Manchester Dentistry Interview Questions & Tips

Manchester provide information on what they are looking for – principally through their Non-Academic Information Form. This allows us to group the most relevant past and sample questions as follows.
 
Work Experience

Manchester would like to see work experience focused towards dentistry, and reflection appropriate to the work experience. This involves evidence that you understand the qualities required of a dentist. You will need to show a clear idea of what studying Dentistry is like, and what being a dentist is like as well.
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• What work experience have you undertaken?
• What skills have you learned during your work experience?
• What surprised you the most during your work experience?

 
Hobbies and interests

‘Dentists must be able to communicate and empathise with their patients. This is enhanced by some shared life experiences.’ Manchester expect you to be able to tell them in detail about your interests and hobbies, why you pursue them and how much time you spend on them.

• What outside recognition have you achieved in your interests?
• What hobbies are crucial to helping you relax?
• Do you have any hobbies that are social in nature?
• Do you think that hobbies and interests help people bond with each other?

 
Team working

Given that dentists work in multidisciplinary teams, it is of vital importance that you are able to demonstrate an ability to work in teams, knowledge of the benefits of teamwork, and evidence of seeing teamwork during work experience. Additionally, you will need to show that you can lead a team; dentists are expected to be team leaders.

• Tell us about a situation in which your team was challenged and rose to the challenge.
• Tell us about a time when you had to lead a team. What did you learn about yourself from the experience?
• Have you taken it upon yourself to organise group activities at school?
• Do you feel that your learning style plays well into group learning activities?

• Were you part of the leadership or mentoring teams at school? If so, what did you learn about the role of a mentor?

• What do you think the disadvantages of being in a team are?
• Do you work better in a team or independently?
• What characteristics do you think that team members need if they are to work together successfully?

 
Motivation for studying dentistry

Manchester explain that whilst your reasons for choosing to study dentistry may be obvious to you, they will not be immediately obvious to the Admissions team. Given that they are seeing you as a blank slate, you must explain clearly how your personal experiences have influenced your decision to pursue a career in dentistry.
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• Why do you want to be a dentist?
• How has your work experience informed your desire to be a dentist?
• What qualities do you see in yourself that are essential to being a good dentist?
• Why do you want to be a dentist rather than a doctor?
• Have you thought about what area of dentistry would be most appealing to you in the future?
• Can you explain to us how dentistry differs from other healthcare professions?
• Why are you particularly interested in the course at Manchester?
• Do you keep up to date with healthcare news? How?
• What are the most challenging aspects of a career in Dentistry? How do you think that you are equipped to deal with them?
• What do you think are the most rewarding parts of being a dentist?