How do you ensure infection control standards are maintained throughout a clinical session?

Infection control is not something I do at the end of a procedure: it runs through everything I do from the moment the previous patient leaves. I use the between-patient protocol consistently: wipe down the bracket table and dental chair with the approved disinfectant at the correct contact time, replace barrier films on the light handle, headrest, and three-in-one syringe, and prepare a fresh sterile tray for the next patient. All instruments that went into the patient's mouth go directly into the ultrasonic cleaner and then through the autoclave, and I check the cycle validation log before any instrument is used. I wear appropriate PPE for every patient: gloves, mask, and eye protection, changed between patients. I never re-use a single-use item and I am vigilant about sharps disposal, particularly after local anaesthetic procedures.

How do you manage a patient who is very anxious about dental treatment?

The first thing I do when an anxious patient arrives is acknowledge their feelings without dismissing them. I introduce myself, explain what will happen during the appointment in simple terms, and make sure they know they can signal to stop at any time by raising their hand. Before the dentist comes in, I sit with the patient if time allows and let them settle. Some patients want to talk about their worries; others find distraction more helpful. I adapt to what the individual needs. During treatment I watch for physical signs of tension, such as gripped armrests or shallow breathing, and I let the dentist know quietly if the patient seems to be struggling. I keep my voice calm, use positive language about what we are doing rather than what might happen, and after the appointment I take a moment to acknowledge how well they did.

What would you do if you witnessed a colleague not following infection control protocols?

I would address it, and the approach I take depends on the context and severity. If it is a minor oversight in the middle of a procedure, such as a colleague failing to change a barrier film, I would point it out discreetly and immediately, in a way that does not interrupt the patient's care. For a more significant breach or a recurring pattern, I would speak with the colleague directly first, away from patients and other staff, and explain my concern clearly. If that conversation did not lead to a change in behaviour, or if the breach was serious enough to put patient safety at risk, I would escalate to the practice manager without delay. I would not allow concern about causing friction with a colleague to override my responsibility to patients.

How do you prepare for a list of mixed procedures at the start of a clinical session?

I review the appointment book at the start of the session to understand what procedures are planned, the order they will run in, and any notes about patients with specific needs or anxieties. For each procedure I prepare the correct instruments and materials in advance: a different tray setup is needed for an extraction than for a composite restoration, and having the wrong materials ready creates delays and pressure mid-procedure. I check stock levels and restock anything that is running low before the session begins rather than discovering mid-list that we are out of something critical. I also confirm that the autoclave has completed its cycle and that we have enough sterile instrument packs to cover the full list. Starting a session well-prepared means everything runs more smoothly for both the clinical team and the patients.

Tell me about a time you dealt with a medical emergency in the surgery.

A patient had a vasovagal episode during a local anaesthetic injection. She became pale, said she felt faint, and her eyes began to close. I recognised the signs immediately and acted quickly: I called out to the dentist, reclined the patient's chair to raise her legs, loosened any tight clothing around her neck, and monitored her airway and breathing. I retrieved the medical emergency kit so it was immediately to hand. I kept talking to her calmly throughout, checking her level of consciousness and reassuring her. She recovered within about two minutes. I completed the appropriate documentation in the clinical notes and we discussed the episode at our next team meeting to review our emergency procedures.

Describe a time you had to handle a difficult patient interaction.

A patient became aggressive at the front desk when told his appointment had overrun and he would need to wait. He raised his voice and made a comment about the standard of care. Rather than matching his energy, I spoke to him quietly, moved the conversation away from the waiting room so other patients were not affected, and acknowledged his frustration directly. I explained honestly that we had had an emergency earlier in the session that had affected the schedule, without going into clinical details. I gave him a realistic time estimate, offered him the option to rebook if he could not wait, and checked back with him twice while he was waiting. By the time he was seen he had calmed down considerably. The key was not taking his frustration personally and giving him accurate information rather than a vague apology.

Give an example of when you spotted a potential patient safety issue before it became a problem.

During preparation for an appointment I noticed that a patient's medical history form had not been updated since their previous visit two years earlier. Their original form listed no medications, but when I greeted them in the waiting room I noticed they were wearing a medical alert bracelet that suggested a blood clotting condition. I alerted the dentist before the patient entered the surgery and the patient was asked to complete an updated medical history. It turned out they had been prescribed anticoagulants following a cardiac event in the intervening period, which was directly relevant to the planned extraction. The procedure was adapted accordingly. Now I make a point of visually checking patients in the waiting room as part of my preparation, not just reviewing their notes.

Walk me through the decontamination cycle for dental instruments.

After each patient, used instruments go through a defined decontamination sequence. First, they are placed into an ultrasonic bath with the correct enzymatic detergent at the right dilution and temperature for the manufacturer's specified time, typically between three and ten minutes. After ultrasonic cleaning, instruments are rinsed, inspected for residual debris and damage, and then loaded into the autoclave. I use the correct type of autoclave cycle for the instruments: wrapped instruments that need to be stored for future use go through a vacuum cycle, while unwrapped instruments for immediate use go through a steam sterilisation cycle. I check the cycle printout or display to confirm the correct temperature, pressure, and hold time were reached. I then log the cycle in the sterilisation record. Instruments are stored correctly in sealed pouches if they are not being used immediately.

What is your understanding of the GDC standards and how they affect your daily work?

The GDC Standards for the Dental Team set out the professional and ethical framework within which I work every day. The standard I think about most actively is patient confidentiality: I am careful about where I discuss patient information, I never leave clinical notes visible to other patients, and I follow the practice's data protection policy when handling records. Patient consent is another area I am always conscious of: even as a dental nurse, if a patient asks me a question about their treatment I give them honest information rather than redirecting every question back to the dentist without explanation. The standard around raising concerns means I know I have a professional duty to speak up if I see something that could put a patient at risk. CPD requirements under the GDC also shape how I structure my learning.

How do you mix and prepare materials for a composite restoration?

For a composite restoration I prepare the materials and setup before the patient is seated so everything is ready when the dentist needs it. I set out the relevant composite shades as selected or noted in the treatment plan, the etching agent and bonding resin, applicator brushes, a curing light with a fresh protective shield, matrix bands and wedges if needed for an interproximal cavity, and finishing instruments. I ensure the composite syringes and any capsules are at room temperature, as cold materials can affect handling properties. During the procedure I pass instruments and materials in the order the dentist works through them, anticipate when the curing light will be needed, and shield my own eyes as well as the patient's when it is activated. I assist with moisture control, managing suction and the three-in-one syringe to keep the field dry, since composite bonding is particularly sensitive to contamination.

Dental Nurse

Dental nurse interviews test your knowledge of infection control, chairside assisting, and patient communication, as well as your ability to stay calm and work accurately under the pressure of a busy surgery. Interviewers want to see that you can support the dentist effectively, put anxious patients at ease, and maintain the highest standards of cross-infection control throughout every appointment. This guide covers the questions asked most often and the answers that show you are ready to contribute from day one.

For general interview preparation tips, read our guide to common interview questions.

Prepare further

How to answer competency-based interview questions How to answer "What are your greatest strengths?"

Common Dental Nurse Interview Questions

Behavioural Interview Questions for Dental Nurse Roles

Technical Questions for Dental Nurse Candidates

What Hiring Managers Look for in Dental Nurse Interviews

The quality that separates a good dental nurse from an excellent one is the ability to hold a patient's anxiety and the clinical demands of the procedure at the same time, without either suffering. Interviewers listen hard for whether a candidate understands infection control as a patient safety issue, not just a compliance tick-box. Candidates who cannot describe the decontamination cycle in specific terms, or who conflate cleaning with sterilisation, raise immediate concerns. On the patient side, interviewers pay attention to whether the candidate describes the patient as a person or as a set of tasks to manage. The best dental nurse candidates show they can do both, simultaneously, under time pressure.

Questions to Ask Your Interviewer

→How is CPD supported here, and is there a training budget or protected time for courses?
→How large is the clinical team, and how is the rota structured across the week?
→What does the induction process look like for a new dental nurse joining the practice?
→Are there opportunities to develop extended duties or take on a lead role in a specific area such as infection control?

Practise These Questions Before Your Interview

The mock interview tool builds a practice session around a specific job posting and your background, so you rehearse the questions most likely to come up.

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