What will you do if you don't get accepted into any dental programs during your first attempt? Do you have plans for the interim year?

First, assure your interviewers that the program you are interviewing with is your top program of choice because that will certainly earn you some bonus points. Then, explain that you are confident in your ability to be accepted into a program and talk about some of the alternatives that you might do in the interim year until the next application cycle for dental schools. This should include fine-tuning your application and gaining some helpful work experience in the dental field that will add to your application for the next time you apply.

"Your program is my top choice, so I would be disappointed if I was rejected, but I take the time to reflect on my application and make improvements over the next year. I would also reach back out to you to see what I could improve upon. I also have a family friend who runs a dental practice in my hometown who has agreed to let me shadow him over the next year to learn the details of his practice and his techniques if I were not to be accepted this year."