Indiana University School of Dentistry (DDS) Dentistry Interview — Format, Questions & Prep Tips

IUSD has over 200,000 patient visits per year — one of the highest clinical volumes of any US dental school. How does that scale of clinical training shape the DDS experience?

High volume accelerates competence building; broader case variety; adaptability to different patient populations. The trade-off of high volume (busier clinic, faster pace) vs. lower-volume programs is worth addressing honestly.

Indiana has rural counties with significant dental access barriers. As an IUSD graduate, how might you contribute to addressing the rural dental workforce shortage?

NHSC loan repayment for rural practice, community health center dentistry, teledentistry, practicing in shortage areas. Show genuine awareness of Indiana's oral health geography.

IUSD is on the same campus as IU School of Medicine. Describe a situation where a dentist's recognition of systemic disease signs in the mouth led to better patient outcomes.

Oral manifestations of HIV, diabetes, Sjögren's syndrome, leukaemia, eating disorders. The dentist as a screening clinician who refers appropriately to medical colleagues.

You are a dental student and a patient gifts you a substantial present after a successful procedure. How do you handle this under ADA ethics?

ADA non-exploitation principle. Small tokens of appreciation vs. gifts of value that could compromise professional objectivity. Gracious refusal of significant gifts; guidance from supervisors.

Describe your manual dexterity background and how it translates to the technical demands of dentistry.

Specific activity — instrument repair, art, carving exercises, lab work. Connect to precision in Class II composite restorations, endodontic file placement, crown preparation.

How does poorly controlled diabetes affect periodontal treatment outcomes, and how would you manage a diabetic patient in your clinic?

Hyperglycaemia impairs neutrophil function and healing; periodontal treatment can improve HbA1c; physician coordination; blood glucose monitoring; modified healing expectations.

Why IUSD — and why train at a high-volume school specifically?

Clinical confidence through volume, specialty program breadth, Indianapolis's diverse patient population, interprofessional IU Health campus. Show genuine program research.

Do you see yourself in general practice, a specialty, or academic dentistry? How did your shadowing inform that direction?

Specific and honest. IUSD has strong specialty programs — if interested in specialization, show awareness of IUSD's advanced education offerings.

In IUSD's high-volume clinic you are double-booked and a walk-in arrives with facial swelling and a possible spreading dental infection. How do you triage your morning?

Recognize potential cellulitis/airway risk as the priority over scheduled routine care; assess, escalate, and arrange urgent management. Communicate transparently with the bumped patient. High-volume training tests triage judgment specifically.

IUSD reports very high annual patient-visit volume. What are the genuine educational advantages and the real risks of training in such a high-throughput environment, and how would you protect quality?

Advantages: case variety, speed, confidence. Risks: rushed care, supervision strain, burnout. Mitigation: not cutting standard-of-care steps, asking for help, reflective practice. A balanced, honest read rather than pure enthusiasm.

A patient asks you to extract a restorable tooth simply because it is cheaper and faster than saving it. How do you handle the request?

ADA non-maleficence and informed consent vs. autonomy and cost reality. Explain the trade-offs honestly, document, and respect an informed choice while not pushing unnecessary extraction. Discuss financing options before defaulting to extraction.

A medical resident on the shared IU campus pages you about a hospitalised patient with oral bleeding on anticoagulants. How do you structure your response and recommendation?

Concise consult: relevant history, local vs. systemic cause, what you can manage bedside, what needs the medical team. Demonstrates the IU Medicine co-location as functioning interprofessional practice.

IUSD has unusually broad specialty (advanced education) offerings. Even if you intend general practice, how would exposure to those programs shape your training?

Learning from residents, earlier exposure to complex cases, informed referral decisions, keeping specialization as an option. Shows you researched IUSD beyond the headline volume figure.

A patient presents with multiple oral ulcers, fatigue, and easy bruising. What systemic conditions would you consider, and what would you do as the dentist?

Consider haematological causes (e.g. leukaemia), nutritional deficiencies, and immune conditions; recognize the dentist's role in spotting systemic disease and making a prompt medical referral — credible given IUSD's IU Medicine co-location.

A patient in the student clinic is frustrated that a trainee is treating them and asks to 'just see a real dentist.' How do you respond?

Acknowledge the concern without defensiveness, explain the close faculty supervision and your role, and offer reassurance. De-escalation and transparency about how a high-volume teaching clinic actually works.