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Dental Assistant - Full Time

Children's Wisconsin · Milwaukee, WI · Full time

Posted Aug 18, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you helped a scared child get through a dental visit.

What they are checking: Whether they have real, practical ways to calm kids rather than just saying they love children.

Tell me about a time a provider asked you to do something you weren't sure was within your role.

What they are checking: Whether they know the limits of their scope and will speak up instead of guessing.

What independent tasks have you handled for providers or supervisors, and how did you keep track of them?

What they are checking: Whether they can work on their own between procedures and follow through without being reminded.

What would you do

A parent wants to stay in the room and keeps interrupting the provider during treatment. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they can include families respectfully while still protecting the safety and flow of the procedure.

How would you adjust your approach for a child with autism or another special health care need?

What they are checking: Whether they can adapt sensory, timing and communication choices for kids who can't tolerate a typical visit.

The schedule is running behind and the next family is getting frustrated in the waiting room. How do you help?

What they are checking: Whether they stay calm, keep families informed and pitch in to turn rooms without rushing care.

How would you notice and respond if a child seemed to be in distress or having a reaction during treatment?

What they are checking: Whether they watch the patient closely and alert the provider fast rather than staying focused only on the instruments.

About the work

Walk me through how you do pre-visit planning for a child coming in for a restorative procedure.

What they are checking: Whether they prepare ahead so the chair time is short and calm, which matters a lot with young or anxious kids.

How do you set up your operatory and organize supplies before a procedure starts?

What they are checking: Whether they have a repeatable setup habit, since missing instruments mid-procedure stretches the visit and frightens a child.

How do you prepare a patient and family before a procedure begins?

What they are checking: Whether they explain what will happen in plain words a child and parent can follow, which reduces fear and surprises.

Talk me through your infection control and instrument sterilization routine.

What they are checking: Whether they know and follow sterilization steps without shortcuts, since one lapse can harm a patient.

What is your experience with chairside assisting, and which procedures are you most comfortable with?

What they are checking: How much of the twelve months of experience translates directly into hands-on four-handed dentistry.

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The full job description

As published by Children's Wisconsin.

At Children’s Wisconsin, we believe kids deserve the best. Children’s Wisconsin is a nationally recognized health system dedicated solely to the health and well-being of children. We provide primary care, specialty care, urgent care, emergency care, community health services, foster and adoption services, child and family counseling, child advocacy services and family resource centers. Our reputation draws patients and families from around the country. We offer a wide variety of rewarding career opportunities and are seeking individuals dedicated to helping us achieve our vision of the healthiest kids in the country. If you want to work for an organization that makes a difference for children and families, and encourages you to be at your best every day, please apply today. Please follow this link for a closer look at what it’s like to work at Children’s Wisconsin: https://www.instagram.com/lifeatcw/ Critical to the delivery of safe and efficient oral health care. They participate in direct patient care by providers through pre visit planning, organization of supplies and equipment for procedural care, preparation of patients and families before the start of the procedures and chair side assisting. They perform independent tasks as directed by providers, supervisors and manager in support of the provision of care. Requirements • Twelve months dental assisting experience or successful completion of dental assisting clinical rotation at Children's Dental Center. • Proficiency in 4-handed dentistry, sterilization and x-ray techniques. Dental Assisting Certification and Pediatric or Special Needs dental assisting experience desirable. • Requires excellent customer service, communication and interpersonal skills necessary to interact courteously and respectfully with patients, parents/families and members of the health care team. • Knowledge of computer and keyboard, word processing skills and the ability to troubleshoot basic PC issues. • CPR certification obtained within 90 days of hire - Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers through American Heart or American Red Cross is required. Children's Wisconsin is an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment for all employees. We treat everyone with dignity, respect, and fairness. We do not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status or condition protected by the law. Certifications/Licenses: BLS-Basic Life Support Healthcare Provider - American Heart Association/American Red Cross/National Safety Council

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