Non-academic information

If you are invited to interview, one of the multiple mini interview stations will briefly discuss the following areas.

Work experience

We would like to see some work experience focused towards dentistry, but other types of work experience are also acceptable.

We are expecting some in-person work experience. Please note that we are prepared to accept work experience in a non-traditional dental setting, such as a care setting.

Where in-person work experience is limited, we advise you to supplement this with alternatives. Speaking to dentists, other members of the dental team and current dental students about what a dental career involves is also an excellent way to become familiar with the career pathway. Online resources and MOOCs are also useful supplements to help you develop your understanding of the course and the profession.

It’s really important that you are able to reflect appropriately on the work experience you’ve done. We want to see evidence that you understand the qualities and attributes required to become a healthcare professional.

We are trying to ascertain that you have a clear idea of what it is like to study dentistry and what the role of a dentist entails. Tell us how you got involved in such work, how much time you spend doing it and, most importantly, what you have gained from it.

Hobbies and interests

Dentists must be able to communicate and empathise with their patients. This is enhanced by some shared life experiences.

Tell us about your interests and hobbies. Tell us why you pursue them and how much time you devote to them. Have you achieved any outside recognition (e.g. awards, certificates, etc)?

We are aware that some students may have more opportunities than others to pursue a wide range of interests. The concern is not so much exactly what you do in your spare time, but that you have some spare time and that you do something with it.

Team working

Dentists work in multidisciplinary teams and it is essential that you demonstrate that you have experience of working in teams and are knowledgeable about the advantages of a team approach to work and other activities. Equally, dentists are team leaders - what have you done to demonstrate your team leadership skills?

Motivation for studying dentistry

Your reasons for choosing to study dentistry may be obvious to you, but they are not obvious to us. The Admissions team has not met you and knows nothing about you, so please tell us how your personal experiences have influenced your decision to pursue a career in dentistry.