Aberdeen Dentistry Interview: Aberdeen Dentistry Interview Questions
- The Medic Life
- 2 days ago
- 11 min read
Message from the Founder -> "Welcome! I’m Dr. Bakhtar Ahmad, founder of The Medic Life and a practising UK doctor. In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to succeed in the Aberdeen Dentistry Interview (focusing on Questions) - from format, sample stations, to strategy and real applicant insights. Let’s begin!"
PS: This expert "Aberdeen Dentistry Interview" guide from The Medic Life (experts in MMI Courses) covers what to expect, common interview themes, and practical tips to help you succeed. Dr. Bakhtar Ahmad, is an expert in MMI Prep! Explore The Medic Life's MMI Mocks & MMI Stations as well as MMI Role Play and MMI Courses.
University of Aberdeen (Dentistry) uses an MMI (Multiple Mini Interview) format for admissions to its dentistry course. The full interview session lasts around 90 minutes, with each station typically lasting 7 minutes. The MMI assesses core areas including motivation, communication, problem-solving, and manual dexterity — not academic knowledge.
What the Aberdeen Dentistry Interviewers Are Looking For?
At Aberdeen, admissions interviewers evaluate candidates across multiple domains:
Motivation & commitment to dentistry — why you want to study dentistry, and why specifically at Aberdeen.
Understanding of the dental profession — awareness of what a dental career involves, including potential challenges, demands, and responsibilities.
Work experience / caring or volunteering background — reflections on placements or volunteering that show insight into patient care or helping roles.
Problem-solving & analytical thinking — ability to think on your feet, analyse scenarios (e.g. ethical or public-health issues), and articulate well-reasoned answers.
Communication & interpersonal skills — essential for working with patients and colleagues.
Manual dexterity & practical awareness — a core requirement; many dental schools may test this via tasks or ask about relevant hobbies (e.g. playing an instrument, craft, model making).
Self-awareness, honesty, integrity — being able to reflect on your strengths/weaknesses, admit limitations, and show professionalism.
Sample Questions You Might Be Asked at Aberdeen Dentistry Interview
Here’s a non-exhaustive set of example questions and prompts that tend to appear in dental-school / Aberdeen-style interviews. Use these to practise, but avoid learning rigid scripts - authenticity and reflection matter more than perfect phrasing.
“What first led you to become interested in dentistry?” / “Why dentistry and not medicine?”
“Why University of Aberdeen?” — What appeals to you about their programme, location, or ethos?
“Tell us about any work experience or volunteering you have done. What did you learn from it?”
“Describe a time you worked as part of a team. What did you learn about teamwork or communication?”
“What do you think are some of the biggest challenges facing dentists today — or in the future of dentistry?”
“How do you cope under pressure or stress?” / “How do you manage a heavy workload?” — to assess resilience and coping strategies.
“Do you have any hobbies or interests that demonstrate manual dexterity skills?” (e.g. playing an instrument, crafts, modelling).
“Where do you see yourself in ten years? What are your career ambitions?”
What Dentistry Interviewers at Aberdeen Are Looking For - Extended
Before diving into Q&A — recall that Aberdeen’s MMI stations assess: work experience & reflection; motivation for dentistry + for Aberdeen; communication & interpersonal skills; manual dexterity / practical awareness; problem-solving & ethical reasoning; self-awareness & professionalism.
Also, the interview is not a test of academic knowledge.
When you answer - aim to show: clarity of thought, empathy, honesty & reflection, good communication, self-awareness, reasoning (not “right answers”) and a genuine interest in dentistry and in Aberdeen’s programme.
Aberdeen Dentistry Interview -> 20 Sample Questions + Answer Outlines
1. Why do you want to study dentistry — and why not medicine, veterinary, or another healthcare route?
What interviewers assess: motivation, insight into the profession, realistic understanding of what dentistry involves.
Outline of a strong answer:
Personal motivation: e.g. "I’ve always enjoyed hands-on tasks that combine precision and care — dentistry offers a unique blend of manual skills, science and patient interaction."
Reflection on experience: e.g. "During shadowing, I observed how a dentist combined empathy with fine technical skill; that cemented dentistry as my calling rather than a general medical route."
Understanding of the role: emphasise long-term patient care, preventive dentistry, oral health’s impact on general wellbeing — not just treatments.
Commitment: show awareness of demands: manual dexterity, patient communication, empathy — and willingness to develop these.
2. Why have you chosen Aberdeen specifically (and not another dental school)?
What they assess: genuine interest, research, fit between you and the university.
Outline:
Mention aspects of Aberdeen’s course (e.g. early clinical/practical exposure, supportive community, opportunities unique to Aberdeen — location, ethos, student support, etc.).
Relate to personal goals or background: e.g. desire to serve certain populations, affinity for the region, research interests.
Show you’ve looked at the course structure and culture — not generic praise.
3. What qualities do you think make a good dentist? Which of those qualities do you think you have — and where do you need to improve?
What they assess: self-awareness, honesty, understanding of profession demands.
Outline:
Qualities: empathy, communication skills, manual dexterity, patience, integrity, resilience, teamwork.
Provide examples: e.g. a caring/volunteer role showing empathy; a craft/hobby or part-time job showing manual dexterity or steadiness under pressure.
For improvement: honestly acknowledge a weakness (e.g. time-management under stress, public speaking) and detail how you plan to improve (mock interviews, practice, volunteering, hobbies).
4. Describe a time when you worked as part of a team. What role did you play? What did you learn?
What they assess: teamwork skills, communication, reflection.
Outline:
Brief description of the context (school project; sports team; volunteering; part-time work).
Your role (leader, mediator, supportive team-member).
Challenges faced (conflict, tight deadline, different opinions) and how you navigated them.
Learning: what you learnt about communication, compromise, leadership or collaboration — link how these would help in dentistry (with patients, dental team).
5. Tell us about any volunteering or caring experience you have had. What did you learn — and how has this influenced your desire to study dentistry?
What they assess: empathy, maturity, commitment to care, reflection.
Outline:
Describe the experience (community work, care home, charity, dental-relevant volunteering if any).
What you did, how you interacted with people, challenges faced (e.g. communication barriers, emotional strain).
What you gained: empathy, patience, understanding of patient needs, awareness of health inequalities, communication skills, desire to help.
Relate to dentistry: desire to improve oral health, impact on overall health, preventive care, long-term patient relationships.
6. How do you handle pressure or stress? Give an example.
What they assess: resilience, coping skills, self-awareness.
Outline:
Brief context (exam period, personal challenge, heavy responsibilities).
Steps you took: prioritisation, time-management, seeking support, self-care, staying calm.
Outcome: what you learnt; how you balanced responsibilities.
Relate to dentistry: recognise that dental training is demanding; resilience & stress-management are essential.
7. Dentistry requires good manual dexterity and fine motor control. Do you have any hobbies or experiences demonstrating this?
What they assess: manual dexterity, realistic self-assessment, practical awareness.
Outline:
List relevant hobbies/activities: e.g. playing a musical instrument, model-making, crafts, art, sewing, precise sport, lab work, etc.
Describe how these helped develop fine coordination, patience, focus, attention to detail.
If no such hobbies — show willingness to improve (e.g. starting new hobby, practising hand-eye tasks).
8. You're offered a shortcut to record patient notes you didn’t actually write (e.g. a colleague offers to sign off in exchange for a favour). What do you do — and why?
What they assess: professionalism, integrity, ethics, patient-safety awareness.
Outline:
Immediate reaction: express concern; explain why this is unacceptable (patient safety, trust, accountability, legal/ethical obligations).
Action: refuse to accept; suggest proper procedure; possibly raise to supervisor if necessary.
Reflection: highlight the importance of honesty, transparency, patient trust, and your commitment to ethical standards.
9. A patient requests an unnecessary cosmetic treatment (e.g. whitening) that you don’t believe is clinically indicated. How would you respond?
What they assess: ethical reasoning, patient communication, professionalism, balance between patient autonomy and beneficence.
Outline:
Acknowledge patient’s request and concerns.
Explain evidence-based risks/benefits; ensure patient understands realistic outcomes.
Offer alternative advice (prevention, oral hygiene, realistic expectations).
Respect patient autonomy, but ensure professional integrity and patient safety.
10. Imagine you notice a colleague making a minor mistake that doesn’t yet cause harm. What would you do?
What they assess: candour, patient safety awareness, ethics, communication.
Outline:
Recognise the mistake; reflect on potential risks if uncorrected (even small errors can cascade).
Approach the colleague tactfully, voicing concern; suggest double-checking or inform supervisor if needed.
Emphasise responsibility to patients and duty of candour, even if the mistake seems minor.
11. What do you think is one of the biggest challenges facing dentistry (or UK dentistry) today — and how would you, as a future dentist, contribute to addressing it?
What they assess: awareness of current issues, analytical thinking, commitment to public health or patient care.
Outline:
Identify a real challenge: e.g. oral health inequalities, limited NHS resources/waiting times, access in rural areas, preventative care uptake, antibiotic stewardship, cost barriers, workforce shortages, patient education, etc.
Explain why it’s a problem (impact on public health, disparity, long-term outcomes).
Suggest possible contributions: community outreach/education; preventive programmes; working in underserved areas; advocating for accessible care; staying informed of public-health policies; empathy and patient-centred care.
12. How do you stay informed about developments in dentistry (public health, new techniques, ethics) — and why do you think ongoing learning is important?
What they assess: commitment to lifelong learning, professionalism, awareness.
Outline:
Methods: reading journals/articles, following dental news or public-health publications, attending webinars/seminars, engaging with mentors/shadowing, reflecting on experiences, self-study.
Importance: dentistry evolves — new techniques, evidence, guidelines; to provide best care, maintain standards, adapt to change, improve patient outcomes.
Personal commitment: express eagerness for continuous learning, development, professional growth.
13. Tell us about a time you made a mistake (academic, personal or other) — how did you handle it and what did you learn?
What they assess: honesty, self-awareness, ability to reflect and grow.
Outline:
Briefly describe the situation (error, oversight, misunderstanding).
How you responded: admitted it, took responsibility, corrected it or mitigated consequences, learned from it.
Outcome: what insight you gained (resilience, humility, better planning, improved communication).
Connect to dentistry: mistakes in dentistry can have serious consequences — showing that you learn from errors demonstrates maturity, professionalism, and safety-consciousness.
14. How would you explain a complex dental procedure (e.g. root canal, oral hygiene advice, orthodontic treatment) to a patient with no medical background?
What they assess: communication skills, empathy, ability to simplify complex ideas, patient-centred thinking.
Outline:
Use lay language, avoid jargon.
Use analogies or visuals (if allowed) to explain procedure, benefits, risks, importance of aftercare.
Check for understanding: ask whether the patient has questions, encourage them to repeat back or voice concerns.
Show empathy: consider anxieties, explain risks and benefits honestly, respect patient’s autonomy.
15. Suppose a patient is anxious or fearful about a dental procedure (for example, first-time visit, pain, cost). How would you approach their concerns?
What they assess: empathy, communication, patient-centred care, professionalism.
Outline:
Acknowledge their concerns and validate them.
Provide clear, gentle information about what will happen, why it’s needed, what they can expect.
Offer reassurance, explain pain management, aftercare, and importance of oral health.
Build trust: show empathy, patience, understanding; ensure patient feels listened to and supported.
16. How do you prioritise patient safety and ethical standards when under pressure (e.g. tight schedule, overloaded clinics, limited resources)?
What they assess: sense of responsibility, ethics, decision-making under pressure.
Outline:
Emphasise that patient safety and ethical standards must never be compromised.
If under pressure: maintain clear communication with patients; manage expectations; perhaps discuss with senior colleagues; avoid cutting corners.
Reflect on the importance of time-management, organisation, and self-care to avoid fatigue-related errors.
17. Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time in terms of your dental career? What are your ambitions?
What they assess: long-term motivation, maturity, realistic career vision.
Outline:
Possible ambitions: general practice, specialising (e.g. orthodontics, paediatric dentistry, public health), contributing to community oral health, prevention-focused work, perhaps outreach or research.
Emphasise commitment to continuous learning, patient care, ethical practice, professional development.
Show awareness that career evolves — open to flexibility, growth, adapting to healthcare needs.
18. How would you balance the demands of academic/clinical work with self-care and wellbeing during dental training?
What they assess: resilience, self-awareness, realistic expectations, time management.
Outline:
Acknowledge the intensity of dental training and possible stress.
Plan for balance: good time-management, prioritisation, regular rest, healthy habits, seeking support when needed (peers, mentors).
Emphasise importance of mental health for safe and effective patient care.
19. What’s a current public-health issue related to dentistry (in the UK) that concerns you — and what might be done to address it?
What they assess: awareness of broader context, analytical thinking, public-health mindset, communication of ideas.
Outline:
Identify an issue: e.g. access to NHS dental care, oral health inequalities, low uptake of preventive care, antibiotic stewardship, impact of sugar consumption, access in rural/underserved areas.
Explain why it matters: health disparity, long-term consequences, burden on NHS, patient wellbeing, prevention vs treatment.
Suggest measures: community education, preventive programmes, outreach clinics, public-health campaigns, working in underserved areas, advocacy, patient education.
20. A patient requests dental advice on social media (e.g. a friend reaches out to you privately asking for dental advice). How would you respond — and why?
What they assess: professionalism, boundaries, ethics, understanding of confidentiality and scope of practice.
Outline:
Politely explain limitations: as a student (or trainee) you must follow professional guidelines; you cannot give formal advice / diagnosis without proper context or a clinical environment.
Encourage them to seek a qualified dentist for proper assessment.
Emphasise ethics and patient safety — avoid giving misleading or partial advice; confidentiality; clarity about your role.
How to use the above questions and answers for your Aberdeen Dentistry Interview Preparation Strategy?
Don’t memorise “model answers” word-for-word. Instead: use each outline as a framework — adapt with your own experiences, reflections, personality. Authenticity matters more than perfection.
Practice delivering aloud: simulate timing (MMI typically ~7 mins per station at Aberdeen).
Reflect: for each answer, think “why is this important for a dentist/-student?” — link back to professionalism, patient care, ethics, communication skills, realistic self-awareness.
Update with current context: e.g. mention recent NHS dental-care issues, public-health topics, oral-health inequality, prevention — shows awareness and maturity.
Aberdeen Dentistry Interview: How to Prepare Effectively - Smart & Strategic Steps
Research the Aberdeen course thoroughly — know key facts about its structure, strengths, and what makes it unique. This shows genuine interest and fit.
Reflect on your experiences — work placements, volunteering, teamwork, caring roles or hobbies. Think about what you learned, how you grew, and how that relates to dentistry.
Prepare but stay flexible — avoid memorised answers; instead build a “bank” of scenarios and reflections you can adapt to different questions.
Polish manual dexterity and practical awareness — if you have hobbies requiring fine motor skills (e.g. instrument, model work, crafts), be ready to discuss them. If not — consider doing something relevant beforehand.
Practice mock MMIs — ideally with someone impartial, to get used to the format, timing, and thinking under pressure.
Be ready for ethical or public-health scenarios — you might be asked to discuss current dental-health issues, NHS challenges, or hypothetical patient scenarios.
Why Choose Aberdeen - What You Could Highlight in Your Answer
When answering “Why Aberdeen?”, you might want to mention (once you’ve researched):
Early clinical exposure — many UK dental courses (including Aberdeen) offer patient contact early on.
A supportive student and campus community — emphasise values like collaboration, broad healthcare exposure, and opportunities for growth.
Your personal connection — perhaps living in/near Scotland, desire to serve local communities, or alignment with Aberdeen’s academic ethos.
Showing both personal motivation and understanding of what the course offers tends to stand out.
Aberdeen Dentistry Interview FAQs (Based on What Applicants Often Ask)
Q: Is the interview at Aberdeen knowledge-based (science questions)?
A: No — the MMI format does not test your academic or science knowledge. Instead, it focuses on motivation, ethics, communication, manual dexterity and situational judgement.
Q: What if I don’t have formal dental work experience?
A: That’s fine — admissions also value caring/volunteering roles, community work, teamwork in non-clinical settings, and hobbies demonstrating manual dexterity or commitment. The key is reflection on what you learnt.
Q: How many stations are there in the MMI for Aberdeen?
A: Interviewers typically run multiple stations; each lasts about 7 minutes, and the total process takes roughly 90 minutes.
Q: What if I get nervous or freeze during a station?
A: It happens. But because MMI uses multiple stations with different assessors, you have many chances. Practising with mocks and focusing on clear thinking and communication helps — examiners value reasoning and honesty over “perfect answers.”
Aberdeen Dentistry Interview: Final Thoughts - Your Mindset & Attitude
Approach the interview with authenticity, reflection and calm confidence. Interviewers want to see the real you — not a perfect script. If you prepare thoughtfully: reflecting on your experiences, understanding dentistry’s challenges, and practising communication and dexterity — you’ll present as a well-rounded, motivated candidate.
Remember: it’s not about knowing every dental detail — it’s about showing insight, empathy, reasoning, and readiness for the demands of a dental career!
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