McGill Dentistry Interview Prep Guide (2025-2026)

McGill’s Faculty of Dentistry offers a highly competitive Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) program, emphasizing both academic excellence and humanistic qualities in its applicants mcgill.ca. The program’s mission underlines transformative education, community service, and innovation in oral health care mcgill.ca, and its core values include social responsibility, integrity, compassion, and a commitment to equity and diversity mcgill.ca. Students in the DMD program follow an integrated curriculum (shared with McGill’s medical faculty for the first 16 months) and gain extensive clinical experience through state-of-the-art teaching clinics and community outreach initiatives mcgill.ca. In the admissions process, non-academic factors like interpersonal skills and ethical judgment are weighed alongside GPA mcgill.ca, reflecting the school’s goal of training well-rounded, competent dental professionals. This guide provides a detailed look at McGill’s interview format, the faculty’s mission and program highlights, relevant policy issues in dentistry, selection criteria, competency expectations, common interview question themes, and key application timelines for the 2025-2026 cycle.

McGill Dentistry uses a Multiple Mini-Interview (MMI) format, conducted virtually in an asynchronous manner mcgill.ca. Invited applicants complete a series of timed interview stations on a designated day, recording their responses to prompts that may be task-oriented, scenario-based, or discussion-oriented mcgill.ca. Because the MMI stations focus on responding to structured scenarios rather than discussing the applicant’s file, the process is essentially closed-file – interviewers (or raters) assess what you say in each station without reference to your academic data or résumé. The style is more structured than a traditional conversational interview: candidates must articulate their thoughts clearly into a recording, without an interviewer present to provide feedback or clarification in the moment mcgill.ca. All applicants must adhere to a confidentiality agreement (non-disclosure), so while specifics of stations can’t be shared studentdoctor.net, you can expect the interview content to probe attributes like communication, ethical reasoning, and problem-solving in line with the MMI’s design.

Each MMI session is relatively short – under one hour total – and must be completed in one continuous sitting mcgill.ca. In this asynchronous format, you will log in during a scheduled window and record your answers; once time for a station is up, you move on to the next prompt until all stations are finished mcgill.ca. McGill implemented the virtual MMI to allow more flexibility for candidates (you can complete the interview at any point during the given time window that day) while maintaining a standardized assessment. After the interviews, performance on the MMI becomes the most significant factor in final admissions decisions, although academic record and non-academic scores (CV and CASPer) still contribute to the overall ranking mcgill.ca. Post-interview, the odds of acceptance are competitive: for example, in the 2025 cycle only about 28% of Quebec-resident interviewees and ~12% of out-of-province interviewees were admitted (international applicants had ~29% post-interview admission) mcgill.ca. This means that even after securing an interview, you’ll want to perform at your best, as only a fraction of interviewees ultimately receive offers.

McGill’s Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences is guided by a clear mission and set of values that shape its program and admissions philosophy. The Faculty’s mission is to “advance transformative education, science-based intervention and lifelong learning” through high-caliber research and exceptional clinical training mcgill.ca. In practice, this means the school prioritizes innovation in teaching and a strong integration of scientific evidence into dental practice. There is also a pronounced emphasis on service: McGill’s dental programs foster access to care and community engagement, aligning with a vision of conscientious care for life and health for all. The Faculty’s core values include equity, diversity and inclusion, compassion, integrity, transparency, social responsibility, professionalism, and academic excellence mcgill.ca. These values are not just words on a website – they permeate the program. For instance, the focus on social responsibility and compassion is reflected in the curriculum’s community outreach components, and professionalism and integrity are qualities likely sought in interviews. Understanding the school’s mission and values can help you appreciate what McGill is looking for in future dentists: individuals who will not only be skilled clinicians and researchers, but also caring, ethical professionals committed to improving oral health in their communities.

McGill’s four-year DMD program is renowned for its innovative, continuously evolving curriculum mcgill.ca. A distinctive feature is the early integration with medical education: during the first 16 months, dental students learn the fundamentals of medicine and dentistry alongside medical students in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences mcgill.ca. This interdisciplinary approach provides a strong biomedical foundation and highlights the relationship between oral health and general health. After this phase, students undergo seven months of intensive pre-clinical training, honing their technical skills in simulation labs before entering clinical rotations mcgill.ca. The final two years are dedicated to clinical experience in McGill’s modern Undergraduate Teaching Clinic and through rotations in various specialized settings. Students treat patients and rotate through departments like Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the Montreal General Hospital and Pediatric Dentistry at the Montreal Children’s Hospital, among others mcgill.ca. Notably, the program includes unique community-based rotations such as the Jim Lund Dental Clinic at Welcome Hall Mission (providing care to underserved populations) and exposure to pain management at the Alan Edwards Centre mcgill.ca. This structure ensures that by graduation, McGill students have broad clinical exposure – from cutting-edge hospital procedures to grassroots community care – and are prepared to handle a wide range of oral health issues.

Beyond its core curriculum, McGill’s Faculty of Dentistry prides itself on a strong research and social mandate. In fact, the faculty is recognized as Canada’s leading research dental school, with robust research clusters in fields like pain neurosciences, biomaterials and tissue engineering, and population oral health mcgill.ca. Students are encouraged to engage in research projects and scholarly activity, reflecting the school’s emphasis on scientific inquiry and evidence-based practice. At the same time, McGill places heavy importance on community service: its Service to the Community Program and outreach clinics have earned national accolades for providing free dental care to Montreal’s most vulnerable citizens reporter.mcgill.ca. This dual focus – excel in research and serve the community – is a defining aspect of McGill’s program identity. For a student, this means opportunities to participate in research breakthroughs and to make a tangible difference through volunteering and clinical rotations in underserved areas. McGill also exposes students to global perspectives; there are initiatives and elective outreach projects that allow dental students to gain experience in international or remote settings, cultivating culturally sensitive practitioners in line with societal needs.

These distinctive program features not only enrich your education but can also inspire thoughtful questions to ask during your interview. Demonstrating knowledge of McGill’s program shows your genuine interest. For example, you might ask about the extent of hands-on experience you would get in community clinics like the Jim Lund Clinic, or inquire about opportunities to conduct research as a dental student. You could also mention the integrated curriculum—perhaps asking how learning alongside medical students impacts dental training. By asking informed questions about McGill’s unique offerings, you underscore that you’ve done your homework and are enthusiastic about what this program has to offer.

• National Dental Care Plan (Canada): A major current development is the Canadian government’s initiative to expand public dental care coverage. The federal Canadian Dental Care Plan is being rolled out to help the roughly one-third of people in Canada who lack dental insurance and often avoid treatment due to cost canada.ca. This new policy, budgeted in the billions, aims to make dental care more affordable – a timely topic that connects oral health with broader health care policy.
• Access to Care & Quebec Context: In Quebec, the provincial health insurance (RAMQ) covers basic dental services for children under age 10 oralhealthroundtable.ca, but beyond that limited group, dental care is not covered by universal health care (similar to most of Canada). Many adults, especially low-income or vulnerable groups, struggle to afford dental treatment. McGill’s dental faculty has recognized this gap – for instance, its Jim Lund Clinic provides free care to uninsured Montrealers (like the homeless and new immigrants) as part of the school’s community service program reporter.mcgill.ca. This speaks to a larger policy question about how to ensure access to oral health care for all, a topic that could surface in interviews (e.g. discussing the role of dentists in advocating for public dental programs or addressing disparities in care).
• Language Policy in Quebec: Quebec’s language laws have an impact on health professions, including dentistry. Recently, the provincial government enacted rules (often associated with Bill 96) requiring new professionals to demonstrate French proficiency. In compliance with this, McGill’s dental admissions now mandate proof of at least B2-level (intermediate) French for incoming students starting with the 2025-2026 cycle mcgill.ca. The idea is that dentists who will train and practice in Quebec need to communicate with patients in French. Candidates applying to McGill – an English-language university in a French-speaking province – should be aware of this policy context. It underscores the importance of bilingualism in the region’s healthcare landscape, and applicants might be asked about communication or serving patients in a bilingual environment.
• Oral Health and Overall Health: There is growing recognition in Canada that oral health is integral to general health, which is influencing policy conversations. Poor oral health has been linked to systemic issues like diabetes, heart disease, and more canada.ca, reinforcing arguments that dental care should be part of primary health care. The new national dental plan is one outcome of this thinking. Interviewers may not expect deep policy knowledge, but being aware of how oral health fits into big-picture healthcare trends can be useful. For example, topics like the impact of dental disease on communities, or initiatives to include preventive dental care in public health, could come up in discussion.

Like many dental schools, McGill takes a holistic approach to admissions – strong grades are necessary but not sufficient. The selection process explicitly factors in non-academic criteria to identify well-rounded candidates. In fact, McGill assigns 30% of the pre-interview evaluation to non-academic factors: 20% to the CASPer test and 10% to the curriculum vitae (CV), alongside 70% for academic performance mcgill.ca. (Notably, the Dental Aptitude Test (DAT) is no longer required or used at McGill mcgill.ca, reflecting a shift toward these other measures of applicant suitability.) The CASPer test is a situational judgment exam that assesses interpersonal skills, ethics, empathy, and other non-cognitive qualities important for success in the program mcgill.ca. Meanwhile, the CV allows applicants to showcase their experiences beyond academics – for example, leadership roles, volunteer service, research projects, work experience, and any exposure to dentistry or healthcare. McGill is looking for evidence of attributes like teamwork, communication, community engagement, and resilience in the face of challenges. An applicant who has demonstrated commitment (say, through long-term volunteering or significant achievements in a non-academic pursuit) and who can reflect on those experiences will stand out. These non-academic factors also tend to be probed during the interview, where you may be asked about your experiences and ethical outlook, so they form a critical part of your overall application profile.

The DMD program at McGill is designed around competencies that graduates must attain to be effective dentists. As an accredited program, its goal is to produce “competent general dentists” who can meet the standards of the profession and successfully pass national licensing exams mcgill.ca. McGill articulates five essential skill and ability domains that its students must develop and demonstrate. These include: - Observation and visual acuity – the ability to accurately observe patients and procedures (for example, to diagnose conditions or perform precise surgical techniques); - Communication skills – the ability to communicate effectively with patients and colleagues. (McGill being in Quebec means English proficiency is required and basic French is expected mcgill.ca for patient interaction); - Sensory and motor skills (Coordination and Dexterity) – excellent manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination to perform dental procedures is critical mcgill.ca; - Intellectual reasoning – strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills to apply scientific knowledge to patient care mcgill.ca; - Professional and social behavior – the capacity to behave ethically, responsibly, and with compassion towards patients (essentially, professionalism and interpersonal skills). These competencies form a framework that guides both the curriculum and the evaluation of students. While learning these skills is a process throughout the four years, the admissions and interview process will indirectly screen for some of them. For instance, communication and social skills are evaluated via CASPer and MMI, and your ability to handle tasks requiring quick reasoning or ethical judgment in the interview stations reflects intellectual and professional qualities. Being aware of this competency framework can help you understand what the program expects of its students. It’s not about arriving with all these skills perfected, but showing you have the aptitude to develop them – that you have steady hands, a sharp and inquisitive mind, a caring demeanor, and the ability to listen and communicate – which are all traits of a successful dentist.

• Motivation for Dentistry and Why McGill: A very common theme is your motivation – Why do you want to be a dentist? And Why specifically McGill? Be prepared to articulate what drives you toward dentistry and what appeals to you about McGill’s program studentdoctor.net.
• Personal Experiences and Challenges: Interviewers often ask about your background and experiences. You might be asked to discuss your volunteer work, extracurricular activities, research involvement, or a significant life experience. Questions like “Tell me about your volunteer experience” or “How have you dealt with a stressful situation?” are meant to gauge your interpersonal skills and resilience studentdoctor.net. Think of key experiences that highlight qualities like leadership, teamwork, empathy, or perseverance.
• Ethical Scenarios: Ethical dilemmas or scenario-based questions frequently come up, especially in an MMI setting. For example, you might be given a hypothetical situation involving a professional or moral conflict in a dental context and asked what you would do. Past candidates have reported scenarios such as dealing with an impaired colleague or handling an uncomfortable patient situation studentdoctor.net. These questions test your integrity, judgment, and ability to think on your feet while upholding professional ethics.
• Manual Dexterity and Hands-on Skills: Dentistry is a hands-on profession, so don’t be surprised by questions about your manual dexterity or fine motor skills. Interviewers might ask if you have hobbies or experiences that require steady, precise hand coordination (e.g. playing a musical instrument, painting, crafts, suturing in a lab) to ensure you’re comfortable working with your hands blackstonetutors.com. They want to see that you understand the physical demands of dentistry and have the aptitude to meet them.

1. Mid-October 2025: CASPer test must be completed by this time for McGill’s cycle (for example, the last available CASPer date for McGill applicants is typically mid-October, such as October 16, 2025 for the English test) mcgill.ca.
2. November 1, 2025: Application deadline for the 4-year DMD program (for all applicant categories). All components – including transcripts, CV, proof of residency/status, and French proficiency documentation – need to be submitted by this date mcgill.ca.
3. Late January 2026: Interview invitations are sent out via email to selected applicants. (In recent cycles, McGill Dentistry notified applicants of interview offers or refusals around the end of January forums.premed101.com.) If invited, you’ll typically have a short window to RSVP and confirm your attendance.
4. February/March 2026: Interviews conducted. The Multiple Mini Interviews will take place during this period. McGill usually holds its DMD interview in one designated time window – in an asynchronous online format – likely in February or early March. Invited candidates will be given a specific date and a several-hour time range (e.g. one day where you can start your interview anytime between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm Eastern Time) to complete the recorded MMI stations mcgill.ca.
5. May 2026: Admission offers are released to successful candidates (offers for the incoming Class of 2026). If you are placed on a waitlist, you might receive an offer a bit later as spots open up. Admitted students must respond by the deadline stated in the offer (and typically submit a deposit), after which the focus shifts to preparing for enrollment in August 2026.

Preparing for the McGill Dentistry interview means understanding the program and the principles that drive it. By familiarizing yourself with McGill’s mission of community service and excellence, the unique structure of its DMD curriculum, and the current issues facing dentistry in Quebec and Canada, you’ll be well-equipped to discuss why you’re a great fit for the school. Remember that the admissions process values not just academic achievements but also who you are as a person – your communication skills, ethical compass, and dedication to serving others. Approach the interview as an opportunity to demonstrate those qualities. In the end, thorough preparation and genuine reflection on your motivations will help you convey your readiness to join McGill’s dynamic Faculty of Dentistry, setting you on the path to a successful career in oral health.