How much dentistry do they expect you to know at an interview?

[zthang]

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I've done some shadowing hours and what not, and I know the feel and atmosphere of how an office works. But that doesn't mean I really know many terms or names of instruments / procedures. So how much dentistry do they expect you to know at an interview?

 

[djeffreyt]

I think they expect you to be able to do a PFM on # 13 in 15 minutes

 

[DentalBoarder]

I think they expect you to be able to do a PFM on # 13 in 15 minutes

......... what's a PFM? 🙁

 

[mom2dr]

PFM? Would that be full coverage or an inlay/onlay?

PFM = porcelain fused to metal

 

[Utes]

No you don't need to know the names of the instruments/procedures. They realize that you've never been to dental school before so all you need to know is basic generalities about the profession that led you to want to be a part of the profession.

 

[billyjones]

I don't know, I was reading some of those interview evaluation posts on SDN where predents rate the school, and note the questions that were asked. One was "what is your favorite dental instrument."

 

[cdmOMR]

On another note...what if you do know the names of all the instruments and all the procedures (and even tried some of them on models and extracted teeth), do they want to hear about that in an interview? Im kinda looking ahead here (hoping that I get an interview for one, lol) but I wouldnt want the interviewer to think that I think I know everything, because I dont and being a "know-it-all" is a bad quality. On the other hand Id like to display that I do know these things. Also how would they feel about bringing models with preps/restorations done?

Ive wanted to ask these questions but felt kinda stupid starting another thread for it seeing as Im not applying until this coming summer.

 

[SuperTrooper]

I've done some shadowing hours and what not, and I know the feel and atmosphere of how an office works. But that doesn't mean I really know many terms or names of instruments / procedures. So how much dentistry do they expect you to know at an interview?

If you pretend to know anything about dentistry, you will get shot down, I guarantee. Don't you dare talk about procedures, or anything like that.

All you can do is say why you think dentistry is a good match for you.

 

[prez_al]

If you pretend to know anything about dentistry, you will get shot down, I guarantee. Don't you dare talk about procedures, or anything like that.

All you can do is say why you think dentistry is a good match for you.

I was asked specifically about procedures I saw during shadowing. I just listed a bunch of general stuff... nothing too detailed.

 

[SuperTrooper]

I was asked specifically about procedures I saw during shadowing. I just listed a bunch of general stuff... nothing too detailed.

oh, well that's ok. Just don't bring up anything yourself.

 

[cdmOMR]

oh, well that's ok. Just don't bring up anything yourself.

Well I guess that answers my question...I couldnt go to an interview and not mention at least some of the stuff Ive done. I mean Id say its relevent to ones interest dentistry.

It seems like everyone of my strong points is completely invalid when it comes to getting into dental school which is really getting on my nerves already.

 

[prez_al]

oh, well that's ok. Just don't bring up anything yourself.

Of course.... I tried to steer away from dental talk during my first interview, I even changed the subject towards football... 😉

 

[IzzyMarieDMD]

The interviewers are more interested in if you think you will be happy in that profession. This is where shadowing at different types of offices helps you b/c you can say for example "I liked the way this orthidontist ran his office"
or "I liked the flexibility this doctor had with his schedule."
Whatever bs applies to why u want to be a dentist.
They know they can teach u to do the procedures, u just need to convince them that you've gotten a preview of what your life will be like.