20 Questions

Questions to Ask Dental Students

Engaging questions to connect with dental students, learn about their education, and understand their passion for oral healthcare.

1

What made you want to pursue dentistry as a career?

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Why this works

This question reveals their motivation and passion for the field, helping you understand what drives them and what they find most rewarding about dentistry.

2

What's the most challenging aspect of dental school?

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Why this works

This question reveals their understanding of the difficulties and how they approach challenges, showing their resilience and problem-solving mindset.

3

What's your favorite area of dentistry and why?

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Why this works

This question reveals their interests and specialization preferences, helping you understand what aspects of dentistry they find most engaging.

4

How do you handle the pressure of working with patients and performing procedures?

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Why this works

This question reveals their approach to patient care and how they manage the responsibility of working with people's oral health.

5

What's the most rewarding part of your dental education so far?

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Why this works

This question invites them to share positive experiences and what they find most fulfilling about their education and training.

6

How do you stay current with advances in dental technology and techniques?

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Why this works

This question reveals their commitment to learning and how they stay informed about new developments in the field.

7

What's your approach to patient communication and building rapport?

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Why this works

This question reveals their communication skills and how they connect with patients, which are crucial for successful dental practice.

8

How do you handle difficult or anxious patients?

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Why this works

This question reveals their approach to patient care and how they manage challenging situations while maintaining patient comfort and trust.

9

What's your experience with different dental procedures and which ones do you find most interesting?

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Why this works

This question reveals their hands-on experience and what procedures they find most engaging or challenging.

10

How do you balance the technical and artistic aspects of dentistry?

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Why this works

This question reveals their understanding of the creative elements of dentistry and how they approach the aesthetic aspects of oral healthcare.

11

What's your approach to continuing education and professional development?

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Why this works

This question reveals their commitment to lifelong learning and how they plan to stay current with advances in the field.

12

How do you handle the business aspects of dentistry and practice management?

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Why this works

This question reveals their understanding of the business side of dentistry and how they approach practice management and entrepreneurship.

13

What's your experience with community service and public health dentistry?

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Why this works

This question reveals their commitment to serving others and how they approach providing dental care to underserved populations.

14

How do you handle the ethical aspects of dentistry and patient care?

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Why this works

This question reveals their understanding of dental ethics and how they approach ethical decision-making in patient care.

15

What's your approach to working with other healthcare professionals?

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Why this works

This question reveals their collaborative skills and how they work with other healthcare providers to provide comprehensive patient care.

16

How do you handle the physical demands of dentistry and maintain your health?

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Why this works

This question reveals their understanding of the physical aspects of dentistry and how they maintain their own health and well-being.

17

What's your experience with dental research and how do you approach evidence-based practice?

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Why this works

This question reveals their research interests and how they approach evidence-based dentistry and scientific inquiry.

18

How do you handle the financial aspects of dental education and practice?

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Why this works

This question reveals their understanding of the financial challenges of dental education and how they approach financial planning for their career.

19

What's your vision for your future dental practice and career goals?

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Why this works

This question reveals their career aspirations and how they plan to contribute to the field of dentistry.

20

What questions do you have for me about dentistry or oral healthcare?

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Why this works

A good dental student should be curious about the field and interested in learning from others' experiences and perspectives.

Best Practices for Connecting with Dental Students

Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.

Best Practices

Show Genuine Interest

Ask questions that show you're genuinely interested in their education and career path. This creates a positive connection and encourages them to share more.

Respect Their Journey

Acknowledge the challenges of dental school and show respect for their dedication to the field. This creates a supportive environment for sharing.

Focus on Both Education and Career

Balance questions about their current education with questions about their future goals and career aspirations.

Question Sequences

The Career Explorer

1
What made you want to pursue dentistry as a career?
2
What's your favorite area of dentistry and why?
3
What's your vision for your future dental practice and career goals?
4
What's your approach to continuing education and professional development?

The Education Investigator

1
What's the most challenging aspect of dental school?
2
What's the most rewarding part of your dental education so far?
3
What's your experience with different dental procedures and which ones do you find most interesting?
4
How do you handle the pressure of working with patients and performing procedures?

Common Pitfalls

Don't Make Assumptions

Avoid assuming you know about their education or career path. Ask questions that show genuine curiosity and respect for their knowledge and dedication.

Avoid Focusing Only on Technical Aspects

Don't focus only on technical skills. Ask about their personal experiences, challenges, and what they find most rewarding about their education.

Don't Ignore the Personal Side

Remember that dental students are people with personal interests and goals. Ask about their motivations, challenges, and aspirations beyond just their education.

Question Templates

The Career Explorer

1
Step 1: Start with: "What made you want to pursue dentistry as a career?"
2
Step 2: Follow with: "What's your favorite area of dentistry and why?"
3
Step 3: Explore with: "What's your vision for your future dental practice and career goals?"
4
Step 4: Connect with: "What's your approach to continuing education and professional development?"

The Education Investigator

1
Step 1: Start with: "What's the most challenging aspect of dental school?"
2
Step 2: Follow with: "What's the most rewarding part of your dental education so far?"
3
Step 3: Explore with: "What's your experience with different dental procedures and which ones do you find most interesting?"
4
Step 4: Connect with: "What questions do you have for me?"

Further Reading

The Art of Conversation by Catherine Blyth
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
The Charisma Myth by Olivia Fox Cabane

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