality check on every piece of dental work I complete, including checking for any defects or errors in my initial measurements and calculations. I also make sure each piece fits together properly and that it matches the patient’s records. If there are any issues with the work, I’ll fix them before sending it back to the dentist.”

There is a discrepancy between the dental lab technician’s work and the dentist’s instructions. What would you do?

This question is designed to assess your ability to work independently and make decisions. It also shows the interviewer how you would handle a conflict with another professional. Your answer should show that you can use critical thinking skills, communicate effectively and solve problems.

Example: “If there was a discrepancy between my work and the dentist’s instructions, I would first ask for clarification on what exactly they wanted me to do. If it was something different than what I had already done, I would stop working immediately and start over. This ensures that the patient gets the best care possible. If the dentist wants me to continue working as instructed, I would explain why I think their instructions are incorrect and offer an alternative solution.”