Laval Dentistry Interview Prep Guide (2025-2026)

The Université Laval Faculty of Dentistry offers a four-year Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) program in French, focused on training competent general dentists. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of what to expect for the 2025-2026 admissions interview process. It covers the interview format (a structured multi-station process), the school’s mission and core values, key facts about the DMD program, relevant healthcare policy topics in Quebec and Canada, the non-academic qualities and competencies Laval emphasizes, common themes from past interview questions, and the important timelines and deadlines for the upcoming application cycle. Together, these sections will help applicants understand the context of the interview and align their preparation with the Faculty’s expectations and values.

Université Laval’s dentistry interviews are typically conducted in a structured format similar to the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI). This means applicants rotate through several short stations, each presenting a scenario or set of questions to assess specific qualities mymedcoach.ca. The format is designed to be closed-file – interviewers do not have access to the candidate’s academic file – ensuring that each station focuses on responses to the prompt rather than past grades or experiences. In recent years, the interviews have been held virtually or in-person depending on circumstances, but they remain structured and standardized. Laval calls these “entrevues structurées,” and they carry significant weight (about 20% of the selection formula) in the final admissions decision ulaval.ca. The interview performance, combined with the Casper situational judgment test (another 20%) and academics (60%), determines the ranking for offers ulaval.ca.

With 48 seats available in the entering class, the admissions process is highly competitive ulaval.ca. The faculty typically invites roughly two to three candidates per seat to interview, meaning around 100–150 interviewees for those 48 spots. This yields an estimated post-interview acceptance rate on the order of 30–50%, depending on the year. For example, in one recent cycle about 114 candidates were interviewed for the general applicant pool forums.premed101.com. Once interviews are complete, candidates are ranked and offers are extended primarily to Quebec residents (the program is almost exclusively for Quebec applicants, with rare exceptions). Understanding the interview format and its importance can help applicants focus on demonstrating the qualities Laval is looking for during each station.

Université Laval’s mission and values set the tone for its Faculty of Dentistry. The university as a whole emphasizes educating engaged, creative professionals who will positively impact society, with excellence in education and research at its core ulaval.ca. It prides itself on being a French-language institution with a strong international outlook, grounded in sustainable development and social responsibility ulaval.ca. The listed institutional values include responsibility, respect, courage, integrity, inclusion, and solidarity ulaval.ca.

Within the Faculty of Dentistry, this mission translates into a commitment to excellence, innovation, and collaboration fmd.ulaval.ca fmd.ulaval.ca. The Faculty’s mandate is to train competent oral health professionals and to contribute to community and global oral health through knowledge advancement fmd.ulaval.ca. In practice, this means the school values high-quality patient care, community service, and teamwork. Interview questions may not explicitly ask about the mission, but applicants should be mindful of these values. Demonstrating understanding of (and alignment with) Laval’s focus on collaboration, ethical practice, and serving the community can leave a positive impression. For instance, answers that reflect integrity or a commitment to helping underserved populations resonate with the school’s ethos.

The DMD program at Université Laval is a four-year undergraduate doctorate in dentistry comprising 219 credits ulaval.ca. It is one of the two French-language dental programs in Quebec (alongside Université de Montréal) and is delivered entirely in French. Uniquely, Quebec’s education system allows students to enter the program directly from a science-focused college diploma (DEC) without a prior university degree, although university-level applicants may also apply ulaval.ca ulaval.ca. Each entering cohort has 48 students, and admissions are restricted to Canadian citizens or permanent residents who are also residents of Québec (no regular seats are open to international students) ulaval.ca. In fact, the faculty notes that applications from outside Québec are very unlikely to be accepted given the number of qualified Quebec candidates ulaval.ca. Two additional seats outside the normal quota are reserved specifically for francophone residents of New Brunswick ulaval.ca, and one seat is reserved for an Indigenous (First Nations or Inuit) applicant from Québec who meets minimum academic requirements ulaval.ca. This demonstrates the program’s commitment to regional needs and diversity in the student body.

Academically, applicants must have strong science preparation. Those coming from CEGEP need specific science prerequisites in biology and chemistry (or a DEC in Science) ulaval.ca, and all applicants must take the Canadian Dental Aptitude Test (DAT/TAED). Notably, Laval only considers the Perceptual Ability Test (PAT) portion of the DAT for eligibility – a minimum score of 15/30 on the PAT is required ulaval.ca – while the general science section of the DAT is not factored into the admissions formula ulaval.ca. This emphasis on the PAT reflects the value placed on visuospatial and manual dexterity skills. Applicants are responsible for registering for the DAT (which can be taken in English or French) and ensuring their scores are sent to Laval by the March 1 application deadline ulaval.ca.

The curriculum covers all domains of dentistry, combining theoretical knowledge with extensive practical training. Students are taught prevention, diagnosis, treatment planning, prognosis, and management of oral diseases, and must learn to obtain informed consent and ensure patient satisfaction in line with ethical and legal standards ulaval.ca. Clinical exposure increases over the years, and by the final year students are treating patients under supervision in various settings. There is also an introduction to research and the opportunity to pursue advanced dental specialties after graduation ulaval.ca ulaval.ca. Upon completing the DMD, graduates are eligible to sit for the National Dental Examining Board of Canada licensing exams, leading to practice rights across Canada ulaval.ca.

• Unique Program Features: Laval’s program offers several distinctive opportunities that candidates can mention or ask about in an interview:
• An optional International and Intercultural Dental Internship that allows students to gain clinical experience in diverse settings abroad. Partner locations include France, Senegal, Burkina Faso, and Guatemala ulaval.ca, reflecting the program’s global outlook. This can be a great talking point for applicants interested in global health (e.g., asking how the selection for these placements works).
• Specialized Study Profiles that students can integrate into their degree. For example, the sustainable development profile adds courses and a project related to sustainable practices in dentistry ulaval.ca, the international profile enables spending one or two semesters at a partner university abroad ulaval.ca, and the research profile involves 12 credits of research-focused work to build scientific skills ulaval.ca. These profiles allow personalized enrichment and can be mentioned to show you’ve researched the program (e.g., “I’m particularly interested in the sustainable development profile – could you tell me more about how students are involved in it?”).
• Extensive Clinical Training and Community Service: Students serve real patients at the on-campus dental clinic and on external rotations, providing care to the community. Laval’s emphasis on community oral health (part of its mission) might come up in discussion – demonstrating awareness of the school’s community clinics or outreach could be beneficial.
• A required Instrument Kit purchase: All incoming dental students must obtain a set of dental instruments through the faculty, with an approximate cost of $30,000–$40,000 CAD (spread over the first three years) ulaval.ca. While this is an additional financial consideration, it ensures students have high-quality tools for preclinical training. Applicants could inquire about supports or how the kit is used in training, which shows foresight and practical interest in the program.

By understanding these program details, applicants can better appreciate what life at Laval’s dental school entails. Bringing up such specifics in the interview (when appropriate, such as if invited to ask questions of the interviewer) can demonstrate genuine interest and knowledge of the program. It also helps candidates frame their motivation to attend Laval – for example, an applicant passionate about public health might highlight Laval’s community dentistry opportunities, aligning their interests with the program’s offerings.

Dental school interviews often include discussion of broader healthcare issues. At Université Laval, candidates should be prepared to discuss policies and trends affecting dentistry in Quebec and Canada. Being aware of these topics not only shows your engagement with the field but also allows you to connect your answers to real-world contexts (a trait valued in socially aware professionals). Some relevant policy and current-affairs topics include:

• Access to Dental Care and Insurance: In Canada, a significant portion of the population lacks dental insurance – roughly one-third of people in Canada have no dental coverage, and in 2022 one in four Canadians avoided seeing a dental professional due to cost canada.ca. This has prompted major policy action: the federal government recently announced the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), investing $13 billion over five years to expand dental care access for uninsured Canadians canada.ca. Once fully implemented, this plan will help up to 9 million low- and middle-income Canadians obtain dental care by covering costs for those below certain income thresholds canada.ca. Quebec applicants should understand how this national program might impact dental practice (e.g., more patients being able to seek care) and be ready to discuss their thoughts on improving access to care. An interviewer could ask, for example, about your opinion on public insurance for dental care or how to handle patients who can’t afford treatment.
• Oral Health Disparities in Quebec (Fluoridation and Preventive Care): Quebec historically has very low community water fluoridation rates. Only about 1% of Quebec’s population is served by fluoridated water supplies, compared to roughly 38% of Canadians nationally canada.ca. Many municipalities in Quebec have chosen not to add fluoride, which has been a public health debate. This contributes to higher rates of tooth decay in some communities. A question might broach how to address preventive care in populations that lack measures like fluoridation, or your stance on fluoridating public water. Understanding the balance between respecting public opinion and promoting evidence-based prevention would be useful in forming a nuanced answer.
• Serving Rural and Underserved Communities: A notable regional issue is the shortage of dentists in remote areas of Québec, including northern and Indigenous communities. Laval and other Quebec faculties have policies to encourage rural applicants – for instance, Laval provides a significant academic bonus (an extra 1.0 point on the academic rating) for applicants who completed high school in certain remote regions ulaval.ca. This kind of initiative reflects a policy goal of improving healthcare distribution. Interviewers may explore your awareness of rural healthcare challenges or ask how you plan to serve communities in need. A thoughtful answer could reference the importance of making dental care accessible to all regions and cultural groups, aligning with Laval’s community health mission.
• Public vs. Private Healthcare Dynamics in Dentistry: In Québec (as in most of Canada), dentistry is largely provided through private clinics, and routine dental care is not covered by the provincial medicare system except in limited cases (e.g., children’s dental care up to a certain age, or specific hospital-based procedures). With the new federal dental plan and ongoing discussions about healthcare funding, candidates might be asked about the role of dentists in the public health system. Being able to discuss how dentistry fits into the broader healthcare landscape – for example, preventive dental care’s impact on overall health, or how government programs might change the practice environment – can demonstrate a well-rounded perspective.
• Ethical and Regulatory Topics: Contemporary issues such as the opioid prescription crisis, infection control policies (heightened by COVID-19), and the regulation of novel technologies (like teledentistry or AI in dentistry) could also come up. In Quebec, all practicing dentists must adhere to the Ordre des dentistes du Québec regulations, including a strict code of ethics. An interview station may present a scenario touching on professional ethics (for instance, a case of potential overtreatment or a conflict of interest), so having a sense of ethical standards and current debates (e.g., how to ensure patient well-being in a commercial practice model) would be advantageous.

Staying informed about these topics and considering your stance or approach to them will help you tackle policy-related questions. You don’t need to be an expert on every issue, but showing awareness of major developments – like the national dental care program or challenges in rural oral health – will demonstrate maturity and genuine interest in the field. When discussing policies, try to connect them back to patient care, dentistry’s role in healthcare, and the values of professionalism and social responsibility that Laval upholds.

Like other dental schools, Université Laval looks beyond academics to evaluate the overall suitability of applicants. While academic performance (Cote R or university GPA) is the primary filter, the admissions process intentionally incorporates assessments of personal characteristics and non-academic skills. In Laval’s formula, the CASPer test (a situational judgment test) and the structured interview together account for 40% of the selection criteria ulaval.ca, reflecting the importance of qualities such as ethical reasoning, communication, empathy, and professionalism. The CASPer exam specifically assesses attributes like teamwork, integrity, and problem-solving in difficult situations, which Laval deems crucial for future dentists mymedcoach.ca mymedcoach.ca.

From available information and the program’s stated profile, several non-academic qualities stand out as important:

• Altruism and Service Orientation: The program welcomes those who “love to feel useful, listen, understand and help others,” indicating a strong service ethos ulaval.ca. Applicants with volunteer work or community service experience aren’t explicitly scored on that experience, but they will have opportunities (in essays or interviews) to demonstrate a genuine desire to help people – a key trait for healthcare professionals.
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Laval emphasizes the ability to connect with and educate patients. The description of who the program is for mentions enjoying listening and the ability to explain and “vulgariser” information (i.e., communicate complex info in simple terms) ulaval.ca. Being personable and a good communicator will be assessed during interviews through your demeanor and how you articulate your thoughts. Cooperative teamwork skills are also valuable, as dentistry often involves working with assistants, hygienists, and colleagues.
• Manual Dexterity and Detail Orientation: Dentistry is a hands-on field requiring fine motor skills. Laval’s admissions require the DAT’s manual perception test as a basic criterion, underscoring this point. Additionally, the ideal candidate description highlights enjoying “precision work” and having good manual dexterity ulaval.ca. While you won’t be asked to perform a manual task in the interview (in most cases), you might be asked about hobbies or activities that demonstrate dexterity (such as playing a musical instrument, crafts, etc.), or how you handle tasks requiring close attention to detail.
• Stress Management and Endurance: Dental training and practice can be stressful and physically demanding. The program notes that one should have “endurance physique” (physical stamina) and a good resistance to stress ulaval.ca. The interview may probe how you handle stressful situations or maintain resilience. For example, you might get a behavioral question like “Tell us about a time you were under significant pressure and how you dealt with it.” Laval is likely looking for evidence of healthy coping mechanisms and persistence.
• Leadership and Initiative: Although not explicitly stated in Laval’s criteria, leadership and proactivity are generally valued in healthcare settings. Any experiences leading a team, initiating a project, or taking responsibility can be useful to bring up. In the MMI, this might come out if you’re asked about teamwork or a time you made a difficult decision in a group.
• Ethical Judgment and Professionalism: Maintaining high ethical standards is crucial in dentistry. The inclusion of scenario-based assessments (CASPer and interview stations) is meant to gauge your judgment in dilemmas. Laval expects students to uphold the profession’s deontology (ethics code) and laws, as noted in its program objectives ulaval.ca. You may face questions like how you would react if you saw a classmate doing something dishonest, or how you prioritize patient well-being in a tricky situation. Honesty, integrity, and responsibility are qualities to convey through your responses.

For Laval, demonstrating these non-academic qualities is essential. The interviewers will be scoring not what you know, but who you are – how you think on your feet, how you empathize with others, and whether you have the personal competencies to succeed in the program and as a future dentist. Keep in mind that Laval’s own description of its ideal candidates (passionate about health and science, altruistic, good communicators, autonomous, etc.) is a guide to the traits you should exhibit throughout the selection process ulaval.ca. Ensuring your application and interview answers reflect these qualities will help show that you’re a strong fit beyond your academics.

Dental education in Canada is guided by competency frameworks that outline the skills and behaviors a graduating dentist should possess. Université Laval’s curriculum is aligned with the Association of Canadian Faculties of Dentistry (ACFD) Competency Framework, which has been adopted by all 10 Canadian dental schools pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. This framework defines broad domains of competence (the ACFD identifies five global competency areas) covering the full spectrum of a dentist’s roles. These likely include competencies in areas such as clinical expertise, communication, professionalism, practice management, health promotion, and collaboration, although Laval and other schools often integrate them without always naming them explicitly.

Laval’s program objectives give insight into these competencies. By graduation, students must be capable of comprehensive patient care: from prevention and diagnosis to treatment planning, therapy, and follow-up, all delivered in an ethical and patient-centered manner ulaval.ca. They must understand and apply the principles of obtaining informed consent and ensuring patient satisfaction, reflecting strong communication and ethical practice ulaval.ca. The program also stresses developing interpersonal skills, autonomy, and professionalism during training ulaval.ca. In practice, this means that a Laval-trained dentist should not only be technically skilled but also able to communicate effectively with patients, work well in teams, adhere to high ethical standards, and keep learning throughout their career (curiosity and lifelong learning are implied expectations ulaval.ca).

In the context of interview prep, understanding these competency frameworks can be useful. Interview stations often map to certain competencies – for example, one station might be designed to test your communication skills (such as explaining a common dental procedure in lay terms), another might test ethical reasoning (responding to a scenario with a moral dilemma), and another might look at critical thinking or problem-solving. Laval’s structured interview will be assessing whether you have the holistic qualities of a competent dental professional, not just textbook knowledge. Therefore, when formulating responses, it can help to implicitly touch on these domains (for instance, demonstrating reflection and ethical reasoning when asked an ethics question, or showing teamwork and leadership in a collaboration question).

While specific interview questions for Laval’s dentistry program are not published, common themes can be inferred from similar dental school interviews and the skills Laval is looking for. Past candidates and experts note that Quebec dental school interviews (including Laval’s) tend to cover a mix of personal, ethical, and scenario-based topics mymedcoach.ca mymedcoach.ca. Being ready for these themes can boost confidence going into the MMI. Key themes to prepare for include:

• Motivation and Insight into Dentistry: Expect questions about why you chose dentistry and why Laval in particular. For example, “Why do you want to be a dentist?” is almost guaranteed at some point, either in an interview station or in your personal statement. Interviewers want to see genuine passion and well-thought-out reasons – perhaps you enjoy working with your hands, have shadowed dentists and loved the patient interaction, or have a transformative personal story. Similarly, they might ask “Why our school?” to gauge if you understand what Laval offers (here’s where mentioning specifics like the program’s features or values can help). Questions about your career vision (“Where do you see yourself in 10 years?”) or backup plans if not admitted (“What will you do if you aren’t accepted this year?”) have been reported at other dental school interviews blackstonetutors.com blackstonetutors.com, aiming to assess your commitment and maturity.
• Personal Experiences and Self-Reflection: Many stations will invite you to discuss your experiences or personal qualities. These could be prompts like “Tell me about yourself” or “Describe a meaningful volunteer or work experience.” Laval’s interview, being structured, may include questions that assess how you’ve demonstrated traits they value. For instance, “Tell us about a time you had to deal with a high-pressure situation” connects to stress management, or “Give an example of a teamwork experience and your role in it” relates to collaboration. Be prepared with a few anecdotes from your life that highlight qualities such as empathy, perseverance, teamwork, leadership, or communication. Remember to reflect on what you learned from those experiences – showing personal growth is key.
• Ethical Dilemmas and Professionalism Scenarios: Dental applicants often face interview scenarios that test ethical decision-making. You might be given a situation like “You witness a fellow student cheating on an exam” or “A patient insists on a treatment you believe is not needed – what do you do?” and asked to discuss your response. Laval’s interviewers will be looking for signs of integrity, fairness, and patient-centered reasoning in your answers. When tackling any ethical scenario, it’s wise to identify the stakeholders and principles involved (e.g., honesty, patient safety, professionalism) and articulate a balanced approach. The specifics could range from academic integrity to managing confidentiality or dealing with cultural sensitivity in patient care. Practicing how to articulate your ethical reasoning clearly and calmly will serve you well.
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Some stations may evaluate how effectively you can communicate or empathize. For instance, you could be asked to role-play explaining a simple dental procedure or oral hygiene to a “patient” actor in layman’s terms. Alternatively, a prompt might say, “A friend is considering dentistry but has some misunderstandings about the career – how would you advise them?” These tasks gauge your clarity of explanation, your listening skills, and your approachability. Another interpersonal theme might be conflict resolution: “Describe a conflict you had in a team and how you resolved it.” Here, interviewers want to see that you can handle disagreements professionally and maintain good working relationships. Showcasing active listening, respect, and problem-solving in your response will hit the right notes.
• Knowledge of the Field and Current Issues: Interviewers may not expect detailed technical knowledge from a pre-dental student, but they appreciate awareness of the dental profession and its challenges. A station could involve discussing a current issue in dentistry – for example, “What are your thoughts on the new federal dental care program?” or “How do you think technology (like digital dentistry or AI) will impact dental practice?” mymedcoach.ca. They might also ask about an aspect of the profession such as the differences between dentistry and other healthcare fields, or the opportunities and challenges dentists face today. Preparing for these means staying up-to-date with some dental news or reflecting on your shadowing experiences. Don’t be afraid to incorporate your own observations (e.g., “During my shadowing, I noticed…”) to show that you’ve been actively learning about the field.
• MMI Station Scenarios: Since Laval uses a station-based format, be ready for the possibility of unconventional prompts too. Some MMIs include abstract or creative tasks (solving a quick puzzle, interpreting a proverb, etc.) primarily to observe your thought process. Others might have an actor portray a scenario (like a nervous patient) and see how you interact. While we don’t have specific examples of Laval’s stations, it’s wise to practice a variety of scenario types. The key theme across all these is not to arrive at a “right answer,” but to demonstrate desirable behaviors: empathy, clear communication, ethical reasoning, and so on, which tie back to the competencies and values discussed earlier.

In summary, past interviewees and advisors suggest focusing on who you are and how you think, rather than rote knowledge. Laval’s interview will likely touch on why you want to join the profession and this program, how you handle real-life dilemmas or teamwork, and whether you stay informed about dentistry. When practicing, aim to be genuine and structured in your answers: briefly state your main point, illustrate it with a relevant example or reasoning, and tie it back to how it would make you a good dentist or student. By preparing for these thematic areas, you can enter the interview with confidence in showcasing your personal strengths.

Applying to the Université Laval Faculty of Dentistry requires keeping track of several important dates. Below is the timeline for the 2025-2026 admissions cycle (for entry in Fall 2025):

• Application Deadline: March 1, 2025 – This is the deadline for submission of the online application and all required documents for candidates who are Québec residents or other Canadian residents ulaval.ca. (International applicants have an earlier deadline of February 1, 2025, but note that only Canadians/Permanent Residents with Quebec residency are normally admitted ulaval.ca.) By this date, you must also ensure that your DAT score and any other required test results are received by the admissions office.
• CASPer Test: Typically taken in the fall or winter before the deadline. All applicants must complete the CASPer (situational judgment test) in the appropriate test cycle for Laval. For the 2025 entry, that likely means taking CASPer by December 2024 or January 2025 at the latest (exact available CASPer dates are announced on the CASPer testing site). Be sure to designate Université Laval as a score recipient. CASPer results need to be available by the time of file review (around March) ulaval.ca ulaval.ca.
• DAT (TAED) Deadline: You should plan to take the Dental Aptitude Test by the November 2024 session (or earlier) so that your Perceptual Ability Test score can be sent to Laval in time. The faculty explicitly requires that the PAT section result be submitted no later than March 1, 2025 ulaval.ca. Some applicants take the DAT in February 2025, but given the tight timeline for score reporting, confirm with admissions if a February DAT is accepted – generally, earlier is safer.
• Interview Invitations: Late March to April 2025 – After reviewing academic records, DAT, and CASPer results, Laval will invite selected candidates to the interviews (entrevues structurées). In recent cycles, interview invitations have been emailed by early to mid-April. For example, in 2024 the first wave of invitations went out in the second half of April forums.premed101.com. Keep a close eye on your email (and check spam folders) during this period. Invitations will include the interview date, time, format details, and any preparation instructions.
• Interview Dates: Late April to Early May 2025 – The interviews are usually scheduled within a few weeks after invitations. Historically at Laval, interviews have taken place around the end of April or the beginning of May. In one past year, interviews were held on May 4–6 forums.premed101.com. For the 2025 cycle, expect them to occur in that same timeframe (exact dates will be provided in the invite). Interviews might be conducted over video-conference or in-person in Quebec City; the format will be clarified in the invitation, but ensure you’re available and have a reliable setup if online.
• Admissions Decisions: Mid-May 2025 – Offers of admission are typically released by mid-May. In 2023, for instance, acceptance emails were sent out around May 12th forums.premed101.com. If you are accepted, you will usually be given a short window to respond (often a couple of weeks) and a deposit may be required to secure your seat. Along with acceptances, a waitlist is formed.
• Waitlist and Final Decisions: Late May to June 2025 – Waitlisted candidates may receive offers as accepted students decline their spots or defer. Movement from the waitlist can continue through late May and sometimes into June. As an example, some candidates who were initially waitlisted at Laval in 2023 received admission offers by the end of May forums.premed101.com. If you are waitlisted, remain prepared and responsive; the school may call or email an offer that requires a prompt reply. By the end of June, the class is usually finalized.
• Orientation and Start of Classes: Late August 2025 – The newly admitted cohort will begin orientation and coursework in late August (typical for Université Laval’s fall semester). Admitted students will receive details about registration, orientation activities, and any summer tasks (for example, ordering the instrument kit, immunization requirements, etc.) well in advance.

Managing these deadlines is crucial. Laval’s admissions are firm about the dates – missing the March 1 deadline or failing to complete Casper/DAT on time will disqualify your application. It’s wise to plan backwards from the deadlines: complete tests and gather documents early, so that there are no last-minute issues. Also, since interviews occur relatively late (late April/May) compared to some other schools, keep that time free of obligations as much as possible. If you’re applying to multiple programs, note that Laval’s schedule might overlap with others, but Laval being in May could even be one of your final interviews of the season. By knowing the timeline, you can ensure you’re prepared for each step and avoid unnecessary stress.

Preparing for the Université Laval Faculty of Dentistry interview involves understanding both the program and the process. We began with an overview of the interview format – a structured, likely MMI-style interview that is closed-file and designed to assess your personal competencies. We then looked at Laval’s mission and values, noting the emphasis on excellence, innovation, collaboration, and community oral health, which can inform how you present yourself. The guide reviewed the key features of the DMD program, from its 48-seat cohort (mostly Quebec residents) to its curriculum and unique opportunities like international internships and special study profiles. We identified important policy issues in dentistry relevant to Quebec and Canada, such as access to care and preventive health measures, that could arise in interview discussions. Non-academic selection criteria were highlighted, underlining traits like empathy, communication, manual dexterity, and ethics – qualities the interview is designed to probe. We also related these to broader competency frameworks that shape what Laval expects from its students and graduates. Common themes from past interview questions were outlined, giving insight into the kinds of scenarios and personal questions you should practice for. Finally, we covered the timeline for the 2025-2026 cycle, ensuring you know the critical deadlines and what to expect at each stage of the admissions journey.

In summary, success in the Laval interview will come from a combination of self-reflection, knowledge of the program’s context, and awareness of the dental profession’s landscape. By reviewing all these aspects – from the school’s values to the logistics of the interview – you’ll be in a strong position to demonstrate why you belong at Université Laval’s Faculty of Dentistry. Good luck as you take the next steps toward your career in dentistry!