What achievement are you most proud of, so far, on your path to dental school?
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"The achievement that I am most proud of, so far, was completing my undergrad, top of my class. While maintaining very strong grades, I was also President of our school's Diversity Club, and I spent time volunteering at the local Smile drive."
Perhaps you have maintained an exceptional GPA or maybe you excelled in school while also working a part time job. Maybe you finished top of your class and received a special award for your achievements. Think of any accolades that you may have received along the way.
Have you ever had significant dental work? Tell me about your experience as a patient. What made it memorable?
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"I had braces as a teenager and do remember that the orthodontist I saw was really great at keeping my nerves at bay. He had a cool office and let me pick the color of my elastics which I always really liked. This particular dentist showed me the importance of great dental hygiene. I hope to have similar bedside manner when I am a dentist."
You can discuss your experience with braces as a kid, or maybe even a root canal! Did you have a favorite dentist, growing up? Keep your answer simple and positive.
At our university, we seek students who have a true passion for dentistry. What appeals to you most, about working in the field of dentistry?
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"There are a number of factors that drive my passion for a career in dentistry. If I had to pinpoint one main driver, I would say that creating amazing smiles, every day, is the most significant for me. Everyone deserves a smile they are proud of."
Your core passion is what will keep you going on the toughest of days at school. For the interviewers to understand how to motivate you, they need to know what fires you up!
It is okay to share a personal story when answering this question. Perhaps you can discuss what initiated your interest in attending dental school to begin with. Whatever drives you, make sure the interviewers can feel your passion!
"The passion for community and elevated learning at your university really jumps out to me. It is probably why you are the longest standing university in the entire state. I also love the effort that your school puts in when it comes to placements for your dentistry school graduates. It is very obvious that your faculty goes beyond the general expectations of a university to ensure it's students' success."
It's likely that the interviewers have seen hundreds of applicants, so a question like this is an opportunity for you to stand out. If you are lucky enough to land an interview, make some effort to conduct research on the school. You don't need to be an expert on their entire history, but you do need to be knowledgeable on their programs, culture, and recent accolades.
Start by searching their website and take special note of any recent news articles, events or contributions they have made to the community or student body. Identify their mission and values so that you can be clear on what they stand for.
It is important that our university exercises great discernment when choosing applicants. What is your plan if you are not accepted into our school of dentistry this year?
Talk to us about your experience and thoughts on handling blood and saliva. You will be subject to difficult scenarios in your role as a dentist. How do you feel about this?
Getting into Dental School can be challenging. Most dental schools have very high eligibility criteria. To start with you need to have an excellent academic record with high grades in your High School final exams. You must also obtain a score in the DAT or the Dental Admission test. Most schools today also require candidates to have some kind of work experience. This could be in any healthcare field but preferably in some area of dentistry.
The best way to get the necessary dental-related experience is by shadowing a dentist, volunteering in a charity organization that is dedicated to dental health or by participating in a dental placement in a third world country. All of these will help boost your admission into dental school.
Completing 4 years in dental school will earn you the title of Doctor of Dental Medicine or Doctor of Dental Surgery. You can then undertake advanced dental studies to specialize in dental specialties such as cosmetic dentistry, oral and maxillofacial surgery or dental surgery amongst others.
The interview for entry into dental school can be just as rigorous as the application process. The interviewing committee will want to be sure that you are committed to patient dental care and will ask you questions about why you chose dentistry and why their school instead of the many others. They will also want to know if you have undertaken any kind of activity to gain firsthand experience of a career in dentistry. Make sure you check out dental school mock interview questions to boost your chances of getting admission into the dental school of your choice.