Queen Mary (QMUL) Dentistry Interview — Format, Questions & Prep Tips

Why dentistry, and what specifically draws you to it over medicine?

Barts wants applicants who chose dentistry deliberately, not by elimination. Articulate what attracts you — manual work, long-term patient relationships, the small-business dimension.

Why Barts/Queen Mary Dental Institute specifically?

Reference Barts' East London clinical placements, the diverse patient population, the Royal London Hospital teaching environment, and the strong reputation in oral surgery.

Tell me about an article or video you've read recently about dentistry or healthcare. What did you take from it?

Pick something real you can discuss in depth — Barts may give you reading material in advance. Be ready to articulate the argument, your reaction, and what it means for future practice.

Describe a meaningful work experience and what you learnt from it.

Barts selectors love reflection — not just what you observed, but how it helped you and what you'll carry forward. One experience explored deeply beats a list.

A patient with very limited English understanding signs a consent form for a complex treatment. What concerns might you raise?

Informed consent requires understanding, not just signature. Discuss interpreter services, written-translation options, the importance of teach-back. Don't assume capacity equals understanding.

Should the NHS prioritise free dental care for children and elderly people over working-age adults?

Engage with both equity arguments (vulnerable groups) and the systemic implications. Current NHS dental exemptions partly do this; engage with how and why.

A patient is upset because they've been waiting 3 weeks for an NHS appointment. (Actor present.)

Acknowledge the systemic context honestly. Don't over-apologise for things outside your control. Offer concrete next steps and information about the wider NHS dental crisis.

Tell me about a time you've contributed to a community or team beyond academic work.

Barts explicitly values contribution to student life. Pick a real example — sports team, society, volunteering, mentoring — and reflect on what you brought and what you learnt.

How would you explain to a patient that they need root canal treatment when they came in expecting a routine filling?

Listen first. Use clear non-jargon language. Explain the diagnosis and alternatives. Address financial concerns. Give them time and don't pressure.

Should dentists be allowed to refuse treatment to patients who refuse vaccination?

GDC says no — non-judgmental care. Engage with the autonomy/safety tension. Reference the parallel with NHS doctors and the duty not to refuse on personal-belief grounds.

Describe a time you received feedback that was hard to hear.

Genuine example with reflection on what you changed afterwards. Barts values self-awareness over polished narrative.

What concerns you most about a career in dentistry?

Honest concerns plus management strategies. NHS contract instability, physical demands, patient anxiety, business pressures. Show informed self-awareness.

A friend asks for your dental advice about a worrying symptom. What do you do as a dental student?

Acknowledge the limits of your training. Don't diagnose or prescribe. Encourage them to see a dentist — explore why they're hesitating. Reference student-scope guidance.

A patient is anxious about an extraction and considering not turning up. (Actor present.)

Validate the anxiety without minimising. Explore what specifically worries them. Offer information about pain management. Don't pressure attendance — offer to discuss alternatives.