Module 1
Introduction to the dental school interviews
This introductory module will get you started and ready for learning about how you can maximise your chances of success during your dental school interview.
Key learning point:
To understand the different formats of the UK dental school interview.
To understand how the interview is concluded.
To know what form of interview each of the dental schools conduct.
To understand how you are assessed and how scores are calculated.
Module 2
The MMI Interview
The MMI Interviews are the more popular choice of interview style for universities. MMI interviews offer various challenges and benefits. Learn how to excel in your MMI interview here.
Key learning points :
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To know everything about the MMI Interview
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To understand how the MMI is conducted
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To understand how to tackle each stations
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To have a clear understanding of the advantages of this style of interview
Module 3
The Dentistry Personal Statement Station
The dentistry personal statement questions ascertain information on your suitable for entry to dental school. Knowing your statement well is critical.
Key learning points:
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To understand how to practice for personal statement questions
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To be able to analyse your own personal statement
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To gain an insight into what type of questions are asked at the interview stage surrounding your personal statement
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To understand how to approach personal statement questions asked at the interview
Module 4
Motivation To Study Dentistry
Motivation to study dentistry is a fundamental trait that all dental applicants should show. A genuine interest in the career and understanding the challenges of the career is vital.
Key learning points:
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To understand your motivation for studying dentistry.
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To be able to answer confidently in an interview a question on your career choice in dentistry.
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To recognise the differences between other allied healthcare professions and your reasons for applying to study dentistry over these careers.
Module 5
Professionalism
The dentistry personal statement questions ascertain information on your suitable for entry to dental school. Knowing your statement well is critical.
Key learning points:
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To understand how to practice for personal statement questions
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To be able to analyse your own personal statement
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To gain an insight into what type of questions are asked at the interview stage surrounding your personal statement
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To understand how to approach personal statement questions asked at the interview
Module 6
Team work & Leadership
Dentist are key team members but also hold a strong role in leading the dental team. Evidence of your own leadership and team work and its relevance to a career in dentistry is valuable.
Key learning points
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To understand the difference between leadership. management, and teamwork.
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To understand the importance and relevance of teamwork and leadership to dentistry.
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To understand how to effectively describe a scenario and portray your skills.
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To understand the various people who are involved in dentistry.
Module 7
University Related
The dentistry university questions ascertain information on your research about that dental school. Knowing your dental school well is critical.
Key learning points:
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To understand how to practice for university questions
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To be able to learn about each university
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To understand how each university will format their interview (subject to change due to COVID-19)
Module 8
Work Experience
Gaining insight into your future career is essential, especially in relation to dentistry. With many challenges, career pathways and benefit, gaining experience and knowledge is highly regarded and will likely be discussed at your interview.
Key learning points
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To understand how to increase your chances of obtaining work experience.
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To know the different avenues you could exokire for obtaining work experience.
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To maximise your opportunities during your work experience.
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To understand how to create a work experience letter (template provided).
Module 9
Dental law & ethics
Having an awareness of the legislation and ethical standards surrounding dentistry is beneficial for future dentists. Learn about common legal issues and ethical scenarios facing dentistry.
Key learning points:
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To understand the difference between ethics and morals.
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To understand what kind of questions will be asked.
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To know how to tackle these questions and what to avoid.
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To know what the 4 ethical pillars and GDC’s standards are.
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To get a brief overview of main dental ethics and law topics, such as consent, tooth whitening, the mental capacity act, social media and safeguarding.
Module 10
Data Analysis
Knowing how to efficiently and clearly interpret information is a vital skill for a dental practitioner. Some interviews will test your data analysis skills by undertaking a timed task.
Key learning points:
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Learn about what questions you could be asked
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Learn how to answer these efficiently
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Learn and understand ways to communicate your answer clearly
Module 11
Communication
Communication is one of the most important aspects of delivering high quality dental care. Communication allows safe and effective information to be exchanged to patients and team members to enhance clinical care.
Key learning points:
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To understand what effective communication is and why it’s important as a dentist.
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To explore types of communication focussed stations.
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To understand how to do well in a communication station.
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To work through various examples, including describing a picture, describing a procedure, and role play.
Module 12
Manual Dexterity
Showing interest and basic aptitude for hand eye coordination is a valuable trait for any future dentist. Some dental schools test very rudimental hand eye skills. Learn more in this module.
Key learning points:
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To understand what manual dexterity is.
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To understand the importance of it.
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To understand how to provide evidence of manual dexterity skills.
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To gain tips for tackling manual dexterity scenarios in the interview.
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To get a overview of some examples of manual dexterity stations.
Module 13
Technical aspects of Dentistry (basics)
Having some awareness of the remit of a dental practitioner and their role is vital for any future dentist. Some of this knowledge can be acquired through research and clinical observation.
Key learning points:
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To understand the different dental specialisms.
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To develop an understanding of prevalent oral health problems.
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To understand the processes and treatments used to treat oral health issues.
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To understand more about the NHS purpose and current dental contract.
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To give an overview of some hot topics in dentistry (sugar tax, water fluoridation, amalgam).
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To gain an insight into the future of dentistry.
Module 14
General Interview Techniques
Whilst having great knowledge is fantastic, it is equally important to be confident and convey your passion to study dentistry. Learn about how to prepare for your interview and how to demonstrate interview etiquette in this module.
Key learning points:
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To understand how to research and practice for the interview.
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To provide an overview of what to do the night before, and on the day.
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To give general tips for during the interview itself.
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To understand what to do post-interview.
Module 15
The Online Dental School Interview
Due to COVID-19 the format of the dental school interview is changing with universities now adopting an online, virtual , interview. Never before has this been done, as such we have developed this module to help give you advice and guidance.
Key learning points:
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To understand the possible format of the online interview
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To understand the two difference styles of online interview
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To understand how to prepare for this
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To learn the essential differences between traditional face to face interview and this new online style