Interview Question: Why Do You Want To Be A Dentist?

[doc3232]

So, I was wondering if this came up in anyone's interview and I was wondering how you responded (or would have responded if in the position).
THANKS
🙂🙂🙂🙂

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[aphistis]

The same reasons as everyone else: chicks, money, power, and chicks.

😉

 

[blankguy]

Satisfaction, decent way to make a living and interest in oral health.

 

[DGDDS]

You should seriously figure out why you want to be a dentist before you spend hundreds of dollars applying; not to mention all the hours studying and shadowing.

Also they're going to ask this, or some form of this during the interview guaranteed. Be prepared.

 

[loved]

You are probably just nervous about interviews right.. the best advice you can get from this forum on this topic is TO BE HONEST and TO BE YOURSELF. Don't be all nervous or fake.. especially not the latter b/c interviewers can smell it a mile away. If you're nervous, practice speaking to others in a professional session (UCD probably has mock interviews at their career services center).

 

[tamkhan]

The same reasons as everyone else: chicks, money, power, and chicks.

😉

👍

 

[CMistry]

"What? This is an interview for DENTAL school? Why the heck would I want to do that!"

 

[Avery07]

I'm borrowing this from someone who said it in the previous thread of why you want to be a dentist; not word for word:

"Originally, I wanted to be a dentist so I could help people but now I'm just in it for the NO2"

😀 I love that; and wonder how I would come across if this was used to "break the ice" in an interview??

 

[ummjoey]

The same reasons as everyone else: chicks, money, power, and chicks.

😉

lol dr cox from scrubs?

but on a serious note i agree with NAVY DDS 2010.

there is another thread similar to this. you can check it out.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=503333

like the others said dont try to be someone else.

 

[ChoDog]

This is usually the first question that pops up during an interview. I'm sure its like listening to an old record for both the interviewer and interviewee, but its a question that must be asked and answered.

 

[sublimeu4ea]

I had alot of trouble coming up with that one too. Especially when everyone around you has this or that reason and they all sound so perfect. It'll come to you, even if it sounds silly. Have a friend help you elaborate and really dig deep into something you've already come up with, because these threads are silly. Trying to use someone else answer to help you find yours will not help, because all you'll ever think about is how yours compares. I did it.

For a while, I felt my reason was really silly. Alot of people laughed at me too. Actually, my Pre-Health Advisory Committee interviewer actually made fun of me for it, but my REAL dental school interviewers loved it. Like everyone said, be honest, but mostly to yourself... if you really want to be a dentist, you KNOW why.

 

[dackmonkey]

out of 4 interviews, i was never asked this question hahaha.

 

[Frederico Albin]

rofl dackmonkey

I want to go into dentistry because I have a strong desire to help other people and I can be "THE BIG BOSS"(lol jk). Dentistry also satisfies the other goals I have set, for example, have lots of time to spend with my family and lots of time to travel the world. 😛
Try to express why you are interested in dentistry in a different way, and like the other guys said, look at the positive side of being a dentist... you are always surrounded by people who have a higher education and that have somewhat the same goals as you do.
If you took the time to look and create an account in this website... that means you are at least a little interested in dentistry... blah blah blah im going to skip the speech because I really need to take a shower (LOLOLOLOLOL) Just go do some job shadowing.
Good Luck Sir

 

[scuzfly]

lol dr cox from scrubs?

but on a serious note i agree with NAVY DDS 2010.

there is another thread similar to this. you can check it out.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=503333

like the others said dont try to be someone else.

I'm changing mine from the typical reasons to this

"I LOVE Dane Cook"

 

[Artful Dodger]

Yeah, reasons for pursuing dentistry gotta come from the heart & within. You won't get a straight answer from here.

BTW, I know that the first thing that comes to your mind is "money" (by asking this question)...besides money, what other investment in your life does a career in dentistry have for you? That's something to think about. Have it be career-oriented rather than "i want to have more time for my family" or "i want to have a secure and well-paying job"...reasons like those won't cut it (in my opinion).

 

[bluejellybelly]

I'll be honest- when I was asked that question, I didn't actually answer it. I said some 4 sentence intro and when I saw the interviewers nodding their heads I stopped. It's been said that the longer you talk, the less they'll get the point, and since my explanation for being a dentist takes a timeline I decided to be short, concise and indirect. 😛

It's very likely that I'll ramble on if I didn't stop, and they'd have to ask me again, "so, why do you want to be a dentist?"

However, don't try this at your interview. I was feeling really lucky on those days because the fortune cookies told me so. 👍