Dental School Interview Questions
How would you respond if a patient came to you with moderate dental pain but refused to have an X-ray taken because they believe X-rays are harmful?
"In this case, I'd approach the patient without judgment and affirm her right to deny a service if she feels it's unsuited to her best interests. I'd also speak to her privately and ask her about her concerns with the X-rays. I'd listen to understand her perspective and respond by citing the research on the safety of X-rays. I'd explain that without taking X-rays, my evaluation may be incomplete, which means she could have an underlying dental problem causing her pain that I can't fully assess. I'd emphasize communication, education and respect."
If we asked a close friend or family member to describe you, what would they say?
+: optimistic, kind, hardworking -: hard on myself
Tell me about something funny that happened to you recently.
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What is your biggest regret and what would you do differently
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My involvements
CALS Leadership Institute CALS Ambassadors Dance Marathon Family Captain (Inclusion Committee) Gamma Phi Beta (AVP and Risk Manager) Pre-Dental Society (delegate and Historian) Pre-Dental ASDA (Service Board of Directors) EACN Research Assistant Gators Junior Golf Coach Upchieve Academic Coach Medigators Shadowing Microbiology Lab TA - Falls Park Dentistry Dr. Brian Haile Endodontics Dr. Bernstein Hill Family Dentistry Dr. Hill Altamonte Springs Dental group Dr. Otero - Homecoming Leadership Pageant CALS Scholarships Smokin' Notes Panhellenic Scholarship Study Edge Scholar of the Month GPHI Convention Delegate
How would you respond if you discovered a colleague overcharges patients and misrepresents service fees on patient bills?
Are they confused? Perhaps they don't understand billing or don't see why it can't be done. Ask why? What are their reasons and how can I respond. Explain how it is unethical and help them to fix mistakes when possible. Report it to the necessary and appropriate sources. Take action to ensure it doesn't happen again.
Tell us about a time when you had to take on a leadership position to solve a problem.
At Dance Marathon at UF I work one on one with our Miracle Families to cultivate the best hospital experience for them as well as fostering connections. I have been able to get very close with most of the families and develop a lot of trust, so they feel very comfortable telling me any problems or complaints they have. After attending several events where parents shared about feeling like all of the kids weren't being valued equally or given equal attention, I stepped into a leadership role to solve the problem. I brought the issues to the attention of our head director and we worked together to create an inclusion committee that I oversaw to ensure every child got equal attention at events and that there were activities designed for children of all ages and abilities at each event.
Tell me about your research experience
At UF, I volunteered with the Equal Access Network Clinic as a research assistant with the KardiaMobile team. I volunteered in the nephrology unit where we would enlist patients in our study by having them try a mobile 6-lead EKG device. We were testing the device for accuracy at its ability to detect atrial fibrillation. You actually may have seen the device in commercials because I know they have walmart commercials with it.
What characteristics do you have that will serve you best as a dentist
Attention to detail, patience and kindness, strong communication skills, leadership
What is the most played song on your computer
Before he cheats by Carrie Underwood because its a classic country song and its my go to karaoke song. I love singing and I feel like I sing it well.
Tell us about a time you had to collaborate with others. What qualities do you think are needed for solid teamwork to take place?
CALS LI project listening skills, open mindset, identifying strengths and weaknesses, creativity, hope and faith
What dental program are you interested in pursuing?
Currently, I am most interested in serving as a general dentist. After shadowing general dentists, they really helped me realize the broad age range and types of procedures they could perform. That being said, I am very interested to learning about the different specialties and shadowing in them because I am definitely keeping my mind open to the different specialties.
What is your best achievement?
Dance Marathon Family Captain because it allowed me to carry on Caroline's legacy CALS LI: experience and learning opportunity
Why were your standardized test scores so low/retaken
During my first attend at the DAT I took it during the school year while also taking rigorous coursework and never had much time to individually focus on the DAT. This led me to wanting to retake in the early summer, but I don't think I gave myself enough time to just study for the DAT separate from school materials or other commitments. In my third attempt, I dedicated much more time to studying and felt more confident going in. I pride myself in bringing my organic chemistry score up from a 16 to a 20 because that was my most difficult subject, along with continuing to increase in PAT as I feel it shows my ability to improve with practice as it is a skill I never had to think about much, but as I kept working at it I continuously improved.
Please tell me about an experience where you lead a team consisting of very different individuals. What did you do to lead the team to accomplish the objective, and what was the outcome?
Gators Junior Golf, I lead a group of girls in practice. One was super shy and didn't want to be there, one was an older sister who wanted attention, one was younger and also wanted attention. Made a fair system for how we picked turns, cheered for everyone and was supportive, made up fun games and it bonded the girls.
Tell me when you went out of your way to help someone who wasn't a friend or family member.
Helping tour a highschool student around when touring my major. I wish I had someone show me around and make me more comfortable, that inspired me to become a CALS Ambassador.
Tell me about yourself
Hi, I'm Molly Sankey. I recently graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in Nutritional Sciences. I chose that major because I love seeing the connection between how what we eat affects our health. This line of thinking transfers to my pursuit of dentistry as I am very interested in how oral health plays a role in holistic health. Through shadowing and working in dental offices, I have confirmed my passion for dentistry. Some hobbies of mine include reading and spending time in nature. A fun fact about me is that I have lived in 5 states.
Tell us something about yourself that isn't in your application materials.
I am a reader and hope to be an author someday. I am a christian and believe everything happens for a reason. I AM A BIG SISTER
What are you most looking forward to in dental school
I am most looking forward to building community. In college, my pre-dental organizations were full of great people and we always described it as a family. I definitely believed that to be true and when I served on the Executive board that was one of the main factors I would use to conivnce people to join. Through shadowing and working at dental offices, I have been able to witness the same family-like atmosphere and feel very welcomed to the profession. Thats one reason I chose to apply here, because the students have great things to say about the environment and experience. I look forward to building those meaningful relationships in dental school and in my future as a dentist.
What achievement are you most proud of accomplishing?
I am most proud of being selected and completing the CALS Leadership Institute. I was chosen as a sophomore to participate and it was one of the first large accomplishments I had at UF. And now having completed it makes me very proud because I have grown so much as a leader across such a large scale from individual to global leadership. It's one thing I really cherish and I was able to meet and learn from so many incredible leaders.
Why did you apply to so many schools
I applied to several schools based on advice I got from current dental students and others applying alongside me. They advised me to select a few schools that I really like and feel I could fit well in and apply so that I have better odds at getting in. I am very passionate about becoming a dentist and would love to do it at your school because after looking at numerous programs I chose to apply here because I was impressed by the mission statement and dedication to creating compassionate dentists who are lifelong learners.
What changes in dentistry do you think will affect your profession?
I believe we will continue to evolve PPE, when the AIDS epidemic came about we started wearing gloves and protective wear, COVID led to a heightened importance of masks and PPE, it will continue to grow. Better developed technologies will make care quicker and more refined, though it may propose financial barriers. CBCT is amazing tool that shows so much.
Why dentistry over medicine
I definitely explored both options in college to better confirm that dentistry was what I wanted to go into. I was involved in a virtual shadowing organization that connected me with countless health professionals and I really found myself connecting most with the dentists. I love the was oral health plays into whole body health and learning more about the body as a whole, but after shadowing and working with dentists, I know dentistry is the right fit for me. I really love how its not only science and connecting with others, but also very creative and hands on. There is a lot of attention to fine detail. Mostly, I feel like the dental and pre-dental community is just so inviting and warm and its something I really enjoy. When I think about my future dentistry encapsulates a lot of skills and relationships that I want for myself that I just never found in medicine.
What do you dislike about the field of dentistry as a whole?
I don't like the stigma behind dentists finding problems to make money, such as people believing they only get cavities when they come to the dentist. It can be frustrating, but with x-rays and new technologies like CBCT, I think we can show patients what we mean and help them to understand the need for care.
What type of person do you foresee as being a difficult patient? How will you handle that type of patient?
I foresee a difficult patient as one who doesn't want to take the recommended action plan because they don't believe tx is necessary or believe its safe. For example, a patient who thinks giving a severe cavity more time or waiting when they have an infection. This could look like a patient who doesn't understand why thats necessary, one who doesn't want to pay for this kind of care, or who thinks something like X-rays or treatment options will harm them. Obviously as their dentist I would take every step possible to explain the needs, outcomes, and safety to the patient, but some people are so set in their mind that I could foresee it to be difficult when I am trying to prevent disease progression and they are having hold ups about the current state. people who believe we just want money and are misdiagnosing: Patients who want insurance to dictate treatment!!
Why dentistry
I found my interest in dentistry in highschool when I learned more about it from a woman I was working with at a bake sale. After learning more about her experience, I went home and researched it and thought it might be a career I was interested in. I even competed in HOSA Health SCience Occupation Students of America in a dental terminology competition that year. Learning more fascinated me and then in college I got involved in shadowing and organizations and fell in love with it. I really admire how dentistry gives you the ability to transform someones health and oftentimes in just one visit. I love learning more about the oral body connection and how caring for our mouths affects things like blood pressure and diabetes. And one big draw to it is the ability to connect with people. The dentist I work with now makes really meaningful connections with patients and his patients have followed him through several offices because he means so much to them. We have had patients tell us that our office has changed their life and it really inspires me to be a great dentist.
What made you choose your undergraduate major?
I have always loved learning more about the connection between diet and health and when attending orientation at UF, I saw a presentation on Nutritional Sciences and knew it was a good fit for me because it met all of the prerequisites for dental school while also having a bunch of interesting nutrition classes. I have loved it ever since and through being in my major I was able to get more involved in my college as an ambassador to recruit others to the college and Nutritional Sciences.
What books do you like to read.
I love reading, so much so that last year I actually read 100 books after making it a goal for myself. My favorite genre to read is contemporary romance, but I also love fantasy and msytery. I was actually reading a book recently where the author explained people's love of romance and it really ressonated with me. She explained how most TV shows and books have negative anticipation where you feel accomplished when you figure out the bad someone has done, whereas in romance books you have positive anticipation and are able to be hopeful in expecting the happy ending. I love reading so much because I get to experience so many lives, although sometimes I am convinced I should learn all of the characters hobbies from beekeeping to karate. In the past few years I have really noticed how I am able to step into someone else's mindset thrpough books and I think it has made me more compassionate.
What do you do to manage stress?
I manage stress by trying to step away from the stressful situation for a moment to take a break or go outside. I'll reach out to friends or peers if they can help me come up with new ways to address what's stressful. I also will try and keep in perspective what's stressing me out compared to its significance and remember that I'm doing my best.
What technological developments do you look forward to the most in dentistry?
I most look forward to more advancements in virtual reality. I know there has been some use of VR in providing distractions for patients or in teaching students, but as we learn more about VR I think it could be used for a lot of great things in teaching patients about their care, helping students learn at a reduced cost.
What clinical populations do you see yourself working with
I see myself working with a diverse clinical population. I would like to work with all age-ranges and I would really enjoy it if I could serve in an area where people might not have always had access because I enjoy giving back to my community and providing access to care.
What is a book you have read that has changed how you thought
I think in the past few years I have really noticed how when I read I can step into a characters head. Of course thats always something people say about books, but I have been a reader my whole life and its only in the past few years that I have noticed I am taking on new perspectives from books. One book that really changed my perspective is Glass Castle by Jeanatte Walls. I read it a long time ago, but its a memoir of a young girl who has the most obscure life. Her parents are vagabounds and her dad is super intelligent but leads a reckless life. Its such an amazing story, but its so hard to believe its true and I think it really challenged my idea of what life can look like for others. One of the mian takeaways is that even though at the end Jeanatte has money and can support her family in a stable home, the parents refuse to accept it, not out of pride but because they love their homeless lifestyle. I feel like thats not a concept brought up in the discussion of homelessness and it has made me think about how others percieve their life. JUST BECAUSE SOMEONE'S LIFE ISN'T THE LIFE THAT YOU WANT DOESN'T MEAN ITS A BAD LIFE.
What are your weaknesses
I think my weaknesses include being very hard on myself. Even from a young age, in sports my coaches would tell me to relax and nopt be too hard on myself, but I wanted to do everything perfect. It definitely helps at times, but I am really working on being more graceful with myself. Another weakness I would say is that I can be sensitive at times. I really appreciate feedback and seek it out, especially after learning more about how beneficial it is through a leaderhsip course I took, but even though I want the feedback I can dwell on it sometimes. A third weakness is at times I can definitely be non confrontational, I like being a peacemaker in most situations, but I do find myself being a bit uncomfortable when conflict occurs.
What do you think is one of the biggets problems facing dentistry today
health literacy; people being reactive rather than preventative
What undergraduate class challenged you the most and how did you adapt to meet that challenge?
I think one class that challenged me the most was histology. It was a very hard course as it used to be taught at UF College of Medicine before the reformatted their education to take on one body system at a time. It was a lot to take on with a heavy schedule and I struggled a lot initially. To meet this challenge, I met with my professor and discussed options that had been successful for students in the past. I then created study groups with other students doing well in the course and used new memorization techniques when studying. It really helped me adapt to the class. During the final 2 weeks of the course my mom visited but had a seizure and wound up in the local hospital.
Can you describe what motivates you
I think one of my biggest motivators is an appreciation for life and health. My best friend passed away from pediatric cancer when I was young, my mom had serious heart complication in my time in college and almost passed away and had her leg amputated from them, and one of my biggest involvements in college was volunteering with children from our local children's hospital. Through having so much experience with sickness, I have really placed a value on my own health and making the most of my experiences. It motivates me to take advantage of opportunites and inspires me to help other people with their health through dentistry. I am also very goal driven which motivates me. I am idealistic and often think about the future and how to grow to be better versions of myself. I think my desire to chase new goals and work towards things motivates me to be resilient in challenges and dream big.
What do you think will be the biggest challenge of dental school
I think the biggest challenge in dental school will be initial time management. I have always been great about time management and at UF I was heavily involved and managing classes, volunteering, leadership, and different organizations, but I know many people have referred starting dental school as drinking out of a firehose with the amount of content and adjustments it requires. I think initially that is the biggest challenge, but I'm confident that through relying on upperclassman, faculty, and support systems that I will be able to adjust and figure out the right way to go about it.
In your opinion, what would be the qualities of the ideal candidate for our program?
I think the ideal candidate for your program is someone who is really dedicated to becoming a compassionate and intelligent dentist who will be able to make the school proud with the level of care they can provide. It would be someone who is a hard worker thats willing to face challenges with an open mindset and is open to new ideas. And its someone who will collaborate well with peers and faculty. I think I embody these skills and would be a great fit for your program.
How do you define being a professional
I would define being a professional as being someone who is knowledgeable in their field and has the ability to provide quality care and service. Professionals know their skill set and aren't afraid to reach out to others or refer to others to provide quality care because they put their patients needs in front of their pride and have integrity.
How do you define success as a dentist
I would define success as a dentist by being competent and confident in your skill sets. I would say one main factor of recognition of success would be having a loyal patient pool who feels confident in recommending you to theoir own family and friends because they trust that you'll know what is best and be ethical and compassionate in care.
Do you think that health care practitioners make too much money? Why or why not?
I would disagree that health care practitioners make to much money because they have such a specialized field that requires years and years of hard work and expenses. Although dentists are known for making a high income, many also have plenty of debt and loans as a result of the eduction process and it can take many well over 5 to 10 years to pay it off. Additionally, there is the cost of materials and treatment that have a lot of costs associated with them. As well as the emotional and physical toll practicing can take on one's body
Which one do you prioritize, social responsibility or profit? Why do you think one should be prioritized over the other (i.e., take a position and defend it)?
I would prioritize social responsibility over profit: duty as citizens, epathy and compassion, functioning society. But, I do see how profit can play a big factor in something like dentistry because although we need ot help, we can only do that if the doors stay open.
A patient who hasn't been to the dentist in over a decade comes to see you and presents with a significant number of issues. Where do you start?
I would start with identifying chief complaints and taking care of the most serious and potentially damaging concerns. I would explain the serious nature of the issues and re-iterate why routine visits are important. I would go through potential options and costs so I could identify how to best help the patient and how much care I could provide. In working to address the most serious issues first, I would also work with them to schedule future appointments to ensure progress and good oral health. I would do my best to not overwhelm, the patient.
When you think of the future, can you picture any other careers where you could achieve the same goals or find the same satisfaction?
I wouldn't say there are too many careers where I could achieve the same goals or find the same satisfaction because of the unique blend of creativity and precision mixed with healthcare that dentistry provides. I think other healthcare fields may be appealing or other jobs where I could serve my community, but I don't think any of them would quite suit me or meet my expectations as much as dentistry does.
What will you do if you fail to get admission? Will you reapply
If I am not able to attend dental school this year, I do plan on reapplying as I am certain that its what I want to go into. I'd spend the time between cycles studying and likely retaking the DAT, I may consider a masters program to continue pursuing more knowledge that relates to the field, as well as spending more time shadowing and working in the field.
What is the one detail in your application you would like us to overlook?
If I could choose one detail for you to overlook it would be the courses I didn't do as well in as I had hoped. While I am proud for how hard I worked and have grace with myself for all of the challenges I faced while in these courses, it would be nice if I got the choice for you to overlook it.
What would you do in your residency if one of your colleagues came to work with alcohol on his/her breath?
If I noticed a colleague coming to class with alcohol on their breath, I would do my best to gently approach the situation. I would find a private moment to address them and check in on their well being, doing my best to remain open minded and non-judgemental. I would potentially warn them about the severity of this issue and provide resources if necessary to help them. However, if I noticed it was happening again or becoming a recurrent issue, I would likely reach out to teacher or advisor in order to ensure not only that patients are safe, but also that the student is safe and can be better directed to resources or help.
If you were the President of the United States, what would you do to improve the health care situation in the U.S.
If I were president, I would increase programming for preventative education to better help people understand oral care and the need for treatment while also fighting to make insurance more available and covering more. Insurance and costs propose a large barrier for many patients, but I would make sure that insurance wasn't dictating treatment to my patients.
How will you handle a patient who cannot afford to pay for your care?
If a patient couldn't afford care, I would do my best to work with them, especially if I am able to offer discounts or set up a payment plan. Some dentists I shadowed or worked for had plans like these that they advertised. I know one dentist who presented at a PDS meeting talked about how each year they did one pro-bono case that patients could apply to be chosen for or some who did a few days of the year they did work at a reduced cost. However, ultimately if there wasn't a way for me to work out a way to treat this patient, I may work to recommend them to someone who can better help them such as a free or reduced cost clinic.
If you made a mistake as a health care practitioner which caused permanent harm or death to your patient, how would you deal with the patient? Family? How would you handle the mistake personally? Professionally?
If the patient experienced harm, I would do everything I could to ease any pain or discomfort while reassuring them and keeping them calm. I would explain the mistake and how it occured, taking ownership of it and looking towards solutions to best support the patient. I would do whatever I could to make the patient happy and try and resolidify their trust in me. I would do the same for their family members, owning up to the mistake, exploring next steps, and doping what I could to maintain a relationship. I would take time to review the case why the mistake happened and create a new system to avoid the mistake from happening again in the future. If I felt the family would be receptive to it, I may even explain the new system or work I have put in to ensure this never occurs again.
What will you do if dentistry doesn't work out
If this cycle doesn't work out for me, I will definitely apply again and make the most of my gap year to prepare for dental school. If dentistry as a whole doesn't work out for me for some reason, I would potentially look into the policy-based side of dentistry more and pursuing something along those lines or finding a similar healthcare field to go into.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years
In 10 years, I would hope to be a successful dentist and by that I mean having a strong client base who 6rusts me enough to refer me to their friends and family. I would also hope to have a strong support system of friends and family and would be considering starting my own family. I would also hope by then to have accomplished some personal goals such as writing a book.
Tell me about your shadowing experience
In my freshman year, I shadowed Dr. Brian in South Carolina because that's where my family was living at the time. This was my first real shadowing experience and I learned a lot from him. One of my biggest takeaways from this experience was that a general dentist can do a range of procedures while getting to see so many age-level patients. I also got to learn more about the business side of dentistry and the importance of delegating tasks because he hired someone specifically to help run his business. Then this past summer I shadowed Dr. Cara Hill, which was amazing. I got to see a lot of different procedures and felt like I really learned a lot from her on how to interact with patients and be a leader of a team. I also did some virtual shadowing of dentists throughout college and that helped confirm my love of dentistry and I really liked hearing about all of the different paths people took.
What is the last movie you saw?
Jerry McGuire. Its a love movie and I enjoy how there are hardships before reaching the happy ending and it teaches you a lot about treating people right.
Tell me about your experience in a dental setting. What did you like/dislike?
Likes: Instant inprovement in QOL, when patients are grateful or understand treatment, boost in confidence Dislikes: negative patients, insurance drawbacks
What are some common issues the elderly face in terms of dental health?
Money, medicare, understanding treatment and finding it necessary
What are your core values
My core values are authenticity, compassion, and integrity. I think it is extremely important to be genuine and true to your word. This has allowed me to create meaningful relationships in my life and looking towards being a dentist, I have been able to see hopw being authentic makes patient experiences more meaningful. I value compassion very highly as I have always appreciated when others have shown me it and I strive to share it with others. Again, as a dentist it is important to a patient that they feel seen, heard and respected. I also value integrity. I think its important for people to do what they say and have values to uphold. Reading has developed my compassion. An example of integrity is the sorority and not putting myself above others.
Walk me through the steps of your favorite dental procedure.
My favorite dental procedure would probably be crowns with teeth needing Endodontics. That would be my favorite because I have found it to be fairly common in offices I have shadowed and where I currently work, so I have gotten to become quite familiar with it. In the procedures I have witnessed, the process typically looks like identifying the chief complaint in the patient and diagnosing the issue. The dentist then explains the process to the patient and it usually looks like seeing the dentist for a crown buildup where he preps the tooth for endo by providing access to the canal and placing a temporary crown. Typically, this is when the office scans to send out to the lab for a permanent crown. The patient is typically referred to the specialist for the root canal and returns to our office for cementation of the crown and we typically take a final x-ray to make sure everything looks good and the crown is seated how the doctor likes.
What are your greatest strengths (list 3)
My greatest strengths include leadership, empathy, and determination. I have strong leadership skills that I have been able to refine throughout my undergrad experience. I held multiple positions including serving on the executive board of my sorority and pre-dental society as well as through being a member of my college's leadership institute. ANother strength of mine is empathy, I am able to be very authentic with others and connect with them. I feel I have undergone many hardships that have made me empathetic to others and their experiences. This is very important for dentists as I have seen how much better relationships with patients are when the dentist is empathetic. Another strength of mine is determination, I don't give up in the face of challenge and have proven this throughout my life. Particularly in college, my mother had very serious health concerns that at times made balancing school and concern difficult, but I leanred to adapt and develop different skills that assisted me in succeeding. I know when faced with a challenge in dental school or as a dentist that I will be able to grow from it and overcome it.
Who is your role model?
My mom, she is an optimist, so loving, a helper, not selfish
What is your priority for a school
My priority school is one that holistically views its applicants and teaches its students to take a mouth-body approach to healthcare. It is one that well prepares its students and gives them plenty of opportunities to get involved at the school and with the community. And its one that emphasizes support and community. I feel your schools embodies these values and I could see myself fitting in here.
Explain your research? Would you do it for a career?
My research was clinical research through the Equal Access Clinic Network. My branch in this network focused on testing the efficiency of a portable EKG device in the nephrology clinic of the hospital. Essentially, we would recruit patients and have them use a small portable device to test their EKG, then upload this data with their Patient number so it could then be linked to their Nephrology data. Overall, this data was used to see if the device had clinical validity. I really enjoyed that it was a clinical research position as I liked interacting with the patients. Though, while I might find myself more interested in research further down the road, currently I do not see it as the primary portion of my career.
Tell me about a time you overcame a challenge
One challenge I overcame was Chem 1 in college. While I am sure its a challenge on its own for many, despite just being one of the first harder college courses I took, I also was taking it when my mom suddenly had a major cardiac event and had to be rushed to the hospital. From that night, my mom was in the hospital for months, she was in a coma for sometime and it was a miracle she even survived the first day, let alone months in the hospital. This put a lot of stress on my family and took up a lot of my attention. I realised I just wasn't able to give Chem 1 the time and effort it deserved, so I withdrew from the course. It was difficult to accept that I was withdrawing, but it was the right choice. I took the course again that summer when my mom's condition was more stable and i got an A in it. The experience taught me a lot about resiliency but also that its okay to ask for help and for things to work out different than how you thought they would.
Tell us about an ethical problem and how you handled it
One ethical problem I faced was in the sorority when one memebr of our exec wanted special treatment. We discussed prior aboput warning one another of deadlines and she wasn't warned, only now it was too pay dues. She wanted special treatment to get her out of a hearing, but I did not allow it as it would be unfair to other members.
Talk to us about your transcript
My transcript reflects a lot of the efforts I have put into school, but also a lot of struggle that coincides with some major events in my life. As you'll see in my first semester I has all A's until Statistics in which I received a C. This was because during the end of the semester I had to go back to SC because my mom had a sudden heart event and we were told to come say our goodbyes. Thankfully she made it through the night but from there on she was in a coma for several weeks and on the highest form of life care. She ended up being in the hospital for months on end and we had family from Wisconsin flying in and out and staying with us. I almost got excused from the statistics exam to take it later, but ultimately I decided to drive back to UF for that final exam and take it and I do regret not taking more time because I definitely should have spent more time preparing for it when my life wasn't so hectic. In the next semester, my mom was still in the hospital and still in pretty critical condition, spending so much time being concerned for her and my family led me to a withdrawal in Chem 1, which was my hardest class at the time, but I retook it in the summer and received an A. My sophomore year was much smoother, but in fall of my junior year my mom ended up having to have her leg amputated as a result of all of the medical complications and fear and stress over that again led me to do poorly in my hardest class at that time and then in the spring while visiting me during finals, my mom had a seizure and spent several days at the local hospital, so again, in my hardest class of the semester I did poorly.
Describe a mistake you made and how you resolved it.
Needing to reschedule a takeover for PDS, making sure I set many reminders and provided info prior. GPHI risk manager taking in more opinions on COVID
What is your greatest strengths
Ny greatest strength is leadership. I have strong leadership skills that I have been able to refine throughout my undergrad experience. I was involved in countless leadership positions, including serving on the executive board of my sorority and the pre-dental society as well as being a member of my college's leadership institute where I was able to study leadership for three sesmesters. In these positions, I have been able to learn a lot about working with a team and what it means to be an effective leader. I will definitely be able to apply this as a dentist when leading a team, but also as a dental student when working with classmates. I have been really inspired by the eladership I have seen when shadowing, such as Dr. Hill leading and teaching (cancer medications, structuring the day, etc.)
A patient comes into your office that desperately needs a procedure not covered by her insurance. She is a single mother with three small children, and cannot pay for the procedure out of her pocket. What would you do?
Offer options for payment: finanicing, payment plans, reduced rates potential pro-bono. Offer treatment options that provide the same quality of care, amalgams vs cerec, with different costs. Refer her to free or reduced clinic.
Describe one of your favorite hobbies and why it is essential to you.
One of my favorite hobbies is reading. Ever since I was a child I have had my nose in a book and anyone can tell you that I spend a large chunk of my free time reading. I love it because it transports me to other worlds where I can experience anything and explore new ideas. I also think reading has made me a much more compassionate individual because putting myself in difficult situations through a character in a book has allowed me to better understand why people may react to certain situations differently than I would have and there have been a lot of books that have changed my views this way. Reading is and always will be a way for me to relax while also learning new things and inspiring new ideas.
Tell me about a meaningful community service event
One of my most meaningful service efforts was through the Dance Marathon Organization at my school. My role was Family Captain, which meant I volunteered with the children and families who were children's miracle network hospital ambassadors. In my role, I got to work with all of the families, but I was specifically paired with children at times to support them. I got paired with a young girl, Powie, who has mitochondrial disease and later a boy, Ayden, who has a brain tumor and is blind because of it. Supporting them and trying to make the most of their expeirences was so meaningful to me and they have touched my heart in so many ways. I met Powie during covid and I'll never forget the first time she asked her mom if she could finally hug me and she said yes. And even now I talk to Ayden almost every day on the phone and it means the world to me because I get to watch him thrive. also gators junior golf where I get to teach kids values like respect and integrity. Girls on the run 5K, teaching values and confidence Kardia Mobile
How do you spend your time out of the classroom
Outside of the classroom, my main hobbies are reading, writing and spending time outside. I am a huge reader and always have soemthing i am reading. Last year I read 100 books. I also love writing and hope one day to finish writing my own book. I have always enjoyed time spent in nature and find it really relaxing. I love playing sports and was involved in several intermural sports in college such as basketball and volleyball.
Where do you see yourself personally and professionally in 5 years, 10?
Professionally, in five years I would like to be in the process of procuring my own practice or potentially coming into a practice that I feel has a strong placehold in the community. I'd like to start making connections with patients so that in 10 years when I hopefully run my own practice they are confident in recommending friends and family to me because they know I provide a high level of care. I am also interested in being involved with ASDA or other organizations in the dental field as well as volunteering or mission trips. Personally, in 5 years I hope I have a strong group of friends and support systems as well as have accomplished some personal goals of mine such as running a marathon or writing a book. In 10 years, I'd hope to have or be starting a family and own my own house.
if we only had one spot left, why should you get it
Regardless of whether it's the first spot or the last spot, I want it just as badly and feel I would make a strong candidate for it. I am incredibly motivated and enthusiastic and know I would not only work my hardest to succeed, by work alongside others to create a sense of community and help my peers succeed. As an ambassador for my college, I already do this and I specialize in bringing people of diverse backgrounds together. Additionally, I have strong leadership skills that would be beneficial to a large group of people and would help me succeed as a dentist. I think I would be a great addition to your dental class because not only would I gain a lot, but I would give a lot back to the school and those around me. I would represent your school well.
What do you like about the profession
Some things I really love about denistry is the ability to instantly improve the quality of someone's life, to be able to affect overall health with the mouth body connection, and the relationships not only with patients but with the dental community. Lifelong learning - Dr. Hill example
Have you worked with manual dexterity
Some ways in which I have practiced manual dexterity include calligraphy, knitting, and fishing. I love writing and have taken an interest in calligraphy as well, its very relaxing and I like writing nice cards or quotes for firneds and family. I got into knitting in college when my pre-dental society did an event called knots of love where we knitted hats for the local hospitals and shelters. I loved it so much I went home and bought all of the supplies to keep doing it on my own. Growing up I learned to love fishing and it was something I could bond with my dad over. It involves a lot of knots that help refine my skills, though I still make my dad hook my worms for me.
What extracurricular activity had the biggest impact on you during your undergraduate education?
The extracurricular that has made the biggest impact on me at my time at UF is my volunteering and participation in Dance Marathon, an organization that supports Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. I started my freshman year in the emerging leaders program to learn more about the different teams at DM at UF while supporting our local hospital, which was just down the street from where I lived. Since then I have served on Family Relations, a team that specifically interacts one on one with the Families of children who are being treated or were treated in our hospital. Getting to support these families through celebrating birthdays they thought they would never reach, getting organ transplants, and even through loss has made an immeasurable impact on my life and has meant so much to me. In my role, each year I am specifically paired with a family and I have been paired with one child Ayden, a 12 year old boy, for the past two years. He is blind from brain cancer and knowing him has really changed my life because of how he sees the world.
what is the hardest thing you've ever done and why was it so difficult
The hardest thing I've ever done was be away from my family while my mom was in the hospital. When she first was in the hospital, I was able to come up and say goodbyes, thankfully she survived, but I had to return to school and not being there to support my family and little sister during this incredibly difficult time was very hard for me. Luckily, we had lots of extended family and friends who supported us during this time.
What is your favorite book
This is a super hard question for me because I love reading and have so many favorites, last year I read 100 books after setting a goal for myself. I would have to say one of my favorite books is Book Lovers by Emily Henry. She is one of my favorite authors and I can really relate to her characters. The main female character is a book agent, but secretly she wants to become an editor. She has held herself back because after her mom died, she was the sole caretaker for her younger sister and currently she doesn't want to sacrifice being able to care for her sister to pursue her dream. I have a younger sister and I would do anything for her so it meant a lot to me. part of your world by abbey jiminez
What would you do if you saw one of your fellow students cheating
This is definitely a disappointing scenario as I would never hope that my classmates would feel the need to cheat or that I would need to report, however, it is a very serious matter. If I caught them cheating, I would take it to the instructor or integrity board as cheating creates an unfair environment and can be harmful for the individual as they clearly may not be successful or confident in the topic. It is then up to them how to further handle the situation and I feel this is the most appropriate response.
What are 3 words you would use to describe yourself
Three words I would use to describe myself include optimistic, compassionate, and inclusive. Any person I know would describe me as optimistic and kind. I always try to find the silver lining or bright spot in situations and I think its because growing up my mom always did that for me. I have faced some hardships thropughout my life, but I can see how good things came out of them and I trust that everything happens for a reason. I am compassionate and its something I really pride myself on. I like to make meaningful relationships with others and make them feel valued and see their own worth. Lastly, I would say I am inclusive. My family moved around a bunch while I was growing up and I went to countless new schools, being the new kid was definitely hard, but I think it has really led me to try and make a welcoming environment for everyone and if I notice someone on the outskirts of a group I try and pull them in because I know the feeling of wanting to be included, but being scared to put myself out there.
How did your friends or family react to your interest in dentistry?
Typically it starts with a comment about how could I possibly want to put my hand in someone's mouth, but then its followed by understanding and support for me because after watching me shadow and be involved with the pre-dental community they can see my passion for it clearly.
How do you work under pressure?
Under pressure I work precisely. I wouldn't necessarily say I work best underpressure because I like to be prepared and work ahead of time to give myself optimal opportunities, but under pressure I do think I complete quality work while remaining level headed. In a situation in which I am under pressure, I create a time line or a to-do list based on priority and work to complete larger or more important tasks first. I remain calm, though I would say I have more intense focus and less tolerance for distractions. Under pressure, I work hard to do my best work while assessing the situation and adapting to any changes that arise.
Do you have any questions for us
What are you most proud of about your dental school? How would you describe the relationship between students and faculty at the school? Different levels D1, D2, etc.? How do you educate your students about the business side of dentistry?
Describe a conflict you observed between a health care practitioner and a patient. What did you get out of that experience?
While observing Dr. Hill with a patient who said she did not want to get a full vial of numbing injection for a procedure that would involve drilling. The patient was adamant that her body wouldn't need the full vial. Dr. Hill explained the reason a full vial is commonly used and the benefits and potential risk for pain. The patient continued to deny it. So Dr. Hill offered half of the vial, waited to test it and told the patient they could see how she was feeling. Ultimately the patient did need the full vial, but appreciated how Dr. Hill was respectful of her wishes.
Do you agree that most people act out of altruism rather than self-interest?
Yes, but nowadays its especially convoluted with social media and people trying to showboat. I think most people at the core are good. Ultimately does it matter if people act out of self interest if it helps others.
Are you aware of the level of difficulty? How will you handle the rigor?
Yes, in speaking to many dental students and hearing admissions presentations I am well aware of how difficult dental school is. I plan to succeed through managing my time well, finding a strong group of students to study with immediately, and staying on top of reaching out if I have questions and getting one-on-one help if I need it.
Upon examination of a 50 year old male patient, you determine that he has gonorrhea in the mucous membranes of his mouth/eye. His wife is one of your best friends, and you now suspect that he has had extramarital activity. How much information would you divulge about your finding to his wife? Do you encourage her to get a checkup with her physician?
You cannot tell the wife because it is a breach of HIPAA and unethical. I would explain the situation and diagnosis to him, letting him know the severity and how its transmissable. I would heavily urge him to speak to his wife about it. If his wife mentioned feeling off, I would recommend she gets a check up as routine screenings are important. If she confided in me, I would explain best next steps for care, if not, I would still not divulge her husband passed it to her if she found out.
Where do you rank the school on your list
Your schools' mission and dedication to serving the underserved and being involved with your community puts it at the top of my list. I chose to apply to it because I was really impressed by all of the information I found on it and by stories I found from past students and ambassadors and I think I could be a good fit here.
Tell us about a time when you had to defend an unpopular idea or opinion. How did you make your voice heard, and what was the outcome?
adding more merit points to sorority requirements as AVP, I luckily had a platform, but I explained all of my points and logic behind them, people saw the need and agreed
What factors contributed to your decision to apply for a seat in this program? Tell us about your top three.
clear mission and values, environment, excellence
What would you do if you heard a classmate speaking about private patient information in the cafeteria?
inform them, they may not realize, explain HIPAA, make sure it doesn't happen again or I'll have to tell someone
How would you explain social media (e.g., Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc.) to someone 80 years old?
its a way to stay connected, upload photos for friends, nowadays it can be used to experience new things and learn new things. Provide examples from my own life.
What sets you apart from other applicants
leadership skills, grit/resiliency - i won't back down from a challenge
what do you see as the positives and negatives of the President's health care plan?
medicare: positives is that it provides some care to help people out negatives is that many offices don't accept it as it often doesn't include dental coverage or it has very slim coverage
Describe a recent dream you had.
smokey the bear trying to kill my family and I had to save them
Name a time you showed sympathy for someone when you weren't volunteering
sympathy not volunteering, my roomate lexi had a lot of mental health concerns
How do you effectively prioritize when faced with multiple essential tasks at once?
time needed, effort required, due dates, can I get help/delegate, build up or break down tasks
What does "leadership" mean to you?
to me, leadership means being someone who rallies a team around a common goal and inspiring growth and change. Its having a vision and refining it, while taking in information from others and helping them to succeed. Leadership means being a part of a team but also guiding and supporting that team. being a mentor.
What is your strategy when faced with a decision that you must make quickly?
what helps the most people, has the bigest outcome. Effort required or costs to me. Am I in the right capacity, the right person to assist.