Going for job interview - completely new career - Dental nurse. Any tips?

I am going for a job interview as a Trainee Dental Nurse within a practice. I have no experience in this field and it is a complete change of career for me. I am really excited at the thought of getting this job and was wondering if anyone had any advice/tips for me for getting a job within this field? Thank you!

Good on you girl! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you that you get this job!
I 've been a dental nurse for more years than i care to remember and i really do enjoy my job.
When you attend your interview 2 Moro make sure you look really smart, but not to over the top, dont wear any jewellery and try to leave any make up to the bare minimum, first impressions can make all the difference.
Be as natural as possible, let them see the real you, if you have a humorous side let them see this side to you, a sense of humour in this job really does get you thorough the day at times, but also let them see your gentler side, you'll be meeting people from all walks of life in this job and you need to be able to communicate with them on all levels.
Ask questions, try not to sit there and let them do all the talking, you need to let them see that your intrested in working in this field, ask questions about the surgery and the treatments the supply, do they specialise in particular treatments, how many patients do they see a day, are they computerised or do they still paper chart? My god, i have been doing this job for to long and cant actually think of any questions other than those i mentioned!
They might ask you why you think you'd be right for the job and why you've applied for the position, this is the point you really sell yourself to them without going over the top.
Be honest and tell them you have never worked in this field before now, but your a hard worker whose willing to learn, you can work as part of a team, you have great communication skills and get along with everybody, from the very young to the elderly, your not frightened of hard work and dont mind having to multi task when need's be.
If you do get the job- and i really hope you do, you'll need to get yourself on a course for the National Exam for D/N'S as you will need to be registered with the GDC in July 2008, it may be worht bringing this up as it will show you have done some kind of background research.
Hope all goes well for you 2moro, go in and really let them see that you'd be perfect for the job and they'd be mad to pass you by!

When the interviewer says open wide - be careful wht he expects - don't get confused hon xx - could be embarrasing!

It actually quite complicated, so good for you. Take particular care to watch not just what instruments he wants you to hand him, but which way up they need to be? I commented on that last week when I took my daughter to see the dentist. There is a set way of doing it, and the girl was very professional about it. You'll get the hang of it, but just watch, vey carefully. Good luck!!!

I am a dental hygienist. As a kid I can remember other hygienists that were mean and rough. It scared me for a very long time. The dentist isn't a fun place, but it doesn't have to be terrifying. My philosophy is everyone has a need, and I need to meet those needs. I do not need to see bad oral hygiene and judge them and lecture them. I teach and help while keeping them in as much comfort as possible. Because, in a perfect world everyone would go to the doctor, dentist, etc. On time, all the time, and we wouldn't have toothaches and etc. But, in this world people have lack of insurance, education, and money often preventing from getting the care they need. So, instead of saying "this is awful you should have come sooner and being rough," I say "Yes, you are not currently in a healthy state and you have some work that needs to be done, but we will help you get back to the place you need to be."

Make sure your teeth are clean! lol. No one wants to see anyone working at a dental surgery with teeth like a row of condemmed houses.

Good Luck!

Well done and good luck!. My dental nurse is superb. Even at my age (41), I still get really nervous about going to the dentist although, I would never miss a check up or clean because of it. I would show your caring side and the importance of seeing each patient as an individual and remembering their little ways for future visits. I have had dental nurses hold me hand before, and keep the conversation going to help me forget when having treatment. Be cheerful, happy and ask lots of questions, how many patients does the practice have?, what sort of treatment do they offer i.e. standard and costmestic too?, Say that you see yourself as the dentist's right hand man (or girl!), ready to assist and work as a team to make the patient's visit run smoothly and be as pleasurable as possible. Say you are organised and whilst you have no experience you are willing to learn - in your own time if necessary!. I do wish you the best of luck!.

Make sure you brush your teeth before you go, and suck a mint just before!