FAQ's Flashcards
Why dentistry?
Interest in Biology & Neuroscience:
- Curious about how the body works from a young age.
- Fascinated by the brain and neuroscience—an area with much still unknown.
Volunteering at Library:
- Developed strong connections with diverse people.
- Enjoyed helping others, reinforcing a passion for healthcare.
Braces Experience & Inspiration for Dentistry:
- Built a great rapport with orthodontist over two years.
- Felt comfortable discussing dental concerns and self-esteem.
- After treatment, gained confidence—stopped covering mouth when laughing.
- Realized the profound impact dentistry can have on self-esteem and well-being.
Exploring Dentistry Further:
- Took a MOOC on dental medicine—intrigued by holistic dentistry.
- Learned how oral health can indicate systemic diseases.
- Read It’s All in Your Mouth—found it fascinating how root canal-treated teeth can sometimes harbor hidden infections that affect overall health, reinforcing the importance of oral-systemic connections.
Developing Dexterity for Dentistry:
- Learned guitar to improve hand strength, precision, and resilience.
Shadowing Experience:
- Observed dentists’ effort in patient care and communication (Tell-Show-Do method).
- Witnessed how they eased dental anxiety and built trust.
- Noticed the strong teamwork and positive work environment.
- impactful experience
Why not medicine?
- dentistry has early clinical exposure
- the ability to see a patient from start to end (strong patient rapport and trust)
- see patients when they are sick and when they are healthy ( importance of prevention )
- ability for employment and independence
- as i did work experience in an aesthetic clinic, I realised how impactful patient-centred care is and making people feel comfy in skin - wanted to work in cosmetic dentistry
How do you see dentistry evolving in the next decade?
AI
- used for treatment planning (3d imaging of the teeth, visualise complex treatments)
- intraoral scans and radiography (more precise diagnosis
CAD/ CAM TECH
- images taken of tooth drilled with a computer
- crown made right away
- no use of a mould less invasive
- fewer dental visits
Sustainability in Dentistry
- biodegradable material
- energy efficient medical equipment
Dental Amalgam
- 50% mercury 50% alloy
- toxicity to patients, possible ingesting fillings
- environmental impact - harmful to aquatic life
- most common nhs filling - uncertanity and cost issues
- ensure appropriate reimbursement is made available for mercury-free alternatives
What skills/strengths would make you a good dentist?
leadership - during VWE had to lead a team of many professions to ensure an efficient and healthy work environment - i built leadership skills during my dental society
S: noticed many students interested start my own
T: structured society that was engaging - co-ordinated informative presentations, guest speakers and hands on work - create supportive enviroment
A- formed a team together - rotated presentations to balance school work, booked guest speakers in advance, advertised in assembly and school social media page
R - regular attendance, benefitted from networking, succesful applicants and gained public speaking skills and leadership
manual dexterity - playing guitar
S: during my WE - root canal procedure - precision and control to navigate the small canals
T: knew important - decided to take u guitar - love music great hobby to destress - also great for building hand strength and motor skills
A: I decided to self-teach through online tutorials - at least a couple times a week - intricate strumming and fingering patterns -
R: not only improved control and manual dexterity - but improved my patience and resilience
empathy - volunteering
S: - old lady anxious, withdrawn - follow up appointment
T: I wanted to ease anxiety - feel comfortable - less isolated
A: noted from WE - to keep conversation light - asked if she’d like company and if she was okay - spoke about her day and she therefore opened up about hospitals making her feel uncomfy - validated, it’s normal, staff help
R: more at ease, power of empathy, kindness,
What is your greatest weakness?
Insecurity:
- doubting my abilities, especially in new or high-pressure situations
- confidence essential in dentistry - can hold me back on taking new opportunities or reaching my potential
Situation: As Dental Society leader, I organized a networking event but hesitated to contact a renowned speaker, fearing rejection and appearing unprofessional.
🔹 Task: Needed to secure a high-quality speaker and delegate tasks effectively to ensure a smooth and valuable event.
🔹 Action: Procrastinated due to self-doubt, leading to a missed opportunity and last-minute changes. Reflected on my hesitation, sought mentor advice, improved my professional communication, and took initiative for future events.
Result: Secured a respected implantologist for the next event, improved delegation, and received excellent feedback. Learned that confidence in leadership comes from taking action and trusting my abilities.
- knowledge and experience
- reading more
- asked for feedback during work experience and volunteering
- guidance helped me understand that confidence comes with practice and that making mistakes
- positive affirmations and celebrating small successes
- all about lifelong learning and self improvement
What are the negatives to dentistry?
stressful career - continuous studying, long work hours sometimes without break, patients may have unrealistic expectations (Time management ) - having a good work life balance, hobbies and a support system to talk to
Difficult patients - uncooperative as well as dental anxiety, strong interpersonal skills and patience - can be draining - don’t take it personal, remaining calm, active listening and reflection
Physical Demand - hunched over in awkward positions, loupes for magnification can cause strain on the back / PRACTICE GOOD POSTURE FROM UNI AND STRETCH DAILY - WEAR ergonomic SHOES
What is the biggest misconception about dentistry?
Bright white teeth are healthy teeth
- underlying decay, gum disease, enamel erosion
- teeth colour vary from person to person
Dental visits and preventing problems
- cavities or gum disease can develop without pain
- regular checkups identify issues early
- practice prevention
How do you approach time management + example?
Being able to manage time is very important in dentistry especially since NHS appointment times are limited to around 10 minutes ENSURE treat and sterilise patient
creating different schedules
monthly schedule: big exams, work, basic outline of revision
- weekly schedule - more precise daily list
- daily schedule - specific daily tasks
s: organising house music during mock period
T: gather musicians, practice, be prepared and off book
A: made myself a schedule for rehearsal time and study time - sent schedules in advance to organise in case anyone was unavailable - time based rehersals allotting 20 mins for instruments and 30 mins for vocals 30 mins for group rehersal - used free time such as bus journeys to practice flashcards
R: Successfully coordinate the music performance and perform confidently - 2ND
performed well on my exams
What is the most important ethical consideration in dentistry + how to address it?
Patient Autonomy:
- as long as the decision does not cause serious harm have to respect patient decisions
- ensuring trust
Solution:
- informed consent: clear and accessible to each patient
- respect decisions
- avoid coercion
Describe a time when you overcame a difficult obstacle/ showed resilience?
S: - prep for alevel drama exam - rehearsals mostly after school and during lunch times while also having mocks - i found it hard to balance all this and had low energy during rehearsals and couldn’t attend some due to booster classes
T: manage time effectively, maintain focus & energy - as i missed some sessions
A: re-scheduled my month and highlighted priority, reached out to team members and teacher to reschedule rehearsals that aligned better with me and also everyone else, communicated to teachers i’d be unable to attend some booster sessions gave me remote work - help during frees - self break with food and friends
R: - balance my responsibilities, stayed on track, performed well and achieved an a* as well as an a in my biology mock - effective communication, teamwork, and the importance of self-care
Describe a time when you were a leader?
S: noticed many students interested start my own
T: structured society that was engaging - co-ordinated informative presentations, guest speakers and hands on work - create supportive environment
A- formed a team together - rotated presentations to balance school work, booked guest speakers in advance, advertised in assembly and school social media page
R - regular attendance, benefitted from networking, successful applicants and gained public speaking skills and leadership
Describe a time when you had to work in a team?
S:
- Worked at an aesthetic clinic during my gap year
- Tasked with organising a two-year anniversary event for the clinic
T:
- Needed to coordinate with various team members to ensure the event was successful and met the expectations of both staff and clients
A:
- organised a brainstorming session with the team to discuss ideas - contribute based on their strengths.
- my creative skills, I took the lead in developing the event theme and visual elements
- I collaborated with a team member who excelled in interaction to ensure we had engaging activities for guests
- trusted me trusted thdem
- compromise - one team member wasn’t happy with the theme colour compromised on a shade that was middle ground
R:
- seamless collaboration of skills, resulting in a vibrant and enjoyable celebration that resonated with our clients and staff
- synergy among team members increased morale and stronger relationships within the clinic,
- positive feedback from attendees strengthened a sense of community
How do you manage patient anxiety or fear of dental procedures?
C - create a safe environment
A - acknowledge the anxiety
L - listen actively (verbal mhs, eye contact, nodding, and reflecting)
M - minimise uncertainty (clear explanations about procedures)
C - calm (gentle music and gentle voice)
A - ask for preferences (music no music,
R - re-assure and educate (regarding their care and treatment)
E - empower choices (encouraging them to ask questions and express their preferences)
How to cope with stress?
- having hobbies that release stress (going to the gym regularly releases endorphins and increases productivity, music and creating music - cathartic and emotional cope)
- having a good friendship and family relations
- journalling and affirmations
What do you wish to achieve in your career in dentistry, aside from clinical practice?
promoting holistic approaches to dental care:
- interconnectedness of oral health and overall well-being
- prevention and wellness
- integrating nutrition
- stress management
- lifestyle changes
Education and Community Outreach:
- workshops and informational materials to educate patients and the community
- work with schools to promote general health
Research and Development:
- actively engage in research = new dental materials, procedures, and practices - research by NCU
- innovative techniques and technologies in dentistry
- influence the future of the field and improve patient outcomes
How would your friends describe you?
dedicated - i ain’t to listen and always be present in conversations with nods or verbal acknowledgment - i try my best to show up for important things - i try to build trust by openly communicating during conflict
easy-going: i’m adaptable to changes of plans or spontaneous moments - optimistic - lighten up dark moods - accepting of different quirks and moods
expressive - i like to express how i feel with cards, text messages that are quite honest - through hugs and pats
Can you describe a time when you think a dentist would have to make a difficult decision about a patient’s treatment plan?
- patient with multiple cavities expresses fear about dental procedures with diabetes
- balancing emotional balance and necessary treatment
- addressing urgency
- informed consent
- build trust
solutions:
- a gradual treatment plan, start less invasive procedures - build the patient’s confidence
Can you describe a recent article you read?
what was the research?
tooth regrowth in adults
What was the method and what was the outcome?
- medical research institute in Japan used RNA to form antibodies against a gene, USAG-1 that prohibits bone growth
- highly successful in mice, ferrets, dogs, clinical testing currently ongoing
What interested you about it?
- help those who are suffering from tooth loss or absence
- monumental for those affected by teeth loss of gum disease
- reduces the need for fillings
Why did u choose newcastle?
strong researched focus uni - really interested in dental research and developments - e.g regenerative dentistry ncu research (biomaterials - ion releasing composites and resolvable composites)
clinical exposure in year one - unlike other unis there is early clinical exposure - speak to senior students - relate what we’ve learnt practically - partnership with Newcastle dental hospital - visual learner
brush up programme - giving back to the community and helping schools locally
best student cities - near a beach and lots of activities to do - the uni has many clubs (dance society and music society - great way to relieve stress and maintain health)
care for minorities - haven’t even started but care for allowing everyone to be included through partners - encouraging and celebrating diversity
What area do you think you will specialise in?
Cosmetic dentistry - work in aesthetics clinic
- patient change and transformation in confidence is so rewarding
- drawn to the precision and artistry involved use my manual dexterity and precision ( shaping composite resins or ceramic veneers)
- advancements in digital dentistry, such as 3D smile design
What is the role of a dentist?
beyond just treating dental conditions—it involves a combination of clinical expertise, patient education, preventative care to ensure overall oral health
Diagnosis & Treatment:
Preventative Care: Educating patients, promote long-term oral health
Aesthetic & Functional Dentistry: appearance and function of teeth - orthodontics & prosthodontics
Holistic Patient Care: oral manifestations of systemic diseases - referig to another health professional
Communication & Patient Trust
Upholding high standards of patient care, maintaining infection control protocols, lifelong learning
What is the role of the dental nurse?
crucial role:
- assisting the dentist (keeping surgery ready for use)
-offering the patient care and reassurance - infection control
- admin
- strong collab approach
Why should we choose you over other candidates?
1) fitting well (course wise)
- early clinical exposure - relating theory to practice - helpful as i’m a visual learner
- opportunity for placement and or studying abroad in year 2 - hands-on experience in different clinical settings - broaden my perspective treatment approaches and patient care - adaptability and communication skills
2) contribute (societies wise)
- I did alevel drama, enjoy performing - musical theatre society able to perform during showcases
- dance society - compete with other unis
3) how you’ve tried to become a better dentist
- learning guitar - improve manual dexterity and hand eye co-ordination - gained work experience in different settings - aesthetic clinic to understand the patient-centred approach - volunteering to build empathy
initiative to give back and lead - started a dental society
Why dentistry over dental hygiene and therapy?
- leadership and management of a team
- diagnosis and carrying out more complex procedures
DH’S - preventative care (scaling, polishing, fluoride treatments)
DT’s - fillings, extract baby teeth, x-rays
synergy with dentist is so important
