Queen's University Belfast Dentistry Interview

Why dentistry, and why Queen's Belfast specifically?

Reference QUB's integrated 5-year BDS, the Centre for Dentistry on the Royal Hospitals site, the clinical placements across the Belfast Trust, and the unique position of being NI's only dental school. Distinguish from medicine clearly.

Queen's trains the majority of Northern Ireland's future dentists. Why is that significant?

Discuss workforce planning, retention in NI, the social-determinants relevance of training local applicants, and the responsibility that comes with being the only NI dental school. QUB values regional commitment.

A patient asks you not to share their dental records with their GP. They have capacity. What do you do?

Respect autonomy. Confidentiality is paramount. Explore why — is there a safeguarding concern? Document. Don't share without explicit consent. Reference GDC Standards and data-protection law.

Should NHS dental treatment in Northern Ireland be funded at the same level as the rest of the UK?

Engage with the devolved funding picture — NI has its own Department of Health, distinct dental contracts and persistent workforce challenges. Discuss equity, devolution and the political realities.

How would you explain a root canal procedure to a patient who is fearful of needles?

Acknowledge fear directly. Use plain language. Walk through the steps. Offer control signals (hand-raise pause). Discuss what they'll feel vs what they'll see. Avoid escalating language.

Tell me about a time you had to communicate difficult information to someone.

STAR framework. Focus on how you adjusted your communication style to the person. Reflect on what you learned about delivering hard news.

(Possible station) A parent is reluctant to consent to their child's extraction. Speak to them.

Listen first. Understand the concern (cost, fear, alternative options). Provide clear information about risks of delay. Don't pressure. Reference parental responsibility and Gillick competence if age-relevant.

A friend asks you to give them dental advice over WhatsApp. What do you do?

Decline informal clinical advice — you're not yet qualified, you can't examine them, and informal advice undermines safe practice. Encourage them to see a dentist. Reference professional boundaries (GDC Standards principle 9).

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

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

What concerns you most about a career in dentistry in Northern Ireland?

NI-specific workforce pressures, the NHS dental contract challenges, retention difficulties, and the geographic distribution of practices. Show informed awareness and a realistic stance.

(Possible station) Here is a chart showing oral-health inequalities across NI postcodes. What does it suggest?

Describe what you see before interpreting. Note correlations with deprivation. Discuss preventative interventions (supervised toothbrushing, fluoride varnish, school-based programmes). Avoid overgeneralising from limited data.

What manual dexterity skills have you developed?

Concrete examples — sewing, painting, model-making, musical instruments, surgery shadowing. Reflect on how dexterity improves with deliberate practice.

Is it ethical for a dentist to advertise cosmetic treatments to teenagers on social media?

Engage with vulnerability, informed consent, parental consent and the GDC's advertising standards. Discuss the body-image and self-esteem implications. Take a reasoned position.

Tell me about a time you received critical feedback. How did you respond?

Genuine example. Focus on how you processed the feedback and what you changed. QUB values reflective practice.

Why prevention over treatment in modern dentistry?

Most dental disease is preventable. Cost-effectiveness, oral-cancer screening, the shift from drill-and-fill to risk-assessed care. Reference NI-specific oral health programmes if you know them.