Always use proper dental terminology in your interviews. Instead of saying bad teeth or black teeth, use the word dental caries. Instead of using “bad gums” or bleeding gums, use the word gingivitis, periodontitis or periodontal disease appropriately. Instead of stating mouth cancer, use the proper terminology which is oral carcinoma. Similarly, other words to avoid are silver or black fillings when you should really be using the term amalgam fillings.
If you are not sure the exact question your interviewer has asked you on the panel, it is perfectly acceptable to ask them to repeat the question again. This will clarify the exact question that they want you to answer but also it will give you that extra few seconds of thinking time which is invaluable.
Being nervous at a dental interview is understandable and the panel will recognise this however they do also expect you to be able to have a reasonable control of your nerves. If you are a person who tends to get over nervous at interviews, you should try to learn techniques in order to control your anxiety hence improving how you come across.
Dental interviews require practice but also skills that can be learnt with expert help and advice. In preparation for your interview, try lots of realistic scenarios and use a professional interview company to guide you along.
Remember that you can be asked anything at your dentistry interviews and your preparation should reflect this. Thinking like this also minimises your chances of coming across as the student who has simply memorised their answers. The dental panel are looking for students who can think on their feet in a confident manner.
Spend adequate time in learning the regulatory frameworks around dentistry. These are usually easy questions to answer unless you haven’t done your research of course.
Finally, make sure you can elaborate on all aspects of your dental Personal Statement. If you are hesitant on this, the selection panel may then wonder if you even wrote it yourself in the very first place.
