The Dental School Mock Interview

Why do you wish to study dentistry?

What motivates you?

What did you learn from your work experience?

What would you say is your greatest weakness?

Why do you want to study at this university?

What can you bring to this university?

Why not pursue medicine or other healthcare professions instead of dentistry?

What is your greatest strength?

How do you cope with stress?

Have you read any articles about dentistry recently?

Can you tell us about some modern advancements in dentistry lately?

What challenges do you think a dental student faces?

If you didn’t get into dentistry what would you do?

Can you tell us how you stay organised?

What do you do apart from academic studies?

What do you currently find most interesting in your life?

What are you looking forward to most about starting dentistry?

Why is manual dexterity important in dentistry?

Can you describe a time where you displayed good leadership skills?

Why not become a dental hygienist instead of a dentist?

Give examples of good manual dexterity that you have displayed?

What can you tell me about the NHS banding system?

Tell me about a time where you experienced a setback and how did you overcome this?

How do you deal with criticism?

How will you balance workload in dental school?

What does the GDC do and why do we need it?

Do you think the NHS should become privatised?

Why is dentistry more important than ever?

What advice would you give yourself 5 years ago?

How do you cope with frustration?

What are the advantages of evidence based learning?

Do you prefer evidence based learning or problem based learning?

If you had a patient who was really anxious how would you calm them down?

How do you help out in your local community?

Do you feel you possess the qualities of a good dentist?

Who inspires you?

Why should we select you compared to other applicants?

Where do you see yourself in the next 10 years?

What are your long term goals?

What are the disadvantages of using amalgam?

What problems do most dentists face today?

What did you like least about your work experience?

What are you least looking forward to in dentistry?

If there was one thing you could change about dentistry what would it be?

Who are the members in a dental team?

Would you rather be a leader or a follower?

What is your best quality?

What is your greatest fear about becoming a dentist?

What would you do if your friend decides to copy your essay at dental school?

You finish an essay which is due tomorrow. You have spent ages working on it but just as you are about to save your work your computer switches off and all your work is lost. What will you do?

Your friends go out without inviting you to go with them. What would you do?

Your friend asks to use your gym membership. She has been going through financial problems and asks to borrow your entry card. The gym membership is only for paying residents. What would you do?

You are having a drink with your friends and you notice one of them going outside. From the window you can see that they are extremely angry on the phone with someone. They come inside and tell you they’re going home. What would you do?

You overhear one of your friends saying that they have pictures of the upcoming exam. What do you do?

Your friend calls you in the morning just before your lecture starts and asks you to sign them in as they cannot make it today due to a family emergency. What will you do in this situation?

Why do you think multitasking is important in dentistry?

Should people who smoke have to pay extra for their dental treatment as they are causing harm themselves?

You are observing a dentist. They smell of alcohol when they walk past you. What will you do?

A 13-year old patient comes in for an appointment. Just before you begin their treatment you notice they have bruises on their neck. The mother is present in the same room. What will you do?

Your friend starts a social media page asking people for donations as they are financially unstable. However you know that this isn’t the case at all. What steps will you take?

A dental student you know shares an image online of a patient as a joke. Do you think this was appropriate to do?

Do you think all dental treatment should be completely free of charge?

What is fluoride?

Why do you think dentistry is known as a lifelong learning career?

Have you researched the university course?

Who is the most important member of the dental team?

What book have you recently read and enjoyed?

Who is one person you would love to have coffee with?

Is there a particular field of dentistry you are interested in?

What do you do in your spare time?

If you could improve one thing in your application what would it be?

Can you name some instruments the dentist used while at your work experience?

How do you think social media can be used to increase oral hygiene awareness?

Are there any societies that you wish to join?

What research have you done relating to dentistry?

What is one thing you look least forward to about university life?

How have you developed independence?

How do you think someone can improve their confidence?

One of your friends does not stay in contact anymore and doesn’t attend their lectures. You see them on campus one day, what would you say?

Do you think teams need leaders?

When do you think a dentist may break confidentiality?

What is the difference between sympathy and empathy?

What is enamel?

Why do you think dentistry is a 5-year course?

How would you treat a patient that is disabled?

What are the risks associated with X-rays?

Why does a dentist require a dental nurse?

What advice would you give to a patient to look after their oral health?

What do you think prevents people from looking after their oral health?

How can dentists increase awareness about maintaining good oral hygiene?

What do you think are some of the factors which limit people from visiting the dentist regularly?

What do you think is the future of dentistry?

What is tooth decay?

What is gingivitis?

Name some differences between NHS and Private dentistry?

What are some issues the NHS is currently facing?

You are a final year dental student. Your senior dentist is extremely rude and has a go at you at every opportunity. What will you do?

Do you think signing petitions makes a difference?

You accidentally break your friend’s glasses by stepping on them. Those were her only pair. How will you approach her?

Do you think you will be a successful dentist and why?