Many dentists have an area of specialty in which they work. What area of dentistry interests you the most?

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There are many potential career paths that dentists can take, including many areas of subspecialty training and practice down the road following dental school. Your interviewers want to know if you have your potential career path planned out or if you are still a bit undecided on where you want your dental career to take you.

Before your dental school interview, you've hopefully thought about where you want your career to go following dental school training. If needed, you should at least conduct some basic research on areas of specialty offered in dentistry. These include endodontics, orthodontics, prosthodontics, pediatrics, periodontics, and oral and maxillofacial surgery.

"I have always had my eye on a specialty in Pediatrics. I like working around children and think it's great to influence people to take care of their smiles from a young age. Over the past year, I've had the opportunity to shadow in an amazing pediatric dentistry practice and can foresee myself thriving in that area down the road."

Anonymous Answer

"Many specialties interest me. However, I am currently most passionate about general dentistry. I have spent most of my time assisting general dentists, and I have enjoyed every moment of it. I have first-hand been able to see the strong connection the general dentist makes with his/her patient. Since they see them so often, every six months or more, the continuity of care, allows for learning about their lives and provide a personal touch.

I am open to changing once I am in dental school, and I have personal experience will all different specialties first hand."

Rachelle's Feedback

Your interest in building connections and relationships with your patients shines through. Nicely done.

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Anonymous Answer

"Oral and maxillofacial surgeon is the area of dentistry interests me the most because oral surgeons include tooth extractions, corrective jaw surgery, and cleft lip. In fact, oral surgeons are the only health care professionals, other than anesthesiologists, who administer all sedation."

Rachelle's Feedback

Fantastic answer! You are very clear about your career path, which is great to see.

"Oral and maxillofacial surgeon is the area of dentistry that interests me the most because oral surgeons perform tooth extractions, corrective jaw surgery, and cleft lip surgery. In fact, oral surgeons are the only health care professionals, other than anesthesiologists, who administer sedation."

Anonymous Answer

"Since I have not yet matriculated into dental school, I have not made my mind up on what area of specialty I would like to work in or if I would want to practice general dentistry. However, I definitely open to possibilities should a specific field interest me."

Jaymie's Feedback

Great job. It's okay to be honest and let the interviewer know that you're keeping an open mind and exploring different areas.

Anonymous Answer

"Among many specialties in dentistry, general dentistry is the most interesting to me. After shadowing many general dental clinics, I learned that general dentists are the first and foremost dental professionals whom the patients will see to assess their oral health and screen for oral diseases. Also, there is still a lot of room for continuing education as a general dentist as they can learn many advanced techniques such as laser treatment, implants, bone grafting, etc."

Marcie's Feedback

Great! Why do you want to be one of the first dental professionals that patients see? Why does this matter to you? Adding some more details here will further strengthen your response. Good job!

How to Answer: Many dentists have an area of specialty in which they work. What area of dentistry interests you the most?

Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Dental School job interview.

26. Many dentists have an area of specialty in which they work. What area of dentistry interests you the most?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

Written by Ryan Brunner on August 23rd, 2022

How to Answer

Written by Ryan Brunner on August 23rd, 2022

Answer Example

Written by Ryan Brunner on August 23rd, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

Rachelle's Feedback

Your interest in building connections and relationships with your patients shines through. Nicely done.

Show More Answers

Anonymous Answer

Rachelle's Feedback

Fantastic answer! You are very clear about your career path, which is great to see.

Anonymous Answer

Jaymie's Feedback

Great job. It's okay to be honest and let the interviewer know that you're keeping an open mind and exploring different areas.

Anonymous Answer

Marcie's Feedback

Great! Why do you want to be one of the first dental professionals that patients see? Why does this matter to you? Adding some more details here will further strengthen your response. Good job!

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