How to Prepare for Dental School Interviews
Dental School Interviews can be worrying of course. However, we have put together some guidance on how to prepare for those all-important interviews.
Read our 8 Top Tips below!
1. Check the University’s interview style
It is important to clarify whether you will have a Multiple Mini Interview (MMIs usually have 8-12 stations 5-7 minutes long which test your logical and lateral thinking, numerical, analytical, communication skills etc) a panel or a mixture of both. This way, you can practice according to the style.
2. Be prepared to tackle any question
Ideally you should be prepared to answer the traditional questions for both interview styles (as MMIs will also drop traditional questions in too) i.e. why this university, why dentistry, about your work experience, volunteering, extracurricular activities and your subject choices.
The difference between preparing for the two is that for MMIs, practise more ‘outside of the box questions’ which not only are related to the General Dental Council Principles but those which also test your problem solving, mathematical and analytical skills.
Remember not to panic for MMI questions if they seem tricky, they usually want to see your method of thinking!
Book your place on our Step2Interview Course where we not only train you through the whole interview process, but also provide with mock interviews tailored to your personal statement and the universities you are applying to!
3. Structure your answers by covering various points so you can sell yourself as much as possible
Commonly people will tell you not to memorise answers - which is true - however I found that brainstorming as many questions as possible and coming up with roughly structured answers which cover a variety of points meant that I felt more confident before the interview.
For example, if I was to prepare an answer for 'Why do you want to do Dentistry and not Medicine?' this is the same as ‘Why Dentistry?’ Only you can emphasise why you think this profession is more suited for you, or what the difference between work experience with a GP was like relative to in a General Practice.
4. Read up on current affairs and try to form your own opinion of the topic/ consider positives and negatives
Topics could be for example, amalgam vs composite fillings, latest dental technology, fluoridation, Brexit effect on NHS, oral cancer, the sugar tax etc.
5. Brush up on the General Dental Council (GDC) Principles https://standards.gdc-uk.org/
Not only will they impress the interviewer if you know the gist of a few, they will also help you through ethics-based questions. Always relate back to the 9 GDC Principles if you aren’t sure about how to tackle an ethics question!
6. Prepare something unique to show for evidence of manual dexterity
Dentistry is a profession for artists where high acuity is needed, showing something impressive to interviewers whenever you get the chance creates more conversation and gives you the chance to show off your skill.
7. Film yourself
As odd as this may seem, filming yourself answering questions enables you to observe your body language and facial expressions which you can improve from.
8. Grab anyone to practice with
They don’t have to be experts in the Dental field, if you can get a teacher or someone you are not so familiar with to ask you questions and give feedback this will help improve your confidence.
If you would like any further help with interviews, please email hello@step2med.co.uk and one of our tutors will be happy to guide you through the process.
