Dental interview questions

Question 1

What is professionalism?

Answer 1

Professionalism encompasses the way you carry yourself, your attitude and the ways you communicate with others

in other words - Professionalism is how you respond to the GDC standards expected of you, and how you take responsibility for meeting them.

Question 2

What is the difference between empathy and sympathy?

Answer 2

• Empathy is the ability to share and understand the feelings of another individual. To be in patient’s position and understanding it.

• Sympathy is the feeling of sorrow towards someone else’s misfortune. Sharing the patient’s emotions.

Question 3

Are you motivated by financial rewards?

Answer 3

• You are motivated to do it to the skills you possess/ are looking to improve on, and the passion you have towards the career after getting a realistic understanding etc, wanting to help people etc.

• Need to appreciate the financial aspect slightly mention how it gives you a stable career but that’s it.

• You are more motivated to do it due to the passion you have towards to it not the financial incentives.

Question 4

What area of dentistry would you be most interested in practising in? Have you researched this speciality at all?

Answer 4

• Make sure to involve the people’s aspect and not just the science aspect (by science aspect this includes things that are just clinical, problem solving etc.) you want to mention how you witnessed how people’s lives are transformed for example and how you want to do that.

• Endodontics – manual dexterity element.

• Orthodontics – transformations, rewarding – personal element.

• Restorative dentistry (integrates endodontics, periodontics, and prosthodontics) – critical thinking, problem solving.

• You would like to explore general dentistry during dentistry before deciding to specialise.

Question 5

What is the one detail in your application you would like us to overlook?

Answer 5

• Start of by saying the one detail, and accentuate the positive say how even though I would like you to overlook this detail, I feel this has affected me in a positive way and say how, like how you have started to be more organising, be prompter and allowing a lot of time before schedules to finish assignments etc. How you also found out which study method works for you.

-Grades
-Gap year
etc.

Question 6

Talk about a challenging situation that you observed during your work experience?

Answer 6

• Talk about the situation and the skills that you observed the dentist had to manage the experience.

• Must mention the fact that the dentist apologised also.

Question 7

What other skills or qualities did you note in the dentists that you observed during your work experience?

Answer 7

• Mention the skill.

• Evidence the skill (how you/the dentist showed the skill)

• Relate to dentistry show how important the skill is.

• Implement the GDC principles into the answer.

Question 8

What did you understand about the cons of a career in dentistry from your work experience?

Answer 8

• Time pressure
• Ergonomic stress
• Must mention how to manage the cons in this question.

Question 9

Did you have a mentoring role at school?

Answer 9

• Explain the mentoring role. (Chess club)

• Mention the skill.

• Evidence the skill (how you showed the skill)

• Relate it to dentistry (tell show do technique)

• Implement the GDC principles at the end.

• … this is why it’s useful in dentistry.

Question 10

What do you think you can bring to the university beyond your academic abilities?

Answer 10

• Help others.
• Societies.
• Perhaps implement research, how you’ve seen articles on the British dental journal etc.

Question 11

What is Gillicks competence?

Answer 11

o NOTE: when a scenario involves an individual under the age of 16.

o First thing to assess is Gillicks competence.
 Do they have the capacity to consent and take charge of their own treatment.

 Capacity = intelligence + maturity to understand.

Question 12

How have you shown integrity and responsibility at school?

Answer 12

• Rugby – talk about how you perhaps chose the incorrect formation to use in the middle of a game.

• Talk about the skills used.

• Evidence the skill (how you showed the skill).

• Relate back to dentistry (how is the skill useful in dentistry).

• In this scenario Empathy (but need to make sure to say why)

• Remember to also apologise in this scenario.

• Implement GDC principles at the end if possible.

Question 13

What do you have to remember when answering a question to do with picking a side X vs Y?

Answer 13

Make sure to come to a conclusion at the end.

o Also mention the positive and negatives of both X and Y where possible.

Question 14

Are you interested in working in the NHS or privately?

Answer 14

• Don’t pick a side.

• Need to say the positive and negatives of each side

• Then come to a conclusion at the end.

Question 15

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

Answer 15

• Talk about the BioPsychoSocial model aspect of the elderly.
- As you get older immunity decreases etc.
- Dementia perhaps.

Question 16

What would you do as a dentist if a patient has a toothache, however they state that they cannot afford the required treatment proposed?

Answer 16

• Main issues that come is professionalism and putting patients’ wellbeing as a priority.

• As a healthcare professional, it is my responsibility to care for the patient.

• Need to consider financial implications also, however.

• perhaps offer cheaper treatment options to choose from.

• Raise issue with the practice owner and discuss a payment schedule that suits the patient’s current financial situation.

• As a last resort, I could provide immediate pain relief, and refer patient to an NHS hospital or other affordable treatment centre.

Question 17

How would you tell a patient that their tooth needs to be extracted?

Answer 17

• Explain you realise this scenario requires great deal of empathy and good listening skills.

• Firstly, explain the current state of the tooth, and the options available for the patient.

• Talk about your observation experience on work experience – saw how the dentist laid out the choices of an extraction or a root canal to a patient.

• Make sure to explain reasoning thoroughly.

• Always check the patient understands throughout the whole discussion.

• Autonomy – if they wish to proceed with extraction.

• Be sensitive and careful to emphasise what is best for their wellbeing.

• Also take time to listen to patient’s concerns and worries, leaving enough time for questions.

• Finally, suggest patient to go home and think about it, unless emergency measures or immediate pain relief is needed.

Question 18

How can a dentist work to improve community health?

Answer 18

• Raising awareness amongst the general community around surgery, visit schools and leisure centres to give talks and demonstrations of toothbrushing.

• Can help bring oral health to the forefront of the minds of various members of society.

• Secondly, dentists can train and encourage their team, such as dental nurses or lab technicians, to reach out to the community as well, to increase their reach.

Question 19

What is the structure when approaching role play scenarios?

Answer 19

a. Introduction.
b. Open questions.
c. Develop rapport.
d. Address the issues known.
e. Identify any additional issues.
f. Summary and plan going forward.

Question 20

A patient attends your practice and is highly anxious. They demand sedation for the check-up. How would you manage this situation?

Answer 20

a. You would speak to the patient and discuss all possible options before attempting treatment.

b. It is essential that you gain consent from the patient before doing anything.

c. If the patient demands sedation, you cannot perform treatment without it unless the patient consents.

d. Explain (if you don’t/cannot offer sedation) that if the patient won’t accept treatment without it, you will need to refer him or her to a sedation clinic and if they fulfil criteria, they will treat them under sedation.

e. You should explain the risks and benefits of sedation and all possible options available such that the patient can make an informed decision.

Question 21

A child attends your practice, and you can immediately tell they are withdrawn and reserved. You notice some bruises on their arm during the exam. How would you manage the situation?

Answer 21

a. You must make accurate notes in your records.

b. Don’t ask leading or biased questions.

c. Don’t challenge the parents especially if you feel this may put the child at risk.

d. You must involve the safeguarding lead at your practice immediately and make them aware of the situation such that further investigation can be done if needed. The safeguarding lead will then take over and contact social services if deemed needed.

Question 22

A patient attends your practice demanding a root canal treatment. On examination, you don’t find an indication for this on the radiographs and clinically. How will you manage this scenario?

Answer 22

a. You will explain you clinical and radiographic findings to the patient following the examination.

b. You will then explain all treatment options available and indicated for this specific case, outlining the advantages and disadvantages of each management approach.

c. Do not carry out treatment without the patient’s consent.

d. If the patient continues to demand a treatment that is not indicated, then you can advise the patient to seek a second opinion if they would like.

e. Explain that under NHS care, treatment needs to be indicated for it to be carried out to ensure patient safety and for their best interest.

Question 23

A patient attends with a dental complaint and demands antibiotics. On examination, you find antibiotics are not indicated in this case. How would you manage the patient?

Answer 23

a. Explain your clinical and radiographic findings to the patient.

b. Explain all treatment options and how to get them out of pain including any appropriate analgesics indicated.

c. If antibiotics are not indicated, explain why to the patient and the harms of unnecessary prescription of them.

d. If the patient persists however and antibiotics are not indicated and there is no infection or swelling or raised temperature etc, then request to seek a second opinion if necessary.

e. Ensure you record all your notes accurately.

f. Do not prescribe something without any clinical indication but this must be recorded in your notes. This is for the patient’s best interest and safety.

Question 24

A patient attends your practice for an extraction of an impacted lower 8 that’s close to the inferior dental (ID) nerve. On examination and radiographs, you find that a referral is best suited however the patient demands treatment in the dental practice. How would you manage this case?

Answer 24

a. Explain your findings to the patient, both clinical and radiographic.

b. Explain all treatment options to the patient alongside their risks and benefits.

c. Explain that this case is complex and outside your remit and it is in the best interest of the patient and their safety that they be referred.

d. Prescribe any necessary analgesics or antibiotics if indicated to ensure the patient is not in undue pain and the symptoms are adequately controlled.

e. Follow up the referral and keep the patient informed.

Question 25

A patient attends demanding a scale and polish and removal of stains under the NHS to make her teeth ‘sparkly white’. You explain that the scale and polish can be completed under the NHS however stain removal and use of air abrasion is a private procedure. The patient refuses to accept this and demands NHS treatment for it all. How would you handle this scenario?

Answer 25

a. Explain to the patient that NHS treatment doesn’t cover cosmetic needs.

b. The scale and polish can be done however stain removal or air abrasion isn’t indicated under the NHS as it is a cosmetic procedure and if the patient would like this, they should seek a private dentist.

c. If the patient persists, advise they can seek a second opinion if needed.

Question 26

During lunchbreak, you notice your colleagues speaking about a patient in the waiting room and disclosing personal information about them. What should you do in this situation?

Answer 26

a. It is essential that dentists and all HCP’s maintain patient confidentiality (GDC regulation) and that patient information is not discussed in public areas such as waiting rooms.

b. Kindly remind your colleagues to not discuss in the waiting room area and non-clinical/non-relevant information regarding patients should not be discussed at all.

c. If the problem persists, consider taking it to the practice manager.

Question 27

What does valid consent entail?

Answer 27

a. Explaining the procedure at hand to the patient, which tooth is involved and what procedure will be carried out?

b. What are the benefits involved?

c. What are the risks involved?

d. Any possible complications or side effects?

e. Post-operative instructions/guidance.

f. Any questions.

g. Signature for consent.

Question 28

What is duty of candour?

Answer 28

a. It is the professional responsibility to be honest with patients when things go wrong.

b. When breach of patient trust and confidentiality occurs, duty of candour should be considered ensuring that corrective measures are taken as well as the affected parties (Patient) being appropriately informed of the shortcomings.