Dental School Mock Interview
Prepare for your dental school admissions interview with 40 questions covering clinical judgment, ethics, and patient care scenarios.
Question 7 of 40
What do you feel is the single most important quality a dentist should possess?
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Nisha Yadav is a Talent Advisor & People Specialist with a focus on global talent attraction. Her earlier career experience includes HR and recruitment roles where she specialized in contract and permanent IT recruitment opportunities.
Growing and thriving one day as a dentist in practice will require many skills and abilities. To show that you have a good feel for what being in practice one day will entail for your success, your interviewers want to hear what you feel is the top quality that a successful dentist needs to possess.
Nisha Yadav is a Talent Advisor & People Specialist with a focus on global talent attraction. Her earlier career experience includes HR and recruitment roles where she specialized in contract and permanent IT recruitment opportunities.
"While all dentists are very well trained and skilled in their field, I feel that great interpersonal skills set the great dentists apart. Dentists work very closely with patients in very uncomfortable situations, and the ability to put them at ease is a skill that every patient appreciates. I look forward to bringing my great communication skills and empathetic approach to your dental school."
Ryan Brunner has over ten years of experience recruiting, interviewing, and hiring candidates in the healthcare, public service, and private manufacturing/distribution industries.
While there is no right or wrong answer to this question, your interviewers want to hear you speak with convincing passion as you answer this question. This question is an opportunity to give a unique answer that shows a quality you possess, so try to dig deeper than "strong attention to detail" or "strong communication skills." Some ideas you can consider discussing are an unrelenting drive, the desire to continuously grow, patience with patients, or a high degree of integrity.
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Anonymous Answer
Integrity, I think that being honest and having strong moral principles is key to dentistry. Also, being understanding and patient has a massive impact on the job. You need to understand that coming to the dentist can be a life-changing thing and not to undermine people's fear and trust in you.
Rachelle's Feedback
These are all very important principles, indeed! Be sure to also add in the fact that you possess these qualities yourself. I have offered a slight revision, below.
"Integrity. I think that being honest and having strong moral principles is the key to good dentistry. Also, being understanding and patient has a massive impact on the job. As a dental professional, I understand that coming to the dentist can be scary and also life-changing. I show my patients that they can trust me by being honest, full of integrity, and empathetic."
Anonymous Answer
The best quality I think a dentist should have is the ability to be a good listener. While listening to the problem of the patient, you soothe away his/her tensions, and it allows you to feel connected to the patient.
Rachelle's Feedback
Very true, indeed! Next, it would be great to include details on how you currently show strong listening skills. Also, how do you plan further to develop your listening skills as a dental student?
Anonymous Answer
I believe the most important quality for a dentist is effective communication with patients and other dental team members. Since patients are usually anxious about their conditions and treatments, communication is key to gaining their trust to obtain the best treatment outcomes. On the other hand, good interactions between team members will help improve the accuracy, timing, and results of the treatment.
Marcie's Feedback
Nice! It's definitely important for a dentist to be able to communicate clearly with both their patients and colleagues. Similar qualities that you could also cite here include being personable, compassionate, or empathetic.
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