hard interview questions i can't answer...

[zeldadds]

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ex. I really love doing research in undergrad and I know I will be talking a lot about its importance to the student's academic learning etc.
but, what if the interviewer ask, "why not do a DDS/Ph.D program?"
...I don't know how to answer this the polite way coz i'm definitely not doing Ph.D.

ex. "How do you think the dental profession changed during the past 25 years?"
...idk...

Help plz! 😀

 

[nitrolegs]

ex. I really love doing research in undergrad and I know I will be talking a lot about its importance to the student's academic learning etc.
but, what if the interviewer ask, "why not do a DDS/Ph.D program?"
...I don't know how to answer this the polite way coz i'm definitely not doing Ph.D.

ex. "How do you think the dental profession changed during the past 25 years?"
...idk...

Help plz! 😀

just be honest. research is not everyone's cup of tea and adcoms understand that. i personally hate research b/c i could never see how my work directly contributes or affects others. plus i just can't stand the laboratory environment with all the toxic fumes and smelly chemicals. you could always say something like "although i enjoy research, i am much more interested in clinical work where i can interact with people."

 

[The Anhedonia]

be honest my friend:

"i think i would make a better practitioner than I would a researcher."

they can't you being honest with yourself against you.

 

[zeldadds]

thank u for ur feedbacks..
but i can't seem to answer the second question, and i want to sound like I know what I'm actually talking about.

 

[sajjy]

thank u for ur feedbacks..
but i can't seem to answer the second question, and i want to sound like I know what I'm actually talking about.

There is a monster on internet to which you should be friends with if you are thinking about dental school. The monster is called GOOGLE...

http://www.google.com/search?q=chan...s=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

 

[wwdaffodils]

ex. "How do you think the dental profession changed during the past 25 years?"

Research some of the updates in dental techniques, and look up newer dental technology being used by dentists (including updates in the technology used by dental labs in forming crowns/bridges/veneers, etc.). You can talk about public perception of dentistry and how that's influenced the changes in the field (esp. given society's current obsession with beauty and unnaturally beautiful teeth). Talk about how ongoing research in different branches of the sciences are changing what was once considered "normal" in dentistry (for example, most dentists are now veering away from the once very common amalgam fillings because of the discovery that small amounts of mercury could "leak").

Best of all, ask a dentist! Most love to talk. A lot.

 

[zeldadds]

There is a monster on internet to which you should be friends with if you are thinking about dental school. The monster is called GOOGLE...

http://www.google.com/search?q=chan...s=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

hahaha i guess these kinds of questions don't come straight-off-the-top of everyones' heads. guess we'll all have to befriend this monster at some point 🙂

 

[armorshell]

Talk about how ongoing research in different branches of the sciences are changing what was once considered "normal" in dentistry (for example, most dentists are now veering away from the once very common amalgam fillings because of the discovery that small amounts of mercury could "leak").

Do not ever say this during an interview, unless it's for Naturopathic/Chiropractic school.

 

[doc3232]

Do not ever say this during an interview, unless it's for Naturopathic/Chiropractic school.

Why can't we say amalgam fillings are dangerous? It's a possibility isn't it?

 

[armorshell]

Why can't we say amalgam fillings are dangerous? It's a possibility isn't it?

Look up the ADA's stance on the amalgam issue, or read any of dozens of (reputable) studies done in the past, oh 30 years to figure that out.

Claiming amalgam is dangerous during a dental school interview, with no science to back it up (There isn't any) would be the dental equivalent of a Darwin award.

I really have no idea who gave this kid the perception that there's any research that shows amalgam is dangerous to humans (there hasn't). The environment on the other hand...

 

[Tsrshorty]

wow, im surprised SDN folks would be buying into the amalgam conspiracies. they are not dangerous, at all. end of story.

 

[yuppers]

Look up the ADA's stance on the amalgam issue, or read any of dozens of (reputable) studies done in the past, oh 30 years to figure that out.

Claiming amalgam is dangerous during a dental school interview, with no science to back it up (There isn't any) would be the dental equivalent of a Darwin award.

I really have no idea who gave this kid the perception that there's any research that shows amalgam is dangerous to humans (there hasn't). The environment on the other hand...

I did a research paper on it and I found articles (older) that say that amalgam fillings lead to increased Mercury levels in the body.... however that being said those increased levels do not necessary directly lead to any harm that we know of. For all we know a can of tuna can be just as bad. But I got a book written by a dentist (and someone else) from a "biological" dentist in which amalgam filling/mercury are directly related to some serious diseases. The book talks extensively about amalgams, composites, gutta-percha, battery effect, and lots of other things.
My stance on it (which is a predent's so I hope and want to learn more on this issue in dental school directly from professionals) is that if we have materials that are just as strong, durable, and much more cosmetic then why not move past amalgams.

If you guys are interested in the book let me know... I have to find it first.

Armorshell, I'd appreciate any knowledge you can offer on this.

 

[yuppers]

Why can't we say amalgam fillings are dangerous? It's a possibility isn't it?

Anything not natural has a possibility of being dangerous.

 

[yuppers]

PS: sorry OP I just pulled a .

 

[armorshell]

For all we know a can of tuna can be just as bad. But I got a book written by a dentist (and someone else) from a "biological" dentist in which amalgam filling/mercury are directly related to some serious diseases. The book talks extensively about amalgams, composites, gutta-percha, battery effect, and lots of other things.
My stance on it (which is a predent's so I hope and want to learn more on this issue in dental school directly from professionals) is that if we have materials that are just as strong, durable, and much more cosmetic then why not move past amalgams.

If you guys are interested in the book let me know... I have to find it first.

Armorshell, I'd appreciate any knowledge you can offer on this.

"Biologic" dentistry is again, not something you're going to want to be citing to professionals. Are these peoples data evidence-based, research established, or any of the above? If so, why not publish in the scientific literature instead of in a book?

Remember, literature (i.e., a book) is NOT subject to peer review, so you can write whatever you want. You just said yourself there's a 30 year history and dozens of team's who've evaluated amalgam's effect on the body and found nothing significant, yet you're willing to take the advice of some book at face value?

My stance on it (which is a predent's so I hope and want to learn more on this issue in dental school directly from professionals) is that if we have materials that are just as strong, durable, and much more cosmetic then why not move past amalgams.

This on the other hand, is a fine reason to be opposed to amalgam. There is ample research established evidence that composite has the potential to be "just as good" if not better than amalgam, and is patently more esthetic.

Telling your patients their amalgam may hurt them - Not supported by any reliable research, effectively malpractice, dentists have lost their licenses over this issue (Look up 'Larry Hanus')

Telling your patients amalgams are not as esthetic as other options which may be just as viable - Perfectly fine

 

[armorshell]

Anything not natural has a possibility of being dangerous.

Is the inverse true also? Is anything natural not dangerous?

 

[yuppers]

"Biologic" dentistry is again, not something you're going to want to be citing to professionals. Is this persons data evidence-based, research established, or any of the above? If so, why not publish in the scientific literature instead of in a book?

Remember, literature (i.e., a book) is NOT subject to peer review, so you can write whatever you want. You just said yourself there's a 30 year history and dozens of team's who've evaluated amalgam's effect on the body and found nothing significant, yet you're willing to take the advice of a book at face value?

I already said my stance on this and I agree with you. I was just throwing the book out there, but that doesn't mean I think the book is right.

 

[armorshell]

I already said my stance on this and I agree with you. I was just throwing the book out there, but that doesn't mean I think the book is right.

I added more to my post as you were typing this to clarify. I wasn't meaning to accuse you directly of believing that, it was meant as more of rhetorical than anything.

Edit: Just re-read it, I seem like a jerk. My mistake.

 

[yuppers]

Is the inverse true also? Is anything natural not dangerous?

I didn't say: not natural = dangerous.
Similarly, all natural things =/= safe.

 

[yuppers]

Telling your patients their amalgam may hurt them - Not supported by any reliable research, effectively malpractice, dentists have lost their licenses over this issue (Look up 'Larry Hanus')

I knew about that and that is why I didn't take the book seriously. Which also makes me think about how the dentist/coauthor got by writing this stuff.

 

[doc3232]

Thanks armorshell. Really good info about amalgam and some ethics stuff.