UCLA Dentistry Interview Prep Guide (2025-2026)

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the key elements to understand when preparing for an interview with the UCLA School of Dentistry. It covers the interview structure and format at UCLA, the school’s mission and core values, notable features and facts about the DDS program, and current policy issues in dentistry relevant to California and the nation. It also examines the non-academic qualities UCLA emphasizes in its applicants, the competency frameworks that shape the dental curriculum, common themes from past interview questions, and a timeline of important dates for the 2025–2026 application cycle. By synthesizing these topics, applicants can better appreciate UCLA’s expectations and context, which in turn helps them align their own experiences and questions for the interview.

UCLA’s DDS interview is traditionally a one-on-one, open-file conversation lasting approximately 20–30 minutes studentdoctor.net studentdoctor.net. Most interviews are conducted in person at the dental school (though recent years saw virtual interviews due to special circumstances) and the interviewers have access to the applicant’s full file (grades, personal statement, etc.), allowing them to ask personalized questions about your background studentdoctor.net. The atmosphere is generally described as friendly and low-pressure – past applicants reported a relaxed experience with welcoming interviewers and an average-to-moderate stress level studentdoctor.net studentdoctor.net. Interviewers often aim for a conversational style, probing both your motivations and your understanding of the profession. Given UCLA’s class size of about 88 and roughly ~115 admission offers extended each cycle dentistry.ucla.edu forums.studentdoctor.net, a significant proportion of those who interview ultimately receive an acceptance, meaning that every interview is a real opportunity to secure a spot.

The UCLA School of Dentistry’s mission and culture are grounded in a set of clear core principles: innovation, altruism, inclusiveness, and excellence dentistry.ucla.edu. These values translate into an emphasis on training dentists who are not only clinically skilled but also compassionate, ethical, and socially conscious. The school aspires to create a community where everyone – students, faculty, staff, and patients – feels respected and included, fostering core values of compassion, tolerance, and mutual respect in daily interactions dentistry.ucla.edu. UCLA also prides itself on a spirit of discovery and leadership: it is one of the top dental research institutions and is intent on leading the transformation of dental education through scholarship and innovation dentistry.ucla.edu. In the interview, you may notice that questions and discussions subtly reflect these ideals – for example, you could be asked about experiences that demonstrate your altruism or adaptability to innovation, aligning with the school’s expectation that future students embody its mission.

UCLA’s 4-year Doctor of Dental Surgery program is highly regarded nationally, known for its academic excellence, world-renowned faculty, and diverse student body dentistry.ucla.edu. The curriculum is designed to produce well-rounded clinicians who can become leaders in the field and in their communities – graduates are educated to provide comprehensive dental care in various healthcare settings with a strong emphasis on socially responsible service dentistry.ucla.edu. The program is forward-looking: UCLA has even established an Innovative Digital Dentistry Systems unit to integrate cutting-edge technology and digital innovations into dental training dentistry.ucla.edu, underscoring the school’s commitment to preparing students for the evolving landscape of oral health care.

Structurally, the DDS curriculum spans 45 months (approximately four years) and operates on a quarter system, divided into twelve 10-week quarters plus three 9-week summer sessions dentistry.ucla.edu. Each incoming DDS class has around 88 students, and UCLA employs a Pass/Fail grading system with Honors, which, combined with the fast-paced quarter schedule, creates a rigorous but collaborative academic environment forums.studentdoctor.net. Foundational biomedical and preclinical courses dominate the first two years, but direct patient care begins early – by the start of the second year – giving students a head start in clinical experience dentistry.ucla.edu. The clinical training is competency-based and patient-centered: students must demonstrate proficiency across all areas of general dentistry, and they rotate through various specialty clinics and community settings to broaden their exposure dentistry.ucla.edu. Notably, UCLA’s program includes a required Community-Based Clinical Education (CBCE) rotation: during the fourth year, every student spends eight weeks providing care in affiliated community clinics across diverse Los Angeles communities dentistry.ucla.edu. This not only doubles the number of patients served (contributing to public oral health) but also enriches students’ hands-on experience and understanding of treating underserved populations. Beyond the core curriculum, students have opportunities to pursue selective courses and engage in research, teaching, leadership, and community service activities, allowing each student to tailor their professional development dentistry.ucla.edu.

Being knowledgeable about these program features is important for interview preparation. It enables you to connect your own interests to what UCLA offers (for instance, if you have a passion for community service or digital dentistry, UCLA’s program provides direct avenues to pursue those). It also equips you to ask informed, specific questions of your interviewers, demonstrating genuine interest in UCLA’s unique offerings and philosophy.

• Could you tell me more about the Community-Based Clinical Education program and how it enhances student clinical experience?
• How does the Innovative Digital Dentistry Systems initiative integrate into the curriculum, and what exposure do students get to new dental technologies?
• What opportunities do students have to get involved in research or scholarly activities during the DDS program?
• UCLA uses a Pass/Fail grading system – how do you find that affects student collaboration and learning, and are there ways exceptional performance is recognized?
• With such a high percentage of students pursuing specialties after graduation, what kind of support or guidance does UCLA provide for those interested in specialization?

In UCLA’s interviews (as in many dental school interviews), you should be prepared for broader discussions about the dental profession and healthcare environment. Awareness of current policy issues and trends demonstrates that you are an informed, forward-thinking candidate. Some relevant topics include:

• Access to care and public health dentistry – California’s Medi-Cal (Medicaid) program provides dental coverage to roughly one-third of the state’s residents cda.org, including many children and low-income adults, highlighting the importance of public programs in oral health. Recent efforts, supported by the California Dental Association, have fought to preserve funding (such as Proposition 56 funds) to maintain and expand dental services for vulnerable populations cda.org. You might consider how dental schools and new dentists can help bridge gaps in care for underserved communities.
• Corporate dentistry and practice models – There is ongoing debate about the influence of corporate dental chains and private equity ownership on clinical practice. In California, new legislation (SB 351) was passed to strengthen prohibitions against corporations dictating clinical decisions, ensuring dentists maintain autonomy in patient care cda.org. Understanding the balance between private practice, corporate practices, and patient-centered care is useful context; an interviewer might gauge your thoughts on ethical practice management or working in different practice settings.
• Integration of oral health into overall healthcare – Nationwide, there is a push to better integrate dental care into the healthcare system. For example, federal proposals have considered making adult dental care an essential health benefit under the Affordable Care Act marketplaces axios.com or even adding dental benefits to Medicare. These discussions stem from the recognition that oral health is tied to systemic health (e.g., links between periodontal disease and diabetes or heart disease). A UCLA interviewer could raise such topics to see if you are aware of how oral health policy is evolving and to assess your perspective on interdisciplinary care.
• Diversity and inclusion in the dental workforce – Both locally and nationally, efforts are underway to increase the representation of underrepresented minorities in dentistry. UCLA itself has been focusing on this; for instance, the incoming DDS Class of 2025 was 11% Black – a marked increase achieved through targeted outreach uclahealth.org. Enhancing diversity is seen as key to improving cultural competence and addressing disparities in care. Be aware of initiatives (pipeline programs, mentorship, scholarships) aimed at diversifying the profession, as this aligns with UCLA’s inclusive values.
• Advances in dental technology and telehealth – Rapid developments in digital dentistry (such as CAD/CAM, 3D printing, and AI diagnostics) and the expansion of teledentistry are shaping practice and policy. UCLA’s curriculum emphasizes emerging technology dentistry.ucla.edu, so interviewers might discuss how these innovations could improve care or what challenges they pose (for example, questions of training, regulation, or ethics with AI). Having thoughtful insights on how technology can be leveraged to enhance patient outcomes – while still maintaining high standards of care – would reflect well on an applicant.

Like many top dental programs, UCLA looks far beyond GPA and DAT scores when selecting students. The admissions process is explicitly holistic: the committee evaluates candidates’ experiences in clinical shadowing, volunteering and community service, research or academic enrichment programs, leadership roles, and even work experiences, in addition to strong academics dentistry.ucla.edu. UCLA prides itself on training future leaders and socially conscious health professionals, so they seek evidence of those traits in applicants – for example, a track record of altruistic service, teamwork, or initiative. In fact, the school emphasizes qualities such as leadership potential, cultural sensitivity, and a commitment to serving others as key non-academic factors in selection blackstonetutors.com. During your interview, expect that some questions will probe into these areas of your background (e.g. asking about your volunteer work or a leadership experience) to assess how well your personal attributes align with UCLA’s values and the field of dentistry. The aim is to admit students who not only can handle the rigor of the program but who also bring empathy, integrity, and dedication to the dental profession.

UCLA’s DDS curriculum is built around a competency-based education model dentistry.ucla.edu. This means students must demonstrate proficiency in a broad set of competencies by graduation – essentially, it’s not just about passing courses, but about ensuring you have all the skills and professional qualities required of a general dentist. These competencies are aligned with national standards (such as the ADEA’s competencies for new general dentists and the accreditation requirements) and span multiple domains. They include clinical competencies (like gathering patient histories, diagnosing conditions, developing comprehensive treatment plans, and executing all phases of dental treatment across disciplines) as well as competencies in ethics and professionalism, communication, critical thinking, practice management, and community oral health advocacy umc.edu. UCLA’s focus on “patient-centered, comprehensive care” and its rotations in diverse clinical settings directly reflect these competency domains – the school is deliberately training dentists who are clinically excellent, ethical, and prepared to lead in their communities dentistry.ucla.edu. For interview prep, it’s useful to be aware of these expectations: if asked about what makes a good dentist or about your strengths, you can frame your answers in terms of these core competencies (e.g., emphasizing your experience in teamwork and communication, your problem-solving skills, or your understanding of ethical patient care).

Reviewing feedback from previous UCLA interviewees, we can identify several common themes in the questions asked. Rather than specific questions to rehearse answers for, these themes give a sense of the topics you should be comfortable discussing. UCLA’s interview tends to be open-file and tailored to your application, so anticipate a mix of personal, ethical, and dental-related questions. Here are some prominent categories of questions that have come up repeatedly:

• Motivation and “Why UCLA?” – Expect direct questions about your desire to pursue dentistry and why you have chosen UCLA specifically. Classic prompts include “Why dentistry?” and “Why you (why should we choose you)?” as well as “Tell me about yourself,” which is an opportunity to summarize your journey and interest in the field studentdoctor.net studentdoctor.net. Interviewers want to see genuine passion for dentistry and a well-informed interest in their program.
• Ethics and integrity scenarios – UCLA interviewers have been known to pose ethical dilemmas or questions about honesty and professionalism. A frequently cited example is being asked how you would handle a classmate who was caught cheating on an exam, including what consequences you think are appropriate studentdoctor.net studentdoctor.net. Another scenario touched on personal priorities: students were prompted to consider the statement “dental school requires you to be selfish” – essentially asking if you’re prepared to make personal sacrifices (like time away from family) to succeed in the program studentdoctor.net. These questions assess your moral reasoning, integrity, and commitment to the responsibilities of a healthcare professional.
• Personal resilience and readiness – Many candidates have been asked about times they were under significant pressure or how they plan to cope with the rigors of dental school. Questions about stress management (e.g., “Tell me about your most stressful academic quarter and how you handled it”) or how you would adjust your study habits for UCLA’s fast-paced curriculum are common blackstonetutors.com studentdoctor.net. You might also be asked to discuss a personal challenge or a failure and what you learned from it. These inquiries aim to gauge your self-awareness and resilience, key traits for surviving and thriving in a demanding program.
• Knowledge of the dental field and its future – UCLA’s interview often tests whether applicants are thinking beyond just coursework, by touching on current issues or big-picture questions in dentistry. Candidates have reported questions about the impact of insurance models (for example, “How do you think HMOs or corporate dentistry affect dental care?”) and about major challenges facing dentistry today and in the coming decades studentdoctor.net blackstonetutors.com. You might be asked something like, “What is the biggest problem facing dentistry, and how would you address it?” or how technology is changing dental practice (“How would you use technology for remote dental clinics?” was one past example studentdoctor.net). Preparing for such topics by staying informed on dental news and thinking critically about the profession can help you articulate thoughtful responses.
• Experiences highlighted in your application – Because the interview is open-file, interviewers often dive into the specific experiences you’ve listed. Be ready for detail-oriented questions about your research project (“Tell us about your research and what your role was” or “What did you learn from your thesis?”), volunteering and community service, leadership in student organizations, or any unique extracurriculars you have studentdoctor.net studentdoctor.net. If you wrote about something in your personal statement or secondary questions, you should expect to discuss it. The interviewers are looking to see the depth of your involvement and reflection – essentially, to verify and expand on what you presented on paper.
• Career goals and vision for yourself – Interviewers commonly ask about your future plans in dentistry to understand your ambitions and whether you’ve thought through your career path. You might be asked if you intend to specialize or pursue advanced education (“Do you want to specialize, and if so, why?”), where you see yourself practicing after graduation (geographically or type of practice), or even whether you’d be interested in teaching or research down the line blackstonetutors.com blackstonetutors.com. These questions aren’t meant to pin you down to a specific path, but rather to see that you’ve considered various possibilities and have a mature perspective on your future in the field.

• Early June 2025 – Application Opens: The ADEA AADSAS application for the 2025–26 cycle opens in early June (this is the first date you can submit your primary application) dentistry.ucla.edu. It’s advisable to apply as early as possible, since UCLA operates on rolling admissions.
• July 2025 – Application Review & Interview Invites: UCLA’s admissions committee begins reviewing applications as soon as they come in (starting in July) dentistry.ucla.edu. Interview invitations are sent out on a rolling basis. Interviews themselves typically start in mid-to-late summer (July) and continue through the fall and into January dentistry.ucla.edu. This means you could be invited to interview not long after submitting, or several months later, depending on when you applied and the volume of applicants.
• Interview Period (July 2025 – January 2026): Interviews for UCLA’s DDS program are conducted between roughly July and January for that cycle dentistry.ucla.edu. If you apply later in the cycle (closer to the January deadline), note that interview slots may already be filling up – another reason to apply early. UCLA’s interviews in this cycle may be held in person on campus; ensure you keep an eye on communication for the format and any pandemic-related adjustments.
• January 1, 2026 – Application Deadline: This is UCLA’s final deadline for AADSAS submissions (11:59 pm Eastern Time on Jan 1) dentistry.ucla.edu. All application materials, including recommendation letters and the supplemental UCLA application fee, must be submitted by this date. It’s a firm deadline – late applications are not accepted.
• December 1, 2025 – First Acceptance Notices: The first Monday in December is the initial date when U.S. dental schools (including UCLA) begin extending offers of admission for the cycle. On or just after December 1, some interviewees will receive acceptance calls or emails. UCLA participates in the ADEA traffic rules, so they will not notify any acceptances before this date dentistry.ucla.edu. If you interview early (summer or fall), you might hear good news on this date; if you interview later, you’ll hear on a later rolling basis.
• December 2025 – May 1, 2026 – Rolling Admissions: UCLA uses rolling admissions, so after the first wave of acceptances in December, additional offers are made periodically. Accepted candidates are typically given a response deadline (often a few weeks) to accept or decline. As some accepted students choose other schools, UCLA will extend offers to others on its waitlist. This process continues through the winter and spring. The final official date for offers is May 1, 2026, per AADSAS guidelines dentistry.ucla.edu. After May 1, any movement usually comes from the waitlist only if spots open up last-minute.
• Late Summer 2026 – Matriculation: The incoming UCLA DDS Class of 2026 (those accepted in this 2025–26 cycle) will begin coursework around August 2026. Prior to that, there may be orientation sessions or preparatory assignments. By the time you reach this stage, the interview will be a distant memory – but your preparation for UCLA’s rigorous program (as outlined in this guide) will truly pay off!

Preparing for a UCLA School of Dentistry interview involves both introspection and information-gathering. By understanding UCLA’s interview format and what it seeks to evaluate, you can better anticipate the setting and questions without scripting answers. Equally important is appreciating the school’s mission, values, and program features – this context allows you to align your story with what UCLA stands for (for example, emphasizing experiences that show your fit with their focus on community health, innovation, or leadership). We’ve also highlighted current issues in dentistry and common interview question themes to help you think through your perspectives ahead of time. In summary, a successful UCLA interview is one where you communicate your passion for dentistry, awareness of the profession and program, and authentic personal qualities. With thorough preparation grounded in the insights from this guide, you can approach the interview with confidence and demonstrate that you are exactly the kind of future dentist UCLA would be proud to have in its community.