Dental Hygienist Interview

Can describe a deliberate scaling sequence, ultrasonic and hand instrument selection, adaptation and fulcrums, and how they verify calculus removal with the explorer rather than by feel alone.

Performs six-point probing, records recession, furcation, mobility, and bleeding, palpates lymph nodes and examines soft tissue every visit, and charts decay and disease clearly enough for the dentist to diagnose from it.

Treats history review as a clinical decision point — identifies medications and systemic conditions that change treatment, and knows when to defer, modify, or consult the dentist or physician.

Explains findings in plain language, asks what's actually blocking home care, negotiates realistic changes, and handles refusals and anxiety without lecturing or pressuring.

Produces diagnostic images with correct angulation and shielding, diagnoses the cause of errors before retaking, and adapts technique for gaggers, children, and limited openings.

Follows a documented sterilization workflow with spore testing logs, maintains and sharpens instruments on a schedule, and can explain the clinical consequences of dull instruments.

Hands off concise, useful findings to the dentist, keeps the schedule without skipping assessments, and coordinates recall intervals and reactivation with the front desk.