UdeM Dentistry Interview Prep Guide (2025-2026)

Université de Montréal’s dental program does not use a traditional interview for every applicant – instead, interviews are reserved for select cases. The faculty explicitly “se réserve le droit de convoquer certains candidats à une entrevue en français en personne si jugé nécessaire” (reserves the right to call certain candidates for an in-person French interview if deemed necessary) admission.umontreal.ca. In practice, most candidates (especially Quebec collegial and standard university applicants) are admitted based on academic record and CASPer results without any interview admission.umontreal.ca. Those invited to interview tend to fall into specific categories: for example, internationally trained dentists applying for advanced standing, or occasionally an applicant flagged for further assessment via their CASPer performance. The interview format is in-person and conducted in French, and in advanced-standing cases it is an open-file style (candidates must submit a one-page CV for interviewers to review) admission.umontreal.ca. There may also be a practical skills exam for advanced-standing applicants. Notably, the interview (and practical test, if applicable) carries significant weight – about 50% of the final selection score for those candidates admission.umontreal.ca. Because only top or specific applicants reach the interview stage, the post-interview acceptance rate is relatively high; in other words, if you perform well in the interview, you stand a strong chance of admission.

The Faculty of Dentistry at UdeM is guided by a mission to educate well-rounded oral health professionals who are not only technically competent but also embody key personal and professional values. The program’s objectives emphasize developing strong dental knowledge and technical skills alongside personal qualities, leadership/initiative ("esprit d'entreprise"), and professionalism ("savoir-être"), all within a framework that values interdisciplinarity, international exposure, and cultural diversity medecinedentaire.umontreal.ca. This reflects a school culture that prizes compassion, adaptability, and open-mindedness in future dentists. The faculty also demonstrates a commitment to social responsibility through community engagement – for example, it partners with outreach clinics and programs to serve vulnerable populations in Montreal and beyond admission.umontreal.ca. These mission-driven values suggest that UdeM seeks students who align with its ethos of excellence and service. An applicant who understands and resonates with principles like cultural diversity, community service, and ethical practice will naturally fit the profile of a UdeM dental student.

UdeM’s Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) is a first-cycle doctoral program (a professional dental degree) comprising about 219 credits of full-time study admission.umontreal.ca. The program is one of the largest in Canada in terms of student enrollment, and it is recognized for the quality of its clinical training and research opportunities admission.umontreal.ca. Students benefit from early hands-on experience: as soon as first year, they work in simulation labs on dental mannequins and gradually begin treating real patients of all ages at the Faculty’s dental clinic medecinedentaire.umontreal.ca. The curriculum covers all key areas of dentistry (diagnostic sciences, preventive care, restorative and surgical treatments, etc.), and it spans four to five years depending on the entrant’s prior education. Uniquely, UdeM offers a combined DMD/Master’s in dental sciences option that allows interested students to integrate research training into their dental degree and graduate with a dual degree in about five years admission.umontreal.ca medecinedentaire.umontreal.ca. All instruction and patient care are conducted in French, and graduates are fully prepared to pass the National Dental Examining Board of Canada exams to obtain licensure (a requirement to practice in Quebec) admission.umontreal.ca. In short, the program’s key features include a strong scientific foundation, extensive clinical exposure, opportunities in research, and a French-language learning environment.

Candidates might also prepare a few thoughtful questions for the interviewers about the program’s features. For example:

• “What opportunities are there for students to engage in research or pursue the combined DMD–Master’s track during the program?”
• “I see that UdeM’s program emphasizes community clinics for vulnerable populations – could you tell me more about the outreach opportunities available to students?”
• “Being the largest dental faculty in Canada, how does that size and scope benefit student learning and clinical experience?”
• “At UdeM, students start clinical training very early. How does the curriculum integrate early hands-on experience with foundational coursework?”

Interviewers (especially in an MMI or scenario context) may expect candidates to be aware of current issues in oral health policy and healthcare, particularly those affecting Quebec and Canada. Some policy topics relevant to UdeM’s environment include:

• Access to Dental Care – Canada's government is expanding dental coverage through the new Canadian Dental Care Plan canada.ca. This federal initiative (announced in 2025) aims to improve affordability of dental services for millions of Canadians. In Quebec, basic dental care for children under 10 and certain low-income or welfare recipients is already publicly covered canada.ca, but adult dental care remains largely privately financed, raising debates about universal dental care.
• Community Water Fluoridation – The public health debate around fluoridating drinking water is prominent. Montreal, for instance, historically did not fluoridate most of its water, and in 2024 the city decided to end the limited fluoridation in the few areas that had it montreal.citynews.ca. As a result, almost no municipalities in Quebec add fluoride to their water supply. This sparks discussion on alternative cavity prevention measures and the balance between public health benefit and individual choice.
• Language and Healthcare – In Quebec, French language proficiency is essential for healthcare providers. Dentists are expected to communicate with patients in French, and UdeM accordingly requires applicants to demonstrate a strong command of French prior to admission francais.umontreal.ca. This reflects provincial policy (e.g., Bill 101 and professional licensing rules) aiming to ensure practitioners can serve the francophone population. Candidates should be mindful of how language and cultural context play into delivering dental care.

Beyond academic metrics, UdeM’s selection process does evaluate certain non-academic qualities. The inclusion of the CASPer exam (a situational judgment test) as 20% of the admissions formula admission.umontreal.ca signals that qualities like ethics, empathy, problem-solving, and communication are important. In fact, the Faculty explicitly mentions fostering qualités personnelles, leadership, and professionalism in its graduates medecinedentaire.umontreal.ca, indicating that attributes such as teamwork, integrity, and interpersonal skills are valued. There is no formal autobiographical sketch or manual dexterity test in the standard application, but applicants must pass the Dental Aptitude Test’s perceptual ability section (TAED) at a basic threshold admission.umontreal.ca. Experiences in community service or leadership, while not assigned a score, will inherently align with UdeM’s mission (the program’s emphasis on community and diversity suggests they appreciate socially engaged students) admission.umontreal.ca. In summary, UdeM looks for well-rounded candidates: academically excellent, yes, but also demonstrated to be professional, compassionate, and capable of the “soft skills” required of a dentist.

The D.M.D. curriculum is built around a competency-based education framework to ensure graduates meet all professional standards. UdeM’s program aligns with national competencies defined by the dental education community – for example, the Association of Canadian Faculties of Dentistry (ACFD) provides an educational framework outlining the skills and competencies new dentists must acquire oasisdiscussions.ca. This means students are trained not only in the technical and scientific aspects of dentistry but also in roles akin to the CanMEDS competencies used in medicine (e.g. communicator, collaborator, health advocate, manager/leader, and professional roles, in addition to being clinical experts). By the end of the program, students are expected to be proficient across all these domains – from clinical proficiency in various dental procedures to ethical practice management and effective patient communication. Awareness of this comprehensive competency framework can help candidates appreciate why the school values certain attributes; for instance, the focus on communication skills and ethics in the admissions process corresponds to these competencies being crucial for a practicing dentist.

Because UdeM historically did not interview all candidates, documented examples of interview questions are limited to special cases (such as the written scenario-based exam formerly used or the interviews for advanced-standing applicants). However, the themes observed in those contexts are similar to other dental school interviews. Past candidates noted that they were asked to reflect on personal traits – for example, discussing one’s strengths and weaknesses forums.premed101.com. Many questions are situational or ethical in nature, presenting a scenario to test the applicant’s judgment, empathy, and professionalism (much like CASPer scenarios). Common themes include professionalism dilemmas (e.g. witnessing misconduct or handling an error), communication challenges (such as dealing with a difficult patient or colleague), and questions probing integrity and ethics. Additionally, interviewers often explore the candidate’s motivation for dentistry and understanding of the profession (“Why do you want to be a dentist?” or “What do you foresee as challenges in dentistry?”). Behavioral questions that draw on one’s past experiences – like describing a time you showed leadership or teamwork – can also arise since UdeM values leadership and social skills. These recurring themes indicate that if you are invited to an interview, you should be prepared to discuss your personal qualities, ethical reasoning, and dedication to the field (rather than reciting technical knowledge).

The application cycle for Fall 2026 entry has several key dates. It’s important to keep track of these deadlines to ensure your application and supporting materials (including test scores) are submitted on time. Here is an overview of the 2025–2026 timeline:

• August–September 2025: Application period opens. Prospective students begin submitting their applications for the D.M.D. program (via the UdeM online admissions portal).
• Early November 2025: Application deadline for most applicants. For candidates who have attended university or are from outside Quebec, the deadline to apply is typically around the beginning of November. (In recent cycles, the CASPer exam for these applicants had to be taken by November 6, 2025 admission.umontreal.ca, implying the application submission was due by that time.)
• 15 November 2025: Deadline to satisfy the French language requirement. By this date, applicants who were not educated in French must provide proof of French proficiency (for example, TEF or TCF test results meeting the required level) francais.umontreal.ca. Failing to demonstrate French skills by this deadline disqualifies the application.
• January 2026: Application deadline for Quebec CEGEP students. Applicants coming directly from a CEGEP (collégial) program usually have a slightly later deadline (often in January) since their fall academic results are needed. Correspondingly, CASPer for CEGEP applicants can be taken as late as early March 2026 admission.umontreal.ca, later than for other candidates.
• March–April 2026: Interview phase (if applicable). During this period, the Faculty may conduct in-person interviews for select candidates. This includes interviews for internationally trained dentists seeking advanced standing, and any other applicants who have been invited for further assessment. (Note: the majority of incoming students will not require an interview, as admissions offers are made primarily on academic and CASPer scores.) Candidates required to take a manual dexterity or practical test (for advanced standing) would also do so around this time.
• May 2026: Admission offers released. Final admissions decisions are typically made by May. Offers of admission (and waitlist notifications) are sent out once all evaluations are complete and the committee has ranked candidates. Successful applicants usually must respond to their offer and confirm acceptance by a specified date in June.
• August 2026: Start of the program. The Doctorate of Dental Medicine program for the 2025–2026 intake begins in late August 2026, which is the start of the fall semester admission.umontreal.ca. Newly admitted students will undergo orientation and then commence classes and clinic/lab sessions as first-year dental students.

In summary, thorough preparation for the UdeM Faculty of Dentistry involves understanding both the program’s distinctive attributes and the expectations of its admissions process. By familiarizing yourself with the interview format (notably that interviews are used sparingly), the school’s mission and values, the structure and strengths of the D.M.D. program, and the broader healthcare context in Quebec/Canada, you can better frame your application and interview responses. Remember that UdeM values academic excellence and well-rounded qualities – demonstrating alignment with the faculty’s values and awareness of key dental issues will show that you’re not only a strong candidate, but one who genuinely fits the program’s ethos. Good luck with your interview and application process!