Common Interview Questions

[klutzy1987]

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Lets try and see if we can post the tough questions that we are asked on the interviews along with which school asks it so that way we can all be better prepared for the interview process. Noone stands to lose here, because while you may have already interviewed at one school there are other schools where you havent interviewed yet and you would be better served knowing what to expect on a particular interview.

 

[DMDreaming]

Lets try and see if we can post the tough questions that we are asked on the interviews along with which school asks it so that way we can all be better prepared for the interview process. Noone stands to lose here, because while you may have already interviewed at one school there are other schools where you havent interviewed yet and you would be better served knowing what to expect on a particular interview.

You can refer to the Interview Feedback section of SDN for a pretty complete selection of interview questions specific to each school. It's a valuable resource located under the Databases tab at the top of the page.

 

[Dr. Dai Phan]

Lets try and see if we can post the tough questions that we are asked on the interviews along with which school asks it so that way we can all be better prepared for the interview process. Noone stands to lose here, because while you may have already interviewed at one school there are other schools where you havent interviewed yet and you would be better served knowing what to expect on a particular interview.

Hi ,

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=405372&page=2

Look at Post #87. Hope this helps. DP

 

[Orgodox]

OMG!! Dr. Phan you have SO many little icon things. It kinda reminds me of when you play monopoly and that one guy dominates the board and has hotels and tons of houses all over the place. Pretty cool
And oh btw great post. Thanks for taking the time to write all that info its very useful!

 

[visbimmer79]

What problems face a dental school?

Please "just refer" to this passage. The question is not asking about this particular case nor limited to this case.

"James Pelletier, president of the dental school's student council, said students were told during a 4 p.m. meeting that although the school would be closing, the students would "continue to get the quality of education" that they were promised. Pelletier said students were aware that the school has had financial difficulties but had no indication that it would have to close.​

​

Georgetown's dental school has a reputation for providing inexpensive dental care for District residents who otherwise might be unable to afford dental treatment. Its clinic will remain open as long as the dental school is open.​

The oversupply of most types of doctors, including dentists, also has contributed to the closure of dental schools in the last decade. In addition, the now widespread fluoridation of U.S. drinking water has reduced cavities and the need for dentists.Staff writer Margaret Engel contributed to this report."

1. How the oversupply of most types of doctors, including dentists, can contibute to the closure of dental schools in the last decade? Do they just cut down the number of doctors because of oversupply? I have heard the number of dentists doens't meet the total needs of current patients in USA. Can somebody explain any background knowledge regarding this issue?

2. What else can u think about the current problems many dental "schools" are facing?

 

[visbimmer79]

What problems face a dental school?

Please "just refer" to this passage. The question is not asking about this particular case nor limited to this case.

"James Pelletier, president of the dental school's student council, said students were told during a 4 p.m. meeting that although the school would be closing, the students would "continue to get the quality of education" that they were promised. Pelletier said students were aware that the school has had financial difficulties but had no indication that it would have to close.​

Georgetown's dental school has a reputation for providing inexpensive dental care for District residents who otherwise might be unable to afford dental treatment. Its clinic will remain open as long as the dental school is open.​

The oversupply of most types of doctors, including dentists, also has contributed to the closure of dental schools in the last decade. In addition, the now widespread fluoridation of U.S. drinking water has reduced cavities and the need for dentists.Staff writer Margaret Engel contributed to this report."

1. How the oversupply of most types of doctors, including dentists, can contibute to the closure of dental schools in the last decade? Do they just cut down the number of doctors because of oversupply? I have heard the number of dentists doens't meet the total needs of current patients in USA. Can somebody explain any background knowledge regarding this issue?

2. What else can u think about the current problems many dental "schools" are facing?

I am actually seriously asking for help regarding this issue.
Especially, any background knowledge and facts in regard with #1 question.

 

[cobalt31]

i'm confused, what is this about?

i shadowed a dentist who graduated from emory (emory closed in the 80s i think), and he said the reason for dental school closures was due to a lack of quality applicants. it's also the reason this other dentist i shadowed who went to penn and used to teach there said he left teaching after 13 yrs running their GPR program.

could it be that there was a dip in interest in dental and/or medical schools in the 80's or thereabouts, putting a strain on schools and eventually causing them to close? this interest has obviously rebounded since then, as we are now seeing tons of applicants and a bunch of new schools opening. it's a shame they couldn't survive the tough times, though, or else we might have a few more quality d-schools in fun places like chicago, dc, and atlanta.

 

[smile101]

What problems face a dental school?

Please "just refer" to this passage. The question is not asking about this particular case nor limited to this case.

"James Pelletier, president of the dental school's student council, said students were told during a 4 p.m. meeting that although the school would be closing, the students would "continue to get the quality of education" that they were promised. Pelletier said students were aware that the school has had financial difficulties but had no indication that it would have to close.​

Georgetown's dental school has a reputation for providing inexpensive dental care for District residents who otherwise might be unable to afford dental treatment. Its clinic will remain open as long as the dental school is open.​

The oversupply of most types of doctors, including dentists, also has contributed to the closure of dental schools in the last decade. In addition, the now widespread fluoridation of U.S. drinking water has reduced cavities and the need for dentists.Staff writer Margaret Engel contributed to this report."

1. How the oversupply of most types of doctors, including dentists, can contibute to the closure of dental schools in the last decade? Do they just cut down the number of doctors because of oversupply? I have heard the number of dentists doens't meet the total needs of current patients in USA. Can somebody explain any background knowledge regarding this issue?

2. What else can u think about the current problems many dental "schools" are facing?

I don't know what exactly this is for, but here's some thought:

1. If there are more than one dental schools in a state then I would guess that the state would work out the number of graduating dentists/ current practices to the needs of patients. If the number graduating from one school meets the state needs then they would either close or combine 2 schools.
The number of dentists may not meet the total needs of current patients due to the expensive treatments. I don't think everyone can afford the treatments here in USA because sometimes its not just the treatment, but the follow ups that could add to the total cost of the treatment. Insurance does not pay enough and not many people have dental insurance. No offense, but some dentists don't tell enough, while others push their patients to do more than needed treatments.

2. I agree with the other post. Besides money and fianancing the school, the other problem could be the lack of genuine applicants. However, in the pool of thousands of applications, there could be at least 50 that would meet the school's criteria. I may have to give a littlebit of thought to the other potential problems the schools may be facing.

 

[visbimmer79]

According to the reply...

the number itself is not an issue now.

But, one of the currently facing problems is the hight cost of dental treatment, which compromises the equal destribution of the service. (It's just a problem in dentistry not dental school, though!)

Anyway, I want to assure if the number of current dentist is considered ok by many current policy makers, other critics, people in medical industrty, etc.

I've always heard that the number of dentists is in shortage nowadays. (The total number of dentists available is not equal to the number of dentists produced each year, but it can be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the number of dental students graduating) But, the fact that there was oversupply of dentists in 80's is pretty new to me. (Strange, too! Cuz I'd never heard that there are so many dentists. Instead, they are rare....few numbers....highly qualified health care providers)

BTW, the article was found on a website, and I connected a possible interview question to it from different source. The original questions were;
1. What do you think about closing a few private dental schools?
2. What problems dental "schools" are "now" facing?

And, I am asking these questions as I think they are difficult for me.

Finally, I don't want to forget to ask again if there are any other problems that dental schools are now facing. 😕

 

[smile101]

According to the reply...

the number itself is not an issue now.

But, one of the currently facing problems is the hight cost of dental treatment, which compromises the equal destribution of the service. (It's just a problem in dentistry not dental school, though!)

Anyway, I want to assure if the number of current dentist is considered ok by many current policy makers, other critics, people in medical industrty, etc.

I've always heard that the number of dentists is in shortage nowadays. (The total number of dentists available is not equal to the number of dentists produced each year, but it can be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the number of dental students graduating) But, the fact that there was oversupply of dentists in 80's is pretty new to me. (Strange, too! Cuz I'd never heard that there are so many dentists. Instead, they are rare....few numbers....highly qualified health care providers)

BTW, the article was found on a website, and I connected a possible interview question to it from different source. The original questions were;
1. What do you think about closing a few private dental schools?
2. What problems dental "schools" are "now" facing?

And, I am asking these questions as I think they are difficult for me.

Finally, I don't want to forget to ask again if there are any other problems that dental schools are now facing. 😕

This is to comment on the previous note:
I don't think that the number of graduating dentists will exceed patients due to the fluoride treated water/toothpaste because the population has been increasing crazily. In addition, despite of all the hype about health food, most people still live on sugar and continue to demand oral care.

1. I don't see why the private schools should be closed, specially considering the fact the some of the private schools house the best programs, not only academically but in terms of providing services to the community, funding, research, and organization. Although its true that we need to have schools in the areas where there is more need (and less living expense) as opposed to having 3-4 schools in one state.

2. I think one of the missions of dental school is to produce dentists that would provide oral care to the community as a whole (I think the pressure would be higher on state schools). However, in the real world, we have a huge cultural gap. Most patients in private practices are only those that could actually afford the treatments...Rest go to the free clinic and others don't even bother for whatsoever reason (obviously free clinic doesn't offer all kinds of services).
The major issue would be to finance the costly education and training. Other problems could be keeping up with the development, lack of research in the field, and diverse student body. We do not have many research oriented schools, which is probably most needed. I think dental schools must deliver their school mission to their students loud and clear. They must propose a plan to the students on what the ideal practice is and provide some business skills to their students, so the state is happy to see the kinds of dentists they demand.

 

[visbimmer79]

This is to comment on the previous note:
I don't think that the number of graduating dentists will exceed patients due to the fluoride treated water/toothpaste because the population has been increasing crazily. In addition, despite of all the hype about health food, most people still live on sugar and continue to demand oral care.

1. I don't see why the private schools should be closed, specially considering the fact the some of the private schools house the best programs, not only academically but in terms of providing services to the community, funding, research, and organization. Although its true that we need to have schools in the areas where there is more need (and less living expense) as opposed to having 3-4 schools in one state.

2. I think one of the missions of dental school is to produce dentists that would provide oral care to the community as a whole (I think the pressure would be higher on state schools). However, in the real world, we have a huge cultural gap. Most patients in private practices are only those that could actually afford the treatments...Rest go to the free clinic and others don't even bother for whatsoever reason (obviously free clinic doesn't offer all kinds of services).
The major issue would be to finance the costly education and training. Other problems could be keeping up with the development, lack of research in the field, and diverse student body. We do not have many research oriented schools, which is probably most needed. I think dental schools must deliver their school mission to their students loud and clear. They must propose a plan to the students on what the ideal practice is and provide some business skills to their students, so the state is happy to see the kinds of dentists they demand.

Got a lot help! (I like ur last paragraph..)

Anyway, many dental schools are providing some business skills (Practice management curriculum) and highly emphasizing on their mission with a variety of community outreach programs, too. (now it's 2008) Great great programs..concerning about the distribution of qulity service, too!!!

Yes, the article just seemed to give an example of flouridation of water as an illustration of our progressively improved environment. Just they are telling us that the overall oral health condition had been improved, so the demand for the dental treatments had been relatively reduced at a population level. Maybe, seriously in that state (Not significantly weighed this issue, though!)

< Anyway, my question was not focused on that flouride issue & overall service demand. According to this article, the major concern at that school had been financial issue. (They were doing good things, but made no profits!) >



In 80's, there was oversupply of dentists in Maryland. And, it was a good another reason to close the school! That's the conclusion!!👍

Thanks for your comment! I like your reasoning based on state level!!

New question...

How is it going in Maryland now?
What about in national level?

Oversupply / Moderate / Shortage? (Not a distribution of the service..that should be controlled by policymakers!!)

Or, this is stupid question? (number number number...meaningless?)

 

[smile101]

Got a lot help! (I like ur last paragraph..)

New question...

How is it going in Maryland now?
What about in national level?

Oversupply / Moderate / Shortage? (Not a distribution of the service..that should be controlled by policymakers!!)

Or, this is stupid question? (number number number...meaningless?)

Would you elaborate on your question a littlebit? I don't know exactly how the numbers have changed in years.

 

[visbimmer79]

So, my newly evolved question was..

Was there really oversupply of doctors / dentists in that period? (80's?)
Was it in a national level? (Or just a few states including Maryland?)

What about now? (national level)

Just factual things are necessary🙂

It's because I have heard the number of dentists nowadays is in shortage! (T/F)
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Next, I can think about the coorelation between the number of dental schools & students and national demands of dentists.

Then, finally I will be able to asnwer the orginal question "What problems dental schools are now facing? And, further investigate on the cases of closing private dental schoolss..."

Don't tell me to go to library.....

 

[visbimmer79]

http://studentdoctor.net/blog/2008/06/25/steps-being-taken-to-reduce-physician-shortage/