Before your interview, think of a time you feel you could have communicated better. Make sure the situation you describe shows you learned a lesson and took action to make the situation right. No matter how you answer, make sure that your interviewers walk away from your time together knowing that you are cognizant of the fact that your communications are important as a dental resident and that you will take every conversation at their institution seriously.

"During my third year of dental school, I was fortunate enough to do an externship with a great general practice dentist. Most days, she tried to keep up with the high patient volume. She let me handle one patient follow-up after examination to discuss the next steps and a treatment plan. Knowing that time was running short before the clinic closed, I hustled through my conversation with the patient. As I went to close, she jumped in and finished with some great points of education and follow-up with the patient. I learned a valuable lesson from her that day about focusing on the task at hand and the patient in front of me. This is a lesson I will carry with me for the rest of my career as a dentist."