Situational Dental School Mock Interview
Master 30 situational dental school interview questions covering clinical scenarios, ethical dilemmas, and patient care.
Question 3 of 30
What would you do if you suspected a colleague was abusing drugs?
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.
Over the years, drug abuse among those in the dental industry has become more prevalent, including the abuse of opioids, amphetamines, and nitrous oxide. Your interviewing team poses questions like this to ensure that you are aware of this trend in the industry and to hear that you would directly deal with the situation to ensure the safety of your colleagues and 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.
Your answer to this question should demonstrate your ability to be direct with the colleague and/or leadership while also maintaining professional respect. Ensure your interviewers that you would take the necessary steps to get your colleague the help they needed if you were correct in your suspicions of abuse. If you've ever faced a situation like this in the past, don't hesitate to talk about the steps you took and what you learned from that situation.
Ryan Brunner has over ten years of experience recruiting, interviewing, and hiring candidates in the healthcare, public service, and private manufacturing/distribution industries.
"First and foremost, I would look deeply into the physical and behavioral clues of my colleague to validate my suspicions. If I was confident that abuse was happening, I would be respectful of my colleague, let them know that I was concerned for their well-being, and ask if they wanted to talk. That conversation could go one of two ways. If they were compliant, I would ask that they talk about their issue with a leader and look into getting the help they needed. If they denied my suspicions and remained withdrawn, I would do my best to document what I noticed and talk to a leader about the issue."
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