17 Oral Surgery Assistant Interview Questions and Answers

An oral surgery assistant is a vital member of an oral surgeon’s team. You will be responsible for preparing the operating room, sterilizing instruments, and ensuring that the patient is comfortable before and after surgery. You will also need to have a thorough understanding of the surgical procedures so that you can answer any questions the patient may have.

If you’re interested in becoming an oral surgery assistant, you will need to go through an interview process. This guide will give you some of the most common oral surgery assistant interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Are you familiar with the anatomy of the human mouth and jaw?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to assess your knowledge of oral surgery procedures and how you apply that knowledge in your work. If you are not familiar with all aspects of oral anatomy, it’s important to let the interviewer know what you do know and how you plan to learn more about the rest.

Example: “I have taken several courses on human anatomy as part of my degree program, so I am very familiar with the general structure of the mouth and jaw. However, I would like to take additional courses or read up on resources to gain a better understanding of the specific structures within the mouth.”

What are the most important skills for an oral surgery assistant 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 oral surgery assisting.

Example: “The most important skill for an oral surgery assistant is communication. Oral surgeons rely on their assistants to communicate with patients about what’s happening during procedures and answer any questions they may have. Another important skill is organization because I need to keep track of many different types of information at once. Finally, patience is also very important because some patients are nervous before or after procedures.”

How would you make a patient feel comfortable before and during a procedure?

The interviewer may ask you this question to assess your interpersonal skills and ability to communicate with patients. Use examples from past experiences where you helped a patient feel comfortable before or during an oral surgery procedure.

Example: “I always make sure to introduce myself to the patient, explain what I will be doing during the procedure and answer any questions they have about the process. If the patient is nervous, I try to reassure them that everything will go well and that I am there to help if they need anything. During procedures, I stay close by the surgeon’s side so I can assist as needed.”

What is your experience with administering anesthesia?

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience with administering anesthesia and how you feel about it. If you have no experience, you can talk about what you would do if you were in this situation.

Example: “I’ve never administered anesthesia before, but I am comfortable doing so. In my last position, we had a nurse administer anesthesia to patients while I assisted them. I think that having someone who is more experienced administer anesthesia is beneficial because they can make sure everything goes smoothly. However, I am confident in my ability to administer anesthesia on my own.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to help a patient overcome their fear of dentists and doctors.

This question can help interviewers understand how you interact with patients and their unique needs. It’s important to show that you’re empathetic and compassionate when working with patients who may be nervous or anxious about their treatment.

Example: “I once had a patient who was very scared of needles, so I made sure to explain every step of the procedure before we started. When it came time for them to receive an injection, I held their hand and talked them through each moment until they were calm again. They ended up being able to complete the entire procedure without any further anxiety.”

If a patient needed to be sedated for a procedure, how would you make sure they were properly asleep?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you have the skills and knowledge necessary to perform this role. You can answer by describing a specific situation in which you assisted with sedation for a patient.

Example: “I once worked with a patient who needed oral surgery on their jaw. The doctor prescribed general anesthesia, so I helped them get ready for the procedure. First, I made sure they were comfortable and had everything they needed before administering the medication. Then, I monitored their vital signs throughout the procedure to make sure they stayed safe.”

What would you do if you noticed a medical instrument was dirty or broken while preparing a patient for surgery?

This question can help interviewers understand how you would respond to a potential problem or emergency situation. In your answer, try to demonstrate that you are willing to speak up and ask for assistance when needed.

Example: “If I noticed a medical instrument was dirty or broken, I would immediately alert the surgeon so they could address it before surgery began. If the equipment was unusable, I would find an alternative solution. For example, if we were missing a scalpel, I might use tweezers to hold the patient’s skin while the surgeon used another scalpel to make the incision.”

How well can you communicate with other medical professionals to coordinate a patient’s care?

The interviewer may ask you this question to assess your communication skills and ability to work with others. Showcase your interpersonal skills by describing a time when you successfully collaborated with other medical professionals to coordinate patient care.

Example: “I have experience working as an oral surgery assistant in a busy dental office, where I often worked alongside multiple dentists and hygienists. In my role, I was responsible for communicating the needs of patients to other medical professionals so that we could ensure all aspects of their treatment were addressed. For example, if a dentist needed me to hold a patient’s hand during a procedure, I would communicate this need to the hygienist so they could prepare themselves accordingly. This allowed us to provide excellent care to our patients while also ensuring each member of the team had what they needed to perform their job well.

Do you have experience taking X-rays?

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience with taking X-rays and how you feel about it. If you have no experience, you can talk about what you would do if you had to take an X-ray for the first time.

Example: “I’ve never taken an X-ray before, but I am familiar with the process. In my previous role as a dental assistant, we used digital imaging software instead of traditional X-rays. However, I understand that some patients prefer the traditional method. I would ask the patient which they preferred and then make sure they were comfortable while taking the X-ray.”

When preparing surgical instruments, what is the proper procedure for sterilizing them?

The interviewer may ask you a question like this to assess your knowledge of sterilization procedures. This is an important part of the job because it ensures that all surgical instruments are clean and ready for use when they’re needed. In your answer, try to explain how you would complete this task in a way that shows you have experience with it.

Example: “I always make sure to wash my hands before handling any surgical instruments. Then I place them in a sterile solution that’s hot enough to kill germs but not so hot that it damages the instruments. After that, I let them sit in the solution until they’re completely disinfected.”

We want to improve our recovery process. How would you make the process of going from the operating room to the recovery room smoother?

The interviewer may ask you this question to see how you can improve the patient experience. Your answer should include a specific example of how you helped make the recovery process smoother for one or more patients in your previous role.

Example: “I once worked with a surgeon who had a very organized system for getting patients from the operating room to the recovery room. He would have all of their paperwork ready and waiting for them when they arrived, which made it easy for them to get settled into their rooms without having to wait for anything. I learned that he did this because he wanted his patients to feel as comfortable as possible after surgery. I now do the same thing at my current job.”

Describe your experience with using surgical instruments on a computerized system.

This question is a great way to assess your computer skills and how you use them in the workplace. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention any specific programs or systems you’ve used before and what kind of experience you have with them.

Example: “I’ve worked on several different computerized surgical systems throughout my career as an oral surgery assistant. I’m comfortable using both Mac and Windows operating systems, and I feel confident working with all kinds of software that comes along with these systems. In my last position, I was responsible for updating patient records and scheduling appointments through the system’s database.”

What makes you an ideal candidate for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their team. Before your interview, make a list of reasons why you are the best candidate for this role. Consider highlighting any relevant experience or skills that match what they’re looking for in an oral surgery assistant.

Example: “I am passionate about helping others, which is why I became an oral surgery assistant. In my previous position as an oral surgery assistant, I helped patients feel comfortable before their procedures. I also assisted with anesthesia administration and sterilization processes. These experiences have given me valuable insight into the responsibilities of this job and how I can help support the oral surgeon.”

Which dental procedures have you performed as an oral surgery assistant?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience and skill. It’s important to highlight any unique or challenging procedures you’ve performed in the past, especially if they’re relevant to the job description.

Example: “In my current role as an oral surgery assistant, I have assisted with a wide range of dental procedures including wisdom teeth removal, root canal therapy, tooth extraction and gum disease treatment. In my previous position, I helped perform more complex procedures like bone grafting and jaw reconstruction.”

What do you think are the most important qualities for an oral surgery assistant to have?

Employers ask this question to make sure you have the right skills and personality for the job. They want someone who is organized, compassionate and hardworking. When answering this question, think about what your previous employers valued in you. Try to mention a few of those qualities if they apply to you.

Example: “I believe that compassion and empathy are two of the most important qualities an oral surgery assistant can have. Patients often come into our office nervous or anxious, so it’s important to be able to put them at ease. I also think it’s vital to be highly organized and detail-oriented. Oral surgeries require precision, so we need to make sure all of our instruments are clean and ready to use.”

How often do you perform oral surgery procedures?

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience level. If you have limited experience, it’s important to highlight any unique skills or training that makes you a strong candidate for the role.

Example: “I’ve performed oral surgery procedures on patients of all ages and with varying medical conditions. I’m comfortable working in an emergency situation and am able to prioritize tasks quickly. In my last position, I assisted the dentist during every procedure, which helped me develop my skills as an oral surgery assistant.”

There is a discrepancy between the diagnosis from the dentist and the patient’s symptoms. How do you handle this?

This question is designed to test your ability to make decisions and solve problems. It also shows the interviewer how you handle conflict, which can be important in a team environment. In your answer, explain that you would first try to understand why there was a discrepancy between the diagnosis and symptoms. Then, you would discuss this with the dentist and patient to find out more information about the situation.

Example: “I have encountered this situation before at my previous job. The dentist diagnosed a patient for an abscessed tooth but when I examined the patient, they did not exhibit any of the usual signs of an abscess. After discussing it with the dentist, we determined that the patient had been experiencing some pain from their wisdom teeth.”