20 Heartland Dental Interview Questions and Answers

Heartland Dental is one of the largest dental support organizations in the United States. With over 1,200 supported dentists and nearly 10,000 team members, Heartland Dental provides a wide range of services to its supported practices.

If you’re applying for a job at Heartland Dental, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions about your qualifications, work history, and availability. In this guide, we’ve assembled a list of Heartland Dental interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Heartland Dental Interview Process

The interview process at Heartland Dental can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least one phone interview and one in-person interview. For some positions, you may also be required to do a working interview. The length of the hiring process can vary, but it typically takes about a week or two to hear back after your initial interview.

Overall, the interview process is fairly straightforward. However, some candidates have reported feeling ghosted by the company after their initial interview. It is important to follow up with the company if you haven’t heard back within a reasonable amount of time.

1. What is your experience with dental software?

This question is a great way to determine if you have experience with the software that Heartland Dental uses. If you don’t, it’s okay to say so and explain what other dental software you’re familiar with. This can show your ability to learn new systems quickly.

Example: “I’ve used several different types of dental software in my previous positions. I’m most comfortable using Dentrix because I find it easy to navigate and use for patient care. However, I also understand how to use many other dental software programs, including CompuDent, iTero and Practice Fusion.”

2. Tell me about a time you had to deal with an upset patient and how you handled it.

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle conflict and whether you have experience dealing with challenging situations. Use examples from your previous work experience to highlight your problem-solving skills, communication skills and interpersonal skills.

Example: “In my last position as a dental assistant, I had an older patient who was upset because she felt like we weren’t giving her enough time during her appointment. She started raising her voice and complaining about other patients in the waiting room. I calmly explained that our office has a set schedule for each patient and that we were following it exactly. She apologized and said she understood but still wanted more time with me.”

3. How would you handle multiple patients at once?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle multitasking and prioritize your work. Use examples from previous experience to show that you are capable of handling multiple patients at once while still providing quality care.

Example: “In my last position, I often had multiple patients in the dental chair at once. This allowed me to learn how to manage my time efficiently so I could provide high-quality service to each patient without sacrificing their needs. For example, if one patient needed a more extensive procedure than another, I would schedule them for later in the day when I knew I would have more time to dedicate to their treatment.”

4. Do you have any experience working in a fast-paced environment?

Working in a dental office can be fast-paced, especially during the workday when patients are coming in for appointments. Employers ask this question to make sure you’re comfortable working in an environment where you may have multiple tasks to complete at once. In your answer, share about a time you worked in a busy setting and what skills helped you succeed.

Example: “I’ve worked in a busy medical practice before, so I’m used to having many things to do at once. When I was working as a nurse practitioner, I would often have several patients to see at once. This experience has taught me how to prioritize my tasks and manage my time well. I also learned how to delegate tasks to other members of my team.”

5. Describe your experience with sterilization procedures.

Sterilization is an important part of dental care, and the interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with sterilization procedures. Use examples from previous work experiences to describe how you handled sterilization processes.

Example: “In my last position, I was responsible for ensuring that all equipment used in patient treatment was properly sterilized before use. To do so, I followed a strict procedure where I cleaned instruments using approved cleaning solutions and then placed them in an autoclave machine for sterilization. I also had to ensure that any tools or materials that came into contact with patients were clean and ready for use.”

6. If hired, what do you think are the most important qualities for a successful team member?

This question is an opportunity to show your interpersonal skills and how you can work well with others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about the qualities of a team member that you have or what makes someone successful in their role.

Example: “I believe the most important quality for a successful team member is being able to communicate effectively. I am always open to feedback and suggestions from my coworkers, and I try to make sure everyone feels comfortable sharing their thoughts. Another important quality is having a positive attitude. It’s easy to get stressed out when working on tight deadlines, but I find that remaining upbeat helps me stay focused and productive.”

7. We want our team members to be able to work independently. Do you think you would be a good fit for that type of environment?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to get an idea of your work ethic and how you would fit into their company. When answering this question, it can be beneficial to mention some past experiences where you had to work independently or with minimal supervision.

Example: “I think I would be a good fit for that type of environment because I am used to working independently. In my last position, I was often left alone in the office while everyone else went home for the day. I got used to being able to handle any issues that came up without needing help from anyone else.”

8. Are you comfortable using computers?

The dental office uses computers for scheduling appointments, filing insurance claims and other administrative tasks. The interviewer wants to know if you have experience using computers in a professional setting. If you don’t have much computer experience, explain what type of training you would need to learn how to use the software they use.

Example: “I am comfortable using computers but I haven’t had any formal training on specific programs. I’m eager to learn new things, so I would be willing to take additional classes or online courses to get up to speed with your system.”

9. Tell us why you want to work at Heartland Dental.

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your personality and how you feel about their company. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific aspects of the job that appeal to you or explain why you are passionate about dentistry in general.

Example: “I want to work at Heartland Dental because I am passionate about helping others. In my previous role as a dental assistant, I saw firsthand how much patients appreciated our care and kindness. I would love to continue working with a team who cares so deeply about their patients.”

10. Can you tell me about a time when you were working on a team project and there was conflict, how did you handle it?

This question is a great way to see how you work with others and your conflict resolution skills. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention the steps you took to resolve the conflict and what you learned from the experience.

Example: “In my last position as an assistant manager at a restaurant, there was some conflict between two of our servers. One server felt like they were doing more work than the other, but the other server didn’t agree. I talked to both of them separately about their concerns and asked for specific examples of when the other person wasn’t pulling their weight. After talking through the issue, we all agreed that the first server had been working harder because she was covering for the second server during her breaks.”

11. Give an example of a time when you had to solve a problem that was not straightforward. How did you approach the problem?

This question can allow you to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and how you approach challenges. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide a specific example of a time when you had to solve a complex problem that required critical thinking.

Example: “At my previous job, I was working with a patient who needed extensive dental work. The patient did not have dental insurance, so we discussed the different options for financing his treatment. He decided he wanted to finance the procedure through an online loan company. However, after doing some research, I found out that these loans often come with high interest rates and fees. I explained this to him and offered other financing options. In the end, he chose to take out a personal loan from our office instead.”

12. What is your experience with preparing and handling X-rays?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of dental procedures and how you can contribute to the team. If you have experience with X-rays, describe a time when you prepared them for patients. If you don’t have experience with X-rays, explain what steps you would take if you were asked to prepare them.

Example: “I’ve been taking X-rays since I started my career as a dental assistant. In my last position, I was responsible for preparing all of the X-rays for the day. I would start by making sure that the equipment was ready to use. Then, I would set up the patient’s chair so they could sit comfortably while I took the pictures. After each picture, I would review it to make sure it was clear before moving on to the next one.”

13. Describe your experience with taking impressions.

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of dental procedures and how you interact with patients. When answering, it can be helpful to describe a specific instance where you took impressions for a patient or helped someone else take them.

Example: “I’ve taken impressions before, but I usually help other hygienists who are taking impressions because I’m more experienced at working with patients. However, when I was in school, I had to take impressions on my own, so I practiced until I got the hang of it. Now, I feel confident enough to do it alone.”

14. What is your experience with preparing and handling dental equipment?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of dental equipment and how you use it. You can answer this question by describing a time when you used specific equipment or tools in the past, such as:

Scalers
Surgical instruments
Handpieces
You can also talk about what you know about different types of equipment and their uses. This shows that you are prepared for any situation where you may need to use unfamiliar equipment.

Example: “I have experience with all kinds of dental equipment, including scalers, surgical instruments and handpieces. I am familiar with each type of equipment’s purpose and how to handle them safely.”

15. Have you ever worked under pressure?

This question is a great way to assess your ability to work under pressure. Employers ask this question because they want to know how you will perform in high-pressure situations at their dental office. In your answer, try to explain what helped you succeed in these types of situations and how it can help you succeed in the future.

Example: “I have worked under pressure many times throughout my career. I find that when I am working under pressure, I focus on the task at hand and do not allow myself to get distracted by anything else. This helps me stay calm and focused so I can complete the task as quickly as possible. When I was working as an assistant dentist, I had to take over for the dentist while he was out sick one day. The patient needed extensive treatment, but I stayed calm and focused on the procedure. I was able to successfully treat the patient without any issues.”

16. What is your experience with cleaning and maintaining teeth?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your dental skills. They want to know if you have experience with common procedures like cleaning teeth, applying sealants and removing plaque. If you do, share an example of how you performed these tasks. If you don’t have any experience, explain what you would do in this situation.

Example: “I’ve been performing basic dental care since I started my career as a dental assistant. In my last position, I was responsible for preparing patients for their appointments by checking their medical history and administering oral hygiene treatments. I also applied sealants to prevent cavities and removed plaque from patients’ teeth.”

17. Are you comfortable dealing with people who may be nervous or afraid of going to the dentist?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you interact with patients who may be anxious about their dental visits. Use examples from your experience to show that you are empathetic and compassionate when working with people who have anxiety or fear of going to the dentist.

Example: “I’ve had a few patients in my career who were nervous or afraid of going to the dentist, and I always make sure to take extra time with them during their appointments. For example, I once worked with a patient who was very scared of needles, so I made sure to explain every step of the procedure before we started. This helped put her at ease and allowed her to feel more comfortable throughout the appointment.”

18. What is your experience with scheduling appointments?

Scheduling appointments is an important part of the dental assistant’s job. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience with scheduling and can do it well. When answering, explain that you know how to use a computer program for scheduling appointments. You can also mention any specific skills or training you have in scheduling appointments.

Example: “I’ve been scheduling patients’ appointments for five years now. I started out doing it on paper but then learned how to use a computer program for scheduling. Now, I am very comfortable using the software we have at my current job. I find that being able to schedule quickly helps me provide better service to patients.”

19. Do you feel comfortable working with children?

This question is often asked by employers to determine if you have experience working with children. If you do, the employer may want to know how you feel about interacting with them and what your previous experiences were like. If you don’t have any experience working with children, you can talk about your desire to work with them in the future.

Example: “I’ve worked with children before, but I would love to continue doing so. In my last job, I had a patient who was five years old. She was very excited to get her first set of braces, and she loved showing off her smile after we removed her retainer. It’s always great to see patients happy with their results.”

20. What is your experience with educating patients on proper oral hygiene practices?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you might interact with patients and their families. It is important to show that you are comfortable educating others about proper oral hygiene practices, as this is a common part of dental work.

Example: “I have experience working with children who need extra support when it comes to practicing good oral hygiene habits. I find that using visual aids like posters or videos can be helpful for younger patients. For older patients, I use more verbal instruction and demonstrations to make sure they understand what steps they should take to practice good oral hygiene.”