A. T. Still University - Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health Interview Practice Questions

Tell me about yourself.

Why dentistry?

Why A. T. Still University - Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health?

What challenges do you anticipate in dental school?

What would you do if a child on Medicaid needs care but reimbursement rates are too low?

What clinical experiences have you had?

Arizona recently passed SB 1124, introducing oral preventive assistants with limited training to address workforce shortages, despite concerns from dental hygienists about patient safety and quality of care. What role should professional autonomy play versus public access needs when determining appropriate delegation of dental procedures?

What attracted you to A.T. Still University's osteopathic philosophy and how do you see it applying to your future dental practice?

Should Arizona prioritize loan repayment programs for dentists practicing in Health Professional Shortage Areas over increasing the number of dental school graduates?

What are you reading right now?

If you could have dinner with anyone, who and why?

Tell me about your research.

How would you respond to a private equity buyout offer that could compromise patient care?

How does ATSU-ASDOH's emphasis on whole-person healthcare align with your vision of dental practice?

Do dentists have an ethical obligation to inform patients about treatment costs before procedures, even when this might influence their treatment decisions?

Why did you choose your undergraduate institution?

How should Arizona balance the need for rapid workforce expansion with maintaining quality standards in dental education and licensure?

What was one personally touching volunteer experience you had?

If you could choose one superpower what would it be?

What aspects of the integrated clinical curriculum starting in the first year appeal to you most?

What would you do if a patient can only afford extractions but needs more comprehensive treatment?

What specialty are you interested in?

Is it ethically acceptable for dentists to offer sliding scale fees to some patients while charging others full fees based on ability to pay?

Tell me about a time you failed.

What role should corporate dental chains play in addressing Arizona's rural dental shortage versus independent practitioners?

How would you contribute to the interprofessional education opportunities available at ATSU's Mesa campus?

Teach me something.

How do you work in groups?

What would you do if a patient in an abusive relationship asks you not to document anything?

What was your most challenging experience?

What are dentists' ethical obligations when uninsured or underinsured patients face significant barriers to accessing dental care?

What draws you to the community-based clinical experiences that ATSU-ASDOH emphasizes?

Should Arizona allow dental therapists to practice in underserved areas to increase access to basic dental care?

What do your parents do?

What is your favorite movie?

Tell me about a time you experienced a team conflict and how you resolved it.

How would you prioritize patients when demand exceeds capacity at a community clinic?

How does living and studying in the Phoenix metropolitan area fit with your personal and professional goals?

What are dentists' ethical obligations when insurance reimbursement rates are insufficient to cover the actual cost of providing quality care?

How would you keep yourself up-to-date on dentistry education once you begin practicing?

Should dental insurance companies be required to increase annual coverage maximums to better reflect actual treatment costs?

Tell me about a time you changed your mind after learning new information.

What is the difference between sympathy and empathy?

What interests you most about ATSU-ASDOH's focus on serving underserved populations?

What would you do if you discover your practice is billing insurance for procedures not performed?

What is one thing you want to highlight about your application?

Is healthcare a right or a privilege?

Tell me about a time you had a disagreement with a teammate, supervisor, or friend.

Should there be stronger federal regulations limiting out-of-pocket costs for dental care?

How would you take advantage of the research opportunities available at ATSU-ASDOH?

What would you do if you won the lottery tomorrow?

What is your worst habit?

What would you do when a patient with dementia refuses treatment but their power of attorney insists on it?

Tell me about a time you had to advocate for someone who wasn’t being heard.

What controversial healthcare topic are you passionate about?

What aspects of ATSU's mission to serve as a learning-centered university resonate with your educational philosophy?

Should the US invest more in rural dental healthcare infrastructure and provide incentives for dentist recruitment in underserved areas?

How would your friends describe you?

If your life were a movie, what would the theme?

Tell me about a time when you were impacted by miscommunication.

What would you do if you caught a classmate cheating?

How do you see yourself fitting into the collaborative learning environment at ATSU-ASDOH?

Should healthcare institutions implement mandatory unconscious bias training for all staff and students?

What is your greatest accomplishment?

Should there be federal regulations preventing dentists from owning or having financial interests in dental laboratories?

Tell me about a time you exhibited leadership.

If you could instantly master one skill, what would it be?

What do you think makes our program unique?

What do you do if a colleague has a substance abuse problem?

How do you handle failure?

Should patients have the right to request a healthcare provider of a specific gender, race, or cultural background?

Describe a situation where you made a mistake that affected others. What did you do?

Should Medicaid and Medicare expand coverage to include more comprehensive preventive and restorative dental services?

How do you relate to our mission?

If you were a fruit, which one would you be and why?

Where do you plan to practice?

What would you do if someone in a group project falsified data?

Tell me about a time when you had to explain a complex scientific concept to someone without a science background. How did you approach it?

What do you think about stem cell research?

What are A. T. Still University - Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health's values?

What is the biggest problem in healthcare today?

What are your values?

How many golf balls fit in an airplane?

Describe a situation where you had to navigate cultural differences in a team or work environment.

What would you do if a group member isn't doing their part?

Why do you want to go to school in Mesa?

Who should receive an organ transplant: a convicted felon or an uninsured mother?

What negative feedback have you received?

How would you fix the healthcare system?

Describe a time when you identified an unfair policy or practice and took action to address it.

What would you do if a patient refused treatment?

What ethical issues do you think will impact you as a dentist?

Do you think it's ever ethical to lie to a patient?

Describe a time you had to respect someone's autonomy even when you disagreed with their choice

Do you think pharmaceutical companies should be allowed to advertise drugs to consumers?

What does “success” look like to you?

What would you do if a patient's family requests you not tell the patient about their diagnosis?

Tell me about a time when you recognized a personal limitation or weakness that was affecting your performance. What did you do about it?

As AI becomes better at diagnosis than human doctors, should we rely more on AI decision-making?

Do you consider yourself culturally competent?

What are your thoughts on the role of private vs. public healthcare?

Describe a moment when you connected with someone who was going through a difficult time.

What would you do if a coworker is taking credit for your work on a group project.

How willl you contribute to the diversity of our school?

Should people with unhealthy lifestyles (e.g., smokers, heavy drinkers) have reduced access to certain treatments?

Describe a situation where you had to maintain professionalism under difficult or frustrating circumstances.

Do you believe diversity is important in a healthcare setting? Why or why not?

How do you handle stress?

What would you do if a team member isn’t contributing on a group project?

What is an ethical dilemma you have faced?

Can compassion be taught?

What are your strengths?

What role should technology and AI play in the future of healthcare?

Walk me through a period when you were overwhelmed with responsibilities. How did you use to get through it?

What would you do if a colleague comes to work smelling of alcohol?

What are your weaknesses?

Should healthcare workers strike if working conditions are unsafe for them or their patients?

What was the most difficult decision you have ever had to make?

Should healthcare professionals be required to receive certain vaccinations?

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

What would you do if a teenager confides they're being abused at home but begs you not to tell anyone?

What community service activities have you done?

Should students from disadvantaged backgrounds receive preferential admission to health professions programs?

What do you do for fun?

What would you do if your employer forced you to work over Thanksgiving weekend, interfering with your family plans?

Describe a time working with someone you did not like.

What would you do if a colleague of yours made a mistake and doesn't want to tell the patient?

Tell me about a skill or knowledge area where you've shown significant improvement over time. What was your learning process?

You're at a party and a friend insists on driving herself home, even though she has been drinking. What do you do?

What do you think are important qualities for a dentist?

While volunteering at a community center, a family refuses to vaccinate their children due to religious beliefs. The father quietly tells you he disagrees but fears community backlash if he consents. What do you do?

What are three words people who know you would use to describe you?

You’re working in a research lab when you discover that your supervisor has failed to report a conflict of interest—he’s consulting for the company funding the study. You depend on him for a strong reference for grad school. What do you do?

Who is your role model?

A colleague you respect makes a dismissive comment toward a patient from a marginalized background. You know confronting them could damage your working relationship. What do you do?

What is your biggest regret?

A grateful patient leaves a $100 gift card and a thank-you note at the front desk addressed specifically to you. What do you do?

What makes you special?

You’re walking out of a coffee shop when you notice someone drop their wallet. You pick it up and realize there’s a large amount of cash inside, but no ID. You also notice the person quickly leaving in a taxi before you can call out. What do you do?

What is your biggest fear?

Your roommate confides in you that they have been struggling with depression and occasionally use prescription medication that was not prescribed to them. They ask you not to tell anyone. How do you respond?

Tell me about your lowest grade.

You’re catching a ride home from a friend who begins texting while driving. When you ask them to stop, they brush you off and say, “Relax, I do this all the time.” How do you respond?

What is one of your strengths in a leadership role?

A close friend in your study group admits they copied answers from another student on a recent exam but asks you not to tell anyone. How do you respond?

What is your learning style?

You see a friend post misleading health information on social media that’s getting lots of attention. How do you handle it?

How do you study?

You accidentally receive an email from your supervisor that contains private performance evaluations, including criticism of a close friend. Later that day, your friend mentions feeling anxious about whether management trusts them. What do you do?

How might the transition to dental school affect you.

A patient you've been working with for months asks you out on a date. How do you handle this?

How will you handle burnout and being overwhelmed?

What will you do if you do not get into dental school?