The Dental School Mock Interview

MMI mock suggested answers

 

Q1) It is sensible to briefly introduce yourself explaining your current academic status, your background in education and your personal interests. You should aim to discuss something that genuinely interests you. Whether it is a sport or what you do in your downtime. This is a good opportunity to showcase your personality. You don't have to say something extraordinary as long as what you say is genuine. 

 

Q2) Try to explain what you observed, linking specifically to the qualities that the dentist demonstrated. It is crucial to explain why you found this interesting. For example, you may have seen the use of a rubber dam, which illustrated you how dentists display good manual dexterity. 

 

Q3) This answer can be all about your achievements. Any leadership roles or contributions to society can be mentioned in this question. You can also mention any sports you play or instruments you have learned. 

 

Q4) You will need to start off by showing the interviewer that you understand both sides of the argument rather than being biased. Try to think of valid arguments. Why may someone who earns more not want to pay as much tax? They may feel as if someone else is benefiting from their hard work. People who earn less may feel that it will be harder for them to survive due to their low income. Consider why tax is important. 

 

Q5) You need to showcase why confidentiality is important in dentistry. As dental professionals it's our duty to ensure we maintain public confidence in the profession. Linking to the General Dental Councils Standards is prudent and will show incite. Ensure you have valid backup points for everything that you mention as an argument. One example of when it may be okay to break confidentiality is when a patient is in immediate danger i.e. from a safeguarding issue.

 

Q6) The aim is to stay as calm as possible. Try to follow the images/instructions as accurately as possible. Reflection is also a key point in manual dexterity tasks. You may be asked to reflect on what went well or what can be improved. Remember dental schools don't expect you to have 100% dexterity skills as this is something that you will develop on the course 

 

Q7) Once again there are two arguments to these questions. Dentists should be promoting good oral health, which smoking is bad for. Think of the implications if a dentist is seen smoking, what may happen? Patients may lose trust in the profession, relating this back to the GDC principles of maintaining patient trust, this would be a negative. However, others may argue that smoking or drinking alcohol isn't illegal hence dentists should have the freedom to do so. 

 

Q8) There are positives and negatives or social media. It can be used to promote good oral health and raise public awareness, however one negative of this may be that patient confidentiality can be compromised through social media, which can reduce public confidence  in the profession. You may also want to consider in your answer how social media can be used to tackle issues such as dental anxiety and dental health education.

 

Q9) The key to role play stations is to show empathy. This can be done through non-verbal communication such as keeping an open posture, listening and having good body language. Make sure to provide a solution to the patients problems, explain the situation and be gentle when breaking bad news. SPIKES acronym can be used to break bad news. This stands for Setting up, Perception, Invitation, Knowledge, Emotions with Empathy, and Strategy or Summary. Offer them your help and be sure to give them next steps that they can take. 

 

Q10) You may want to mention useful skills such as organisation, hard work, being understanding and good teamwork. You can then relate these skills back to how a dentist needs to have these skills when working as the lead of a multidisciplinary team. 

 

Q11) Leadership involves the motivation of a group of individuals towards a common goal. Leadership examples include time you may have worked in a team or took charge of a situation when in school. If you were head boy/girl, mentor or even a prefect this would be a useful time to mention this.

 

Q12) Think of the implications COVID-19 has had on the NHS. What are the risks involved in a dental practice? Dental practices use aerosol procedures which increase the risk of transmission for coronavirus. This impacted many private and nhs practices causing them to shut down as they were not prepared for this outbreak. Although dental practices have very good infection control, they have had to rethink many of their PPE measures such as having extra decontamination, air exchanges within the surgery, number of patients in the clinic. 

 

Q13) You can mention advancements that you have read about online or even in books. One advancement is the use of 3-D scanning in dentistry which is still relatively new. You can mention how technology has helped practices such as the digital workflow and what may be the drawbacks of the technology i.e. financial strains on practices. 

 

Q14) Restraining patients should be the final option. You want to consider this question holistically. Patients who may cause harm to themselves, others or interfere with their treatment may be better off restrained for their own safety. However, from patient perspectives this may cause them to feel as though their right to freedom is being taken away. We must only use this as a last option where we are sure as professionals that there is no other option.

 

Q15) Infection prevention and control is critical. Try to consider what immunisations do. As a dentist you will have to be in contact with many patients. Immunisations can help reduce the risk of transmissions between dentists and their patients. 

 

Q16) Tooth decay (dental caries) is damage to a tooth that can happen when decay-causing bacteria in your mouth make acids that attack the tooth's surface, or enamel. This can lead to a cavitation in a tooth, called a cavity. If tooth decay is not treated, it can cause pain, infection, and even tooth loss.

 

Q17) The Mental Capacity Act (MCA) is designed to protect and empower people who may lack the mental capacity to make their own decisions about their care and treatment. It applies to people aged 16 and over.

 

Q18) This can be anything that you have read online about dentistry or the NHS. You will need to give examples of what you have read (ensure this is as accurate as possible) and reflect on how it made you feel or what you found interesting about the article/book. 

 

Q19) For this question you will need to explain what water fluoridation actually is. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in water in varying amounts, depending on where in the UK you live. It can help prevent tooth decay, which is why it's added to many brands of toothpaste and, in some areas, to the water supply through a process called fluoridation. Individuals may be against fluoridation as they have not given consent to have their water fluoridated. 

 

Q20) It is important to remember there is no right or wrong answer. Regardless of which side of the argument you feel strongly about it is crucial to consider that you need to back up your points with relevant answers. Here are some arguments you can expand on. 

Arguments against for water fluoridation (but not limited to) - Ethical questions have been raised in regard to the use of fluoride, especially because of fluoride’s ties to the phosphate fertilizer and dental industries. Furthermore, researchers have reported difficulties with getting articles published that are critical of fluoride, and an urgent need for an appropriate application of the precautionary principle (i.e. first, do no harm) related to fluoride usage has emerged. People are now exposed to fluoride from an array of sources.  Since water fluoridation began in the 1940s, an array of products containing fluoride have been introduced to the average consumer including water, dental products, pesticides, fluoride supplements, other prescription drugs, and many other sources.

Arguments for water fluoridation (but not limited to) - Prevents tooth decay. Fluoride in water is the most efficient way to prevent one of the most common childhood diseases – tooth decay. Protects all ages against cavities. Studies show that fluoride in community water systems prevents at least 25 percent of tooth decay in children and adults, even in an era with widespread availability of fluoride from other sources, such as fluoride toothpaste.