ATSU-ASDOH Interview Prep Guide (2025-2026)

ATSU-ASDOH’s interview process and program reflect its mission-driven focus on community healthcare. Interviewees can expect a comprehensive format combining traditional and scenario-based assessments, mirroring the school’s commitment to holistic evaluation. The school’s mission emphasizes community service and leadership, and its curriculum integrates public health training and extensive community rotations. This guide highlights the interview format, the institution’s mission and values, distinctive program features, relevant policy issues in oral health, non-academic criteria valued by admissions, competency frameworks shaping the curriculum, common themes from past interviews, and key dates for the 2025-2026 application cycle.

ATSU-ASDOH conducts a multifaceted interview day designed to assess applicants in different settings. Each candidate participates in an individual panel interview as well as a series of Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs) atsu.edu. The panel interview is open-file (evaluators have access to the applicant’s file) studentdoctor.net and typically involves personal and behavioral questions in a conversational setting. The MMI portion comprises three timed stations with standardized patient scenarios that test applicants’ communication skills, ethics, and critical thinking atsu.edu. Additionally, there is a group exercise where applicants work together to discuss and solve a presented scenario, demonstrating teamwork and problem-solving in real time atsu.edu. Overall, past candidates have found the experience structured but fair, describing the interview as moderately stressful yet generally positive studentdoctor.net.

ASDOH’s mission is to educate "compassionate community-minded oral health providers to lead the profession" adea.org. This mission underpins the school’s emphasis on serving disadvantaged populations and fostering leadership in dentistry. The learning environment and selection process are aligned with these ideals, seeking students who resonate with service-oriented learning and whole-person healthcare. ASDOH’s core values further illustrate the qualities the school prioritizes and the culture it promotes:

• Public health principles and practice
• Respectful and collegial environment
• Commitment to social mission
• Learner-centered education and patient-centered care
• Diversity and inclusion
• Innovation
• Integrity
• Life balance and wellness
• Lifelong learning atsu.edu

In the context of interview preparation, understanding ASDOH’s mission and values is crucial. Interviewers often look for evidence that applicants share these values – for instance, a genuine commitment to community service, cultural sensitivity, and integrity – in their past experiences and motivations.

The Doctor of Dental Medicine program at ASDOH is a four-year curriculum that blends rigorous scientific education with hands-on clinical experience. In the first two years, students focus on biomedical and human sciences, oral medicine integration, and preclinical simulation training atsu.edu. The third and fourth years are devoted to clinical practice, with students treating patients in the on-campus clinic and at community-based health centers atsu.edu. The curriculum places special emphasis on practical patient care experiences, integrating evidence-based dentistry and problem-solving scenarios to build clinical competencies atsu.edu. Notably, ASDOH includes strong elements of public health, leadership, and dental practice management throughout the program atsu.edu. In line with the school’s mission, students are encouraged to become caring, community-minded providers, and graduates are expected to emerge as leaders and resources in their communities’ oral health sectors atsu.edu.

A distinguishing feature of ASDOH’s program is its profound focus on public health and community engagement. All dental students at ASDOH earn a Certificate in Public Health as part of their training, reflecting the integration of public health principles into the dental curriculum adea.org. The school’s Dentistry in the Community (DIC) service-learning program spans all four years, during which students plan and participate in community outreach projects and preventive care events, collectively serving thousands of people each year adea.org. ASDOH also pioneered an extensive externship system – the Integrated Community Service Learning Program – where fourth-year students spend over half of their final year in rotations at community health centers and safety-net clinics across the country adea.org. These external rotations provide real-world experience treating underserved populations and reinforce the students’ commitment to community service. By graduation, every ASDOH student has substantial firsthand experience in public health dentistry, which is reflected in the higher-than-average number of graduates who choose careers in community and nonprofit dental settings adea.org.

These program elements not only enrich students’ education but also offer great talking points during interviews. Showing awareness of ASDOH’s unique features can demonstrate your genuine interest. For example, you might discuss what you find appealing about the public health certificate or the community clinic rotations, and ask thoughtful questions about them. Below are some potential questions an applicant could consider asking interviewers to learn more about the program:

Potential Questions to Ask at the Interview

• How is the Certificate in Public Health integrated into the dental curriculum, and what do students gain from that experience?
• What kinds of community health center rotations do fourth-year students undertake, and how are those sites selected or organized?
• What opportunities do students have for leadership or additional service projects during the course of the program?

ASDOH’s mission and location put it at the intersection of several important policy issues in oral healthcare. Being aware of these topics can help candidates engage in informed discussions if they come up during interviews. Key policy-relevant themes include:

• Access to care for underserved populations – Arizona faces a significant shortage of dental providers in many areas, with 177 designated dental Health Professional Shortage Areas in the state beckersdental.com. ASDOH addresses this issue through its admissions and training focus: the school recruits students interested in serving the underserved and trains them in community clinics. As a result, roughly 22% of ASDOH graduates choose to work in community or public health dental settings, more than double the national average (10%) adea.org.
• Mid-level dental providers (Dental Therapists) – To expand oral healthcare access, Arizona passed legislation in 2018 recognizing licensed dental therapists as a new provider type. Dental therapists are mid-level practitioners allowed to perform certain procedures in underserved settings under supervision atsu.edu. This policy move is part of a broader trend to alleviate provider shortages, and ASDOH’s emphasis on public health means students should be aware of collaborative team models that might include dental hygienists and therapists in community practice.
• Teledentistry and innovation – Arizona has been a leader in promoting teledentistry, with a 2015 law enabling dental services to be provided remotely atsu.edu. ASDOH has embraced teledentistry in its outreach programs to reach rural and special-needs populations, reflecting a policy push for using technology to overcome barriers to care. Understanding the rise of teledentistry and its regulatory framework (e.g. what is allowed via remote consultations) is relevant, especially given the school’s involvement in such initiatives.
• Diversity in the dental workforce – There is a nationwide effort to increase the diversity of healthcare providers in order to improve health equity. ASDOH contributes to this by supporting pipeline programs (for example, hosting a youth mentorship summit for underrepresented students) diversityindentistry.org. The idea is that a more diverse dental workforce can better serve a diverse population diversityindentistry.org. Awareness of issues like underrepresentation of minority groups in dentistry and cultural competency in care can inform discussions around the school’s values and approach.

By familiarizing yourself with these policy issues – from local access-to-care challenges to broader national trends – you can demonstrate a informed perspective on the context in which dentistry is practiced. ASDOH’s interview may not explicitly quiz you on policy, but showing understanding of the challenges and innovations in oral health can underscore your sincere interest in the field and the school’s social mission.

Beyond strong academics and DAT scores, ASDOH looks for well-rounded applicants who embody the school’s humanitarian and leadership ethos. The admissions process is holistic, evaluating characteristics and experiences that align with the school’s mission. Some key non-academic factors that ASDOH values include:

• Demonstrated community service and volunteerism (a history of altruistic service to others is strongly preferred) atsu.edu
• Significant exposure to dentistry (e.g. shadowing or assisting a dentist, as evidenced by the required recommendation letter from a dentist) atsu.edu
• Strong teamwork and communication skills (the ability to collaborate effectively, as assessed through group scenario exercises and MMI interactions) atsu.edu
• Cultural competence and a desire to work with diverse populations (commitment to inclusion and understanding different backgrounds, reflecting the school’s value of diversity) atsu.edu
• Leadership potential and integrity (taking initiative in organizations or projects and demonstrating honesty and ethical behavior, consistent with ASDOH’s mission to graduate community leaders) adea.org

Interviewers will likely explore these areas through their questions. For instance, you might be asked to discuss your volunteer experiences or to elaborate on times you demonstrated leadership or teamwork. Being ready with examples from your own life that illustrate these qualities will help convey that you fit well with ASDOH’s student profile.

ASDOH’s program is guided by established competency frameworks that ensure graduates are prepared for all aspects of general dentistry. Like all accredited dental schools, ASDOH adheres to the standards of the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), which outline competencies in domains such as patient care, biomedical knowledge, professionalism, communication, and practice management. The curriculum is regularly reviewed and aligned with these core competencies and the school’s strategic goals atsu.edu. In fact, ASDOH undertook a major curriculum reorganization to enhance competency-based learning: the content is now structured around four central domains that span the entire four years atsu.edu:

• Fundamentals of Patient Management
• Clinical Dentistry
• Community Dentistry
• Practice Management and Professional Development

Each domain above corresponds to a crucial skill set or knowledge area for a dentist. For example, _Community Dentistry_ reflects the school’s focus on public health and treating diverse populations, while _Practice Management and Professional Development_ covers business acumen, ethics, and lifelong learning skills needed for modern dental practice. This competency-driven education model means that ASDOH is not only teaching students to excel in their coursework and board exams (with INBDE pass rates near 100% atsu.edu), but also cultivating the professional attributes and real-world skills that dentists need. In an interview context, being aware of ASDOH’s educational philosophy can be helpful – it shows that you appreciate how the school trains its students to be well-rounded, competent clinicians who are also community-minded. You may consider referencing aspects of this framework (for instance, an interest in the community dentistry component) when discussing why ASDOH’s program appeals to you.

While specific interview questions at ASDOH are confidential (many are scenario-based and applicants are often asked not to share details), there are clear themes in the topics covered. Past interviewees report that they were asked about their personal attributes and experiences, motivations for dentistry, ethical dilemmas related to healthcare, and their involvement in community service studentdoctor.net. Questions about how one handles stress or challenging situations have also been mentioned, reflecting an interest in the applicant’s resilience and self-care. The MMI stations in particular tend to present ethical scenarios or interpersonal situations that require on-the-spot reasoning and empathy studentdoctor.net.

Interviewees have also encountered some creative or unexpected questions. For example, some applicants mentioned being asked which historical figure they would like to have a conversation with, which invites a discussion of personal values or sources of inspiration. In one case, an interviewer simply asked, “What time is it?” – a curveball meant to observe the candidate’s reaction and composure studentdoctor.net. These anecdotes illustrate that beyond standard questions like “Why do you want to attend ASDOH?” or “Tell us about yourself,” the school’s interview may include prompts that assess your ability to think on your feet. The overarching themes suggest that ASDOH is evaluating not just what you know, but who you are: your ethical framework, your commitment to service, how you cope with pressure, and whether you are a good fit for their community-focused culture. With this in mind, it’s beneficial to reflect on your own experiences and values so you can discuss them sincerely and confidently if these subjects arise.

Staying aware of the application timeline is an important part of preparation, as missing requirements can derail even the strongest candidate before the interview stage. ASDOH follows the standard ADEA AADSAS application cycle and uses rolling admissions. For the 2025-2026 cycle, the key dates and deadlines to note are:

• Submit ADEA AADSAS primary application by November 15, 2025 (this is the final submission deadline for the application to be considered) atsu.edu
• Take the DAT no later than December 1, 2025 (ASDOH will not accept DAT scores from tests taken after this date) atsu.edu
• Complete the ASDOH secondary application by December 15, 2025 (all supplemental materials must be submitted by this date) atsu.edu
• First round of acceptance offers are released starting December 15, 2025 (this is the earliest date dental schools, including ASDOH, notify applicants of acceptance) atsu.edu

The AADSAS application typically opens in late May and can be submitted in early June, so many applicants will apply well before the November 15 deadline. Because ASDOH uses rolling admissions (issuing acceptances from mid-December onward), it’s advantageous to apply early in the cycle to secure an interview slot. Interview invitations are generally sent out in the summer and fall months, and interviews may continue into late fall or early winter until the class is filled. If you are invited to interview, make sure to plan travel or virtual arrangements promptly and be prepared to meet the provided response deadlines for any offer or waitlist status.

In summary, A.T. Still University’s Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health distinguishes itself with a mission-centered approach that permeates its admissions process, curriculum, and question themes. Successful interview preparation for ASDOH involves understanding the school’s format (a combination of panel questions, MMIs, and group exercises) and reflecting on how your own values and experiences align with ASDOH’s community-oriented values. By familiarizing yourself with the program’s unique features — such as the public health certificate and extensive community rotations — and staying informed about relevant issues in dentistry, you will be well-equipped to engage thoughtfully during your interview. Finally, being mindful of the application timeline and meeting all deadlines will ensure that your hard work culminates in the best possible chance of joining ASDOH’s next class. Good luck with your interview journey!