Practice 40 Temple Dental School interview questions covering clinical reasoning, patient care philosophy, and community health commitment.
Question 28 of 40
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Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
The high suicide rate among dentists is one of the darker clouds in the industry. A good starting point when answering such questions is to address how you cope with stress and maintain your mental balance, health, and overall well-being. That could include meditation, fitness, finding peace outdoors, or diving into a hobby. Show your interviewers you are proactive and well prepared to handle those sobering issues associated with a dental career. If you have personal experiences with suicide in your life, offer your story as an example of how you are less at risk.
Some of the risk factors dentists face in their careers are feelings of job-related isolation, especially when owning your own practice and lacking colleagues to commiserate with, or when your working environment is a confining space, such as a small windowless treatment room. Others find the work demanding and suffer feelings of a lack of appreciation. That can lead to job dissatisfaction, elevated stress, and burning out, among other contributing factors.
By asking this question, the interviewers are not only trying to make sure that you are aware of this fact; they are also trying to ensure that you have strong stress management skills. By exhibiting that you have a plan in place, you'll come across as proactive and determined to succeed.

Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"I am aware that the suicide rate for dentists is high. I try to meditate, do yoga, and work out regularly. These hobbies help my stress management as a student, and I plan to carry these habits into my professional life."

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Written by Rachelle Enns
40 Questions & Answers • Temple University School of Dentistry

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By Rachelle