Interviews for Dental School
All UK dental schools invite shortlisted candidates to an interview. Preparing effectively is essential.
Types of dental school interview
Dental schools use different kinds of interviews to evaluate candidates. During your application process, you may encounter one or all of types of interview.
They want evidence that:
- you are able to make quick, rational decisions
- you can explain clearly under pressure
- you understand of the issues surrounding a career in dentistry.
The main types of interview for dental school are:
Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs) are used by the majority of UK dental schools. They involve moving around a number of ‘stations’ with different assessors at each.
Some stations may look like a more traditional interview, where you dicsuss your personal statements and experience.
You will also have more practical activities, such as interacting with an actor who might have a clinical or ethical problem.
You may need to solve a problem, carry out a reading task or complete an exercise to test your manual dexterity.
Before the MMIs, you will usually be briefed on what to expect and you'll have the opportunity to ask questions. It is worth researching online or contacting the dental school before an MMI to find out information about each station.
MMIs are a real test of your communication and interpersonal skills as you need to make a good impression at every station.
More information on MMIs:
- University of Glasgow - example of a MMI role play exercise
- Many individual medical schools give more details of their own MMI process on their websites (see below).
The traditional interview involves being asked questions about your application and your reasons for wanting to study dentistry.
On average, the interviews last about 20–30 minutes and there will usually be a panel of two or three assessors. They may or may not have seen your application.
The interviewers may not all be dentists. Instead, there may be lay members, university staff and current dental students. It’s important to pay attention to all panel members. TARGETjobs gives more advice on handling panel interviews.
At the end of the interview, each assessor will grade the candidate’s performance and complete an assessment form. These grades are used as the basis for the decision making process for actual offers.
Interviews at Newcastle University School of Dental Sciences
Interviews for dentistry at Newcastle University follow the format of a panel interview. The interview lasts approximately 20 minutes and is led by two selectors.
During the interview selectors will consider if you have the aptitude, motivation and personal qualities to succeed as a dental student and future dental professional.
At interview applicants are assessed on:
- preparation and motivation for dental school
- effective learning skills
- team working
- personal qualities
- resilience
- interpersonal and communication skills
- empathy, integrity and professionalism
Additional information on the interview process can be found in the School of Dental Sciences Admissions Policy (PDF).
Interviews at other dental schools
The British Dental Association (BDA) lists the UK's dental schools. Many institutions will offer advice on their own interview process. Sometimes this is very in depth, but others give little detail. We’ve listed information below but make sure you check the institution’s website for specific details.
- University of Leeds School of Dentistry -brief information on their MMI (UK/EU applicants) and Skype interviews (international applicants)
- University of Manchester Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health - information and advice on preparing for their MMI
- Newcastle University School of Dental Sciences - see above or information on the panel interview (PDF)
- University of Sheffield School of Clinical Dentistry - information on their interview process and interpersonal skills test
- University of Central Lancashire School of Dentistry - includes information on their MMI
- Cardiff University School of Dentistry - admissions criteria and brief details of their MMI
- University of Birmingham School of Dentistry - includes brief details of their MMI
- University of Liverpool School of Dentistry - brief information on their admissions policy and MMI (PDF)
- Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry - has brief information on their panel interview
- University of Bristol Dental School - information on their MMI and tour
- King's College London Faculty of Dentistry - information on their MMI including advice on preparing (PDF)
- University of Plymouth Peninsula Dental School - information on their MMI
- University of Aberdeen Institute of Dentistry - information and advice on their MMI
- University of Dundee School of Dentistry - information and advice on their MMI
- University of Glasgow Dental School - includes information on their MMI and videos of their sample stations
- Queen’s University Belfast School of Dentistry - information on their admissions process which includes a series of short interviews
Manual dexterity
Manual dexterity may be tested at interview. Dentists need to be able to skilfully carry out complex tasks using coordinated hand movements.
To assess manual dexterity dental schools might ask you to:
- complete a task which demonstrates manual dexterity, for example, threading a needle
- reflect on a time when you have demonstrated manual dexterity
- bring an example of your manual dexterity with you at interview
Develop your manual dexterity by practising hobbies which need precise and coordinated hand movements. These may be a musical instrument, needlework and model making.
See Medic Portal’s article on how to show manual dexterity in your dental school application for more advice.
Advice and typical questions
Preparation tips
- Review your personal statement so you feel comfortable discussing it
- Reflect - what did you do or observe during your work experience or shadowing experience?
- Think about the most interesting, unexpected, worst and best things that you observed. What did you learn from them? Have you applied anything you've learned
- Find out what you can about the format. Research possible questions and think about how you would answer them.
Remember interviews can be conducted by a range of professionals, from actors to teaching staff, not only dentists.
Avoid using very technical terms as you may have more clinical knowledge that those assessing you.
- Be aware of your body language and non-verbal communication
- Plan your journey to the interview
- Decide what you are going to wear. Some dental schools have guidance about how formally they expect you to dress for interview on their websites.
Typical questions
The following resources give more advice on the interview process and typical questions:
- The Medic Portal - advice on preparing for a dentistry interview, including interview questions and ethical scenarios
- Apply to Uni - advice and typical interview questions
- Studential - list of interview questions for dental school
For more advice see Interviews and Assessment Centres.
Tips for answering ethical questions
- There is not a right answer
- Use evidence or explanation to back up your answers
- Explain your thought processes
- Don’t assume prior knowledge on the interviewers’ part – not all interviewers will be dentists
- Show awareness and recognition of different viewpoints
- Don’t ‘sit on the fence’ – have an opinion
- Take a common sense approach
Resources to help with your interview research
- British Dental Association (BDA) - trade union and professional body for dentistry
- General Dental Council - UK-wide statutory regulator of dental services
- British Dental Journal - dental journals
- Standards and Guidance - standards of conduct, performance and ethics for dental professionals
- Values of the NHS Constitution - if you are applying for NHS funded University courses you will be expected to understand NHS values.
- Be prepared to demonstrate how you would show these in your everyday work.
- Health Education England’s free online tool - highlights the values of the NHS. It shows staff working in various situations and asks questions about how you would have handled the same situation. It gives feedback on your responses.
- Healthcareers.nhs.uk - NHS careers site
- YouTube: Medic Mind - series of videos for dental school interview preparation, including topics such as ethics, the NHS and the GDC
- Prospects - dentist job profile
Practice interviews
If you have an interview date in place, we may be able to offer an interview coaching session with a careers consultant.
To arrange this go to MyCareer and arrange a bookable Information appointment to speak to an information adviser. They will help you prepare for your interview. They can book your interview coaching session.
We run interview workshops and employers on campus frequently run skills sessions for students, including sessions on interview techniques.
The Careers Service has rooms available for current students and registered graduates who need to take part in a telephone, Skype or video interview, subject to availability.
Rooms in King’s Gate are available Monday to Friday, 09:00 – 17:00 only. If you require a room, please call into the Careers Service, Level 1, King’s Gate to arrange or contact us, providing as much detail as possible.