Students: Top Tips for Interview Preparation by Beth Bradley

Hi, DentaltownUK readers! Many of you will be reading this having made it
through the first two months back at dental school. Summer holidays seem all but a distant memory and the Christmas holidays shine brightly before us.
However, if like myself you’re a final-year dental student, then there’s at least one big hurdle left to cross before the much-needed break—the Dental Foundation Training Interviews!

Many of us will have sat in driving test centres across the country and completed the Situational Judgment Test, and are now nervously awaiting the Interview Day.

So, for any final year students out there, I have compiled (with the help of our fantastic editorial board) an acronym with a few top tips for interview preparation.

— Beth Bradley,DentaltownUK student editor

I is for Information
Gather all of the necessary revision materials you might need—think government guidelines, tool kits, GDC Standards and any of the recommended books available. (I personally chose The Dental Foundation Interview Guide with Situational Judgement Tests.) Read through your materials, develop an understanding of the information, make quick reference notes and learn what you can.

N is for Now practice
You may have heard the saying ‘practice makes perfect’, and in this case I’m assured this is true. The interviews are practical OSCE-style stations, so by practising responding aloud with friends, family and acquaintances ,you can give yourself the edge which might calm you down on the day. Download the COPDEND scenarios and work with these; ask for critical feedback on your performance to help you improve.

T is for Time yourself
On the day, you will have two 10-minute scenarios—one on clinical communication and another on professionalism, management and leadership. There will be 5 minutes before each station to prepare. Knowing this should help guide your practice. Set the stopwatch on your phone and stick to these times!

E is for Expectations
Try to find out what to expect in terms of venue and interview style. Some courses offer practice interviews at the actual venue—if possible, attend one of these. If not, try visit ingthe venue and familiarising yourself with the surroundings.

Use the COPDEND website to download mark schemes and work within these when you’re practising.

R is for Ready yourself
Preparation is key to a low-stress interview day. You shouldn’t have to worry about anything other than preforming to the best of your ability. So get organised before interview day.

• Plan travel in advance; stay in the city the night before, if needed; and plan to arrive at the venue early.
• Gather and photocopy all necessary documents to take with you on the day, including an attractive passport photo.
• Plan your outfit in advance and dress smart. First impressions matter—you must look like a professional!
• Sleep well the night before and eat well on the day.

V is for Volume
Speak clearly and concisely. Don’t allow nerves to take over, resulting in mumbling or rushed responses. Have a logical, strategic response technique and use the 10 minutes you have to show the interviewers who you are and to impress!

I is for Imagine you are in the scenario
At this stage in your dental training, you’re probably treating or dealing with patients on a daily basis. Reflect on scenarios you’ve dealt with historically, and during the interview, act as you normally would. Do not be afraid to mention asking for help!

E is for Everybody
Teamwork in dentistry is invaluable. In your responses, think about the wider dental team, and who’ll be supporting you in your DFT practice. If necessary, mention consulting the principal dentists, because they may be the only ones who can help with staff issues or issues of patient safety and interests! The GDC standards were not written for dentists alone.

W is for Wait and don’t worry
Once the interviews are over, relax! Turn your focus to finals and scheme preferences; June 13 will come around quick enough.