Dental School Interview Questions

What did you like/dislike about the dental offices you have observed?

Ann arbor Cicero Chicago Frankfort Hospital I liked the new technology Talked to dentist, assistant, receptionist Chicago office worked and shadowed confusing insurance stuff paper records

Tell me about yourself

1. Who I am 2. Where I started 3. What I want to do now Where you went to school I took a lot of Band and did art on the side Applied via band and drawing Didn't know what to do Then got experience Like dental Here now.

What do you think would will like least about dentistry?

Access to care Insurance makes things difficult, confusing Turning away patients Cost of dental care without insurance Expensive because overhead is so expensive Dentistry is a business, must keep track of cost of running business, breaking even means charging patients I wish I could charge patients less. Office I worked at takes public aid patients Little out of pocket charge I HATE TURNING PEOPLE AWAY

What are your two best points?

Always try to find ways to improve things Not afraid to try new things. Improvise. Curious about things I haven't done/experienced before. Eager to learn. I ALWAYS like to be busy. I LOVE to find ways to expand artistically, I like to draw inspiration from other sources and develop myself as an artist. I like to evaluate current situations and how to make things better.

Why do you want to be a dentist?

Artistic, innovative, work with your hands. I grew up with it not really thinking it was something that I wanted to do. But when I started assisting my dad in high school I started to appreciate the differences that my dad makes with his patients. I even got my tooth knocked out and that was when I realized that I was taking my oral health for granted. I was thinking about something in the health field like medicine or veterinarian sciences, but once I shadowed dentistry more, I like the close pt interaction, the atmosphere,the hands-on-ness, the ability to provide the patients what they need right away. Dentistry is more about teeth, it's about how patients see themselves and others. It's how you chew food. It's something that you grow up with your entire life. Teeth are a part of your identity. Most kids get braces (I didn't because I didn't want it to get in the way of my clarinet playing). People value their smiles and I want them to be proud of their smiles. Also, it sucks to be in pain. People sometimes underestimate how Doctors deal with things that might be more urgent like high blood pressure, heart disease, diseases, and because of that the process of making patients feel better is too long. That type of treatment process isn't for me. I like having patients get treated right away.

You encounter a non-English speaking patient. How would you handle the situation?

Ask if anyone is with the pt Ask if there is an assistant/supervisor/another dentist If I knew a little of their lang then I would try to use whatever I know to let them know that I can't treat them

How will you handle the stress of dental school?

Ask upperclassmen for advice Find a group of dental students to hang out with JOIN ORGANIZATIONS VOLUNTEER Important to apply self to community and REMEMBER that you are not only in school to learn just about dentistry but about people. I'm STILL LEARNING about people and I feel that no matter where I go and who I talk to I will learn something new about the world Join community band Write music Call family/friends Sometimes when I'm really stressed out in undergrad I sometimes forget why I'm here. So it's good to take a break and reflect a little bit. Work with the community and by working with the community or a community then i am able to remember why I'm here.

Why do you want to go to Detroit Mercy University?

Auto enrollment in ASDA ACCESS clinic in Dearborn St. Vincent DePaul (student-run) HUDA clinic (student-run) Division on Dental Public Health Community Based Dental Education (CBDE) Multicultural experience Titans for Teeth (dental)(dental students)/ Shield a Smile (sealants)(hygiene students) Mobile Clinic Mobile programs Bay Cliff Health Camp Give Kids a Smile (Feb) Mack and Third (Detroit Homeless) Men's Health Event Mouth Guard Clinics Special Needs Clinic I like their philosophy Similar to urban Chicago population

What do you think being a dentist entails, apart from treating patients?

COMPASSIONATE Always have a goal Always ready to learn Adaptable to different situations (quick decisions) Be proactive about workplace (ergonomics, make space comfortable for all members of the dental team) PERSONABLE, GOOD LISTENER and WELCOMING (connect with patients, listen to their stories, take into account their stories in order to give them the help that they need) BE PATIENT

Dentists require a great deal of hand coordination. Do you play any instruments or do any work with your hands?

Clarinet Piano Violin Music composition Costumes Accessories Origami Sketching Comics Lab work Computer work

What do you feel are the most important qualities in being a good dentist?

Compassionate Always have a goal Always ready to learn Adaptable to different situations (quick decisions) Be proactive about workplace (ergonomics, make space comfortable for all members of the dental team) Personable and welcoming (connect with patients, listen to their stories, take into account their stories in order to give them the help that they need) Be patient

When did you decide dentistry was a good career choice for you?

Did consider vet. or medicine. Wanted to work with people, so not vet. Wanted to do medicine, but then I shadowed more. Had less of an urge to not be ashamed of doing "what everyone else does" but instead do what you want to do. More pt. contact. See people again and again Insta-results - see improvement right away Also while working as an assistant, learned that I can make a difference in people's lives. I enjoy helping our patients and would like to continue. I can also appreciate it more since I know it is constantly changing. I can't be a part of everything in dentistry, but I would like to be a part of it.

What branch of dentistry do you think would interest you? Why?

Difficult to say All sound cool Oral surgery Pediatrics Endodontics Periodontics Pathology Radiology Public Health Ortho Pros Probably stick to gen dentistry but will be excited to learn about the other specializations throughout dental school.

What do you do to relieve stress?

Draw Music Hang out Study Cook, clean

What do you do in your spare time?

Draw Music Hang out with friends Study Bike Walk Clean, tidy things Talk to friends at home and family

What interests you outside of dentistry and getting into dental school?

Drawing Making music - playing instruments Public health I like biking outside I like to travel I like food (I can't cook though) Taking care of family Volunteering Spending time with family

What steps have to taken to confirm that you want to be a dentist?

First while in high school I was able to see my dad treat patients. I learned about the technologies and supplies and paperwork. Research - a lot of impact outside the clinical setting Shadowing - see patients get better, liked the interaction, liked the community, liked the sense of comfort that the dentists offered to their patients SMDEP (aka SHPEP) - decide between med/dent, see other disciplines in dent, see how dent can impact community (the student clinic)

Pick three people throughout history you would choose to have dinner with and then tell why you would pick them.

Ghandi Grandpa My kindergarten teacher Jesus Jose Rizal - spoke 22 languages, went to med school, Filipino revolutionary, artist

If you are accepted into two dental schools of your top choice, what would you do to make up your mind?

Go by their mission I think Detroit Mercy fits my mission I think Detroit Mercy is right UIC is my second top Detroit Mercy offers more opportunity

Why are you interested in dentistry?

Grown up with dentistry Wanted to do vet #8 was chipped off When will it come back? First time I realized that I took my teeth for granted Dad made composite right away Help out in office Appreciate service Beauty and health SMDEP Research Shadow Work Rough 1st semester, but had goal creative, artistic challenging, constantly evolving, rewarding, community engagement, research dentistry is creative and it helps people in a great degree. Directly make an impact in someone's life.

Why should we choose you?

I like research and would like to continue to learn more about the field that I have done research in already. I really like my research because it optimizes oral health by only trying to change how we behave. Prevention Optimization New medicine and technology is great and all, but sometimes we can prevent some health problems from ever happening by changing how we view dentistry. New medicine and technology is very expensive. Research is expensive. All these costs trickle down and then oral health services become too costly for patients. The US spends so much $ on health that we should do something about it. PREVENTION IS #1. Then BASIC #2. Then MAJOR #3. I think working with Dr. Inglehart has definitely expanded what I see in dentistry. I want to continue serving the underserved population I am curious and want to learn about different people I'm excited to learn new techniques and dental technology I am familiar with the dental field My mission lines up with Michigan's philosophy to EXCEL IN ALL EDUCATION, INNOVATION, AND SERVICE

Why did you choose the undergraduate school you went to, and if you could, would you do anything differently?

I liked the reputation Many resources My sister went to this school I would not change anything because I like the experience, even though its really expensive EXPERIENCE VERY IMPORTANT. That is what matters, not money. I love the spirit here I love the opportunities it gave me I love the friends and professors I've met. Inspirational. Volunteer opportunities The attitude towards education, service, and education Unique research experience So many programs that I have helped me decide what I would like to do for the rest of my life. Lots of resources I think I learned a lot about myself and other people by living away from home Choosing how I live on my own. Living with new people. Talking things over with new people. Sense of independence

Tell me about yourself.

I'm a senior in undergrad studying neuroscience. Although I study biological sciences, I was brought up in a very musical family and was encouraged to develop artistically since I was 5. I grew up in a suburb near Chicago My family are immigrants

What are your two weakest points?

Impatience Speaking in front of large groups Critical of self Impatient with self and sometimes others - feel that things need to be done in a certain way. Too detail oriented sometimes. Learned to chill out as long as things go well. Learn to speak to people better as a dental assistant Critical of self - always trying to find ways to improve self. Use to compare self with other people but learned to make sure that I was happy and that people were happy around me.

Is amalgam safe to use in dentistry?

It is hard to say. Durability, cost. Importance of research.

Where do you see yourself in five / ten years?

It's hard to say, hopefully in school, but who knows. Hard question. Take CE classes, learning more about dentistry Living at home taking care of my parents

Explain your leadership / research / volunteer experiences?

KKY Animal Behavior --> Inglehart Hospital dentistry: teaching other volunteers how to do stuff too. and homeless shelter Research 2015 UROP 2015-present HPE day in LEAGUE Research day in LEAGUE I want to do Pathways

What did you do to prepare for the DAT?

Kaplan book winter Asked friends for advice, old books Handwriting notes and flashcards DAT Bootcamp Tried studying with a friend during finals Didn't hardcore study until after finals About 7 hours a day, took time off for birthdays and graduations, family time, friends Pushed from May 22 to June 6, the last possible day until registration ends

What extracurricular activities are you engaged in?

MMB Research KKY Shadowing Volunteering

Describe your method of learning. How does this fit with this dental school?

Method of learning is low and slow Flashcards Ask

Who are the three most influential people in your life?

My mom My dad My grandma

Be familiar with your application.

Ok

Which of your college courses interested you the most?

Organic Chemistry - overall enjoyment Psych 326 - how to conduct survey-based research Animal Physiology - covered animal and human physiology, connected to clinical studies

What courses was most academically challenging for you?

Orgo: help with community P-chem: help with community Psych: different teaching style. Much more specific type of biology. Got better with genetics Public health so far: I wish I learned about this earlier. It has to do with my job and what I want to do in the future. PROBABLY THE MOST APPLICABLE CLASS EVER

If you are not accepted, what will you do?

Probably keep working Volunteer Maybe take more classes Apply again If can't be a dentist, then Find something that is similar and uses the skills I have I would try something health-related, but I wouldn't know until I look more into different career options

What would you do if you couldn't be a dentist?

Probably keep working Volunteer Maybe take more classes Find something that is similar and uses the skills I have I would try something health-related, but I wouldn't know until I look more into different career options

What are three things you want to change about yourself?

Public speaking Don't be too critical of self Taking things personally Don't compare self with others. Over-honesty Too sympathetic in some cases Don't compare self with others: It was a problem growing up and at school, but I learned that I should focus on making myself happy and making other people happy. I don't have to be the best runner or the best clarinet player or a president of 5 clubs, I only have to do well to make the people happy, be a part of a group that works towards a common goal that will benefit everyone. I should learn how to not take things so personally. Remember that people have their problems too. Despite different work/volunteer/research experiences, I still believe I have a lot more to learn about people. Everyone is case by case. You can't learn about a person in a classroom. I learned a lot about people who are very stressed out the hard way. I started to tear up at work once about it but then the next day I realized that I should have not taken it so personally so that it affected how I appeared to my coworkers and other patients. I've learned to be sympathetic to people, but sometimes to sympathetic.

What dental procedures have you seen?

Recalls Composites Amalgams RTC Crown prep/del Recement Denture imp/not wax bite/del, used PIP paste Exams Pulpotomies "Whitening" AND MOAR

One day, a dental school classmate gives you a sheet containing questions for an upcoming exam. How would you handle the situation and what issues would you consider important in coming to a decision about what to do?

Refuse the sheet. Would not report right away. Ask them to get rid of it and stop sharing. Try to discourage student from cheating in future because consequences and not fair to other students. The world isn't black and white and student might be having a hard time. If that's the case, try to talk to student and see what I can do to help them. If cheating persists, will have to report regardless because not fair to other students. Want the academic experience to be maximum for all students. Need to keep integrity of dental field.

What do you think you will like most about dentistry?

See patients get better See patients be happy with outcomes As assistant, best part was seeing patients genuinely glad for cleaning, new dentures, alleviation of pain Sense of accomplishment is the most satisfying thing about any work. Want to make a bigger difference as a dentist

How do you handle conflict?

Talk to the person 1 on 1 Let manager/leader know Keep it on the down-low, don't want to embarrass anyone

What are the responsibilities of a dentist to a patient?

Treat them Welcome

What do you think will be your greatest challenge in completing dental school?

Undergrad - academics hard Will probably always be hard But most difficult will be learning how to work with difficult patients e.g. language barrier, very young, people who are afraid of dentist. Everything is case by case and cannot be taught in the classroom. I know there might be classes that teach behavioral science but what you learn may not be applied until you actually see the person in the chair. Certain interpersonal skills cannot be learned, but it can develop over time. I learned a lot as a dental assistant.

What are some questions do you have for the UDMSod?

What are your opinions about the school? How can students sign up to volunteer in clinics? Are there a lot of research opportunities for dental students? Is there any emphasis on public health? Do you teach students how to Is there a procedure checklist to be done before graduation? Do students perform RTC behind the pre-molars? What types of responsibilities do we have after automatic enrollment in ASDA? Is the ACCESS clinic run by dental s

Why do you believe you have the ability to undertake the study and work involved in dental school?

Worked with many different pts. Familiar with field Shadowed Passion - success is measured by happiness. Therefore, I would be driven to work harder every day and learn more People may move and might find another dentist, but the impact of something that I was able to craft with my own hands on their lives may live on longer than I will be in their lives.

Did you ever consider medical school?

Yes, but: Not as much pt. contact See people again and again Insta-results - see improvement right away I like the community and you get to work closely with everyone on the dental team!! Doctors deal with things that might be more urgent like high blood pressure, heart disease, diseases, and because of that the process of making patients feel better is too long. That type of treatment process isn't for me. I like having patients get treated right away.

Does your family support your decision to become a dentist?

Yes, very supportive Work together in future They've inspired me to find own happiness I'm fine with "following in footsteps" but it isn't exactly that. I like dentistry on my own, and I grew to like it since high school.