Glasgow Dentistry Interview — Format, Questions & Prep Tips

Why dentistry rather than medicine?

Glasgow expects applicants who chose dentistry deliberately. Articulate what attracts you specifically — manual work, long-term patient relationships, the small-business dimension.

What do you know about Glasgow's BDS course structure?

Glasgow uses an integrated 5-year BDS with early clinical contact. Research the curriculum, the Glasgow Dental Hospital placement environment, and the inter-professional learning with medicine.

What do you think are the main challenges facing dentists today?

NHS contract crisis, workforce shortage, patient access in deprived areas, antimicrobial resistance, oral cancer awareness. Show informed awareness.

A student colleague has been faking attendance at clinics. What do you do?

GDC professionalism standards apply to students. Patient-safety implications. Approach colleague first to encourage them to escalate; if no change, escalate via clinical lead. Document.

How would you manage an anxious patient who has cancelled multiple appointments?

Explore why they cancel — what specifically scares them? Offer phone-call discussion before appointment. Discuss alternatives (lighter sedation, longer appointment, building gradually).

Tell me about a time you've helped someone during a difficult time.

Genuine example. Reflect on what you learned about supporting others — important in dental practice with anxious patients.

Describe an example where you demonstrated empathy.

Distinguish empathy (feeling with) from sympathy (feeling for). Concrete example with reflection.

A patient is anxious and wants to know what the worst-case outcome of a procedure is. (Hypothetical scenario.)

Honest information without dramatising. Provide context — most procedures go to plan. Acknowledge their right to know.

Should the NHS invest more in prevention or in treatment of dental disease?

Engage with both — prevention is more cost-effective long-term but treatment remains urgent. Discuss supervised toothbrushing programmes, fluoridation, dental check-ups for children.

What qualities will make you a good dentist?

Avoid clichés. Pick 2–3 qualities and back each with a concrete example. Demonstrate self-awareness about gaps.

How would you explain to a child why they need a filling?

Age-appropriate language. Use analogies a child understands (sugar bugs, brushing them away). Don't scare them. Involve the parent appropriately.

A patient declines fluoride treatment for personal-belief reasons. What do you do?

Respect autonomy. Provide accurate information about benefits and risks. Don't coerce. Discuss alternatives.

What concerns you most about working in NHS dentistry?

NHS contract instability, capacity crisis, retention. Show informed awareness with realism and a sense of purpose.

How will you maintain your wellbeing through dental school?

Concrete strategies: exercise, social connection, hobbies, knowing when to ask for help. Self-aware sustainability over abstract optimism.