What type of learning style do u have
-I would describe my learning style as a blend of independent learning with occasional guidance.
-I thrive when I’m able to take responsibility for my own learning, but I also appreciate receiving feedback to ensure I’m on track.
- This fits well with courses that focus on self-directed study and collaboration with peers, like the EBL (Enquiry-Based Learning) structure at many dental schools.
-I’m also a hands-on learner, so the opportunity for early clinical exposure is something I’m excited about with both phantom head and patients early.
-Being able to apply what I learn in real-life situations early on is critical for reinforcing my skills and boosting my confidence as I progress in my dental education and future career.
Tell us about a time where you have shown leadership.
An example of leadership was when I captained my netball team for 7 years.
-I was responsible for organizing practice sessions, motivating the team, and managing conflicts when they arose. One challenge I faced was motivating a player who was struggling with performance.
- I spent extra time coaching her individually, which helped her improve and ultimately boosted the team’s morale.
-This experience taught me the importance of clear communication, patience, and flexibility in leadership.
-As a dentist, I will need to lead a team of dental professionals, ensuring we work collaboratively to provide the best care for patients. The leadership skills I’ve developed will help me manage the dental team efficiently, particularly when working under pressure.
How would you communicate with a difficult patient?
-When communicating with a difficult patient, the key is listening actively and empathizing with their concerns.
-For instance, in my role as a psp, I’ve dealt with patients who were frustrated due to delays.
-I made sure to listen to their concerns, acknowledge their frustration, and reassure them that I would do my best to address the issue.
I always aimed to keep a calm and positive tone, which helped de-escalate the situation.
Communicating with a difficult patient part 2
-In dentistry, when faced with a difficult or anxious patient, I would first listen to their concerns and validate their feelings.
-Then, I would explain the treatment process clearly, ensuring they understand what is happening and why.
-My goal would be to communicate and build a trust with the patient ensuring they feel as comfortable as possible.
- Whether it’s by changing my tone or engaging in a friendly conversation,
-I can appreciate that each patient will respond differently and I really have to be versatile with my communication skills
Do you find that you work better independently or in a team?
-I believe I work best in a team. Through my experience of working as a psp and playing sport, I learned that teamwork is essential to achieving great results.
-When each person knows their role and supports each other, tasks that might seem difficult become much easier.
- In dentistry, being part of a well-functioning team is vital. Dentists are often the leaders of a multidisciplinary team that includes dental nurses, hygienists, and receptionists.
-Effective teamwork ensures the best possible care for patients.
-While I can work independently and take initiative, when necessary, I strongly believe that teamwork can led to better outcomes,
Wokring in a team example liverpool course
The programme shares a three year Collaborative Learning Core (CLC) with dental therapy students, where learning and collaborating in teams builds mutual respect and understanding of the varied roles of the dental team.
What have you done to try and understand what being a dentist is like? Part 1
worked hard to gain a deep understanding of what it’s like to be a dentist.
-Through work experience at a local dental practices, one nhs one private. I shadowed both general and specialist dentist and the dental team, which gave me insight into patient care and the technical skills required of me.
-I observed how dentists communicate with patients, explain treatment plans, and manage both routine and more complex procedures. I thought the it was really important to see how the dentist interacted with such a broad range of patients and it really emphasized to me how detrimental empathy is in this profession.
Understanding dentistry part 2
-I also made sure to widen my knowledge beyond hands-on experience by reading books and articles on dental care and ethics.
Undertook an online course from uni of glasgow about becoming a dentist where i learned all about different members of a dental clinic, important qualities and how covid-19 affected dentistry.
- In addition, my role as a psp in a medical hospital gave me a glimpse into the professionalism required of me as a healthcare professional. Heped me develop communication skills and speak to various groups of people.
What do you think are the most challenging aspects of being a dentist?
stress management, dealing with difficult patients, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
-Dentistry is a physically demanding and high-pressure profession, and staying focused while making important decisions under pressure can be tough.
Stress is crucial so keeping up netball and other sports will help.
Anxious patients - remain calm and professional offer listening and reassurance.
Feel prepared and confident in my ability to manage stress, combine communication and empathy to navigate tough moments sucessfully
What area of dentistry would you be most interested in practicing in?
I haven’t started my dental career yet, there are two areas that have piqued my interest: paediatric dentistry and orthodontics.
- Paediatric dentistry appeals to me because I enjoy working with children. I find it rewarding to engage with young patients, making their experience as positive as possible. As a youth netball coach, I’ve learned how important it is to build rapport with younger individuals, and I believe this would translate well to paediatric dentistry.
-On the other hand, l’m also interested in orthodontics, because it combines both artistry and technical skill. The idea of helping patients improve both the function and appearance of their teeth really excites me.
However, I recognize that there is so much more to explore in dentistry, and I look forward to gaining more experience during my studies to help me make a well-informed decision on my future specialty.”
Do you learn well in groups
I definitely learn well in groups. I enjoy collaborating with others, sharing ideas, and learning from different perspectives. I find that working in a team helps me understand topics in more depth and reinforces my learning.
I enjoy learning with others because it fosters a sense of community and enables me to see things from different angles, which is an important skill for a dentist working in a multidisciplinary team.”
Colabaratorive learning core excites me as learn importance of teamwork while all working together in a group
Do you work better as the leader of the team, or a member?
believe that leadership and teamwork go hand in hand.
As a dentist, you’re the leader of a multidisciplinary team, and I feel well-suited for that role.
-For example, as captain of my netball team for seven years, I learned how to guide and support my teammates, while also always actively listening to the team
-hat said, I also value teamwork. Psp, I saw firsthand how important it is to work closely with others to provide the best care.
-I understand that poor teamwork can compromise patient care, so I aim to be both an effective leader and a strong team player.”
Being a dentist is difficult, what motivates you to stick through the tough times you must approach?
-I completely understand that dentistry is a challenging and demanding profession. The long hours, complex procedures, and the need for constant learning can be tough at times.
-However, I am motivated by the ability to make a real difference in people’s lives-both physically and mentally.
-The satisfaction of helping someone overcome pain or restoring their smile is incredibly rewarding.
-Additionally, I’m passionate about healthcare and science, and I thrive on learning which is essential in dentistry. I’m fully prepared to embrace the challenges, as I believe that the rewards far outweigh the difficulties.
-I am also really excited about the actual job of the dentists. Their ability to combine science and artistry is amazing and I would love to do that every day
What are the typical responsibilities of the dentist? P1
A dentist’s responsibilities include diagnosing and treating patients, creating personalized treatment plans, and performing complex procedures.
-Communication is also a huge part of the role-ensuring patients understand their treatment and making sure they feel comfortable is essential.
-Additionally, dentists lead the dental team, coordinating with hygienists, nurses, and specialists to provide the best care for patients.
Responsibilities of a dentist part 2
A dentist’s also has a massive role in preventative care promoting oral health and educating patients, which is something I’m really passionate about after conducting research for my PQ on is diet the major risk factor leading to poor oral health’
- as having the opportunity to present to my class and discus these topics further I realised how important oral health education is as for example when I was talking people didn’t realise sparkling water was acidic as its carbonated like fizzy drink
Why is resilience important in dentistry?
Resillience is crucial in dentistry because the career involves constant learning, overcoming setbacks, and dealing with high-pressure situations. As a dental student, you will face challenges as you develop new skills, and not every procedure will go perfectly. It’s important to stay positive and learn from mistakes. Resilience helps you recover from difficult cases and stressful days, which is vital for longevity in this field. I’ve demonstrated resilience in my roles, like managing the demands of being a medical practice receptionist while balancing my netball commitments, and I plan to carry this trait into my dental career.”
B Print
How do you organise your schoolwork?
I believe organisation is key, especially in a demanding field like dentistry.
- - I use tools like a planner to keep track of my tasks and set aside specific time each day to work.
-I’m a big fan of making to-do lists to stay on top of deadlines. I’ve been able to juggle my responsibilities effectively in the past, balancing my work psp with my netball coaching and volunteer activities
-. I plan to continue using these organisational skills throughout dental school to ensure I stay on top of my studies while managing my time efficiently.”
What is the most important pillar of medical ethics, in your opinion?
All four pillars of medical ethics-autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice-are crucial, but I believe autonomy is the most important.
Respecting a patient’s right to make informed decisions about their care is fundamental.
- In dentistry, it’s essential that patients feel they have a voice in their treatment options.
-For example, when I worked as a receptionist, I always made sure patients had a clear understanding of their appointments and felt empowered to ask questions. At the same time, I believe all pillars work together to ensure patient safety, fairness, and trust.”
What will you bring to the university beyond your academic ability?
Beyond academics, I believe I will bring a positive and supportive attitude to the university.
-Having captained a netball team for seven years, I understand the importance of creating a motivating and inclusive environment.
- I also enjoy coaching youth netball, which has helped me develop mentorship skills, and I would love to help mentor younger students at the university.
-I’m eager to get involved in extracurricular activities, like joining the netball team and the dental society and will try to bring energy and enthusiasm to everything I do at university.”
Are patient’s customers?
-well when a patient comes intio a dental practice their whole apponitment is centred around their dental care.
-whereas customers pay for a transactional service where their
Should dentist work in nhs after qualify
Dentists play an essential role in improving public health, and the NHS is central to ensuring that everyone counts by providing access to care regardless of income. Requiring newly qualified dentists to work in the NHS could help reduce oral health inequalities and improve access, especially in underserved communities, which aligns with NHS values such as improving lives and working together for patients.
However, there are ethical challenges with making it compulsory. Dentistry is a demanding career, and forcing graduates into NHS service could affect autonomy and job satisfaction, potentially leading to burnout or dentists leaving the profession altogether. It may also not address the underlying issues, such as NHS funding, workload pressures, and contract limitations.
Overall, I believe dentists have a responsibility to contribute to accessible healthcare, but long-term solutions should focus on making NHS dentistry sustainable and attractive, rather than purely mandat
