Dental Receptionist Interviews are always a source of intense distress for most job seekers. Even those of us who have been hardened after years of being grilled at the interview table, often break a sweat at the mention of another interview.
The good news is that there really is no cause for worry, especially if you have done your “interview homework” well. Yes, that is what we like to call it – interview homework. Because that is what it is!
Interviews can be aced by one means only and that is preparation. The more you know about what “might” be asked, the better your chances of winning the interview!
What we usually forget when we are preparing for an interview is that not all questions are directed toward our job knowledge.
Some are also directed toward how we deal with things. So an interview is basically an amalgamation of questions that are designed to determine a candidate’s personality and job knowledge.
Recommended: Dental Receptionist Resume
A dental receptionist may be asked interview questions (answers are given for your convenience) akin to the following:
Dental Receptionist Interview Questions and Answers
1. What qualifications are absolutely necessary to work as a dental receptionist?
Knowledge of dental terminology, front desk manner, and appointment scheduling know-how is very important if one wants to work as a dental receptionist.
2. Tell us of a time when you went beyond the call of duty to ensure smooth operations at the workplace?
In the absence of dental assistance on a hectic day, I handled the cleaning and sterilizing of dental instruments and setting up of dental examination rooms to ensure smooth operations, in addition to doing my work at the front desk.
3. As a dental receptionist, what are your specific technological skills?
I am well-versed in using the Medic System and can type 60 words per minute. I can also handle online pre-authorization and patient forms effectively.
4. Tell us of one achievement that you are proud of in your dental receptionist position.
Getting dental claims paid is one of the most difficult things to do. Last year, I was given the responsibility of getting 102 claims paid out of which I had 100 paid successfully, within the time frame given to me.
5. As far as patient contact is concerned, what do you consider important apart from appointment scheduling?
I believe that patient education is very important, as well. When a patient is scheduled for a procedure, I make it a point to make sure that he/she understands the procedure completely so that he/she knows what to expect. I also provide patients and their families with information on how to handle post-procedure problems and limitations.
6. How do you handle the influx of work that a dental receptionist has to go through on a typical workday?
By nature, I am an organized person so handling a tremendous amount of work is never a problem. A dental surgery usually entertains appointments which means that the influx of patients is controlled. And since I know exactly how many patients will be coming in, arranging to have them seen is no issue. And of course, the fact that paperwork is something that I am an expert at handling makes a typical workday not so difficult to handle.
7. What were your primary duties as a dental receptionist in a previous role?
In my previous position as a dental receptionist, I was responsible for greeting patients, assisting them in registering with the facility, processing insurance forms, scheduling and confirming appointments, maintaining patients’ records, and ensuring that all records are confidentially maintained.
8. Is patient education part of your work as a dental receptionist? What is your experience with it?
Some patient education is definitely part of a dental receptionist’s work. As a dental receptionist, I provide patients and their families with information on dental procedures and timelines and help make them comfortable so that they are at ease when they sit in the dentist’s chair.
9. As far as cash handling is concerned, what is the primary duty of a dental receptionist?
Mostly, patients pay for dental services through their insurance coverage. But there are times when patients’ insurance companies do not wholly cover a particular dental procedure, so they have to copay. I have handled copays and cash payments and created and maintained payment records as well.
10. How critical are communication skills when working as a dental receptionist?
Communication skills are foremost while working as a dental receptionist. This is because one has to communicate with people constantly, whether it is patients and their families or insurance company personnel. Without excellent communication skills, neither is possible to do.
11. How do you handle appointments?
I take appointments over the telephone and in person and ensure that they are entered into the system. Also, I make follow-up calls to ensure that patients arrive on time for their appointments and to make sure that any cancellations can be appropriately handled.