Situational Dental School Mock Interview
Master 30 situational dental school interview questions covering clinical scenarios, ethical dilemmas, and patient care.
Question 14 of 30
As a dental student, how would you handle a situation in which a member of your team clearly wasn't pulling their weight?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
How to Answer
Example Answer
Community Answers
Ryan Brunner has over ten years of experience recruiting, interviewing, and hiring candidates in the healthcare, public service, and private manufacturing/distribution industries.
You will be working with a diverse team of individuals as part of the larger care team within a dental office. This could include fellow dentists, dental hygienists, and other support staff. As you will be the person ultimately responsible for the overall care of the patient, your interviewers will expect you to come to their program as a student who is willing and ready to take charge and be responsible for the work of all staff who come in contact with your patients.
Ryan Brunner has over ten years of experience recruiting, interviewing, and hiring candidates in the healthcare, public service, and private manufacturing/distribution industries.
When answering this question, be direct in your approach, and consider what is best for the patient. If the team member's lack of care on the job puts a patient at risk, talk about how you would have an immediate conversation with the employee. If the person was having an off day, talk about how your ability to build a good rapport with your entire care team would enable you to have a professional, caring, and frank conversation with any member of your care team in this situation.
Ryan Brunner has over ten years of experience recruiting, interviewing, and hiring candidates in the healthcare, public service, and private manufacturing/distribution industries.
"I pride myself on my ability to build respect and trust with all students and staff that I work with. In a situation like this, this trust and respect would enable me to have a clear and respectful conversation with any staff member that I thought wasn't pulling their weight. I would end the conversation on a positive note by telling them that I believe in them. If the situation put the well-being of a patient at risk, I wouldn't hesitate to have a conversation with the team member immediately."
Interview Coach
Jaymie
A real coach, not AI. I read every answer myself and write back with personalized feedback.
Typically responds within 24 hours.
0 - Character Count
Unlock All 30 Situational Dental School Questions
Prepare for scenario-based questions that dental school admissions committees use to assess candidates.
Get StartedJump to Question