Dundee Dentistry Interview: Dundee Dentistry Interview Questions
- The Medic Life
- Dec 10
- 5 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 Dundee Dentistry Interview (focusing on Questions) - from format, sample stations, to strategy and real applicant insights. Let’s begin!"
PS: This expert "Dundee Dentistry Interview Questions" guide from The Medic Life (experts in Dentistry Interview Tutoring) covers what to expect, common interview questions, and practical tips to help you succeed.
What the interview is - and what to expect at Dundee Dentistry Interview?
The University of Dundee runs its Dentistry BDS interview via a Multiple Mini-Interview (MMI) format. There are 7 stations, each assessing a different skill or quality.
You’ll encounter questions, scenarios, dilemmas, and a role-play station. Some tasks may resemble clinical or dental-context situations — but no prior dental knowledge is needed.
The whole interview slot lasts around 60 minutes (or ~40 minutes of actual questioning, depending on the entry cycle).
For many applicants — especially international — interviews may take place online (via Blackboard Collaborate); UK-based candidates are often expected to attend in person at the Dental School.
What does the Dundee Dentistry Interview assess?
The MMI at Dundee aims to assess more than academic prowess. Interviewers are particularly focused on your personal attributes and how you think in pressure / ethical-scenario situations:
Critical thinking & flexibility — how you reason on your feet when faced with dilemmas or unexpected scenarios.
Personal values & integrity — honesty, ethics, empathy, professionalism.
Communication & teamwork — ability to articulate clearly, show empathy, listen, work collaboratively.
Motivation and reflection on work experience — why dentistry? why Dundee? what have you learned from any volunteering or work you’ve done, and how does it shape your suitability for dentistry?
Because of this, the interview doesn’t test scientific knowledge per se — it tests you: your values, judgement, maturity, and soft skills.
How to prepare: strategy, themes & approach for Dundee Dentistry Interview
Re-read your personal statement and experiences thoroughly. Be ready to discuss any volunteering, shadowing, hobbies or other experiences — what you learned, what skills you gained, and how they show you’re a good fit for dentistry.
Practice MMI-style answers under timed conditions: 6–8 minutes per station is common in MMIs. Structure answers clearly, thinking fast but staying calm.
Work on ethical reasoning and communication scenarios — e.g. patient-interaction, handling a complaint, teamwork dilemmas, stress management. Practice role-plays with friends/family to simulate station settings.
Know why you want Dundee: read about the course (early clinical exposure, supportive environment, patient-centred learning) so you can articulate what attracts you specifically.
Stay yourself — and be empathic and sincere. The interviewers are picking for values and attitude, not just polished answers. Be honest and reflective.
Practice Questions for Dundee Dentistry Interview
Motivation, Self & Insight
Why do you want to study dentistry?
Why have you chosen the University of Dundee for your dentistry studies?
What appeals to you about a career in dentistry compared to medicine or other health-care courses?
What have you learnt from any work experience or volunteering related to dentistry (or healthcare)?
What personal qualities or strengths do you have that would make you a good dentist?
What are your weaknesses — and how might you manage or improve on them during dental school?
Teamwork, Communication & Empathy
Describe a time when you worked as part of a team. What role did you play — and what did you learn?
How would you explain a complex concept (e.g. dental care / oral hygiene) to someone with no medical background — for example, a child or a patient unfamiliar with dentistry?
Imagine a patient is anxious about treatment (fearful of dentists, nervous about procedure). How would you talk to them to restore their trust and calm them?
Ethical Scenarios, Professionalism & Integrity
Suppose you notice a fellow student cheating or copying an assignment. What would you do — and why?
You suspect a colleague (or supervising dentist) is under the influence of alcohol while working. What steps would you take, given your responsibilities and patient safety?
How would you handle a situation where a patient refuses your recommended treatment plan — perhaps due to cost or fear. What would you say and do?
What does “professionalism” mean to you in the context of dentistry?
Resilience, Reflection & Balance
Tell us about a time when you faced a challenge or setback. How did you handle it — and what did you learn?
How do you manage stress and maintain your well-being when facing heavy academic or clinical workload?
Dentistry training is demanding. Why do you think you have what it takes to commit long-term? What motivates you?
Awareness of Dentistry, Dental Profession & Public Health
What do you think are some current challenges in dentistry (in the UK) — and how might they influence the future of the profession?
What role does dentistry play in overall public health and wellbeing?
If asked: what is your long-term vision or goal as a dentist? What do you hope to achieve in 5–10 years?
Practical / Situational & Creative Thinking (MMI-style)
Explain — in simple, patient-friendly language — how you would advise a young child to brush their teeth properly.
You are given limited information about a dental-health scenario (e.g. ambiguous case) — how do you approach the problem, make decisions, and communicate your reasoning?
You are part of a group where workload is unevenly distributed: one member feels they are doing most of the work. How would you handle this group conflict — especially in a dental school / clinical context?
Dundee Dentistry Interview -> FAQs
What is the interview for dentistry at Dundee University?
The interview at Dundee Dental School is a Multiple Mini-Interview (MMI) with 7 stations, designed to assess your critical thinking, personal values, communication and teamwork — not your dental knowledge.
What are the chances of getting an offer after you get an interview?
While the probability can fluctuate each year, external guides estimate roughly 370 applications → ~250 interviews → ~130 offers. That suggests that about half to just over half of interviewed applicants receive an offer.
What is the acceptance rate for Dundee Dentistry?
Based on those numbers, acceptance after interview is competitive but not impossible — roughly 1 in 2 interviewed candidates get an offer (subject to the cohort and competition level).
How do I prepare for a dental interview (for Dundee)?
Focus on:
Reflecting on your experiences and what they taught you
Ethical reasoning & situational judgment practise
Communication / teamwork / empathy scenarios
Mock MMIs under timed conditions
Understanding what draws you to Dundee (the course, philosophy, opportunities)
Dressing appropriately and ensuring good logistics for online setup if remote
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