UCLan Dentistry Interview: Preston UCLan Dentistry Interview Questions
- The Medic Life
- 21 hours ago
- 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 UCLan Dentistry Interview (focusing on Questions) - from format, sample stations, to strategy and real applicant insights. Let’s begin!"
PS: This expert "UCLan 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 UCLan Dentistry Interview?
UCLan offers a graduate-entry BDS Dentistry programme (UCAS code A202) — the dentistry interview is for applicants who already hold a biomedical (or related) degree.
Applicants must satisfy academic prerequisites (degree + A-levels + GCSE/English/Maths) and also take the admissions test UCAT. The UCAT result is used to rank applications before interview.
Shortlisted candidates are invited to interview. UCLan uses a Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format.
Interview typically includes multiple stations (communication, ethics/professionalism, teamwork, some dentistry-knowledge or awareness, possibly manual or situational tasks).
Because the course is small (≈ 29 students/year) and entry competitive, the interview is particularly critical to selection.
UCLan Dentistry Interview -> What UCLan looks for — key qualities & selection criteria
When interviewing, UCLan assesses more than academic background. Important traits and values:
Motivation & realism: Why you want dentistry, why graduate-entry, and why UCLan’s BDS — including readiness for the demands of a dental career.
Communication, empathy & patient-centred mindset: Ability to communicate clearly, show empathy, understand patient needs — important for dentistry.
Professionalism, ethics & integrity: Understanding of ethical responsibilities, patient confidentiality, respect for standards and professionalism.
Teamwork & collaboration: Willingness to work in a team, good interpersonal skills, cooperation — dentistry often involves working with staff, patients, other professionals.
Adaptability & reflection: Ability to reflect on past experience, learn from challenges, manage stress and workload — helpful given intensive course structure and patient care demands.
Awareness of profession & context: Understanding what dentistry involves, the route at UCLan (graduate-entry, community-based education centres), awareness of broader issues (public health, ethics, community care).
UCLan Dentistry Interview: How selection & shortlisting works at UCLan
Entry requires a 2:1 degree in a biomedical discipline (or related).
Also required: 3 A-levels at grade C or above, with at least two from Biology / Chemistry / Physics / Maths; plus GCSE English & Maths at grade B or above.
UCAT test is mandatory, and UCAT score is used to rank applications before interview shortlisting.
Personal statements / work-experience are reportedly not used in shortlisting for 2025/2026 entry — the process emphasises degree + UCAT + verification of prior learning.
After shortlisting, successful applicants are invited to the MMI interview.
What to expect in the UCLan Dentistry Interview - Themes & Station Types
Based on recent guidance and prep-sources, likely interview topics/stations:
Motivation & suitability
Why dentistry — why graduate-entry route.
Why UCLan specifically (community-based model, small cohort, etc.).
Awareness of what studying & practicing dentistry involves (responsibilities, workload, patient care, public health, etc.).
Ethics & professionalism
Ethical dilemmas (consent, confidentiality, resource limitations, patient-dentist relationship).
Professional attitude: integrity, empathy, fairness, respect.
Communication & empathy
Explaining dental procedures or complex health information in accessible language.
Handling anxious / vulnerable patients.
Demonstrating active listening, empathy, compassion.
Teamwork & collaboration
Examples of teamwork, collaboration under stress or challenging situations.
Understanding roles of dental team; communication and cooperation with colleagues, staff, patients.
Adaptability & personal insight / reflection
Managing stress, coping with difficult situations or setbacks, resilience.
Learning from past experiences, personal growth, motivation.
Knowledge & awareness of dentistry / healthcare system
Basic understanding of dentistry as a profession, what a community-based dental education model implies (primary care, community outreach, diverse patient populations).
Awareness of public-health issues, access to care, socio-economic or regional disparities, social responsibility.
Optionally, some stations may involve reasoning tasks - interpreting data or scenarios; maybe a manual-dexterity or “hands-on thinking” task (though not guaranteed) reflecting practical aspects of dentistry.
Preparation Strategy - How to Get Ready for UCLan Dentistry Interview
Master eligibility criteria & UCAT prep — ensure degree meets biomedical requirement, A-levels/GCSE correct, and UCAT taken. Without it, no interview.
Understand UCLan’s structure & values — small-cohort, community-based Dental Education Centres (DECs), emphasis on NHS / community dentistry, patient care. Be ready to discuss why this appeals to you.
Reflect on past experiences — work, volunteering, caring roles, teamwork, leadership, difficulties — think how these developed skills relevant to dentistry (empathy, communication, responsibility, resilience).
Practice MMI-type questions and scenarios — motivation, ethics, patient communication, teamwork, public health, personal insight. Practice structured answers without over-rehearsal.
Polish communication, empathy, clarity — simulate patient conversations; practise explaining complex ideas simply and sensitively.
Be prepared for ethical / social-awareness questions — know basics about public health, access inequalities, role of dentists beyond clinic (prevention, education), professional responsibilities.
If relevant: practise manual dexterity or problem-solving tasks — simple hands-on tasks (fine-motor, observation, planning), while explaining thinking aloud.
Interview readiness (logistics & mindset) — if interview is in-person: valid ID, professional attire; if online: quiet space, good internet/ camera, prepared documents. Be ready for multiple short stations, stay calm, organised, clear.
Sample UCLan Dentistry Interview Questions — Practice Bank for UCLan
Why do you want to study Dentistry — and why pursue a graduate-entry BDS at UCLan?
What do you think are the main responsibilities and challenges of a dentist working in community dentistry?
Describe a time when you worked as part of a team under pressure. What was your role — what did you learn?
How would you explain a dental treatment plan (benefits, risks, aftercare) to a patient who has no medical background and is anxious about treatment?
Suppose a patient cannot afford the ideal treatment — how would you approach discussing alternative options, keeping ethics and patient welfare in mind?
What does professionalism mean to you in a dental care context?
Describe a situation when you faced a setback or criticism. How did you respond — and what did you learn?
How do you stay motivated during stressful or demanding times? Give an example.
What role does a dentist have in public health, beyond treating individual patients?
If asked: what are the ethical challenges facing dentistry today (e.g. resource constraints, access inequality, consent, preventive care)? How would you handle them responsibly?
FAQs - What Applicants Commonly Ask About UCLan Dentistry Interview
Is UCLan’s dentistry course only for graduates?
Yes — UCLan’s BDS programme is a graduate-entry route. Applicants must hold a 2:1 degree in a Biomedical (or related) discipline.
Do I need to take UCAT to apply to UCLan Dentistry?
Yes — UCAT is mandatory. UCLan uses your UCAT score (plus meeting academic criteria) to rank for interview.
What interview format does UCLan use?
They use a Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format — multiple short stations covering communication, ethics, professionalism, teamwork, dentistry knowledge, etc.
Will work experience or personal statement be considered for interview selection?
For recent cycles — no. Shortlisting is based on degree + UCAT + verification of prior learning (for graduate-entry). Work experience and personal statements are not formally used in shortlisting.
What makes the interview so important at UCLan?
Because UCLan’s BDS intake is small (around 29 students per year), and not all shortlisted receive offers — the interview (MMI) often determines who is admitted, focusing on non-academic strengths: empathy, communication, professionalism, suitability for community dentistry, and more.
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