Dental school interviews can feel intimidating, especially if you are not sure what types of questions to expect. Over the years of working with students preparing for dental school, I've heard just about every interview question there is. While every program has its own style, many of the same themes come up year after year.
Below is a list of 25 questions that students encounter most often. The first ten are almost guaranteed to appear in some form, while the rest come up frequently enough that they're well worth practicing.
The Questions You're Most Likely to Hear
- Tell me about yourself?
- Why do you want to be a dentist?
- Why did you choose this school?
- What are your greatest strengths?
- What are your weaknesses or areas you'd like to improve?
- Tell me about a time you faced a challenge and how you handled it?
- How do you deal with stress or pressure?
- Tell me about a time you worked in a team and what role you played?
- What qualities do you think make a great dentist?
- Where do you see yourself in five to ten years?
Once you move beyond the most common interview questions, schools often start looking more closely at your maturity, communication skills, professionalism, and ability to handle difficult situations.
Other questions that come up often
- How did you prepare for the DAT and what did you learn from the experience?
- What extracurricular or volunteer work has been most meaningful to you?
- Tell me about a time you failed and what you learned from it?
- Describe a time you had to manage a conflict with a peer or coworker?
- What do you think is the biggest challenge facing dentistry today?
- How do you stay current with new developments in healthcare or science?
- What do you like to do outside of academics?
- Who has been the most influential person in your life and why?
- How would you handle an ethical dilemma in dental school?
- What is one misconception people have about dentists?
- How would you describe your communication style with patients?
- How do you handle constructive criticism?
- What does professionalism mean to you?
- Tell me about a time you showed leadership?
- Do you have any questions for us (always have one or two thoughtful ones ready)?
Interview preparation tips
- Use specific examples whenever possible — they make answers memorable.
- Show growth: if you discuss a weakness or failure, focus on what you learned.
- Be ready to explain why dentistry, not just why you like science or helping people.
- Practice out loud so your answers sound natural and confident.
- End with one or two thoughtful questions about the program or school culture.
Final thoughts
Preparing for interviews takes time, but it's worth it. You've already proven yourself academically by getting here. Now it's your chance to share who you are, what drives you, and why you'll make an excellent future dentist.
Start Preparing for the DAT the Right Way
If you're preparing for dental school interviews, one of the best things you can do is build a strong DAT foundation early. Strong preparation builds confidence not only for the DAT itself, but throughout the entire dental school application process.
The DAT Destroyer and Math Destroyer are the core books used in Dr. Jim Romano's DAT preparation courses, both online and in person. These books are designed to strengthen your understanding of the sciences and build the confidence you need not just for the DAT, but for dental school.
- DAT Destroyer
- Math Destroyer
- ➡️ Start here for free
- 🎓 DAT and OAT Prep Classes (In-Person and Online)
More guides for pre-dental students
- How Long Does It Take to Become a Dentist?
- DAT vs OAT Difficulty: Which Exam Is Harder?
- DAT Percentiles – How to Interpret Your Score and Improve Your Chances
Frequently Asked Questions
What questions are asked in dental school interviews?
Most dental school interviews include questions about your motivation for pursuing dentistry, your academic background including DAT preparation, personal strengths and weaknesses, teamwork and leadership experiences, and your long-term career goals. The 25 questions above cover the most common themes across programs.
How should I prepare for a dental school interview?
Practice answering common questions out loud using specific examples from your own experience. Research the school thoroughly, prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewers, and make sure your DAT foundation is strong so you can speak confidently about your academic preparation.
Do dental schools ask about the DAT?
Yes. Many interviewers will ask how you prepared for the DAT, what you learned from the process, and how you handled any challenges along the way. A strong DAT score and a clear preparation story both work in your favor.
What should you not say in a dental school interview?
Avoid vague or generic answers, speaking negatively about professors or previous experiences, or admitting you have not researched the school. Never say you are interested in dentistry primarily for financial reasons, and always have at least one thoughtful question ready when asked.
— Nancy Steen
Orgoman LLC | DAT Destroyer