King's College London (KCL) Dentistry Interview — Format, Questions & Prep Tips

Why dentistry, and why not medicine or another healthcare profession?

KCL Dental is explicit about wanting applicants who chose dentistry specifically, not medicine-rejects. Be honest about what draws you to dental practice — the procedural skill, the long-term patient relationships, the mix of art and science.

What attracts you to KCL Dental Institute specifically?

Reference KCL Dental's integrated curriculum, the clinical placements at Guy's Hospital, the strong reputation in oral medicine and craniofacial research, and the central London teaching environment.

How would you build trust with a nervous or anxious patient who is afraid of the drill?

Acknowledge fear without minimising it. Explain procedures clearly using non-clinical language. Offer signals the patient controls (hand-raise pause). Use the "tell-show-do" technique. Patience over speed.

Describe a recent meaningful work experience and what it taught you about dentistry.

Pick one moment to go deep on. KCL wants reflection over volume — what did you actually learn about the daily reality of dentistry?

Should NHS dentistry be free at the point of use, like NHS medicine?

Engage with the funding model history (NHS dental charges since 1951), the equity arguments, and the resource-allocation realities. Show familiarity with the current crisis in NHS dental access.

A patient wants whitening treatment that you don't feel they need. They have capacity and can pay. What do you do?

Respect autonomy. Provide accurate information about risks and benefits. Document. The patient can pursue elective treatment, but you should ensure they're making an informed decision and that your practice does not pressure them into it.

Should dentists be allowed to refuse to treat patients who don't brush their teeth?

Justice and non-maleficence both argue against judgemental refusal. Discuss the role of patient education without punitive withdrawal of care. Reference GDC guidance.

What concerns you most about a career in dentistry?

Workforce crisis in NHS dentistry, work-life balance, physical demands (back/neck issues from posture), patient anxiety dynamics, business pressures in private practice. Show informed self-awareness.

What aspects of a dentist's day-to-day work do you think you will find most challenging, and how will you cope?

Honest answer. Possible challenges: the routine of repetitive procedures, the emotional weight of paediatric patients, building rapport quickly with anxious patients. Concrete coping strategies — not abstractions.

What responsibility do dentists have toward public health and dental access?

Discuss prevention (supervised toothbrushing in schools, fluoridation), tackling oral health inequalities, screening for oral cancers, advocating for better NHS dental coverage. Show systemic awareness.

A patient asks you to share information about their child's dental treatment without explicit consent. (Hypothetical scenario.)

Capacity assessment of the child. Confidentiality is paramount. Gillick competence applies. Explore why they're asking. Don't breach without authorisation.

Tell me about a time you had to work with someone you found difficult.

STAR framework. Focus on managing the relationship productively, not on who was right. Reflect on what you learned about collaboration.

What do you understand about manual dexterity and how do you train it?

Concrete examples from your own life — model-making, art, music, surgery shadowing. Reflect on how you've seen it improve with practice.

Why are prevention and routine check-ups so important in dentistry?

Most dental disease (caries, periodontal disease, oral cancer) is detected and managed best early. Discuss the cost-effectiveness, quality-of-life impact, and the public-health framing.