Dental School Interview Prep

What is the schools mission and do you fit in it?

"The mission of the Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine-Arizona is to graduate well-qualified general dentists and to improve oral health through research, scholarly activity, and service to the public." 1. BYU's mission is enter to learn, go forth to serve. I plan to give back to the dental community through humanitarian work, teaching at schools, and being the best dentist I can be. 2. I'm excited about continued education and intend to far exceed the minimum state requirements so that I can implement the newest technologies and techniques in my practice.

2-3 passionate minuetes about why you want to be a dentist?

* remember to use repetitive clauses here to show excitment * also exaggerate * Use the word excited to convey excitement for dentistry I've always loved science, especially human anatomy, so I knew that whatever I ended up doing, the health field would be good for me. I'm very excited to help people feel good about themselves with a winning smile, but also to feel good period, by maintaining their health and keeping their teeth and gums clean. I really love how dentistry allows me the opportunity to form lasting relationships with their pateints, as I'll be seeing them atleast once every 6 months. I love interacting and communicating with others, so compared to other health fields, I think dentistry is one of the most personal, not to mention that you're all up in their mouths. I'm also interested in politics, and access to health care services is a huge issue right now that I've also explored throughout my service at soup kitchens and with immigrant and refugee communities. Access to dental care is limited, especially in marginalized communities, so working as a dentist will allow me to contribute to fixing this issue. I'm really excited to have the opportunity to make a positive change in the world by providing pro bono care, volunteering, and lobbying for health issues as an expert in the field.

Tell me about a recent piece of dental or medical news you have read recently.

-Applications of 3D printing in the dental office Can fabricate crowns, etc. in house rather than sending out to a lab. Do everything in one visit More affordable for patients

What appeals to you most about working in the field of dentistry?

-Dentistry combines two of my favorite things, the sciences and art. I love working with my hands to problem solve and create things. And I love learning about the physiology of the human body. -Educating others to improve their lives. I enjoy teaching (gospel doctrine, serving mission, teaching assistant, RA). -Being the leader of a small team. -like patient interaction one on one

What skills or abilities do you hope to strengthen through our program?

-Interpersonal skills, especially as they relate to doctor-patient relationship -leadership skills -business knowledge, as well as insurance -dental ethics -of course, manual dexterity and knowledge about dentistry -adaptability to new technologies and flexibility when it comes to treaqtment options. Learn many ways to address one problem

Name three challenges you'll face in dental school

-being thrown into a new environment with all new people, in a new city away from home -adapting to the more challenging curriculum and course work -budgeting and not letting my outstanding loans stress me out

How has your employment developed your interpersonal skills?

-conflict management -patience -communicating as a team to facilitate work -having a good attitude -working with diverse people (old, kids, special needs, non-spanish speaking)

Which dentistry related newspapers, journals, or publications do you read to stay in touch with new dental discoveries, and current events?

-contours (ASDA, about dental school experience) -advocacy brief (ASDA newsletter about policy and legislation relating to dentistry, important because policy affects access to care) -Dentistry Today -Dentistry IQ

What have you learned from your volunteer work at the soup kitchen, and how can this translate to the dental field?

-learned to withold judgement. A lot of times, circumstances are not in direct control of people. Don't blame them for their cricumstances or pity them for it. First step in overcoming stigma -enahnced communication: had long, in depth conversations with people I have never met before. Very easy to make friends and be comfortable around people often perceived as dangerous. Helped me become more outgoing and comfortable talking with new peopl -More empathy, can better understand and relate to other people's struggles -The importance of a good attitude when faced with obstacles

What have you learned from your volunteer work at the literacy center, and how can it translate to dentistry?

-must be organized and diligent in documenting each lesson (similar to patient charts) -exposure to diverse languages, cultures, and competencies, similar to patient pools in urban or disadvantaged areas where I plan to serve in the future -helped me become a better leader by making me more decisive. I was in charge of the lesson, I needed to decide what materials to use. This was difficult at first as I had never tutored before and was unsure of my abilities as a teacher. -demonstrated the importance of learning spanish when working in an urban area in order to communicate better with them. Dentist;s office can be intimidating enough as it is, not understanding the language will only make it worse. immigrants and refugees already face enough problems, worrying about communicating with their dentist should not be one of them!

Why did you pick so and so school?

-respected professors -innovative curriculum -specialty training -access to clinics -business training -volunteer -facilities

What are some challenges that you've overcome?

-shyness -neck problems, chiropractor, posture, pain

What questions do you have for us about the University of IOwa (or other schools)?

-what is the patient pool like? -What resources are there for students (tutoring, mentoring?) -What is the grading system (letter grades or pass/fail?) -when do clinical experiences begin? (NOT IOWA)

*Tell me about a dilemma you have faced in the past.

1. Decision between dental school and art. Teacher, friends, parents all tried to sway me one way or another. The more I learned about art the more I got excited about it. I considered taking a gap year to attend an art academy, I tried double majoring. I started spending a lot more free time doing art and even started taking some free lance art jobs. I went back and forth a lot between which would make a better career. Eventually I decided to use my artistic abilities to pursue dentistry. I had to stand my ground, put in the work, and make the decision for myself. Here I am. Bren said this one is better. 2. Moved around a lot as a kid, had to make friends quickly. In Brazil I was excited to have a fresh start in a new place but quickly learned that I was an outcast. Over time I made friends with other people who were in similar situations, such as the Korean's who didn't speak any portuguese. After accumulating some Korean friends, I soon invited an argentine to join our friend group, who later brought another Argentine with him. I found another Americans, Canadians, Germans, etc. And by the end of the two years none of us were miserable like we were in the beginning and we really enjoyed ourselves

3 strengths and 3 weaknesses

1. Leader (people are drawn to me) 2. Hard worker, makes up for any areas that don't come easily for me. 3. Reliable 1. Hard worker and I sometimes work too hard and that leads to burn out or imbalance. Spread myself too thin 2. Saying yes to too many things 3. Perfections

What questions do you have for us?

1. What type of research does your school do? What kind of commitment does that require from students? 2. A concern I have is that students at schools with lots of specialty programs don't get as much hands on experience with a variety of procedures. How does this effect students at Midwestern? 3. From your experience how do students with spouses or families perform in dental school compared to their non-married counter parts? 4. I hear from my brother in law and other recently graduated students that if they could go anywhere else it would have been MW and that your students are some of the best prepared. What would you say makes Midwestern unique? 5. What percentage of your clinic patients speak Spanish? Are there any resources for helping students learn dental Spanish? 6. What is it that makes dentistry so exciting in Arizona? Why is it a hub? 7. Is there a specific area where most of your students decide to live?

What are you reading right now?

A collection of spanish short stories parallel text, with one page in spanish and the other in english. Want to continue learning spanish to enhance my communication skills even if it was not a part of y college curriculum

Dentistry can sometimes be a stressful role. How do you manage stress in the workplace, and what steps do you take to remain professional and manage this?

A lot of experience with stress Have a good attitude, people are more understanding than you think. Let people know what to expect, takes some of the stress away Teamwork, or talk to supervisor

Research key issues in dentistry! List some of them here.....

Access to care water fluoridation Aging populations Public health coverage policy changes Corporate dentistry Offshore dental labs

How has your work experience prepared you for dentistry?

Although I was never employed in a dental office, my years of experience in the food industry have helped me develop the skills I need to succeed as a dentist. -Conflict resolution -leadership -high pressure, fast paced environment -patience -Communication

Why are you a good fit for our school?

Arizona is a dental hub and is a place where I want to be networking and building relationships in the dental community. I'm hardworking and fully intend to become the very dentist I can be. I am a team player and will build up other students around, form good study groups, and encourage other students to succeed. It is a place where I am confident that my wife will be happy and succeed which will help me to succeed.

NAme a time when you went above and beyong

At the end of last semester, I had about $400 left on my school account. Instead of transferring it to my bank via direct deposit, I decided to bulk order home supplies from our campus convenience store with the intent of donating the goods to a community organization. I then organized a donation drive within my community in order to collect as many items as I could. I donated everything to catholic charities refugee resettlement program, and it felt great to have all of my effort finally pay off. Although the money I used to begin this project was from my student loans, and I'll probably be paying it back plus 7% interest until I'm 40, I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to organize and contribute to something so special

What do you think about HMOs and the changes taking place in medecine?

Background Info: most HMO plans pay dentists a certain amount for each contracted patient/month (let's say $10/month). Dentists receive this money for each patient whether or not they perform any procedures for this patient. If a dentist has 1000 HMO patients, then they receive a check for $10,000/month from the insurance company. Basic preventative services (cleanings, exams, etc) are covered by the HMO. If a patient needs restorative services (fillings, crowns, bridges) then the dentist is required to see them and the patient pays a low co-pay for the service (far less than a PPO plan). Pros: Some dentists love this because it is guaranteed income whether or not you see the patients. In theory, the plans incentivize better preventive care (which is cheaper than expensive restorative procedures). Cons: Dentists receive far lower reimbursement rates for the same services. Many of the patients who have cheaper HMO plans need a lot of dental work. The combination of these factors causes HMO patients to be under treated. I saw a patient yesterday who was on an HMO plan for years and her dentist told her that her teeth were great. When she finally went to get a second opinion she needed fillings on over 20 teeth. This is an extreme example but can happen under an HMO plan. Because reimbursement from DHMO insurance is so low, additional and unnecessary codes are tacked on, procedures are rushed, and the quality of the materials used goes down simply to stay in business.

How do you handle criticism?

Be sure to sound open minded. Tell your art story. Talk about how I was closed minded to abstract art. As I got encouragement from professors I started opening my mind to possibilities.

Name one meaningful leadership experience you've had and explain what you learned from it?

Being promoted to a team 2 trainer, head cashier at work. Retrained entire section I learned so much from leading others at work, but the most important is how to inspire good work ethic, behavior, and actions from your team. -Lead by example -Recognize good actions -have a good attitude, foster positivity -be confident always -Hold yourself and your team to high standards

How do you decompress?

By spending time with my family. I have a very strong bond with my parents and siblings, and try to go back home to spend time with them when my school schedule allows me too. Being able to go home for a weekend, watch my brother's sproting events, watch movies together, go out for dinner, helps me decompress and release a lot of the stress I feel at school. I also decompress at school through exercise, playing the piano, and sitting out by the lovely lake Michigan

What is your self-development plan, both professionally and personally?

Continually moving forward to gain new expertise intent on developing the right skills and acquiring the right knowledge to excel in the field. eager to keep pace with changes in technology and best practices. Self aware and willing to address any weakness professionally: make as many connections within the industry as I can, gain exposure to all areas and specialties within dentistry, increase my understanding of ethics as it relates to dentistry. Continue learning even after I graduate dental school and adapt to new technologies nad advancements. Lobby for legislation that will benefit public health personally: continue developing my abilities to communicate with others by overcoming my shyness and social anxiety and learn spanish to be able to commuincate with spanish-speakers better. Also pursue leadership opportunities to develop my leadership skills and be more comfortable leading others

What do you believe to be the major trends in your intended career field at this time?

DSOs and Group practices more than private (reduced overhead, cope with school debt) Applications of 3D printing, in-office fabrications Corporate dentistry

If you could invite three people to dinner who would they be and why?

Da Vinci or Michael Angelo- changed the world of anatomy art. He is the father of classical and traditional art and changed peoples minds about the human body being evil and taught them that by studying it we could actually worship god and learn great things. He is a renaissance man who made profound contributions to math, architecture, art, and science. Steve Irwin - Inspired me to respect nature and preserve it, to love interacting with wildlife, and influenced the world of conservation. Ellen - She is a person who uses her riches, her platform, and her influence to inspire people to be better. Unlike the new which promotes the bad and horrible stories of things going on in the world, she highlights the good in people and rewards them for it. She gave a car to my high school teacher and put it on her show. She does conservation work on gorillas. She has opened the minds of millions of people on topics like LGTQ rights and made all people want to love each other instead of inspiring hate.

If you were going to donate to one organization, what would it be?

Definitely a charity involved with providing access to clean water. In one of my theology courses, we learned that so many social problems globally are either caused by or exasperated by poor sanitation and inaccessibility of clean drinking water. I believe that clean water is a right, and it is unacceptable that so many communities do not have access, even in the United States. I think if we invest in solutions to the global water crisis, not only will it solve social and economic issues in countries abroad, but it will also positively impact the United States and our people by limiting war and terrorism

How do you feel about being in the same profession for 30 years? How will you keep your career exciting?

Dentistry always evolving with new techniques and technology Also a lot of options, teach, research, practice, even legislation Volunteer, take on difficult cases, more rewarding

Why not medicine?

Dentistry is medicine, as overall health and oral health are intrinsically linked. However, I've decided not to become a physician for the following reasons: Opportunity to becoe a business owner Can form relationships with your patients. you don't always get to work within a single community. As a result you do not retain a pool of long term patients, and I want to be friends with my patients. Ability to work with your hands

What is dependability? Are you dependable? Is there ever a time you shouldn't be dependable?

Dependability involves being trustworthy and following through on what you say you'll do. I am a very dependable person. I try to always keep my word and live my life abiding to the morals and values that I hold dear. People can rely on me, especially at work and in my family and friend relationships. I think you should always be dependable. To be trustworthy and reliable does not take much effort

Tell me about your previous college education. What was the most valuable thing you learnt, and how will this be of value within the role of dentist?

Did good in college Learned how to study Will help in dentistry because constantly learning new techniques and technology from literature

What do you feel is the single most important quality a dentist should possess?

Diligence: Between pushing through 4 difficult years of dental school, possibly more years in specialty, and then to put in long days working, managing a team of staff, and running your own small business things are going to be really hard. And if you aren't willing to put in the work in school you will be doing an injustice to your future patients who might not get the best care. If you don't put in the work when you are fresh out of school with loans the stress might be too much. If you don't put in the work when you are practicing you might not be able to provide for your family, or enjoy your hobbies. So I'd say being diligent is what makes a dentist succeed.

Describe to me the dental practice you observed.

Dr HAle, very small practice where she focused a lot on patient communication and has great chariside manner.

Who in your life mentors or inspires you?

Dr. Chung, my pediatric dentist. Idolize her gentle approach to dentistry. She mentored me with shadowing and will help with dental school since she used to instruct Dr. Hale, private dentist and instructor at dental school. Mentored me during the application process and gave me a lot of business advice when it comes to working in the industry My cousin Ted inspires my personal growth, he has overcome a lot of family and mental issues, motivates me to step out of my comfort zone

Tell me about a time you had to work with someone you did not like or trust?

During my employment at Loyola, I worked alongside another student in the fine arts department. She was very nice, but did not have the best work ethic. It was sometimes a challenge to work together because she often wanted to take shortcuts on tasks rather than doing things the right way. However, I refused to compromise on my work ethic to meet her level and would always encourage her to complete our tasks the right way alongside me.

Tell us about your overall academic perforance so far. Where have you excelled and where could you improve?

Excelled: I put in the work to get really good grades which facilitated getting half tuition scholarship every semester of college. I'm proud of my GPA and it reflects the hard work I put in while managing a marriage, working out everyday to maintain my mental and physical health, and pursuing hobbies like having a dog and doing art consistently. I'm never the smartest person in the class but I am willing to work extra hard to make up for whatever natural intelligence I lack. I excelled in getting together really effective study groups where we all brought our own strengths to the table and we all put in the prep work to be effective. Improved: I'm really great at getting understanding the material well enough for the exam and to get a grade to show for it, but when I don't continue putting that knowledge into practice consistently I realize that I knew it for the test. A lot of college is about jumping through hoops and I'm good at that which isn't necessarily a good thing. I hope that in dental school being able to apply what I learn in the clinic will help me retain the knowledge I gain, as well as knowing that the knowledge will help me in my life-long career

If your friend had a gambling addiction, how would you help him?

Experienced this within my own family Withold judgement Show empathy for the person Talk to the person and make them aware of how the addiction is affecting themselvesand others, then encourage them to get help I would research resources that can help them, such as therapists or support groups Make an action plan Help them avoid places where they might get temptedto gamble Help make a budget replace ga,bling with something else together

If you had 24 hours to do anything what would you do?

Go somewhere beautiful, paint while my while my wife reads a book in the sun, eat good food.

Describe how you tell a patient that their tooth needs to be extracted

Have empathy for this person, as having a tooth pulled can be traumatizing, either because of fear, pain, or just sadness about losing their smile. But also stay professional I would try to show empathy with my words, while also being clear as to why the tooth needs to be removed and what complications would arise if it was left in. I would help alleviate stress in the patient by sugggesting ways in which extractions can be prevented in the future as well as providing optimism by explaining new advancements which can fix a missing tooth, implants, partials, bridge etc

What role does humor play in your life? Can you laugh at yourself?

Humor is a huge part of my daily life. I think that my day is not complete without laughing or smiling, its one of the most crucial components to a positive attitude. I love making people laugh and making my family smile. I laugh at myself all the time, especially when I do something out of the ordaniary. Also a good way to cope with setbacks

Tell me about yourself?

I am goal oriented with a strong work ehtic that I have put into uyse academically, professionally, and personally I am very passionate about service and like to volunteer within my community to help improve the lives of others I enjoy connecting with others and really value the relationships I've formed through the years. I've overcome a lot of shyness and social anxiety to get to the point I'm at today

Why did you chose to study biology?

I grew up saying that I wanted to take over Steve Irwin's job after he was finished because I loved finding, catching or interacting with any type of animal, especially reptiles and amphibians. I love spending time in nature and with wildlife. In high school I took AP biology, chemistry, and an ochem elective that really sparked my interest in the sciences so I chose biology and that was around the time I started exploring dentistry and I realized that the prerequisites matched up really well so it was just a great fit for me and I really enjoyed my major classes.

Would you rather be good and on time or late and perfect?

I hate being late, however, I would rather be late and perfect because I am a such a perfectionist. And I work hard enough to make up whatever I miss.

What differentiates you from the rest of the applicants?

I have a lot of service experience with low income, homeless, imigrant, and refugee populations, populations which are most likely to lack acess to dental care. The accessibility to care is a big issue nowadays, and aspiring dentists should be prepared to address and work to rectify this issue. My service experience has strenghtened my commitment to making dental care more accessible, thorugh lobbying for legislative change as an expert in the fieldand by offering free services through my own practice for these populations

tell me about your past academic history?

I have a very strong work ethic when it comes to school, which is largely the cause of my academic success. I enjoy learning and have taken a well-rounded course load in college. I am organized with my study schedule to avoid procrastination. I give 100% to my education, which is reflected by my transcripts and my GPA

What research did you conduct before choosing to apply to University of Iowa?

I initially considered the school because it is close to home. But before deciding whether or not to apply I researched using their website. The main aspects of the school that I was looking into were service opportunities as well as the clinical exposure within the curriculum

What do you know about the university of Iowa?

I knew nothing before I began the AADSAS application. I first looked into it because it's relatively close to home, but once I started my research on the dental program, I knew it was right for me. I like the early exposure to clinical experiences Clinical rotations in all specialties 10 week community dental experience Practice management courses

What do you know about MWU-IL dental school? What do you like and dislike?

I know that it is a new program that also offers other professional health programs It has state-of- the art facilities which expose its students to cutting edge technology and preparing them for the ever-advancing field of dentsitry I like the team approach to healthcare practice, with collaboration with other health professions, helps challengeperceptions about link between oral and systemic health and the role of the dentist in maintaining systemic health What I don't necessarily like is the price, but all dental school tuitions are steep.

Tell us something we would not know about you from reading your CV?

I love music and have been playing the piano since 4th grade. I think it can definitely help me in dentistry with manual dexterity. Since it is a personal hobby and i take lessons on my own (not associated with college), it didn't fit within my application. Nevertheless, it is a big component to my life, my favorite hobby, and something I plan on continuing for a long time

You are a dentist who has been in practice for a number of years but are starting to feel a sense of isolation. You feel it's difficult to establish close personal relationships as you sense nobody wants to see you or come back to see you, because either they come in pain or you cause them pain. What do you do?

I may have noticed that my experience of being stressed has been magnifying, and that it may be manifesting as feelings of isolation. My concern is that my sense of isolation is precursor to something more serious, namely burn-out or depression. It is likely I have numerous stressors including an existing dentistry school debt, start-up debt, practice management and patient care concerns. My vocation involves helping others, and so I may be embarrassed that I might need professional help myself. However, in order to maintain my standard of professional care and to ensure my personal relationships remain positive and healthy, it is my responsibility to care for myself. I will need to find resources to help me understand this isolation and to develop an action plan to inhibit more serious mental health concerns. First, I will reflect on both my personal and professional life to try to determine the causes of stress. For the sake of this scenario, let's assume my personal life is stable and a source of comfort. By way of honest inventory, I come to understand that I'm also experiencing a loss of self-confidence and exhaustion. By reaching out to the Canadian or American Dental Associations, I can access support groups, stress management workshops, and counselling to begin to understand the source of my feelings, and to put into effect any number of measures to balance my life. In the short term, daily exercise and a healthy diet can help reduce stress and improve my mood. Such changes have been shown to help mitigate such feelings, and making positive changes like this in my own life will not only help me manage my mental health, it will help me be at my best for my patients. In the workplace, I might vary the hours I see patients, offering convenient evening or weekend appointments so I can walk my child to school, or have lunch with a friend in order to lessen the feeling of routine. As I grow my practice, paying special attention to hiring team members with whom I have an easy rapport can help us all build our tolerance to stress. I will try to ensure we build a strong core team, and I will schedule regular teambuilding activities several times each year, so that we are able to come together and forge strong collegial bonds. While my primary concern in this scenario is my own well-being, a strong support system within the workplace will benefit all of us. To build confidence and professional acuity, I might consider teaching positions at dental schools, or leadership positions within professional organizations. Hosting research reading groups with other oral health professionals would give us all an opportunity to share experience and support continuous learning. I may have been so intent on providing exceptional care to my patients and loved ones that I forgot to care for myself. With these measures in place, and with the support of mental health professionals and purposeful attention to my own health and well-being, I will be able to mitigate the unavoidable stressors inherent in a dental practice.

Talk to us about your current GPA

I never ditched classes

If a boy came into your office and did not have dental insurance, what would you do?

I plan on devoting my career to serving disadvantaged populations and working towards a solution to the inaccessibiltiy of dental care. If I own my own practice in the future, I would like to set aside a considerable portion of my income, as long as it is financially responsible to do so, to put towards providing pro bono care to patients like him who need care but can't afford it. If for whatever reason I did not have the ability to offer him the care for free, I would direct him to a community health center or dental nonprofit that could, and help the family find resources to make sure he gets the care he needs

How do you spend your free tie?

I spend a lot of free time playing the pianosince I have such a passion for music I also like to spend time with my family and friends, and always tag along with them if they are doing something, like going out to eat, going shoppingl sports, etc I also enjoy exercising and spending time outdoors

Why should we accept you over another dentistry student with the same qualifications?

I think I bring two unique things to the table that your average applicant might not. The first is my artistic ability. When I create a painting I spend days, weeks, months getting my work just the way I want it. I'm a perfectionist in anything I create and I take ownership of my work. I have an eye for proportions, color, and aesthetics. The same goes for dentistry. I fully intend to make really high quality work, whether its fitting a crown, color matching a filling, or designing a smile. And I fully intend to enjoy the process of creating something with my hands. All of that adds to my passion for dentistry. The second is my ability to bring together people from unique backgrounds and create a cohesive group that performs really well. I moved around a ton as a kid, I went to 7 different schools growing up so I had to learn how to make friends quickly and I knew what it was like to be a new kid. I always invited new kids to be part of our group and make them feel welcome. The same thing happened in college. I made great study groups with people who had unique backgrounds and strengths. I am good at forming and leading those groups while also being able to learn from them and I intend to do the same during dental school.

How well do you think you have performed in this interview today?

I think I have done well, but there's always room for improvement. I think I did a good job preparing for the questions that you asked me "I have greatly enjoyed our conversation today, and I look forward to furthering conversations with your team. Is there anything that I can clarify for you from our meeting today?"

How do you perform in a group?"

I think I would perform well in a small group setting. At Loyola, a lot of the class sizes were very small so we did have some experience working in small groups. I like working this way because sometimes you can learn better when others are explinaing things to you in a different way (feed off eachother so you can understand the concept better) or if you don't understand something you can clarify it in the group. Keep your mind open to new ideas when you work with others helps to work with others bc you will be doing it in a dental practice I love team competition and forming a good group dynamic. It brings out the best in every team member, and it builds problem-solving skills and leadership.

What is the difference between intelligence and intellect?

I think intelligence is the capacity to learn and remember facts, so if you're able to memorize you are intelligent I think inellect has more to do with critical thinking and reasoning, so in order to be intellectual, you have to apply your intelligence to real life situations or problems in order to come up with an effective solution

Do you think dental students should get more scholarship money from the government at the expense of other professions such as engineering and law schools?

I think it depends on the tuition of these other professions. I think the government should offer an amount of aid that is proportional to the cost of attendance to each school. So if dental school costs much more than other programs, I believe the government should accomodate this by offering more to dental students. But I don'tbelieve that dentistry is more important than engineering or law. Each is an important component of maintaining society and protecting our citizens. so no, I don't think the government should prioritize certain professions over others when giving aid, but should instead give aid that is proportional to the cost of attendance at these universities

You have no money,and your in-laws offer to buy you very durable furniture from the Peruvian rainforest. Discuss pros and cons.

I think it is very important to be an informed consumer, and to only buy products from companies that align with your personal values and morals. That being said, I would not accept furniture associated with deforestation that is decimating South America, regardless of whether or not it was given to me for free. By accepting the furniture, I would then be complacent in the deforestation. The pro's would be that I would have good wuality, free furniture. ButI would rather buy cheap second-hand furniture than accept this gift because it compromises my personal morals

What do you do as a person to "pay it forward"

I think my mission was a good example. My parents did so much for me growing up and the lifestyle we had and the family relationships were just so good and I attribute al to of that to the principles taught to me through our religion. So I decided to save up enough money to live in angola Africa for two years and meet people, visit them in their homes, teach them, serve them, and be their friends. I have really great relationships with those people today and just went back to visit some of them. In general though I think that I pay it forward by trying to be kind to everyone I meet without expecting anything in return. Have an attitude of paying it forward instead of paying back.

Under what circumstance would you steal a loaf of bread?

I understand that what is ethical and what is legal do not always align, see Jim Crow laws, etc. In some cases in this country and around the globe, stealing food is the difference between life and death and a last resort to keep one's family safe. I'd of course like to think that I'd never steal for any reason, but the reality is that if I believed that stealing was the ethical thing to do, I would break the law and take the bread. Only in a life or death situation as a last resort

Which area of dentistry interests you the most?

I used to be interested with pediatrics since I enjoy working with children and have for some time, but after shadowing, it seems very difficult, requiring a lot of patience I'm very interested in orthodontics because of its amazing power to transform people's mmouths and correct sometimes debilitating issues. I've had personal experience with braces but would love to learn more about orthodontics to be able to understand how it works

HOw do you feel about the fact that there is a high suicide rate among dentists? How do you plan on remaining grounded during your career?

I was initially surprised to learn this, but the more I've reasearched, the more sense it makes. Chronic pain, debt, isolation can all cause suicide among dentists. I plan on giving back to the community after I graduate dentistry, hopefull through NHSC and participating in their loan repayment program to try to keep my debt at manageable levels throughout my career. I also think it's important to pursue interests and hobbies outside of dentistry in order to stay well rounded and avoid isolation, for me this would likely be piano as well as outdoor activities like hiking. I've read a lot about the importance of good posture and regular exercise to avoid chronoic pain as a dentist, and have already been working on correcting my posture by going to the chiropractor regularly to avoid chronic pain in the future

How has your employment shaped your ability to lead others?

I was recently promoted to what we call a team 2 trainer, essentially the person responsible for training all new hires in a certain area, cashier for me. I've learned that one of the most effective ways to lead others is leading by example, which means I have to have high standards for myself in order to expect high standards from my coworkers. I've also developed my ability to communicate with others and be more outgoing with them. It's also important to be confident in order for others to feel comfortable following your lead. I've learned the importance of delegating tasks to new employees when working with them. I also have to be organized. It's also important to correct inappropriate or incorrect actions at work, but to do so in the correct way with the correct attitude, without an ego Also, self-awareness and adaptability. Everyone you train is different, some are very young, this is their first job. Sokme may be shy when interacting with customers, some may be poor at math and counting change. It;s important to be able to adapt your leadership approach while training in order to best accomodate the trainee and benefit the business

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?

I would decline to use the cheat sheet and advise the student to do the same because there's not a cheat sheet readily available to you in your chair at the office. And at that point, the consequences are much worse because your dealing with a patient instead of a test. Which is why I believe tests are there to prepare you to be the best at what you do in the long run and passing a test through cheating will never grant you the opportunity to learn what you need to know for the real world.

If you were in a parallel universe and there were no need for dental care or health care, what would you do?

I would definitely go into meteorology. weather fascinates me, especially bad storms. Wehn I was younger, I was dead set on being a storm chaser and following tornadoes in my car. I think meterology would definitley be my go to career if there were no needs within the health field

A woman comes into your clinic with perfectly healthy teeth and wants them extracted. What do you do?

I would definitely sit down and have a conversation with the woman to understand where she is coming from. I could not in good conscious extract healthy teeth, but at the sae time I would not immediately turn her away. I would try to explain to her why removing healthy teeth is such a bad idea, and try to understand if there is any mental instability or stress causing this issue.

Do you have any plans after graduation?

I would like to participate in loan repayment program NHSC because its a win-win situation. I want to serve disadvantaged populations and help bridge the gap of access to care, so might as well pay off my loans while doing so

If you could make a movie to change the world, what would you make it on and why

I would make a movie explaining the butterfly effect, and how a small action sets of dozens of other actions, all of which can result in a big change, either positive or negative. I think that one of the main issues in the world today that prevents progress is that people feel powerless to make a difference when they recognize injustice, and instead of working towards a positive outcoe, they become complacent. I think a movie detailing the effect that a single person can have on an issue would inspire others to become conscious observers of the world around them and act in a way to correct these issues. And stop living with the perception of, "everyone else does it, I can't make a difference"

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

I'm very conflicted on what my future after dental school will be. I know for sure I want to spend quite a few years working with community centers and nonprofits to help provide access to care to disadvantaged populations. Howver, I'd also like to open my own practice at soe point to give me more control over my finances nad schedule, allowing me to provide pro bono services to underprivileged groups and have the time off to volunteer and do dental ission trips

What other dental schools have you applied to and where does University of Iowa rank?

I've applied to four other schools (UIC, Marquette, Midwestern, Indiana University) University of Iowa is my top choice because of its curriculum; exposure to all areas of specialty, practice management courses, early clinical exposure, and service opportuniites

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

I've encountered this a lot while shadowing and also at work. This is why it's important to have a multilingual staff and to be multilingual yourself. I would try to make accomodations for the patient in lieu of a translator employee or having the patient brng a family member with. If anything, I could use a translator app to be able to communicate the most important aspects of thir treatment.

Describe to Me Your Understanding of Dental Caries.

I've had a lot of cavities, so I'm an expert! Bacteria in the mouth (S. mutans) react with sugar left from food, which creats acids. The acids wear away the enamel on the teeth, then into the dentin and pulp which is the decay. Good oral hygeine prevents plaque buildup, which will prevent this demineralization from happening in the first place

Have you ever had significant dental work? Tell me about your experience as a patient. What made it memorable?

I've had a lot of trouble with cavities throughout my life. Despite all of the dental work I've had done, I don't fear the dentsit. My pediatric dentist always helped me feel at ease and made it memorable by commucating with me directly rather than making small talk with her assistants during the procedure

What makes you a good leader?

I've had quite a bit of leadership experience through my employment and volunteer work. AT CEC, I am a trainer and train new employees. Must be organized with the associated paperwork as well as checklist required with onboarding. Work has also helped me with conflict management skills that are essential when leading a team of people. ESL and piano lessons, make lessons plans, be decisive. Very self-aware of my performance as an instructor and am able to adapt to best meet the student's needs. Good knowledge of the subejct matter in which I'm leading, which gives me more confidence. Also, integrity, following through on what you say and being reliable

Have you had any experience with dentisty?

I've shadowed at pediatric offices, general dentistry offices, and also at a dental school clinic, so I've seen a variety of procedures and witnessed a variety of different treatment philosophies. How and how not to communicate with patients

Describe a conflict that you've encountered and how you reacted

I;ve experienced a lot of conflicts while working as a cashier in the food industry. Although a lot of the conflicts originated over issues that were out of my control, they would sometimes be due to a mistake I'd made while ringing up an order. One such conflict occurred due to a dispute over a coupon for a fundraiser. It was printed incorrectly, and all of the families who came in were very upset when they realized that they would have to pay more than they expected due to the misprint. As a cashier, I was the one who had to deal with the majority of the issues, which was definitely a challenge. I found the most effective response was to listen to the complaints and respond with empathy and apologize. I explained the reasoin that the mistake occured, and that it had to do with the corporate office rather than our individual restaurant. I explained that they could contact corporate for a refund, but that I was personally sorry for the mistake and wish that there was something more that I could do

When struggling in class, how did you change your study habits?

In my psychology class freshman year, it was the first time in my school experience that the professor did not put everything we needed to know in writing on power point slides. Instead, his slides would have one or two sentences, and he would dictate the rest of the information we needed. Since middle school, taking notes meant copying down poiwer points word for word, so it took a while for me to adapt to taking notes from what is being said, not from what I see. I did not do well on the first few exams, but thankfully I was able to switch my notetaking habits early enough to still succeed in the class

Is Graffiti art or vandalism? If it's vandalism, how can you stop it? Is there any compromise?

It can be both Graffiti can be meaningful or visually pleasing, but also unpleasant if it is vulgar or put somewhere inappropriate. Street art can be valuable, so I think a compromise that allows for or commissions street art while also preventing unlawful vandalism would positively benefit the community. By commissioning graffiti artists, you prevent crime and instead give them positive outlets, and leave a positive visual impact on the community

How would you handle a situation with an employee whose dress standards make patients uncomfortable?

It depends In my classes, I've learned alot about how dress codes can unfairly target women and people of color, especially as it relates to black hair. On one hand, you are there to serve the patients and want to make them as comfortable as possible, but on the other hand, I would never want to limit someone's ability to express their identity, culture, etc. in the workplace. I think my reaction would depend on the specificsituation and the specirfic way in which the employee was dressing. Then establish a formal dress code to prevent these issues in the future Talk to the employee in private and tell them that patient comforti s important

How do you study for tests or exams?

It depends on what type of class it is. If it is a science, or memory basedclass, I'll study by making flashcards based off of my notes and quizing myself. If it's math or physics, I'll study by doing practice problems If its a humanities, I'll study by preparing outlines for essays or re-reading the material to be tested on and making and reviewing notes on it I have a consistent study schedule for all exams to prevent procrastination and ensure that I will always be as prepared as possible when it comes to test-day

What did you learn from your service trip to Louisville and how can this translate to dentistry?

It helped me appreciate the connection between policy and social problems, revelaing the importance of being politically engaged, Especially as a dentist, expert in health, it is important to lobby for policy changes that will best benefit your patients and their access to your care. Helped me devote myself to service by exposing me to positive role models The importance of human connection, especially learnin people's names. Forming relationships is important and meaningful, even if the relationships are casual or short-lived

How do you cope with work when you are being affected by personal problems?

It is important to leave personal problems outside of the workplace and walk into work with a smile and a good attitude. I've had a lot of experience with this with my own job. Example: studying for the DAT over the summer but also working. I would go into work wishing I was at home instead studying, and would get stressed about losing valuable study time. Soon I would get so caught up in serving the guests and doing my work tasks that I didn't even have time to think about my own problems anymore. Working in the foodx industry, and dentistry, is about serving others and giving them a good experience. This isn't possible if you are too focused on yourself. Try to go out of your way to have a good attitude while at work despite any personal issues you may be having Very important to control your emotions at work, especially when treating patients and being in their mouths!

You are a dentist with a patient who has come to see you because of moderate dental pain. After examination you cannot determine the cause of the pain and suggest an X-ray. The patient believes X-rays are harmful and refuses. In fact, you have no X-rays in the patient's file to consult as she has never consented to X-rays in the several years you have been caring for her. What do you do?

It is important to remain non-judgmental and empathetic to the patient's concerns. A private conversation is necessary, so I will ask the dental technician to give us a few minutes alone. Sitting so we can see each other, I will ask the patient what her concerns about X-rays are. I will ask if she has a condition I'm unaware of that contraindicates the use of radiation, or if she is pregnant or nursing. I will ask when her last X-ray was outside of dental care. I will ask if she feels the dental pain she is experiencing justifies further exploration by means other than an oral examination. I will follow up these questions with a discussion of the risks and benefits of dental x-rays, as well as inform my patient of the guidelines provided by the American and Canadian Dental Associations. Both of these associations do suggest limiting exposure to X-rays to every 24 to 36 months, and since my patient has not had dental X-rays within that timeframe, frequency is not a concern, based on the best research and evidence we currently have. In addition, I may discuss the ALARA protocol (As Low As Reasonably Achievable), which is the principle of radiation safety where the least amount of radiation necessary is used. I must advise my patient that there is a very small potential risk of cancer with exposure to radiation, though we will take care to cover all exposed areas of her body with a lead apron. The benefit of the X-ray is the ability to develop a treatment plan without resorting to invasive measures to diagnose the area of concern. Depending on her responses to what I've said so far, I may also let my patient know that a single X-ray exposes us to a mere fraction of the total environmental radiation we are exposed to in a year. When I am sure my patient is aware of the potential risks and benefits, I will ask her what course of action she would like to take. In other words, I will ask for her informed consent and demonstrate my willingness to respect her own bodily autonomy.

Describe a time when you were presented with a challenge and what did you do?

Last year, I was desperately trying to find shadowing opportunities, because I knew application ccyel was coming up and I didn't have nearly enough hours. I spent my afternoons after class calling countless dental offices asking if it would be possible to come in and observe. I got rejection after rejection and it was one of the most frustrating and defeating experiences of my lie. It made me feel inadequate, I took the rejections personal. However, I knew that shadowing is an essential component to a dental school application, so although I desparately wanted to give up trying to find soewhere to shadow, I kept at it. Eventually, a family friend set me up with an opportunity to shadow at her friend's office, and it was an amazing experience. It just goes to show that hard work pays off

What does leadership mean to you? Who is a leader to you?

Leadership is hard to define because it can mean different things to different people based on the context. But for me, I think leadership in its most basic form is influencing others. I think the best way to influence others to perform well is by approaching the team with a positive, excited attitude, being decisive and confident, and leading by example. I personally think that everyone is a leader in their own way. My piano instructor fits this definition of a leader, because he inspires and motivates me to improve durng each lesson.

What would you say is the best day or experience you've ever had?

MY mission trip to louisville, because I got to meet so many amazing people while learning about the challeneges refugees face and the importance of policy in this area. I made a lot of new friends there and helped me commit myself to making service a priority in my future career

Tell us about an area of weakness that you would like to improve on while attending the University of Iowa?

MY shyness and social anxiety, which I've been working on throughout my undergrad expereince and have made considerable progess. University of Iowa is a big school, so I think it will give me many opportunities to continue to develop my social skills. Also, the early clinic acess will help

What would you like to improve about yourself?

My biggest hurdle has always been my shyness and social anxiety, ever since I was a kid. I've been making a lot of progress throughout college by setting small goals and putting yself out of my comfort zone by engaging in social activities. I'd like to continue imrpving this in dental school and in my personal life. Being outgoing is important as a dentist in order to have good relationships with patients and be able to communicate with them. It's also important when acting as a leader in the profession and when owning my own practice.

Who has been a role model in your life?

My friend Kori has always been my support system and we've been best friends since 6th grade. In her freshman year at college, she got pregnant, and entered sophomore year with an infant. Not only did she continue her full time college education after becoming a mother, without taking any time off, she also worked. The father isn't in the picture, so she's a single mother. She is an enourmous example of strength within my life, and she wants to be a dentist too. So whenever I feel stressed about school or inadequate, I follow her lead. She has had unfortunate circumstances lately, but still has been able to be successful. She inspires me to do my best even when I feel like giving up

What achievement are you most proud of on your path to dental school?

My grades of course Beginning to volunteer, leading up to organizing goods collection drive for Chicago refugees after my mission trip Also, my induction to Phi Beta Kappa since it is so exlusive and was such a surprise to be nominated

What do you want the admissions committee to know about you thats not in your file?

My love for music has shaped who I am as a person and makes me well-rounded

What was your DAT score? Were you happy with it?

My score was a 25, which I was very happy with. I started studying early, but in shorter sessions, relievinh sa lot of the stress of having to cram and allowing me to learn things gradually at my own pace

What event has made the biggest impact on your life?

My service trip to Louisville last summer where I worked with immigrants and refugees for a week. The experiences that I've had there and the people I've met have made me want to incorporate service into my career by working at community cetners, volunteering, and offering pro bono services to disadvantaged patients when I own my own practice. It also helped me to realize the relationship between policy and social problems. Volunteering isn't enough, it doesn't solve the larger issue. I will need to lobby in my future career as an expert in the health field in order to encourage the change I would like to see It also showed me the importance of human connection and relationship building, even if the relationship will be short lived. Importance of putting names with faces Maria: reframed the concept of doing "enough" to help others.

Tell me how your personal morals or values fit into the Dentistry profession.

My volunteer experience and exposure to disadvantaged populations has really shaped my personal values, and I think aligned them to the overall mission of dentistry. At its root, dentistry is about helping people stay healthy, and my morals reflect this Respect helping others copassion/empathy service/volunteerism kindness honesty hardwork cooperation

Have you made a solid financial plan for tuition costs at dental school and beyond?

My wife and I have worked really hard to get through our undergrads without any debt so that we can start dental school with a clean slate, so that is really helpful. My wife is graduating in April and will be able to teach high school or middle school English which will help pay for the expenses. I have also done extensive research military scholarships. Watching my brother in law I now see that it may not be the best for our family, but that will depend on which school I am accepted too. Student loans are an option.

What is your strongest personal asset?

My work-ethic Through my employment, I am used to working long hours, showing up for my shifts, having a good attitude, completing tasks assigned to me, etc. I take work seriously Also, through skill I have a very strong work ethic which is more individual. I stick to my study routines, stay on top of assignments, don't procrastinate, and hold myself to very high academic standards

Voting on a yes/no referendum for building a multi-million dollar casino in the center of downtown, which has a very poor demographic. Discuss

No Yes, it would bring jobs to a poor area and may help stimulate the economy But I think it gives the company the dangerous opportunity to exploit the low-income residents by paying them lower wages Casino could also promote gambling addictions in the low-income area, as well as alcohol and drug addicitons or dependence Casinos hurt economies when they are built, it's happened in Ohio, Baltimore, etc.

As an employee of a company, you are in charge of donating to a worthy charity. How would you describe a worthy charity and where would you donate to?

Not all charities are created equal. Some do not align with my personal values, others have such high overhead costs that only a small fraction of donations go to the intended target. I would consider a worthy charity to be one that aligns with my personal values, works toward improving the quality of life for other humans or animals, where a large portion of each donated dollar goes to the mission and not administrative costs. I would donate the money to Catholic Charities, a group that I've worked with a few times. They have so many programs that work to benefit so many disadvantaged groups, so I think the money would do the most good there

Can you handle the courseload of dental school?

Of course I am not accustomed to the rigor and courseload of dental school, but I've been successful thus far academically and I think my strong work ethic will allow me to adjust to the more difficult course-work. I was able to successfully adapt to high school and AP courses, and then to college level courses and taking 4 science classes in one semester while also working. It will definitely be challenging, but I think my work ethic will help me adjust to the courseload and will ultimately lead me to success in dental school

How will you transition from undergrad to dental school?

Of course, continue to put forward 100% in school as I have been doing in the past. I also think it's realy important to be open to all of the new experiences that I will be having there, and to form relationships with my classmates and professors to facilitate the learning process. Dental school is much more rigorous than undergrad, but I have an innate desire to learn and a real passion for dentistry, so although the transition may be challenging at first, I think my work ethic and organization skills will help me to succeed

Put yourself in the shoes of a Dentist. A patient has entered the practice and has informed you that they have AIDS. Would you still treat them?

Of course, everyone has the right to recieve dental care. Otherwise it is discrimination, unethical, goes against every reason I decided to enter the health field. Normal precautionary measures that are taken with every patient will suffice to prevent transmission of AIDS through blood or saliva. Even needle stick has a small chance of transmission. I would not like the stigma of the disease prevent me from giving them the oral health care that they deserve HIV dciscrimination is illegal under the americans with disabilities act ethical and legal obligation to treat them

You have been accepted to all your schools. How will you decide where to go?

One important aspect to me in choosing a dental school is the service/community emphasis as well as the patient pool. MY goal as a dentist is to work towards making dental care more accesible to disadvantaged groups, so I want to go to a school with opportuniites to work in community clinics or participate in mission trips. Additionally, I think that a school in an urban area will have its clinic's pateint pool similar to the disadvantaged communities I will be serving in the future. I think I would choose a school in an urban location with opportunities to learn about access to care and gain experience working with diverse patients

Describe a situation where you had to act quickly with little information.

Ordinarily I would prefer having enough time to weigh multiple options and think through a problem before deciding on a course of action. However- I also understand that may not always be possible. Tutoring at the literacy center has helped me a lot with decision-making, as I often find myself working with new students and having to quickly make decisions about the lesson plan. My first day of volunteering, I had a new student at the center who was a refugee from Malaysia. Since she was a new student, I didn't have any previous lesson reports to use to gauge her level of English or guide my lesson plan. It was also my first day, so I didn't have as much information as I'd like about the resources that were available to me to help teach. The lessons aren't very long, so you have to make the most out of your time with the student instead of taking a long time to plan. Ideally, I would've loved to have had more time and information about the student to be able to craft a more effective lesson plan, but due to the restraints, I had to make a decision quickly on what subject to work on, what book to use, etc. The result was positive: the book I had chosen helped me learn more about the woman and her struggles, and I then adapted the lesson as we went along to best meet her needs. At the end of the night, she was able to recite and write all of the letters of the alphabet

What extracurricular activities are you engaged in?

PDA of course! I spend a lot of time volunteering on campus, literacy center and soup kitchen Also, spanish club, american chemical society,

What Are the Negative Aspects of Being a Dentist?

Physically taxing. In big practices, dentists are running around. Constantly hunched over, working with your hands all day Perceptions about the dentist, a lot of people don't like it. a lot of people are misinformed about the importance of oral care. Also, to convince patients to pay money for their procedures that are necessary This grants me the important responsibility to use my communication skills to change attitudes about dentistry Can be stressful when you have a lot of patients, time management to keep your daily schedule on track

What does professionalism mean in healthcare and why is it important?

Professionalism in healthcare means taking the time to educate patients on their health so that they understand why specific treatments are necessary and can evaluate the options you present for themselves without feeling like you are taking advantage of them. It means doing what is best for the patient, not what is best for you, and giving them the highest quality of care that is available.

When you suffer a setback, how does that emotionally affect you and your work?

Setbacks give me the motivation to work harder and do my best to overcome them. Yet at the same tie I know that it is important not to let things get to me if they are out of my control. I like to recite the serenity prayer when I encounter a setback, whether its a poor grade or something else, to remind me to accept the things I cannot change yet work hard to change the things that are within my control Can be emotionally taxing, but you can really learn a lot fro your mistakes. Important to be adaptable

If you could, what is the one thing you would change about yourself?

Shyness I've struggled with it since elementary school, and it has held me back from so many opportunities, such as joining sports, clubs, volunteer positions, and participating in class. Although I've recently made a lot of progress in combatting my social anxiety, I wish I could go back in time and change ir sooner so that I could have gotten more out of my childhood and adolescence.

Desrcibe a day without stress

Spending time with my family

You are a dentist expecting a patient you haven't seen in a few years. This low-income individual does not have dental insurance and makes appointments only when significant treatment is needed. The last time you saw them, they were unable to pay for their dental services. What do you do?

The complexity of this situation is a matter of a dentist's provision of care duty and the potential that a patient will be unable to pay the dentist for a treatment. This scenario puts the dentist in an ethical dilemma and suggests a conflict of interest, as she wants to provide the best treatment for her patient, but also needs to manage the costs associated with running a practice and providing the treatment. Even in places with universal health care, dental costs are generally not covered by the government, and patients rely either on insurance benefits provided by their employer and/or pay dental fees out of pocket. Expert Answer: As the dentist in this scenario, my primary concern is for the well-being of my patient, but I must also be certain to provide equitable care to all my patients and make decisions that allow for the viability of my practice. I would greet my patient in a friendly, open, empathetic manner without judgment for not maintaining regular appointments, and without assuming the patient will be unable to pay for their treatment, despite our previous experience. It has been awhile since I last saw the patient, and any number of things may have changed in that time. After consulting with the patient and doing an initial oral examination, it may be that I determine that a regular cleaning and perhaps X-rays for preventative measures are all that is required. In that case, my office will continue with treatment if time allows, or have another appointment scheduled in the near future. If, however, the consultation and initial oral examination reveal significant decay, I will inform the patient that extensive work is required and offer a variety of treatment options. I will ask the patient if they have insurance coverage in order to offset the cost. If the patient informs me that none of the treatment plans are financially manageable for them, even with a payment plan, my office will contact social service agencies to determine if my patient qualifies for government funding at some level. I can also suggest my patient contact a nearby dental school for treatment, as patients are often seen at low-or-no cost as part of dental student training. If none of these options offer a solution for my patient in a timely manner, I will provide the most suitable and cost-effective treatment to resolve the most immediate issue(s) without charge. Throughout our entire interaction, I will be certain that the patient is treated with the same respect, care, and empathy by my entire staff as every other patient we treat.

What issues do the elderly face in terms of oral health care?

The elderly face many obstacles to both preventative oral health care and treatment of dental conditions. These include dealing with ageism, financial obstacles, mobility obstacles, cognitive limitations, communication and issues of consent, and complications with treatment due to medications and medical conditions, to name only some. In addition, the face of dental care for the aging population is changing. In the past, much of dental care for this segment of the population involved taking care of dentures; however, as life expectancy increases and as a result of a lifetime of good oral healthcare, many people are retaining most of their teeth until the end of life. This asks dentists to be educated on the illnesses and conditions, including the effects of significant health episodes, elderly patients may face in order to understand the implications on oral health and dental treatment. Changes in insurance coverage affect the elderly. While many people relied on their dental benefits as employees, this coverage often ends in retirement, especially as pensions become less common. Dental care may be seen as a discretionary expense, until the patient experiences pain and discomfort. As a dentist, there are a number of things I can do to support my patients as they transition from employment to retirement. My administrative team can make suggestions for forward planning to avoid a gap in care by asking questions about the patient's plan for insurance coverage after retirement. The technical team can remind the patient of the importance of preventative care, as well as the link between oral and systemic concerns. Finally, as the patient ages and if cognitive issues become apparent, my team will support the patient and their family by liaising with insurance providers on their behalf. An additional issue the elderly may face involves physical limitations and mobility. Common conditions such as arthritis may make the simple act of holding a toothbrush difficult and flossing impossible. As an individual ages, driving restrictions may come into play, making the autonomous act of taking oneself to the dentist—a task that involves co-ordination, planning, and expense—more difficult. In addition, maneuvering in and out of a chair, sitting up, and lying down are movements that may require physical support and a helping hand, and could diminish the confidence and cause embarrassment for the aging. Again, my team and I have a responsibility to provide tools and strategies to ease any discomfort involved in daily oral hygiene, such as wide-handled toothbrushes. My team will be certain to be patient, supportive, and unobtrusive in offering physical help as our patients move about the office space. In addition, depending on the community where I practice, I can co-ordinate shuttle transportation for my patients who are unable to arrange their own transportation. Finally, I will connect with nursing homes and retirement facilities to attend to the needs of those who are not mobile or are without insurance as part of my code of ethics. The team, everyone in the practice from the administrative staff, to technicians, hygienists and myself, must be aware of the vulnerability and fluctuating autonomy of the elderly. We must all be trained and aware not to treat the elderly as children, but to support them on an individual basis, reassessing needs and abilities of the whole person on each visit to offer the most empathetic, professional care that addresses the connection between oral health and physical well-being.

What is the most concerning topic facing the dental industry today?

The expansion of corporate dentistry appears to be significantly changing the care that patients get. The entire system is based purely upon business principles and bringing in revenue rather than getting patients the best care. Dentists are required to meet quotas for certain procedures which means they might be tempted to perform those procedures on people who may not need that care or who could benefit from a different form of treatment, and the dentists have to give the treatment as quickly as possible. The benefit is that dentists are paid well and patients get cheaper care, but overall I think that corporate dentistry is somewhat of a toxic environment for dentists and patients alike. Dentists in this position don't have the freedom to give really high quality care that they could in a private practice setting. Access to care: diverse populations (elderly, special needs, low-income) have diverse needs which aren't being met by current private insurance options or legislation (medicaid/medicare). Rising insirance costs and low reimbursement means less people have access to affordable dental care. People often have to prioritize their health expenses and dentistry often gets neglected. There is low medicaid participation among dental offices and cuts to medicaid mean less people are insured. Solutions: auxilliary dental professionals in disadvantaged areas, but this can be unethical where some people get substandard care expand access for medicaid increase medicaid payment rates for dentists and more incentives to participate in the program Personally, I'd like to volunteer in my free time with free dental progras and also perform pro bono procedures in my own office when it is financially responsible to do so

What did you learn while shadowing?

The exposure to dentistry I gained while shadowing has taught me so much about the profession that it's very hard to narrow down in a single response. But one of the main things I learned was the impact that good chairside manner and strong doctor-patient relationships can have a drastic effect on a patient's attitude and outcomes. It really showed me how important communication is in the industry, its not all about repairing teeth. I also learned a lot about the logistics of dentistry, such as the effect that turnover can have on the efficiency of an office, how private vs federal insurance coverages differ and the interaction between the staff and the insurance providers, all about owning your own business and how to make it successful

Why dentistry and not medical?

The first reason is because I have a horrible phobia of vomit. I realize that there is definitely a potenital to deal with this in dentistry as well, but it is less common But more seriously, I think dentistry is more hands on and allows you to form stronger relationships with your patients since you see them more often than a doctor might. Also, people don't view dentistry as important as medicine, so entering dentsitry gives you the opportunity to change perceptions and fight for a solution to accessible care

What would you do if you saw a friend cheating?

The first thing I would do is confront them and ask them why they are cheating. Maybe there is something else going on beside pure laziness that I could help with. Maybe they just had their first kid and have no time to study or some other scenario that I could help them with or encourage them through. I think everybody deserves a second chance. I would counsel them not to cheat anymore and warn them that if they continue cheating I will have to report them because it isn't fair to the other people who are working hard to pursue their career.

Why do you want to go to Marquette?

The main thing that interested me in the school initially is its similarity to Loyola, as they are both jesuit institutions. Marquette offers early immersion into clinical experience rather than focusing on lecture-style courses. I also like the emphasis placed on adapting to new technology and integrating that into the curriculum. Also, serving medically disadvantaged population during community dental clinic rotations. It aligns with my goal of bridging gap in access to care in the future Finally, I like how the curriculum integrates business and practice management courses in order to prepare me should I decide to open my own practice in the future

Should non-smoking be a requirement for allowing dental students into dental schools?

This is an interesting question On one hand, smoking is very detrimental to both oral and systemic health, and for a dentist to smoke while advising patients not to would be hypocritical On the other hand, disadvantagedand low income populations are more likely to smoke, so I think that "non-smoking" dental schools would exclude marginalized students from attending, which is discriminatory. I think instead of having non-smoking as a requirement to apply, smoking should instead be addressed in the dental school curriculum and offer support services to smoking students to help them quit. This achieves the same end goal while also not inadvertently discriminating against marginalized group

What experience do you have with conflict resolution?

Through my years of employment in the food industry, I've dealt with a lot of conflict, whether it be between coworkers, between customers, or myself and a customer. I've had a lot of experience managing difficult people, which is an inevitable part of serving the public. However, entering conflict with a positive attitude is more likely to manifest positive results. I've also learned that it is never effective to approach conflict from a place of anger or frustration. Instead, it is important to remain as calm as possible in order to think through to an effective response to the situation at hand. At the end of the day, the goal is to make your customer/patient happy. This isn't always possible, as some customers will never come around to seeing things your way. But I always try my hardest to ensure that everyone I serve walks away from the interaction content A sincere apology goes a long way. Refunds are also good tools Explain slam and how it applies to conflicts with coworkers as well as the public

What does it mean to be anambassador?

To represent a cause, company, brand, etc. in a positive way outside of that environment. Example, diplomats in government who represent the US to other countries. Or ambassador for christ In dental sense, a dentist has to be an ambassador for oral health, offering patient education constantly and promoting oral hygeine in non-dental communities

What are three things will you teach your kids?

To support each other and love each other instead of being competitive with each other. To find joy in each others accomplishments. This fosters unity. That I will love them no matter who they are. And the importance of being good people who serve others and give back to their community.

What are the responsibilities of a dentist to a patient?

What was the last book you read or movie you saw? The last book I read in its entirety just for fun was the Twilight series- it was my second time reading it before I went to college, mostly now I read news outlets or current events online but recreational reading is on my to-do list for my gap year just have to find the right book. The last movie, the Averagers movie: Captain America- Civil Wars What are the responsibilities of a dentist to a patient? 1.Examine, diagnose and treat oral diseases. 2.Educate patients on preventive dental care and oral health care. 3.always be realistic to the patients- never advise need of unnecessary procedures. 4. discuss the pros, cons, and cost of each procedure with the patient before operating.

If you were accepted to your state school or all schools you apply to, how would you decide where to go?

Where my wife would be happy, I would get a great education, tuition and debt, where students of the school can honestly tell me they are happy and enjoying the process.

How has your work environment prepared you to be a dentist?

Work in the food industry is commonly high-pressure and fast-paced, meaning I've had a lot of experience working efficiently under pressure. I've also learned a lot about time-management and scheduling in order to ensure that everything get done. Multitasking is also a big component, as I have to cover the front door, the cash register, the prize counter, while also keeping my area clean. I have a lot of experience working together with my coworkers in order to divide tasks in each of these areas. It's also taught me the importance of hygeine and keeping a cleanwork environment for health and safety reasons. Overall, I think working in the food industry has prepared me for dentistry by giving me skills needed such as multitasking, working as a team, and working in fast-paced high pressure environments

What is one regret you have?

Working for grades rather than knowledge early in my college career

Use exciting conversation starters while you're on campus, with faculty and interviewees!

Working on anything exciting? Any vacations coming up? Anything good happen so far today?

Is arts an important aspect of schooling? What would you say if someone was suggesting adding art to a dental curriculum?

YES! Arts are very important in school. Music has been a huge part of my personal and academic life. It helps develop creativity, collaboration, confidence, critical thinking, and so much more. I think exposing young students to arts so important, but it also wouldn't hurt to add art courses into dental school. Dentistry is art in and of itself after all

Are you aware of cases of medical malpractice in the dentistry field? How would you cope if you are faced with one of these situations?

Yes I am aware of these Issues, while shadowing a patient refused an x ray, which I initialloy didn't think was a problem until the dentist explained it to me. Patients who deny X-rays or other treatments are a liability, and sometimes it may even be necessary to dismiss these patients in order to inimize the risk of legal action. I read some data about malpractice suits, and a lot of them were filed against general dentists who performed procedures themselves rather than referring to a specialist. I'd minimize the risk of legal action against me by referring difficult cases, keeping good documentation, practicing good communication with my pateints. If I were ever in this situation, I would rely on my relationship with my patient to try to resolve it on our own outside of the court by apologizing and offering a refund .I've read that having good relationships with your patients minimizes the risk of legal action

Would you report a student if they were cheating?

Yes I would, but not out of malice or because I think it's unfair the purpose of school is to learn life skills that you will use later on in your career, and exams are there in order to gauge whetehr or not you have satisfactorily learned the material. Cheating on a test hurts the student in the long term

Do you have aspirations to own your own practice in the future? What appeals to you about business ownership?

Yes, It will give me more control over the finances in order to be able to proide pro bono care. Serving disadvantaged populations who lack acess to care is my biggest goal for the future as a dentist, and having my own practice will allow me to give free care when financially responsible to do so and will also give me greater flexibiility in my schedule to particiate in volunteer work and dental mission trips. It also allows me to hold my workplace to very high ethical standards through the staff I hire

Tell me how you handle stress

anything to take my attention off of the situation and simply relax and refresh before going back to it. I find that it's also helpful to just talk through the stress with family and friends also. This usually involves playing the piano, I have go to songs for stress release where I can just pound on the keys. I also like to exercise at the gym or just sit out by the lake to get perspective. Then, once my head is clear, I'll get back to work! Experience with stress from CEC, motivates me to get everything done Example, conflict management. React to the situation, not to the stress

What do you think are the most important qualities of a leader?

decisiveness, which I have learned through tutoring confidence, so that people will follow your lead a good attitude, so you can influence others hold yourself to high standards, so you can set a good example for your team good knowledge of the subject area good communication self-aware and adaptable

How does diversity relate to dentistry?

diversity and dentistry go hand in hand, as I've seen during my shadowing experience. As a dentist, you will need to lead and work effectively with a team of dental assistants, hygeinists, receptionists, and other dental professionals who are diverse in race, experience, ability, language, and anything else. Even more profound is the diversity within your patient base, as you will be treating people of all ages, all races, all economic statuses, people with special needs, people with diverse oral health needs and circumstances. I think it is important to embrace diversity as a dentist and to be able to adapt leadership and communication skills in order to accomodate people of different backgrounds, identities, and abilities

How do you feel about dealing with blood and saliva?

from the exposure I've had so far with shadowing, it hasn't bothered me much. I've also watched a lot of online videos of various procedures just because they;re interesting to me, and have never had a problem with squeamishness, but of course, you can't compare watching something on the internet to seeing it in real life. Even though I havent had hands on, clinical experience with these bodily fluids, I don't anticipate them becoing an issue for me. Vomit is the only thing, but I'm sure my exposure to it will help conquer the fear

Name a situation where you had to make an ethical decision . What did you do?

managers and coworkers smoking marijuana and drinking at work, asking me if I wanted some. It was easy to say no, that wasn't the ethical dilemma. but I didn't know what to do with the knowledge that my coworkers were doing this. We work around children, so I knew I couldn't turn a blind eye. But I also didn't want to be a tattle tale. I decided to talk to them and say that they shouldn't do that at work, then went to my general manager and said I suspected that there was alcohol use at work.

How do you respond to feedback and criticism? Describe a situation where your work was criticized. What was your immediate reaction to the situation?

my initial reaction to criticism is feeling embarassed, as I felt during the editing process of my personal statement. I was nervous for others to read it I don't feel threatened by people who disagree with me, since having more diverse perspectives on an issue will result in better outcomes. Criticism is important for self-development so long as it is constructive and not hurtful

what do you think of diversity and do you think it makes for a good learning environment?

not only differences in outward appearances but also differences in experiences, culture, and upbringing that influences thought processes This is important to have for a good learning environment because all of these people who have had different experiences will all have different ways of thinking. If you get a lot of people with different ways of thinking to work together to accomplish a goal you will arise with the best overall solution. It's also good preparation for work in the real world, where you will be interacting with a bunch of different people

what is the weakest point in your application

research experience

How does your family feel about you attending dental school? Do you have a great deal of support?

proud and supportive, reassuring when it comes to debt and loans. My parents financed my application process Want to go to a school near home so that I can ensure proximity to my support system Very excited, everyone's already lining up for me to do their dental work for them

What is your plan if you are not accepted into our college of dentistry this year?

setbacks. Use your answer to demonstrate how you can gain something positive from a negative experience. Do this by emphasising that you will stay committed.definitely reapply next year. During gap year, take a dental assistant certification course because I love school and want to be in a school environment to stay in the habit. Then work in a dental office to gain more clinical experience, more hands-on than shadowing

How can you convey confidence during your interview?

speak slowly and clearly, don't ramble! Pause before speaking after each question, give yourself time to think out a thoughtful response!

What do you know about the dental program at MWU, and why would the school fit you?

technology-rich, state of the art facilities, I think this school will best prepare e to work in the ever-evolving field of dentistry and to have the ability to constantly adapt and feel comforatble, not threatened by, new technologies

What dental procedures have you observed?

tooth preparations for crowns and DEntal bridges (crowns, preparations, and fittings) denture adjustment fillings/restoration extractions sealants placement scaling cleanings

How would you rate your level of hand-eye coordination?

very good, I've been playing the piano since 4th grade and practice for an hour or two each day. I've also done a lot of crafting, such as knitting and making friendship bracelets, which each rrequire a good deal of manual dexterity