At our institution, we want to match dental school graduates with a true passion for oral surgery. What appeals to you most about a practice as an oral surgeon?
Given that the next four to six years of your life will be dedicated to training as an oral surgeon, your core passion will keep you going on the toughest days during your residency training. While this question allows your interviewers to gauge your passion for training as an oral surgeon, it also allows them to hear you talk about why simply going into practice as a dentist following dental school wasn't an option for you.
"I think making a true difference for patients who need oral surgery is a huge part of my decision to pursue the MD training program at your institution. During my final year of dental school, I did some great externships with oral surgeons and witnessed their work firsthand. I'll never forget a patient who had been in a bad car accident and was in dire need of reconstructive surgery. Seeing the patient pre and post-op and again a few weeks down the road for a follow-up, the work that was done was amazing, and the patient was so happy to have great results. These are patient stories I want to experience someday."
It is okay to share a personal story when answering this question if it conveys your passion for oral surgery. Perhaps you can discuss what initiated your interest in pursuing oral surgery residency training. Whatever drives you, make the interviewers feel your love as they consider you for their program.