classic questions Flashcards
why dentistry?
one of the first things that drew me to dentistry was the aspect of communication and being able to work with so many people, which are both in the very foundations of dentistry. through my own research as well as interactions i have had with dental students in the past two years of working with the reach programme i quickly realised it was a pathway i wanted to follow.
it is challenging, both emotionally and intellectually, it requires pristine attention to detail, and above all it helps people with something that has a huge impact on how they live their lives.
through studying my modern studies i developed a passion for public health and epidemiology and in the future as a dentist i would definitely be working toward bridging gaps in access to dental care for those who are more vulnerable in society.
how should the government spend money on NHS dentistry
to increase awareness with educational programmes
water fluoridation
sugar free everwhere
why you and not someone else
i am a dynamic student who has a realistic idea of what dentistry and healthcare are about.
i have a variety of different experiences related to the field which have helped me with this awareness. in my shadowing day i witnessed first hand the workings of a busy practice and the varied role of a dentist.
i am self disciplined, and am able to balance committments, such as completing crochet comissions during my higher exams.
i am incredibly caring and a good communicator, who likes an intellectual challenge.
above all else, my heart is with people and helping others. my patients would be my priority.
describe a time you made a life changing decision
two years ago when i discovered dentistry and set my heart on it. that decision started a cascade of learning, watching and listening to all things dentistry which has ultimately led to me being here. i am not sure where i would be if i didnt set my heart on dentistry
what would you ask an applicant applying to dentistry
tell me about yourself, what are your motivations for studying dentistry, how do you work as a team, how do you cope with stress.
what are the challenges of dentistry
do you know what it is like to be a dental student
i have a good idea of what im signing up for. through my work with the reach project over the past 2 years almost, i have spoken to many dental students and dentists who are very open about the difficulties of the course and the level of self discipline you need to be able to study and keep up to date with the workload.
i feel i am ready for the challenges of the course as i am a good multitasker and can divide my tasks appropriately to complete them in time.
what makes you think you can cope as a dental student
i am a good multitasker who can divide tasks appropriately. at work i am able to juggle a variety of different responsibilities, as well as being able to organise the content for my debate club whilst also focusing on school and my crochet business.
i have developed many mechanisms to deal with stress, including reading books, music, and crochet.
after speaking to dental students from different year groups i feel i have a realistic expectation of what to expect, and i am more than up for the challenge
what are the qualities of a good dentist
knowledgable, approachable, resilient, patient, compassionate caring and committed.
they must remain calm and rational, juggle time effectively and be able to manage a practice.
they also need to have excellent manual dexterity skills to ensure precision and safey of procedures.
communication is one of the most vital attributes a dentist can have as it allows them to recieve informed consent from patients and reassure them in times of anxiety.
they need to be good team workers as there is a lot more to a dental practice then the dentist itself.
what are your qualities
i am personable, resilient, caring, self motivated and hard working with good communciation skills. i can cope well under pressure and keep a cool head.
in my job at the carehome i have developed qualities in patience, communication and empathy.
as a result of both this job as well as my wider acheivement last year wher ei worked with cildren, i am comfortable communicating with people from all age groups.
my ability to embroider and crochet has required a great deal of precision and attention to detail, which will be gital to my role as a dentist.
the range of skills i have acquired through school and extra curriculars as well as my caring and diligent nature gives me the potential to flourish as a member of the dental profession.
what do you think you will struggle with the most at our dental school
it involves a lot of hard work and at the beginning the transition from high school to university workload will be a shock, but i am an organised person with good time management so i feel equipped to deal with these challenges as someone who is calm and positive.
why is communication important to dentistry
- communicate clealry to patients and relatives
- empathy and mutual trust means they are more likley to come back and get fruther treatment
- avoid the use of jargon
- informed consent
- communicate with the rest of the team and educate patients on caring for their teeth
- give the patients enough time to talk and ask questions - communication is just as much about listening as it is about talking
what are the challenges of being a dentist
they have to empathise with frightened, ill, angry, young or elderly patients, patients with special physical or mental needs
there is a lot of health risks in the profession, such as risk of infection or injury from equipment. they frequently come into contact with bodily fluids which increases the likelihood of contracting HIV and other blood borne pathogens
they must be able to build up a strong rapport with patients to ease dental anxieties.
their role involves high pressure and working in close proximity with people, which they need to be ready for
what did you learn from your work experience
importance of team work in a practice - arab speaking dental nurse
patient didnt show - how the time was used instead
the importance of close dentist patient relationships as they felt really comfortable despite being fearful of the needles
the dentist dealt with each patient as an invidual, he didnt have one set approach. for some, he was straightforward to the point, whereas others he instigated humour depending on how the patient felt more calm
what did you learn by working in the carehome
the residents have complex clinical and social needs, and by chatting with them i developed my patients and abilty to empathise as i considered individual needs. i can now comfortably communicate with people of diverse ages, cultures and backgrounds
