How Much Do Our Teeth Matter In The Interview?

[doc3232]

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Obviously all pre-dentals understand dental health but how great of an effect will our teeth have on the interviewer's decision?
Accepted=😀

🙂🙂

 

[scottyhoop]

Well I had a root canal that failed on 29 and had to have it extracted. I didn't get accepted. Now I know why! 🙂
Scott

 

[Frederico Albin]

1 thing to say, if you have to, go to an orthodontist 1-2 years before applying to dental school. lol
I was also thinking about that, my front tooth, or should I say, tooth number 8, is chipped LOL

 

[CMistry]

Both my top and bottom teeth are crowded due to infringing wisdom teeth... I have small white patches on my teeth from braces... need orthognathic surgery... nobody cared.

-Cyrus

 

[phantasmagoriun]

I know it probably shouldn't matter anyway, but I actually got really paranoid about the whiteness of my teeth before my interviews and went and got those aquafresh whitening trays... just to boost some confidence.

Every shade lightened is like +10 in awesome factor. 😎

 

[loved]

Yeah I thought about the influence pearly white teeth might have on the outcome of an interview.. I think it was more out of paranoia about doing everything in my power to guarantee success. But in the end, I didn't have time to whiten, and it was fine.

Perhaps it will boost confidence, like the previous poster said.

 

[bodiddely]

1 thing to say, if you have to, go to an orthodontist 1-2 years before applying to dental school. lol
I was also thinking about that, my front tooth, or should I say, tooth number 8, is chipped LOL

One could also argue that an obvious need for orthodontic treatment may be viewed as a sign that a student is from a disadvantaged background (which is usually a positive factor in admissions). Straight white teeth have become a socio-economic indicator (more so because a lack of them is noticeable than because their presence is exceptional).

Of course, if there are any admissions committee members reading this thread they are probably laughing at the level of over-analysis that we put into all of this 😀

 

[blankguy]

It doesn't matter. I've had my share of fillins.

 

[UNR.Grad]

If I needed dental work I would wait until dental school and get it done cheaply 🙂

 

[blankguy]

If I needed dental work I would wait until dental school and get it done cheaply 🙂

By fellow students??? You better make sure you are on good terms with them.

 

[UNR.Grad]

By fellow students??? You better make sure you are on good terms with them.

I was more thinking of the residents, I met a guy at UOP who is having his orthodontic work done by an ortho resident for super cheap.

 

[doc3232]

If I needed dental work I would wait until dental school and get it done cheaply 🙂

or just do it yourself, I mean if you killed the PAT a few mirrors and there you go. 0 cost

 

[SugarNaCl]

I really don't think it matters if you have perfect teeth in an interview as long as they aren't coated with plaque or something.

My teeth are FAR from perfect. One in front is a crown and about 3 shades lighter than the other anteriors and I have a diastema between all 4 of my maxillary incisors. I was accepted last year.

They tried to encourage me to get veneers in my interview (when I am in dental school...which I took as a good sign) and then about 3 times after I started dental school. I'm about ready to give it a shot after I pay my taxes. Good luck.

 

[blankguy]

It's good to know that we are doing are part to keep dentists gainfully employed.

 

[Lipoxygenase]

If you are from eastcoast, know a 4th year student, and you need a filling done or have a serious gum problem, have him/her check your teeth now. Their clinical board exam is coming up very soon, and they will desperately need cases. You might be their God-send. Not only would they do the fillings for free, they might be willing to add all kinds of services at a huge discount rate if not for free.

Of course, this is a valid recommendation only if you trust the hand skills of your own friend ! (no pun intended)

 

[moxn]

Of course, this is a valid recommendation only if you trust the hand skills of your own friend ! (no pun intended)

boo... that's not really a pun...

 

[aphistis]

Of course, if there are any admissions committee members reading this thread they are probably laughing at the level of over-analysis that we put into all of this 😀

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner. 😉

 

[aphistis]

I was more thinking of the residents, I met a guy at UOP who is having his orthodontic work done by an ortho resident for super cheap.

I did my wife's ortho in dental school. Both arches, 18 months, excellent faculty mentor, beautiful outcome, $600. Can't beat it. 👍

 

[Suren911]

I highly doubt your teeth has any factor in your interviews................

Unless you some seriously bad teeth like a mouthful of chewed up corn...

 

[ThePreDentLife]

[Of course, if there are any admissions committee members reading this thread they are probably laughing at the level of over-analysis that we put into all of this 😀[/quote

I bet they do! I went to a seminar an admissions director was having at a university, and he was telling us predent's not to believe what is told on SDN...lol

or just do it yourself, I mean if you killed the PAT a few mirrors and there you go. 0 cost

 

[s0chon02]

If you're self-concious about how your teeth look, then I'd say pay yourself a visit or two at a dentist's office. Your interview might not be the best if you're lacking confidence in yourself.

 

[tekstyle]

pop a few "breath savers spearmint 3 hours" 1 hour before your interview and you are good to go!

 

[NJDental]

I was actually paranoid about my teeth (its actual one of the many reasons I want to be a dentist...) so 7 months ago I got conventional braces on and took on a second job to pay for it (couldn't get invisalign just yet because I wasn't a perfect candidate for it, but Ill have invisalign on in two months 👍)

So if you are worried about it, do something about it 🙂

I did, and my teeth are not really close to being done yet but I feel so much better having them started in the process 🙂

 

[dantheman2007]

if u feel insecure about ur teeth then wait for d school to fix them up.
from the interviews i went on and students I spoke with many of the procedures are free for students.

 

[dr bojangles]

i don't think a school can judge you as an applicant based on appearance (i'm sure they have codes of ethics, etc. for this). but, a good rule of thumb......tartar = rejection. run with that.

 

[smile101]

One could also argue that an obvious need for orthodontic treatment may be viewed as a sign that a student is from a disadvantaged background (which is usually a positive factor in admissions). Straight white teeth have become a socio-economic indicator (more so because a lack of them is noticeable than because their presence is exceptional).

Of course, if there are any admissions committee members reading this thread they are probably laughing at the level of over-analysis that we put into all of this 😀

I was wondering about this...my incisors are sharp and sticking out a little, not giving me that bad an appearance...actually I am kinda hot...hehehe...j/k

Anyways, I am from a small town of India and so I used it as a reason to be a dentist. I never had braces and I told them I'll have them when I could afford them. I wasn't accepted last year (besides the fact that I had 18/18 DAT but decent GPA).

I still have to talk to the admission dean about the exact reason for rejection...but I think this could have been a part of it.....kinda silly because its not like if ur physician has cancer, you would stop going to him/her!!!!

 

[Aiyah]

I think the interviewers do notice the condition of your teeth because my NYU interviewer started talking to me about my teeth during the interview. I never got braces so my teeth are a little crooked, and of course he noticed. But I still got accepted.

Glad I at least used those whitening strips, haha.