How to Ace Your Dental School Interview: Common Questions and Best Answers

So you’ve submitted your dental school application and now you’ve landed an interview—congratulations! 🎉 This is a huge milestone in your journey to becoming a dentist. Now it’s time to shine in person (or virtually).

Dental school interviews can be intimidating, but with the right preparation, you can walk in confident and ready to impress. In this guide, we’ll cover:

✅ Common dental school interview questions
✅ Sample answers that admissions committees love
✅ Interview tips to help you stand out as a future dentist

Let’s dive in.

🧠 Why Dental School Interviews Matter

Your interview isn’t just a formality—it’s a critical part of the admissions decision. This is your chance to:

• Showcase your communication skills

• Demonstrate professionalism and empathy

• Clarify your passion for dentistry

• Let the admissions committee get to know you beyond the application

Think of it as your personal commercial—you are selling yourself as the right fit for their program.

🎯 Common Dental School Interview Questions & How to Answer Them

Here are some of the most frequently asked dental school interview questions, along with tips for answering each one thoughtfully and authentically.

1. Why do you want to be a dentist?

🦷 What they’re looking for: Motivation, clarity, and commitment.

Example Answer:

“My interest in dentistry started after shadowing a local dentist and seeing the blend of science, hands-on skill, and meaningful patient relationships. What really solidified it was volunteering at a free dental clinic, where I saw how transformative dental care could be. I love the idea of being able to relieve pain, restore confidence, and be part of someone’s long-term health journey.”

2. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

💡 What they’re looking for: Self-awareness and honesty.

Tip: Choose a real weakness and show how you’re working to improve it.

Example Weakness:

“I used to get overly focused on small details, which slowed me down in group projects. I’ve learned to prioritize better and lean on checklists and time blocks to stay efficient without losing quality.”

Example Strength:

“I’m highly empathetic. I’ve worked with nervous patients during my dental assistant internship, and being able to connect with them and put them at ease felt incredibly rewarding.”

3. Tell me about a time you faced a challenge and how you handled it.

🔍 What they’re looking for: Problem-solving, resilience, emotional intelligence.

Example Answer:

“During undergrad, I was balancing DAT prep and a heavy course load when my grandfather passed away. I struggled at first, but reached out to professors, restructured my schedule, and leaned on support systems. It taught me the importance of time management, mental health, and asking for help—skills I’ll carry into dental school.”

4. How do you handle stress?

⚖️ What they’re looking for: Coping skills and emotional regulation.

Example Answer:

“I make time for short daily workouts, use mindfulness apps, and schedule non-negotiable breaks. I’ve learned to balance high-pressure periods like finals or the DAT with small moments of recovery. Stress is part of dentistry, but I’m proactive about staying centered.”

5. Why this dental school?

🏫 What they’re looking for: Fit and interest in their program.

Tip: Do your research—mention specific programs, values, or faculty.

Example Answer:

“I’m impressed by your school’s emphasis on early clinical exposure and the community outreach opportunities. I’m especially drawn to your mobile clinic program, since giving back to underserved populations is a big part of why I’m pursuing dentistry.”

🧰 Bonus Interview Tips

• ✅ Practice with mock interviews—especially if your school uses MMI (Multiple Mini Interviews).

• ✅ Dress professionally, even for virtual interviews.

• ✅ Be on time—log in early for Zoom calls and plan ahead for in-person visits.

• ✅ Prepare thoughtful questions to ask at the end, like:

  • “What qualities make a student successful in your program?”

  • “How does your school support student well-being?”

🚀 Final Thoughts

Nailing your dental school interview isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being prepared, authentic, and reflective. Use this opportunity to show the admissions committee who you are, why dentistry is your calling, and why you're a great fit for their school.

And remember: Dental School Declassified has tons of free resources and expert-led advising to help you prepare. Whether you need one-on-one interview coaching or sample mock interview questions, we’ve got your back.