Panels are daunting - I just faced my first one last week. My advice is for you to walk into the interview with a good disposition, make regular eye contact with each and everyone of the panelists, shake each one's hand if they extend it, and thank them for the opportunity to interview. When you speak, do so with an even pace and with a tone of confidence. In addition, I would advise writing out some questions and anwers in advance so as to codify your response. Anticipate "why dentistry?" "why our school?" "what makes you a good applicant and what would you contribute to our school?".
If you are anticipating being grilled on public health policy, I don't think you'll get hit too hard. Here's why: Medicare is Federal and most of the population that falls under its aegis is elderly while Medicaid is state run (typically 25% Federal dollars, 75% state dollars, some federal oversight though) and traditionally the bulk to public health (welfare, dental, etc.) is handled through a state's agency - Medicaid. I presume you are a resident of Georgia and your interview is in Alabama. Therefore your interviewers hopefully won't expect you to know the in's and out's of their state agency (although they could). With all that said and out of the way, I would do some quick research into some of the contemporary issues surrounding Medicaid funding, it's subsequent impact on public health and dental policies, and possible solutions. I think that should be sufficient as I have a feeling they are more interested in you being aware of the quagmire and what's in it rather than the nitpicky details.
