University of Toronto Faculty of Dentistry Interview Practice Questions

Tell me about yourself.

Why dentistry?

Why University of Toronto Faculty of Dentistry?

What challenges do you anticipate in dental school?

What would you do for a patient from a remote community with extensive preventable dental disease?

How does the University of Toronto Faculty of Dentistry's competency-based curriculum align with your learning preferences?

Should dental professionals have an ethical obligation to accept all patients covered under the Canadian Dental Care Plan, even if reimbursement rates are lower than private insurance?

What clinical experiences have you had?

Should Ontario mandate that all dental schools provide specific training on treating patients from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, given the demographic shift created by the CDCP?

What are you reading right now?

If you could have dinner with anyone, who and why?

What attracts you to the University of Toronto Faculty of Dentistry's emphasis on research integration throughout the DDS program?

How would you counsel a patient who cannot afford necessary dental work not covered by provincial health insurance?

Tell me about your research.

What role should traditional or indigenous healing practices play in modern healthcare systems?

Why did you choose your undergraduate institution?

With over 2 million Ontarians now covered under the Canadian Dental Care Plan, yet many still relying on emergency departments for dental issues costing the healthcare system over $31 million annually, what is the most significant barrier preventing optimal integration of dental care into Ontario's healthcare system?

How would you take advantage of the clinical training opportunities at the Faculty's dental clinics serving diverse Toronto communities?

If you could choose one superpower what would it be?

What was one personally touching volunteer experience you had?

What would you do if a patient can only afford extractions but needs more comprehensive treatment?

What specialty are you interested in?

Do dentists have an ethical obligation to advocate for patients when treatment delays or access issues occur due to limitations in Canada's private dental care system?

What aspects of the University of Toronto Faculty of Dentistry's commitment to global oral health initiatives resonate with your career goals?

Given that OHIP provides very limited dental coverage while the federal CDCP now covers many services, should Ontario redirect its dental funding toward areas not covered by federal programs?

Tell me about a time you failed.

Teach me something.

How do you work in groups?

What would you do if a patient in an abusive relationship asks you not to document anything?

How would studying dentistry in Toronto's multicultural environment enhance your education and future practice?

Is it ethically acceptable for dentists to recommend that patients seek care at dental schools or community clinics when private treatment is unaffordable?

What was your most challenging experience?

Should Canada include basic dental care in its universal healthcare system with adequate public funding?

What do your parents do?

What is your favorite movie?

What interests you about the Faculty's Problem-Based Learning approach in the preclinical years?

How would you prioritize patients when demand exceeds capacity at a community clinic?

Tell me about a time you experienced a team conflict and how you resolved it.

What are dentists' ethical obligations when patients request treatments not covered by their private insurance or provincial dental programs?

How would you keep yourself up-to-date on dentistry education once you begin practicing?

Should there be regulations on dentists' ability to balance privately-paying patients with those covered by provincial or public programs?

How would you contribute to the University of Toronto Faculty of Dentistry's collaborative learning environment?

What is the difference between sympathy and empathy?

Tell me about a time you changed your mind after learning new information.

What would you do if you discover your practice is billing insurance for procedures not performed?

What is one thing you want to highlight about your application?

Is it ethically problematic for dentists to work in multiple private practices or both public health clinics and private practice simultaneously?

What draws you to the Faculty's integration of digital dentistry and advanced technology in its curriculum?

Should Canada expand private dental insurance options or create a public-private hybrid dental care system?

Tell me about a time you had a disagreement with a teammate, supervisor, or friend.

What would you do if you won the lottery tomorrow?

What is your worst habit?

What would you do when a patient with dementia refuses treatment but their power of attorney insists on it?

How does the University of Toronto Faculty of Dentistry's focus on evidence-based practice align with your approach to healthcare?

What are dentists' ethical obligations when they believe financial constraints on patients force suboptimal treatment decisions?

Tell me about a time you had to advocate for someone who wasn’t being heard.

Should dental school enrollment in Canada be substantially increased to address dentist shortages?

How would your friends describe you?

If your life were a movie, what would the theme?

What opportunities at the Faculty of Dentistry would help you develop as both a clinician and future leader in oral healthcare?

What would you do if you caught a classmate cheating?

Tell me about a time when you were impacted by miscommunication.

Is healthcare a right or a privilege?

What is your greatest accomplishment?

Should provincial dental coverage guidelines (where they exist) be reformed to consider patient choice more heavily in coverage decisions?

What attracted you specifically to the University of Toronto Faculty of Dentistry's integrated curriculum that combines basic sciences with clinical practice from the first year?

If you could instantly master one skill, what would it be?

Tell me about a time you exhibited leadership.

What do you do if a colleague has a substance abuse problem?

How do you handle failure?

What controversial healthcare topic are you passionate about?

How does the Faculty of Dentistry's emphasis on evidence-based practice and research integration align with your career goals?

What is the biggest problem in healthcare today?

Describe a situation where you made a mistake that affected others. What did you do?

If you were a fruit, which one would you be and why?

Where do you plan to practice?

What would you do if someone in a group project falsified data?

What aspects of studying dentistry in Toronto's diverse multicultural environment appeal to you?

Should healthcare institutions implement mandatory unconscious bias training for all staff and students?

Tell me about a time when you had to explain a complex scientific concept to someone without a science background. How did you approach it?

How would you fix the healthcare system?

What are your values?

How many golf balls fit in an airplane?

How would you contribute to the Faculty of Dentistry's commitment to serving underserved populations through community outreach programs?

What would you do if a group member isn't doing their part?

Describe a situation where you had to navigate cultural differences in a team or work environment.

Should patients have the right to request a healthcare provider of a specific gender, race, or cultural background?

What negative feedback have you received?

Do you think pharmaceutical companies should be allowed to advertise drugs to consumers?

What interests you about the University of Toronto's unique early clinical exposure starting in the first year of the program?

What would you do if a patient refused treatment?

Describe a time when you identified an unfair policy or practice and took action to address it.

What do you think about stem cell research?

What ethical issues do you think will impact you as a dentist?

What are your thoughts on the role of private vs. public healthcare?

How does the Faculty of Dentistry's focus on interprofessional education with other health science programs match your learning preferences?

What would you do if a patient's family requests you not tell the patient about their diagnosis?

Describe a time you had to respect someone's autonomy even when you disagreed with their choice

Who should receive an organ transplant: a convicted felon or an uninsured mother?

What does “success” look like to you?

Do you believe diversity is important in a healthcare setting? Why or why not?

What drew you to the University of Toronto's reputation as a leading research institution in dental education and innovation?

What would you do if a coworker is taking credit for your work on a group project.

Tell me about a time when you recognized a personal limitation or weakness that was affecting your performance. What did you do about it?

Do you think it's ever ethical to lie to a patient?

Do you consider yourself culturally competent?

What role should technology and AI play in the future of healthcare?

How would living and studying in Canada's largest city enhance your dental education experience?

What would you do if a team member isn’t contributing on a group project?

Describe a moment when you connected with someone who was going through a difficult time.

As AI becomes better at diagnosis than human doctors, should we rely more on AI decision-making?

How willl you contribute to the diversity of our school?

Should healthcare professionals be required to receive certain vaccinations?

What specific opportunities at the Faculty of Dentistry excite you most about developing your clinical skills?

What would you do if a colleague comes to work smelling of alcohol?

Describe a situation where you had to maintain professionalism under difficult or frustrating circumstances.

Should people with unhealthy lifestyles (e.g., smokers, heavy drinkers) have reduced access to certain treatments?

How do you handle stress?

What would you do if a teenager confides they're being abused at home but begs you not to tell anyone?

How does the University of Toronto's emphasis on global health and international dental partnerships align with your professional aspirations?

Can compassion be taught?

What is an ethical dilemma you have faced?

What would you do if your employer forced you to work over Thanksgiving weekend, interfering with your family plans?

What are your strengths?

Should healthcare workers strike if working conditions are unsafe for them or their patients?

What do you think makes our program unique?

What would you do if a colleague of yours made a mistake and doesn't want to tell the patient?

Walk me through a period when you were overwhelmed with responsibilities. How did you use to get through it?

Should students from disadvantaged backgrounds receive preferential admission to health professions programs?

What are your weaknesses?

You're at a party and a friend insists on driving herself home, even though she has been drinking. What do you do?

How do you relate to our mission?

While volunteering at a community center, a family refuses to vaccinate their children due to religious beliefs. The father quietly tells you he disagrees but fears community backlash if he consents. What do you do?

What was the most difficult decision you have ever had to make?

You’re working in a research lab when you discover that your supervisor has failed to report a conflict of interest—he’s consulting for the company funding the study. You depend on him for a strong reference for grad school. What do you do?

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

A colleague you respect makes a dismissive comment toward a patient from a marginalized background. You know confronting them could damage your working relationship. What do you do?

What are University of Toronto Faculty of Dentistry's values?

A grateful patient leaves a $100 gift card and a thank-you note at the front desk addressed specifically to you. What do you do?

What community service activities have you done?

You’re walking out of a coffee shop when you notice someone drop their wallet. You pick it up and realize there’s a large amount of cash inside, but no ID. You also notice the person quickly leaving in a taxi before you can call out. What do you do?

What do you do for fun?

Your roommate confides in you that they have been struggling with depression and occasionally use prescription medication that was not prescribed to them. They ask you not to tell anyone. How do you respond?

Why do you want to go to school in Toronto?

You’re catching a ride home from a friend who begins texting while driving. When you ask them to stop, they brush you off and say, “Relax, I do this all the time.” How do you respond?

Describe a time working with someone you did not like.

A close friend in your study group admits they copied answers from another student on a recent exam but asks you not to tell anyone. How do you respond?

Tell me about a skill or knowledge area where you've shown significant improvement over time. What was your learning process?

You see a friend post misleading health information on social media that’s getting lots of attention. How do you handle it?

What do you think are important qualities for a dentist?

You accidentally receive an email from your supervisor that contains private performance evaluations, including criticism of a close friend. Later that day, your friend mentions feeling anxious about whether management trusts them. What do you do?

What are three words people who know you would use to describe you?

A patient you've been working with for months asks you out on a date. How do you handle this?

Who is your role model?

What is your biggest regret?

What makes you special?

What is your biggest fear?

Tell me about your lowest grade.

What is one of your strengths in a leadership role?

What is your learning style?

How do you study?

How might the transition to dental school affect you.

How will you handle burnout and being overwhelmed?

What will you do if you do not get into dental school?