How will you adapt to the major changes you will experience when transitioning from dental school to our Pediatric Dentistry Residency program?

"Having talked with a few upperclassmen from my dental school who entered various residency programs across the country, they've all told me that being able to adapt to major changes in residency was the key to success. I am fully ready for this challenge and will come to your program with an open mind and a positive attitude to learn from some of the best pediatric faculty in the world. During my transition to dental school, I went from 16 credit semesters during my undergraduate program to 60 hour weeks in dental school. I was willing and ready to put forth the effort then and am ready to work harder now."

The dental industry is experiencing more rapid changes today than it has over the past 100 years, and your ability to handle and adapt to change will be vital as a pediatric dentistry resident. Transitioning from an academically-based dental school to a practice-based residency will also be a major change. Your interviewers want to know that you can embrace change and see it as an opportunity for overall improvement.

Convey to your interviewers that you are confident in your ability to join a new environment and succeed from the first day. Talk about a time you had to adjust quickly to change in the past. Pick an example of a time you faced a change, either in your schooling or the workplace, and your response was constructive. Explain how the change directly impacted you and tell the interviewers how you maintained a positive approach during the transition. Explain that you fully understand that your future success as a pediatric dentist will be reliant on your ability to change with the times to provide the best care possible to your patients.

"I am confident in my ability to adapt to pediatric dental residency. In my transition to college, I was forced to not only adapt to the challenges of college but also the challenges of a whole new state without knowing a single person. I was able to quickly adapt, make friends, get involved, and excel in my coursework. I think this experience prepared me for the challenging and very important transition into pediatric residency."

"I am genuinely excited about being part again in a pediatric residency program, as it is the specialty that I love. I am confident about myself that I can adapt easily throughout the process because I was enrolled in a residency program, so I am well aware of the workload. Additionally, I am looking forward to learning and exposing myself to a different environment."

When you experience a setback in your work, how does it emotionally affect you?

"Experiencing a setback is always disappointing, and can be disheartening, especially when it involves a project that I have put a lot of time and effort into. I understand that setbacks happen often and to everyone. If I experience a major setback, I like to take a few moments to internally debrief, get some fresh air if possible, or discuss what I could have done differently with a mentor. Then, I move on. Rather than dwell on my mistakes, I choose to learn from them and move forward to improve."

Everyone handles the stress and disappointment of setbacks in their work different differently. In the pediatric dentistry field, those setbacks can be amplified. Your interviewers want to know that you would join their training program with the right mindset, even when things don't go as planned.

Your main objective as you answer this question is to discuss how you typically cope with setbacks healthily. Your interviewers want to hear that you focus on the task at hand to make a situation right rather than letting your negative emotions take over. Give an example of a time you suffered a setback in your work and show how you kept a positive attitude in your efforts to make the situation better.

"When I experience a setback I use it as motivation. I view setbacks as a learning experience and an opportunity to better myself."

"Facing a setback can be devastating. However, a successful resident should count it as an obstacle that they face and will overcome with hard work and dedication. I consider them as motivation to know my weak points and work on them."

Our pediatric dentistry residency can be incredibly stressful and demanding on our residents. How do you manage high amounts of stress?

"I handle stress very well. When you call my references, they will attest to this fact. When I faced the daily stresses of dental school, I focused on the task at hand each moment and made sure to not get distracted. Staying on deadline is very helpful. I also use tools like Google calendar and OneNote to juggle many activities at once. While I plan on dedicating myself to my dreams for the next two years, I know that leaving work at work and taking the time to recharge with family and friends is important as well and I won't forget to do that as a resident with your program."

Many studies have been conducted in recent years that prove dental residency training has a high level of stress and burnout. This is especially true in pediatric residencies The long hours and learning materials packed into a short period can take their toll, and your interviewers want to know that you would have the tools in place to work through the heavy workload and stressful times if you were to match into their program.

Talk to the interviewers about your ability to manage pressure while remaining professional. The best way to do this is by thoroughly discussing the tactics you used to manage the day-to-day stress in dental school. Describing the tactics you used and providing proof that they worked throughout your dental school will assure your interviewers that you will come to their program ready to succeed.

"I try to manage stress by taking one thing at a time. I try to focus on what is directly ahead rather than all the things that still need to be done or that could go wrong. This helped me as I planned LSU's GKAS. This was a large event for the school and with that, a lot of pressure was on me to make it succeed. With a little road map, I focused on taking it one step at a time and successfully planned a great event."

"The workload, the assignments, and the busy schedule are definitely stressful. However, as a resident "Time-management" is crucial to writing your own success story and prioritizing tasks which includes taking small breaks now and then to re-energize. Additionally, talking to my mentor or my support - system about my concerns is an efficient way to vent."

Have you put any thought to how you will work effective with angry, upset or sad pediatric patients? How will you successfully manage these situations?

"My love of children and my experience in working closely with them since high school is really the reason that I am pursuing advanced training in pediatrics and a future practice in pediatric dentistry. While I am confident that my calm demeanor and fun-loving attitude with kids will help them to acclimate quickly to my presence, I'm not immune to the fact that I will face scared and downright angry patients from time to time. I would avoid using sedation at all costs and work with my care team to help provide the best distraction possible. During dental school, I rotated in a pediatric practice that had TV monitors in the ceiling and allowed the kids to pick out a show from a wide array of options. This was a welcome distraction that kept kids attention focused on something other than the procedure they were undergoing. I think this is a great method for handling the kids that are angry and scared."

During your pediatric dentistry residency, you will for the first time be the direct oral caregiver for pediatric patients and that patient population will be 100% of your focus. The interviewers want to know that you can professionally handle the inevitable situations with angry or upset patients or family members.

As you answer this question, you ideally want to highlight your ability to remain patient and rational in the face of conflict. Focus on the positive action you can take to provide a great resolution for kids that are struggling during their visit. Some techniques to keep in mind are playing games to make a cleaning or procedure fun or utilizing a TV show or movie to keep them occupied during your work with them. You also want to assure your interviewer that sedating a child should be the ultimate last measure in any situation that doesn't normally call for it.

"I will try to relate with these patients and understand what is making them upset. By taking the time to understand these patients, "getting on their level", I feel I will be able to improve their experience. Possibly changing a sad dental experience into a happy one."

"I am very aware of the difficult situations that I will encounter. Going to the dentist can be stressful for adults and that level of stress is multiplied while dealing with kids. For me, I will do my best to provide a friendly, stress-free environment to children by having a play area in the waiting room with cartoon drawings all over the place. Consider having a TV on the ceiling so the children can watch a movie while being treated. A Trophy closet full of gifts, Toys, and stickers for each child after the treatment session ends as a motivation."

How will you respond to feedback and constructive criticism on your work as a pediatric dentistry resident in our program?

"I would always respond positively in this situation because I know I would be learning from great faculty looking to instill best practices within me during my time training here. During dental school, I honestly experienced some difficulties in my oral surgery rotation and my precepting dentist was very critical. Rather than letting this upset me, I asked my preceptor for extra time with them and she was willing to oblige. My drive to improve and be the best allowed me to have alligator thick skin in this situation and I'm ready to bring this same attitude to your program."

By joining a renowned pediatric dentistry 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.

Not all feedback will be delivered in a friendly, easy-to-absorb manner during your time as a pediatric dentistry 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.

"Being a pediatric resident means also being a student to great mentors and professors. To be a successful pediatric dentist, someone should be open to learning and receiving criticism open-heartedly. Also, I will receive it as an opportunity to improve myself by having proper guidance."

How will you motivate yourself to keep going on the most difficult days during your pediatric dentistry resident?

"I pride myself on my ability to stay focused and win in stressful situations, especially when others may cave and give in to the situation. As a pediatric dentistry resident, I know that I will be facing long and stressful days of training and clinical experience and my focus on bettering both myself and my patients will be all that I need to stay motivated. From my experience in completing my undergraduate program and dental school, taking care of myself in my off time helps me stay focused and alive while in the learning environment. This self-care includes a healthy diet, plenty of sleep, and fun time for my family."

The grind of a two years pediatric dentistry resident is real and there will no doubt be days that you will want to wave the white flag. It is essential that, during these times, you can remain on task and focused even when your motivation levels may not be high. Your interviewer would like to know that you would come to their programs as a highly diligent and disciplined resident, even on the most stressful of days.

Nobody is wholly motivated 100% of the time and your interviewers understand that. You need to assure your interviewers that you can quickly get yourself back on track when things get tough during residency. The best way to assure them of this is by trying to bring up an example of a time you did just this. As you answer, make the challenge clear and explain how and why you kept a level head in the situation. To seal your answer, explain what the positive result was and why it was important to you.

"I totally understand the fact that being a pediatric dentistry resident can be very stressful. However, I keep myself focused on my final goal, I will try to remind myself that the road to success is not easy. Also, I try to maintain a healthy lifestyle by exercise, meditation, and healthy eating as this will re-energize me."

Have you ever received a negative review from a patient or customer? How would you handle negative feedback from a pediatric patient's family?

"I once received feedback that I am not as 'warm' as I could be when talking on the phone. That feedback came as a surprise to me but, I took it to heart, regardless. I worked on implementing more casual conversation in my client calls on this job during my college years and remember to keep a smile on my face as well. I have not heard this feedback since in any work that I've done. Looking back, this was an important lesson to learn in becoming a pediatric dentist knowing that my tone of voice is very important in every patient interaction."

Everyone has had a negative review from someone at one point in their career. As an aspiring pediatric dentist, you will be working with many concerned parents and a lot of them aren't hesitant to let you know if they think your service wasn't anything but excellent. What your interviewers would like to see is that you can bounce back professionally from a negative patient review as a pediatric dentistry resident.

Prior to your pediatric dentistry resident interviews, think back to a time when you received negative feedback or constructive criticism from a patient or customer that you worked with. Your example could be from dental school, college, or any job that you've held. If the review was warranted, discuss what you were able to learn from the experience or the feedback that you received. This is a question where you can be open or honest with any mistakes that you made, as long as you can show that you took it as a learning opportunity moving forward.

"I handle negative feedback from the patient's family open-heartedly. I understand that their main concern is their child's overall health and well-being. I remember a situation where I implemented the voice-control technique without getting consent from the patient's family and I admit that I made a mistake by doing this, as the parents weren't satisfied with the situation. However, I apologized for the inconvenience that occurred, and that situation is always in the back of my head to remember while dealing with each patient."

As a new pediatric dentistry resident, would you be able to handle direct patient care with little supervision?

"I feel confident in my ability to work with any pediatric patient without someone watching over my shoulder. With that said, I also want every interaction with a patient to be a learning opportunity, and I know your faculty has an excellent reputation for providing those opportunities to blossoming pediatric dentistry residents"

Your venture into pediatric dentistry residency will likely be the first time you work one on one with pediatric patients as the key decision-maker. Your interviewing team asks this question to ensure that you have the ability and desire to work independently as a trainee with their program.

Prove your ability to work confidently with little supervision while not being overconfident. As a pediatric dentistry resident, your work with patients will be scrutinized and used as a learning opportunity, so let your interviewers know that you are aware of that. Speak with modest confidence in your ability to work with patients with little to no supervision.

"I have confidence in myself that I can provide my patients with the proper dental care that they need without doing any harm. However, I consider this to be an opportunity to learn and improve my treatment and diagnostic skills, by trying to discuss the treatment options and radiographic interpretation with my mentor before proceeding with the treatment."

Talk about some of the ways that you would build rapport and trust with your pediatric patients. Why is this important?

"To build trust with my patients, I first would rely on my instincts to gauge how they were feeling in the moment and use the best technique for gaining their trust. If a young patient is brave and determined, I will communicate openly with them to educate them and let them talk me through stories. If a patient is scared, I would be very reassuring and compliment them with every step we take. If needed in any situation, I wouldn't hesitate to use a toy to help distract them in any necessary procedures."

As you've made the difficult journey through dental school, you've learned the importance of building rapport with your patients to help ensure a long-term relationship. As you venture into pediatric dentistry residency and a future practicing as a pediatric dentist, working with confused, vulnerable, and scared kids bring a whole new necessity for building trust with your patients. Your interviewers want to ensure that you will come to their program with the ability to do this from the start.

With pediatric patients, building trust and rapport doesn't necessarily mean getting the patient to like you. But more often than not, building solid trust with pediatric patients comes down to positive communications and a harmonious relationship during your time together. There are many great methods and tools to building trust in your work with patients, so be sure to think of what will be your go-to methods. These can include but are not limited to, using words of encouragement for positive reinforcement, expressing interest in the child, making small talk, and using toys (or other props) to make them more comfortable.

"Building a rapport with the patient is very important in pediatric dentistry because if the patient does not trust you, they will not allow you to perform the easiest step which is their oral examination. For me, I ensure that each kid feels as if they are the center of attention and the best one in the world by complementing them, having friendly conversations with them, and explaining each step."

How would you handle communicating bad news to a pediatric patient and/or their family?

"I certainly do not enjoy communicating bad diagnoses, but I do have experience in doing so. I make sure to practice empathy in my approach and I know this skill is vital with pediatric patients and their families. Truth is always key, so I will be honest and clear when communicating the news. After that, educating the patient and their family on the best course of action will help set their mind at ease and keep them focused on a goal moving forward rather than the diagnosis."

Providing hard-to-handle diagnoses to patients is a vital skill that any dentist needs to possess. When working with pediatric patients, this skill becomes much more vital in communicating to the family of a young patient or to both the patient and family of an older patient. Your interviewers ask this question to be confident that you would join their pediatric dentistry residency program with the ability to handle these difficult conversations in a respectful, yet straightforward, manner.

Whether it is providing a difficult diagnosis to a parent or educating a teenager that doesn't take their oral health seriously, the conversation won't come easy. Assure your interviewers that you will join their program as a person that can handle these conversations comfortably by stressing the importance of educating patients/families and doing so in a respectful manner. Be sure to stress the importance of taking an empathetic approach with your patients when difficult actions need to be taken.

"As we all know, delivering bad news to patients and their families is not an easy task. However, I try to show empathy and honesty while sharing my news. I remember when I had to tell my uncle and his 12-year-old daughter about her situation of having a serious type of oral cyst. We sat down and talked about the lab results, tried to reassure them about the situation, talked about the treatment options, and suggested some excellent colleagues to ensure that they would feel safe and the issue resolved."

How would you rate your communication skills on a scale from 1-10, and why would you give yourself that rating?

"I rate my communication skills as a 9/10 as I will, on occasion, have times when I am not as clear as I would like to be. My supervisor and co-workers will attest to my clear and concise communication skills. Because I am an open leader, my team will let me know if I need to clarify anything."

Success as a pediatric dentist requires great communication skills. Your communication will come in many ways, shapes, and forms with your staff, your patients, and their families. Your interviewer asks this point-blank question to hear your own personal assessment of your communication in hopes that you will speak confidently to your ability to communicate effectively that you work with.

First, on a scale of 1-10, give an honest evaluation of your communication. You ideally want to try to avoid giving yourself a 10 as nobody is perfect. You do not want to come across as overly confident or someone who has no room for feedback and improvement. Alternately, avoid giving yourself too little credit. You do not want to paint the picture that you are a communication dud! Try to remain in the 7.5-9.5 range while staying honest and accurate. As you answer, be sure to focus on your ability to communicate effectively with your pediatric patients, the faculty you will work with at this program, and all colleagues within a practice.

"I rate myself as 8 out of 10. Generally, I have very good communication skills with my patients. I try to talk to and deliver the information in simple terms. As well as my colleagues, when I try to talk to them about tasks or daily conversations. However, I always try to respect them, their thoughts and ideas no matter what."

What role do you feel most comfortable taking on in a team-based environment?

"Through my undergraduate program and dental school, I was usually the 'ideas person' in team projects and let others take the lead in delegating work. As an introvert, being a leader has never come naturally but my time in the clinic as a dental student really helped boost my confidence. As a pediatric dentistry resident with your program, I really look forward to gaining more confidence in leading teams of hygienists and assistants prior to going into practice."

The success in any dental practice in regard to great patient outcomes and satisfaction comes down to a true team effort from the entire care team. In asking this question, your interviewers truly want to understand the role that you naturally take on in a team environment to get a sense of what type of pediatric dentistry resident would be joining their greater team. Since you will be training to be the dentist in charge, they'll ideally be wanting to hear that you are willing and ready to take charge in a respectful manner when needed.

If you tend to naturally take the lead on a team, you can let the interviewer know, but avoid sounding overbearing. If you usually like to generate new ideas and allow someone else to execute them, share your creative side but express that you prefer for others to take the lead. No matter which route you take to show your best level of comfort, make sure that you don't pigeonhole yourself into only being one type of team player during your time as a resident.

"Personally speaking, taking a role in a team always depends on the task at hand. In some cases, I like to take the lead of the team by delegating and organizing tasks. Other times, I share ideas and thoughts with the team."

What do you feel is the most concerning topic facing the pediatric dental industry today?

"Looking back over the last two years, I would say that the handling of a major pandemic opened the eyes of many in the dental industry. When there is an outbreak of a virus that is transmitted by mouth, dentists and hygienists are put at great risk. I think a lot of strides have been made in the last year for better protective equipment in the industry, and I think a lot more development will come in the future to protect patients and caregivers."

As you look to leap from dental school into a renowned pediatric dentistry residency program, your interviewers will want the best of the best for their advanced training program. A question like this allows your interviewers some insight into your passion for the pediatric dental field.

Being an aspiring pediatric dentistry resident means that you need to take a keen interest in current events by closely following the challenges the dental industry faces. Before your interview, put some serious thought into a question like this so you can come to your interview prepared to speak confidently on the topic. Discuss why you feel this is a primary concerning issue, and be sure to ask the interviewers what they see as the most concerning issue in the dental field today. This is an opportunity to start a very insightful conversation, so take advantage of it.

"The most concerning topic is the lack of awareness of the patients and their families about the importance of primary teeth, maintaining them in good health within the oral cavity is an important aspect of having good oral health as an adult. Moreover, many parents do not give attention to the follow-up visits after treatment which can have many adverse effects on the treatment outcome."

Tell us about a time when you went above and beyond to provide great service.

"I often look for opportunities to go over and above when it comes to providing great customer service. One memorable time was when a senior woman was struggling to get her groceries into her car. I was on break but saw her through the window. I ran out and greeted her, asking if I could assist. She was so thankful that she ended up calling my manager that day to compliment my kindness. As a pediatric dentistry residency, my great service will always start with a positive tone and attitude with all of my patients and boil over into a fun and educational atmosphere."

In a successful dental practice, customer service is vital to the long-term success of the business and it is delivered in many ways. As a pediatric dentistry resident, great customer service comes from your ability to be respectful, positive, and encouraging with your patients. Your interviewers pose this question to ensure that you will join their pediatric dentistry residency willing and ready to provide the best service and care possible to all patients and families.

You need to go beyond 'service with a smile' when answering this question. Make sure the example that you give is memorable! This question offers you an excellent opportunity to be a stand-out candidate, so be sure to dig deep in discussing a time when you went above and beyond the call of duty. As you answer, be sure to reiterate that you understand the importance of providing great service to your pediatric patients.

"I remember one time when one of my patients was in real pain and needed full mouth rehabilitation under General Anesthesia due to his medical condition. However, the insurance company refused to give him the approval for the treatment due to short notice. I felt so sorry for the patient, so I called the company's manager, explained the situation, and provided the needed information, so I convinced him to obtain full coverage of the treatment."

How do you best learn something new within a short time and retain it for future use?

"I can't reiterate to you how eager I am to come to learn from and train with some of the best pediatric dentists in the world at your institution. If I am fortunate enough to be accepted into your residency program, I would bring a positive attitude and open mind, ready to learn new skills daily and put them to use right away. During my dental school program, I needed to learn new concepts quickly and put them to use. In my pharmacology class, I had to cram the final four weeks' worth of material just five days before the final exam. It took extra work and commitment, but I'm happy to say I aced my final and now consider pharmacology one of my favorite areas of dentistry."

In the grand scheme of things, two years of training and learning in an intense pediatric dentistry residency training is a very short amount of time to learn and retain all of the nuances of a successful pediatric practice. In asking this question, your interviewers want assurance that you can learn new skills under pressure and put them to use quickly in the direct care of patients as part of their program.

Show your interviewers that you are willing to put in the time and effort to learn every new skill possible. Come to your interview prepared to talk about how you best learn and retain new knowledge and how you will translate classroom learning into patient care as a Pediatric Dentistry Resident. Talk about times you did this successfully during dental school.

"By watching some teaching videos, and reading articles and books that explain the detailed procedure. I try to observe my colleagues and mentors while performing the procedure."

How will you successfully interact with some of the demanding faculty and ancillary staff in our program as a pediatric dentistry resident?

"I fully understand that I will be working closely with staff who can be challenging at times and have very high demands of me as a pediatric dentistry resident. As part of your program, I plan to keep an open mind in any interactions I have and won't take any criticism of my work negatively. I am ready and willing to learn and grow in the coming years to become the best dentist that I can be. If I ever felt that a staff member was out of line, I wouldn't hesitate to have a one-on-one conversation with them to reset expectations and tell how I feel about our interactions. In the end, we are all working towards one goal, and that is providing the best care possible to patients."

You may need to work with difficult to please faculty and other staff in your pediatric dentistry residency program. Your interviewers want to see that you can interact professionally and constructively with others, even if they have a challenging personality or work style.

The goal of your response is to show the interviewers that you work well with a range of individuals. Your answer should assure the decision-makers that your communication style will be an excellent addition to their team of dental residents. Don't hesitate to give an example of a time you had to work with a challenging person during dental school. If you give a direct example, be sure to outline the situation, describe why it was vital that you communicated successfully with this person, and explain the actions you took to build a healthy relationship with the individual. Explain to your interviewers that you are aware that some of the staff you will work with will have high expectations of you and that you are ready to meet those expectations head-on.

"I fully understand that being part of a residency program can be challenging from so many aspects such as difficult faculty members. I am applying with an open mind toward dealing with diverse personalities as this will develop my personality and my interpersonal communication skills. Because when I start working in my own clinic I might face difficult ones. On the other hand, if I felt that the situation escalated, I would go and have a private conversation respectfully."

Have you applied to any other pediatric dentistry residency programs?

"Knowing that my dream of becoming a pediatric dentist is about to become a reality, I tried to keep my options open in the application process and reached out to what I felt were the top programs for my needs. I strongly desire to remain on the west coast close to family. With that in mind and knowing I wanted a top-ranked school, I have also applied to the University of Oregon and the University of Washington programs. Considering what I know about each program and what I learned today, your program remains at the top of my list for a match."

The application and match process for a dental residency program is a transparent process in which all parties know how the system works. The intent of this question is for your interviewers to hear where you rank their program on your list of desirable pediatric dentistry training programs, especially if they find you to be one of their top candidates.

Be honest and upfront with your interviewers about the other programs that you applied to and interviewed with. Don't hesitate to let your interviewers know that their program sits near the top of your wish list and talk about why from a personal and professional level.

"Yes, I did, because I am so passionate about being a licensed pediatric dentist again and learning many new methods and techniques that will improve my skills. However, your school is my top priority and I am looking forward to being part of it."

We will be talking with several great applicants about joining our pediatric residency program. Why should we choose you over another prospective resident with the same qualifications?

"I believe I am the strongest candidate for your pediatric dentistry residency program because I am incredibly dedicated to being a life-changing and impactful pediatric dentist. This has been a dream of mine for a long time and I've spent my years in undergraduate studies and dental school volunteering in many settings working with kids that range from infants to high school age. I'm confident that you won't talk to another candidate that has the passion and drive to be a life-changing pediatric dentist than me."

Every match season, your team of interviewers interviews the best and brightest dental students to match into their pediatric dentistry residency program. Each of these talented candidates likely has stellar grades and the drive and potential to become a practicing dentist. Your interviewers want to hear your best sales pitch on why you are the best candidate to join their pediatric dentistry residency.

Before your interview, put some serious thought into what makes you a unique candidate for this pediatric dental residency program. Knowing that competition is annually the most fierce for the pediatric subspecialty, you want to give your best sales pitch to your interviewers. Recent volunteer work, a personal connection to the training program, a personal story of winning in the face of defeat, an additional advanced degree, or proof that you are willing to go above and beyond to further your education and future career as a pediatric dentist can all present you as a standout candidate. No matter how you answer this question, be sure to speak with passion and desire.

"My passion for pediatric dentistry is not limited to treating these kids dentally and improving their oral health. I look to what is beyond this, I care about being part of some children's lives and improving their overall well-being. I care about raising kids with good mental health, I can be the one who has the blueprint to improve the life of someone who might be abused or neglected or even child-trafficking."

If a career in pediatric dentistry was not an option for you, what career path would you have chosen?

"I do not regret the direction I have chosen to take my career, but if I was told that I had to start over in a new direction, I would likely pursue a degree in education and become a teacher. Both of my parents were teachers, and they have fulfilling careers. I enjoy coaching and leading others and feel that this will be a vital skill in running my own pediatric practice someday."

Your interviewers will use questions like this to get to know you beyond what they've seen on paper. They already know the skills and knowledge you will bring to the table. Understanding your personality and interests will allow them to select the right students to bring into their pediatric dentistry residency program.

This hypothetical question will give the interviewers insight into other topics that interest you. There is no right or wrong answer here, so be sure to speak from the heart. As long as you can answer the question with some passion about that field, your interviewers will take note.

"Pediatric Dentistry is my top priority. I will do my best to study it, changing it is not an option for me. However, if all the doors closed in front of me and I had to choose another career, I would choose a specialization in early childhood education. Because of this, I can still have the impact that I am to have on children's lives."

If you could name just one person, who would you say has been your biggest inspiration in your life?

"I find inspiration in a variety of people and things. I would have to say that my second-grade teacher in elementary school has always been my biggest inspiration. That year of my life, when she was my teacher, was a very difficult year for my family. She was like a rock in helping me to keep a positive attitude and work hard to succeed. As I grew and got into athletics, she was a coach of mine through high school. She always pushed me to put in the hard work necessary to improve, even when I wasn't the most gifted or talented compared to my peers. Looking back, these are lesson I will take with me for the rest of my life and career."

This question is designed to ensure that you will come to this pediatric dentistry residency program as a motivated individual who is inspired to succeed. In proposing this question, your interviewers will be looking to hear why a particular inspiration has had an impact on your life and career.

Your life's inspiration can be a mentor, a family member, a friend, a celebrity, or an author. Talk to the interviewers about who has been the biggest inspiration in your life and why you would call them your biggest inspiration. If possible, try to link the inspiration they've had on you to your future success as a peds resident for the next two years.

"My father is my biggest inspiration. He is a pediatrician in my country Jordan. He had a rough childhood, as he was part of an underprivileged community. However, he managed to uplift himself through hard work, dedication, and determination, so this always reminds me that no matter how the road seems hard, I will reach my final destination. Moreover, one should never forget his past and it should be a motivation for them to do better and help others."

We would like to get to know you on a more personal level. Outside of dentistry, what are your interests?

"I have a variety of hobbies that have honestly kept me sane during college and dental school, and I know they'll help as I venture into peds residency. I'm a very active person that loves long hikes with my husband and dogs. We spend a lot of time exploring new trails, paths, and places together. I also love to cook and bake and take great pride in helping to keep old family recipes alive."

While this isn't a make-or-break question, your interviewers ask about your hobbies and interests for a couple of reasons. First, having hobbies and interests outside of work or school is an important part of maintaining a healthy work|life balance during pediatric dentistry residency. Second, learning about your interests will help them prepare for how you will mesh with the staff and other trainees in the program.

Talk openly and honestly with your interviewers about the activities that interest you outside of the dental field. This is an open-ended question that you can take in many different directions, but some possible answers can include physical activities that keep you in great shape and activities and interests that stimulate your mind in new ways.

If you matched in our pediatric dentistry residency, what would you wish to accomplish in your two years training with us?

"It may sound simple, but my career dream is to be a general pediatric dentist in an existing practice in my hometown. It's the pediatric dentistry practice that my siblings and I went to as children. After completing your program, I want to become a well-rounded pediatric dentist with skills in peds trauma, peds medicine, oral pathology, and orthodontic diagnoses."

Like many others before you, you could have gone directly into practice following dental school. But you didn't, and you are pursuing an advanced residency in pediatrics for a reason. Your interviewers would like to better understand your expectations of their pediatric dentistry residency program and what you hope to gain from their training.

Your answer will help the interview panel to better determine if you are a fit for their residency program, so you should put serious thought into your reason why this training program is ideal for you. Describe what you want to learn and accomplish during your pediatric dentistry residency training and take accountability for your growth as well.

"Your pediatric dentistry program combines the clinical and theoretical parts of residency, by holding lectures, and seminars, and having to do research work as a requirement because, during my previous residency program, we lacked this part of residency. Moreover, the weekly rotation with the pediatric medical department will also improve my knowledge within the medical field."

What drives your passion for a career in pediatric dentistry?

"There are several factors that have driven my passion for a career in dentistry from an early age. If I had to pinpoint one main motivator, I would say that having a positive impact on the lives of everyday people is the most important. My time in dental school really drove my passion for pediatric dentistry with a couple of great clinical experiences in the setting. I've always worked well with children and helping to make a difference in oral hygiene starts at a young age and I can't wait to make a positive impression on my patients when in practice."

Your interviewers will be tasked with the difficult decision of determining who to select for their pediatric dentistry residency program. The interview panel would like to understand what drives you in your pursuit of a career in dentistry, and specifically why a pediatric focus. Your core passion is what will keep you going on the toughest of days during residency training and your interviewers want to hear about that fire within you.

It is okay to share a personal story when answering this question. Discuss what initiated your interest in attending dental school and what is further motivating you to pursue advanced training in pediatric dentistry. Whatever drives you, make sure the interviewers can feel your passion!

"The ability to have an impact on others' lives by improving their idea about the dentist. Most of the kids in my country Jordan and all over the world, consider dentists to be mean doctors, whose main job is to cause you pain or give you injections. I want to be the dentist who changes their perspective. I want to be the one who when they remember me as they grow old as the nice, caring dentist."

What do you feel is the single most important quality a pediatric dentist should possess?

"I firmly believe that the foundation for success as a pediatric dentist starts with the right communication skills that pediatric patients can relate to. Coming in for dental work put a small child in a very vulnerable situation and I have a great ability to build quick trust with my pediatric patients and make them immediately. I love to use humor and fun with them to help put them at ease."

While pediatric dentistry requires outstanding general dentistry knowledge and skills, subspecializing in this area with success takes a very special person with specific attributes. Your answer to this question indicates that you are aware of what extra skills and qualities lead to success in working with children in a dental practice. Your interviewers will also likely assume that you possess the quality that you choose.

This is an opportunity to give a unique answer and sell yourself to your interviewers, so dig deeper than "strong attention to detail" or "strong communication skills." Some potential ideas could include an unrelenting drive to succeed, an empathetic approach in all that you do, excellent communication skills that children relate to, or the ability to persevere in any situation. Speak with confidence and passion as you sell yourself in your answer to this question.

"The most important quality for a pediatric dentist to possess is empathy. They have to take into account their worries, anxieties, and ideas. A good pediatric dentist should believe that to treat children well and adjust behavioral management strategies appropriately, they must possess the innate ability to predict how they will feel and act on the dental chair."

What was your DAT score prior to entering dental school? Were you happy with it?

"I scored 19 on my DAT, and I am happy with that score. I worked hard to prepare for the exam and was rewarded for my diligence."

Before dental school, you had to take and pass the Dental Admission Test. Because the test measures aptitude in biology, general chemistry, and organic chemistry, dental schools use it as a good measure for success in their program, and your interviewers for this pediatric dentistry residency simply want to hear your score and if you were happy with it.

Answer this straightforward question quickly and succinctly. Be open and honest about your score and talk about whether or not you were happy with the result. If possible, give a brief reason why you were or weren't happy with that score.

What are your ultimate career goals in dentistry?

"My ultimate goal would be to join a large pediatric dentistry practice around my home region where I grew up. I want to join a robust and well-rounded pediatric practice where I can have a solid patient base from the start. I'm very fortunate to be connected already with a few different practices and have had the chance to shadow and rotate with several pediatric dentists in my area."

Your interviewers want to hear two things about you. First, they want to know about your plans and if you have intentions of joining an existing practice or starting your own. They also want to know what your ideal practice looks like and that you've put some thought into this before applying to pediatric dentistry residency programs.

Before your pediatric dentistry residency interviews, put some thought into your future career plans. Keep in mind that there is no right or wrong answer to a question like this. Your interviewers will simply want to hear that you have put some thought into this, so be open and honest about your career goals in the field. Since you are taking the time and effort in pursuing training in pediatrics, be sure to include pediatrics in at least a part of your ideal future practice.

"In terms of my own dentistry profession, I have two objectives. First and foremost, I want to fulfill a dream I had while attending dental school: becoming a faculty member and mentor there. The second is to start my own dental office and offer my patients the greatest treatments, equipment, and techniques available."

Tell us something that we would not know about you from reading your application materials and references.

"I am an avid marathon runner and have traveled to 10 states in the last three years to compete in a variety of races. I am a competitive individual, and I enjoy the training leading up to a big race. I've also found that my running clears my mind when things are stressful. When I finish a run, it is like I hit a reset button on any stressful things that are happening in my life."

Throughout your application and interview process with any pediatric dentistry residency program, the interviewing team will be able to get a good feel for your clinical skills by asking you specific questions about your knowledge and speaking with your references. This question gives your interviewers some insight into who you are personally to see if you will be a great fit for their program.

While there are many ways you can answer this question, be sure to highlight something unique or special that will be memorable for your interviewing team and give them insight into who you are as a person. You are not obligated to discuss personal matters like your relationship status.

What do you feel is an area of weakness that you would like to improve on during your time in pediatric dentistry residency?

"I am very confident coming out of dental school with my practice management skills as my program did a great job of preparing us for that. I feel that my only weakness heading into pediatric dentistry residency is the small nuances of a successful pediatric practice. My ultimate career goal is to open a pediatric practice in a large urban setting and I've read and heard wonderful things about your program that are going to prepare me for this."

Being a true professional in dentistry takes a great sense of self-reflection and self-knowledge. Your interviewers want to hear that you can identify your biggest weakness coming out of dental school and have a plan to improve upon it as a pediatric dentistry resident with their program.

Pick a weakness that is not a core skill for your success as a future peds resident. Be candid in your answer, acknowledging your need to improve. Be sure to have an action plan in place for improving this weakness. However you answer, don't be afraid to be frank with your interviewing team to show your honesty.

"My goal is to enhance my multidisciplinary approach by collaborating with other dental specialties, particularly oral surgery and orthodontics. Our clinic was constantly busy throughout my prior residency years, so we had to restrict our approach to referrals solely, which prevented me from following up with many of those cases. In addition, I am eager to learn how to efficiently manage a greater number of patients with special needs."

What clinical or knowledge-based strengths would you bring to our pediatric dentistry residency program?

"My greatest strengths are my attention to detail and ability to focus. I am an observant student and a natural listener. This helps me slow down enough to listen to my mentors, patients, and colleagues. I pick up on small details and devote my attention to whatever I am doing in the present. Even when I have other things going on, I can hone in on the task at hand and devote my full attention to it. In your pediatric program, these skills will allow me to retain what I learn and apply the skills in practice with patients."

Being asked about personal strengths is common in any business or industry. For a graduating dental student looking to join a peds residency program, this question is a bit more pointed and intentional. In proposing this question to you, your interviewers want to hear what you feel is your top clinical or dental knowledge-based strength that makes you the best candidate to match into their training program.

Before your interviews with pediatric dentistry residency programs, be sure to put some serious thought into the personal strengths that make you an excellent fit for the program you are interviewing with. As you think about your strengths, focus on the dental-specific skills you possess that prove your ability to thrive and learn in the dental specialty in which you hope to train. Feel free to talk about any interpersonal skills, as long as you can prove why that skill makes you a great candidate.

"I have compassion and patience as working with kids requires a high level of compassion, patience, and empathy as dentistry can be an anxiety-inducing experience. Also, I have good diagnostic skills which are related to a good understanding of oral health conditions. Finally, my interpersonal communication skills with kids, their families, and other healthcare providers can establish trust and alleviate anxiety."

What was your favorite course during dental school?

"The course I enjoyed most and led me to pursue a residency in pediatric dentistry was the 'Fundamentals of Pediatric Dentistry' during my third year. Learning about developmental issues and birth defects among children was really inspiring to me knowing that my future could help shape the lives and oral care of children."

Learning more about your favorite courses, personal preferences, and professional areas of interest will allow your interviewers to better understand where your passion is within the field of dentistry. More so, they'll want to hear that this course had a direct influence on your reason for pursuing a pediatric dentistry residency with their program.

Perhaps you had a great professor in a particular course or excelled in a certain area during your time in dental school. Briefly discuss what your favorite course was, and be sure to explain the reason.

"My favorite course was Introduction to Pediatric Dentistry, where I had the opportunity to learn about the child's growth and development, the basics of behavioral management techniques, and the dental problems that are related to overall body growth."

What do you know about our pediatric dentistry residency program?

"The accolades that your pediatric dentistry residency training program has received over the years is impressive, most notably being recognized as one of the top-ranked programs in the country. As an institution, you have transformed your city into a booming center for medicine, research, and business, and it's something I would love to be a part of. I also knew a prior trainee in your pediatric dentistry program, and she had nothing but the best to say about her time here and how it prepared her for success heading into practice."

Your interviewers will likely be interviewing an excellent pool of candidates for their highly competitive pediatric dental residency program, so a question like this is an opportunity for you to stand out. If you are lucky enough to land an interview, be sure to research the school and program as much as you can. You don't need to be an expert on their entire history, but your interviewers want to hear that you are knowledgeable about their program, culture, and recent accolades.

Before your interview, the best thing you can do is research the school and the program through their website. There, you may find news articles, program events, or contributions the program has made to its community. If possible, identify the mission and values of the school so that you can speak confidently on what their program stands for and what sets them apart from other similar training programs.

"Your residency program is outstanding since it integrates the hospital with the university, allowing the residents to handle a wide range of general anesthesia and sedation cases with a strong scientific foundation. Another thing that makes me feel like I would want to be a part of this program to be as scientifically grounded as I aim is the opportunity to earn a master's degree in dentistry sciences during the residency years."

What sources would you look to when you need to solve a complicated problem as a pediatric dentistry resident with our program?

"When I am faced with a complicated problem, I will look to the resources that my current company has provided me. The answer is almost always in there. If it's more of a moral dilemma vs. a knowledge-based dilemma, I will ask my supervisor for his thoughts and opinion since I value him as a mentor and expert in our industry."

Pediatric dentists face complications with patients on a daily basis and the ability to be resourceful is vital. As an incoming pediatric dentistry resident, the importance of this ability is multiplied. Your interviewers want to know that you would come to their program with the ability to think outside the box and take on challenges when faced with a patient program. Better yet, they want to know that you aren't hesitant to ask a faculty member or senior resident for assistance in a decision-making process so you use it as a learning situation moving forward.

You want to reiterate a couple of key points to your interviewers as you highlight your ability to join their program as a great problem solver. First, discuss the resources at hand that you would consult to help you work your way through the complication. Then, reiterate that you are willing and ready to swallow your pride and ask for help. As you do this, let your interviewers know that you are focused on the coming two years as being a learning opportunity for you as a resident with their program.

"I would use the website of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. It has been my go-to source whenever I face a Complicated case and I need a trusted scientific source."

Let's say you are caring for a teenage patient who is in desperate need of flossing on a regular basis, and they tell you that they already know how. How would you proceed?

"Even if the patient was adamant that they knew how to floss, I would ask them to demonstrate for me so I could verify. I would make sure the patient uses about 18" of floss and glides the floss gently between each pair of teeth. I would also demonstrate at the same time and point out any incorrect technique. I will make sure my patients understand the oral hygiene tactics I recommend for them, and I will have them demonstrate it or repeat it to ensure they understand. If necessary, I would make sure that I include the parents or other caregivers of the patient in my education and clearly explain the overall importance that flossing plays in the oral health of a developing teenager."

Many younger dental patients do not understand some of the basics of proper oral care. Your interviewers ask this question to determine if you would make sure the patient understands how to floss rather than simply taking the patient's word for it. Simply put, this scenario gives your interviewers the chance to see just how much you prioritize patient education.

Describe in detail how you would verify that the patient understands how to use floss properly and regularly. Talk about the importance of ensuring that every patient you work with is educated on their condition and the treatment you give them moving forward.

"I am well aware that interacting with teenagers is extremely sensitive and that you have to watch what you say. If my adolescent patient insists that they already know how to floss, I will ask them to demonstrate their technique, try to change it by conversationally offering advice, and then ask them to repeat it. to ensure that the entire process was completed correctly."

What steps would you take if you suspected a patient was being subjected to abuse?

"As a pediatric dentistry resident with your program, the overall health and well-being of my patients would always be my top priority in their care. Upon joining your program, I would want to learn about the mandatory reporting procedures in this state so I would be fully aware of what to do in the case of any suspected abuse. I know to look for bruising, lesions, or even missing teeth in my patients and what the telltale signs of abuse are."

As a pediatric dentist, there may come a time when you suspect a child has been intentionally abused by a family member or friend of the family given the nature of your work in their oral care. Your interviewers are looking to hear that you would join their pediatric dentistry residency aware of the mandatory reporting laws in most states and that you would take the proper steps in reporting the suspected abuse.

The ADA recognizes that child abuse injuries happen in the head, neck, and mouth area 65% of the time and that pediatric dentists are often on the frontline of reporting suspected abuse. As you answer this question, reiterate to your interviewers that you are aware that you are not obligated to prove any abuse or neglect to a child, but that you simply are required to report your suspicions to the proper authorities.

"I am fully aware that I am obligated to report a suspected case of abuse to the assigned authorities."

When a problem comes up in your pediatric dentistry residency training that requires a quick solution, how will you respond?

"If it was a problem that I was confident in my own skills to handle, I would take quick action. Having trained at one of the top dental schools in the country, I feel very confident in my abilities surrounding any patient issues that would surface as a resident with your program. If needed, I wouldn't hesitate to quickly seek advice from a faculty member or precepting dentist if needed because a second set of eyes is always helpful."

During your two years of training as a pediatric dentistry resident, you will be in many situations where the day is busy and you have to come up with a quick patient care solution. Your interviewers need to be assured that you would join their program with the complex problem-solving skills required to succeed.

Problem-solving skills take practice, experience, and confidence. Walk the interviewers through your process when it comes to making quick decisions. Perhaps you go with a gut feeling. Maybe you have read case studies that you lean on in these instances. As a resident in training, you'll also want to let your interviewers know that you would always look for advice from faculty.

"My nine years of experience in dentistry, have given me the needed expertise that will enable me to solve a problem or a hard-case scenario that I face. However, I will never hesitate to seek help and guidance from my supervisor, as I came to this program with a mindset that I want to learn a new thing every day."

Pediatric Dentistry Residency Interview Questions

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1. How will you adapt to the major changes you will experience when transitioning from dental school to our Pediatric Dentistry Residency program?
2. When you experience a setback in your work, how does it emotionally affect you?
3. Our pediatric dentistry residency can be incredibly stressful and demanding on our residents. How do you manage high amounts of stress?
4. Have you put any thought to how you will work effective with angry, upset or sad pediatric patients? How will you successfully manage these situations?
5. How will you respond to feedback and constructive criticism on your work as a pediatric dentistry resident in our program?
6. How will you motivate yourself to keep going on the most difficult days during your pediatric dentistry resident?
7. Have you ever received a negative review from a patient or customer? How would you handle negative feedback from a pediatric patient's family?
8. As a new pediatric dentistry resident, would you be able to handle direct patient care with little supervision?
9. Talk about some of the ways that you would build rapport and trust with your pediatric patients. Why is this important?
10. How would you handle communicating bad news to a pediatric patient and/or their family?
11. How would you rate your communication skills on a scale from 1-10, and why would you give yourself that rating?
12. What role do you feel most comfortable taking on in a team-based environment?
13. What do you feel is the most concerning topic facing the pediatric dental industry today?
14. Tell us about a time when you went above and beyond to provide great service.
15. How do you best learn something new within a short time and retain it for future use?
16. How will you successfully interact with some of the demanding faculty and ancillary staff in our program as a pediatric dentistry resident?
17. Have you applied to any other pediatric dentistry residency programs?
18. We will be talking with several great applicants about joining our pediatric residency program. Why should we choose you over another prospective resident with the same qualifications?
19. If a career in pediatric dentistry was not an option for you, what career path would you have chosen?
20. If you could name just one person, who would you say has been your biggest inspiration in your life?
21. We would like to get to know you on a more personal level. Outside of dentistry, what are your interests?
22. If you matched in our pediatric dentistry residency, what would you wish to accomplish in your two years training with us?
23. What drives your passion for a career in pediatric dentistry?
24. What do you feel is the single most important quality a pediatric dentist should possess?
25. What was your DAT score prior to entering dental school? Were you happy with it?
26. What are your ultimate career goals in dentistry?
27. Tell us something that we would not know about you from reading your application materials and references.
28. What do you feel is an area of weakness that you would like to improve on during your time in pediatric dentistry residency?
29. What clinical or knowledge-based strengths would you bring to our pediatric dentistry residency program?
30. What was your favorite course during dental school?
31. What do you know about our pediatric dentistry residency program?
32. What sources would you look to when you need to solve a complicated problem as a pediatric dentistry resident with our program?
33. Let's say you are caring for a teenage patient who is in desperate need of flossing on a regular basis, and they tell you that they already know how. How would you proceed?
34. What steps would you take if you suspected a patient was being subjected to abuse?
35. When a problem comes up in your pediatric dentistry residency training that requires a quick solution, how will you respond?

Pediatric Dentistry Residency Interview Questions

1. How will you adapt to the major changes you will experience when transitioning from dental school to our Pediatric Dentistry Residency program?

2. When you experience a setback in your work, how does it emotionally affect you?

3. Our pediatric dentistry residency can be incredibly stressful and demanding on our residents. How do you manage high amounts of stress?

4. Have you put any thought to how you will work effective with angry, upset or sad pediatric patients? How will you successfully manage these situations?

5. How will you respond to feedback and constructive criticism on your work as a pediatric dentistry resident in our program?

6. How will you motivate yourself to keep going on the most difficult days during your pediatric dentistry resident?

7. Have you ever received a negative review from a patient or customer? How would you handle negative feedback from a pediatric patient's family?

8. As a new pediatric dentistry resident, would you be able to handle direct patient care with little supervision?

9. Talk about some of the ways that you would build rapport and trust with your pediatric patients. Why is this important?

10. How would you handle communicating bad news to a pediatric patient and/or their family?

11. How would you rate your communication skills on a scale from 1-10, and why would you give yourself that rating?

12. What role do you feel most comfortable taking on in a team-based environment?

13. What do you feel is the most concerning topic facing the pediatric dental industry today?

14. Tell us about a time when you went above and beyond to provide great service.

15. How do you best learn something new within a short time and retain it for future use?

16. How will you successfully interact with some of the demanding faculty and ancillary staff in our program as a pediatric dentistry resident?

17. Have you applied to any other pediatric dentistry residency programs?

18. We will be talking with several great applicants about joining our pediatric residency program. Why should we choose you over another prospective resident with the same qualifications?

19. If a career in pediatric dentistry was not an option for you, what career path would you have chosen?

20. If you could name just one person, who would you say has been your biggest inspiration in your life?

21. We would like to get to know you on a more personal level. Outside of dentistry, what are your interests?

22. If you matched in our pediatric dentistry residency, what would you wish to accomplish in your two years training with us?

23. What drives your passion for a career in pediatric dentistry?

24. What do you feel is the single most important quality a pediatric dentist should possess?

25. What was your DAT score prior to entering dental school? Were you happy with it?

26. What are your ultimate career goals in dentistry?

27. Tell us something that we would not know about you from reading your application materials and references.

28. What do you feel is an area of weakness that you would like to improve on during your time in pediatric dentistry residency?

29. What clinical or knowledge-based strengths would you bring to our pediatric dentistry residency program?

30. What was your favorite course during dental school?

31. What do you know about our pediatric dentistry residency program?

32. What sources would you look to when you need to solve a complicated problem as a pediatric dentistry resident with our program?

33. Let's say you are caring for a teenage patient who is in desperate need of flossing on a regular basis, and they tell you that they already know how. How would you proceed?

34. What steps would you take if you suspected a patient was being subjected to abuse?

35. When a problem comes up in your pediatric dentistry residency training that requires a quick solution, how will you respond?