How will you respond to feedback and constructive criticism on your work as dental resident in our program?
By joining a dental residency program, you will be venturing into a program with top-of-the-line faculty whose main mission is to ensure that you are fully trained, educated and ready to hit the ground running post-residency. At times, the faculty of the program you are interviewing with will be critical of your work, and your interviewing team wants to know how you would handle this critique.
"During my undergraduate program, I received a low grade on a chemistry project. When I approached my professor about the low grade, he said to me 'You can do better. I expected more from you.' I was surprised at first, but once I had time to absorb what was said, I realized that he expected more from me because he believed I was capable of more. It was a compliment and a challenge all rolled into one! I re-did the assignment with more gusto and passion the second time around. My grade improved significantly, and I thanked that professor for holding me to a higher standard."
Not all feedback will be delivered in a friendly, easy-to-absorb manner during your time as a dental resident. Don't hesitate to talk about a time when you received feedback or criticism that was hurtful or surprising. Discuss how you reacted productively. Explain to the interviewers that you were able to take the criticism and learn from it.
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
Receiving constructive criticism is a sign that I can do better and I always try to take it as advice to help me mature.
Marcie's Feedback
It's great that you're open to receiving constructive criticism so you can continually improve. To strengthen your answer, talk about a time when someone gave you feedback and explain what you learned from it. Reassure the interviewer that you will respond favorably to criticism within the program because you'll carry away useful lessons from it. Good job!
