QUESTION 22 OF 30

How would you handle someone asking you for dental care advice or diagnosis validation outside the workplace?

This can be a difficult challenge for a dental student who will gain a lot of knowledge throughout dental school and will begin applying that knowledge for the first time. While it's easy and ego-boosting to become the 'expert' with family and friends, it can backfire. Ideally, your interviewers will want to hear that you would always recommend your friends or acquaintances to see their dentist for any urgent matters and a thorough examination and testing.

"First and foremost, I would do my best to gauge if it was a serious condition, and if it was, I would recommend they be seen at urgent care or the ER as soon as possible. If the question was not serious, I might give them a quick opinion and recommend that they see their PCP for further diagnosis."

Let your interviewers know that, while you may give a quick opinion on oral care and hygiene to a family member or friend, you would always recommend them to see their dentist for any matters that may be serious. Reiterate that you know that we live in a very litigious society and that you aren't willing to jeopardize your license (or reputation) by giving quick dental advice for something that could be serious.

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Situational Dental School Mock Interview

How would you handle someone asking you for dental care advice or diagnosis validation outside the workplace?

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30 Situational Dental School Interview Questions & Answers