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King's College London Dentistry Interview Questions
Note: This interview Q&A is based on pre-Covid in-person interviews (from 2019 and before). All university interviews changed in 2020-2021 to an online format due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This article was updated in December 2023 with the latest information, and we will continue to regularly update it!
King’s College London is a world renowned university, with their dental school consistently ranking amongst the world’s top dentistry programs. The largest dental school in the UK, King’s boasts early clinical exposure and state-of-the-art simulation labs.
For more general information about the King’s Dental School, check out this page: King’s Dental School
King’s College London Dentistry interview has a MMI set up, with each station lasting for 3-5 minutes. In this guide we provide an expert insight into past King’s interview stations, the King’s MMI day and tips for converting your King’s Dentistry interview into an offer!
2023/24 King’s Dentistry Interview in a Nutshell
What is the King’s College London Interview style?
For 2023/24 entry King’s hasn’t explicitly stated whether interviews will be online or in-person. The interview format is usually an MMI with 5-8 stations, although this is still to be confirmed for 2024 entry. The interview period generally runs from December to March.
What are the King’s College London MMI Dates?
Interviews are held in 2 blocks, based on UCAT scores. The first phase of interviews will be held in late 2023, i.e; November and December. The second phase of interviews is typically held in the Spring of the following year, i.e.; February to March 2024.
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premiumWhat are the common topics covered at the King’s Dentistry Interview?
- Communication skills
- Social and ethical issues in Dentistry
- Candidate’s suitability for the King’s BDS course
- Candidates contribution to the university
- Skills required by a good dentist
- Practical skills/Manual dexterity
At Medic Mind we’ve helped many students secure offers from King’s and other Dental schools. If you’re applying to King’s, we can do a high quality 1-1 mock with you with a King’s tutor and realistic stations uniquely for King’s.
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List of Recent King’s Dentistry Interview Topics
| Theme | King’s (Dentistry) Example Questions |
|---|---|
| Motivation for Dentistry | Commitment to the career Knowledge of the King’s dentistry course |
| Work Experience | Reflect on experiences Volunteering |
| Communication | Demonstrating empathy and compassion General communication skills tested in every station |
| Personality & Skills | Hobbies Extra curricular activities Personal strengths and weaknesses |
| NHS Hot Topics | Typically weaved into other stations to bolster answers |
| Medical Ethics | Discuss ethical scenarios Discuss social determinants of healthcare in the UK |
| Other | Practical skills, not necessarily dexterity, may be tested in conjunction with other skills |
If you wish to practice King’s MMI mocks, here are some sample questions:
- What do you know about the King’s dentistry course? How does your learning style meet our course structure?
- What was the most important thing you learned during a work experience placement and why?
- How do you know you are committed to Dentistry?
- Tell me about your volunteering.
- Some patients in your surgery are complaining about the waiting time. Manage the situation.
- What do you do in your spare time to relax?
- What are they key social issues affecting dental healthcare practice in the UK?
Check out the official King’s School of Dental Sciences course page here, so that you know what to expect from this course: Official Page
Insider Guide: King’s Dentistry Interview Day
How did the King’s Interview day work?
King’s have yet to confirm if they’ll be holding their 2023/24 dentistry interviews in-person or online. However, students will be made aware of this when invited to interview. If held online, applicants will not be given any additional briefs or tours as they would during in-person interviews.
What do you have to wear for the King’s Dentistry Interview?
The dress code is as expected for any interview – smart. Candidates must adhere to this strictly and if confused, you’re better off being dressed more formally than less. Additionally, if the interview is held virtually, keep in mind the impact of camera quality. For example, avoid wearing crisp white as this offsets the white balance on any webcam and can obscure your face from view.
Is any pre-reading required for the King’s Dentistry Interview?
Whilst it is rare that King’s asks specific questions that require pre-reading and/or specific knowledge, candidates are often given the opportunity to weave their knowledge of ethics, ethical case studies and media headlines in Dentistry into their answers. This is looked upon favorably and students should aim to have a strong grasp of the current social and ethical issues in dental care, the impact of COVID-19 on dental care provision and medical ethics.
What were the King’s MMI interviewers like?
There is typically little to no interaction between the interviewers and the candidates and the former are often neutral in expression. This is often done to test the candidate’s ability to perform and communicate under pressure as well as provide unbiased assessments of the applicant cohort. Don’t be thrown off by their neutrality; instead, keep calm and confident when answering the questions.
Did the King’s MMI interviewers ask a lot of follow up questions?
It is uncommon to have follow-up questions in the King’s MMI.
How long is the actual King’s interview?
The interview itself is about 45 minutes, however the exact duration for 2023/24 entry interviews hasn’t yet been released by King’s and is expected to be longer to leave time for logistical processes such as ID checks.
Logistical advice for the day?
If the interview is held in-person, King’s is very accessible by local public transport. In the past, in-person interviews were held at Guy’s campus which is easily accessed by the London Bridge Tube station via the Jubilee and Northern Lines. There are also multiple bus routed in the area. If you’re coming in overnight, staying anywhere in the city should allow you to get there with ease.
For virtual interviews, ensure you have a quiet and bright space with a strong wifi connection and working camera and microphone. Ensure you will not be disturbed during your interview and avoid sitting in front of a bright light or window to prevent glare. Ideally, set up your interview space prior to the day and practice in that setting a few times to ensure comfort and logistical ease. If the university allows, it is helpful to have water to sip on throughout the interview.
How long did it take you to hear back after your King’s interview?
It can take a few months to hear back from King’s after your dentistry interview, particularly if you have been invited to the first phase of interviews.
Top Tips for the King’s College London Dentistry Interview
- Do as many mock interviews as possible! The interviews can be daunting simply because of the pressures and setting of it, as opposed to the questions themselves. Familiarity breeds confidence so do as many mock MMIs as you can to gain confidence in speaking for lengthy periods of time and reflecting adequately. Sign up to our Dentistry mock MMI circuits here: Dentistry MMI Online Circuit
- Relax before the interview starts. Don’t over-prepare the day of your interview and remember to practice a calm and fruitful routine prior to the interview. This can be exercise, meditation, a good breakfast, listening to music or anything else that will calm your nerves. Unlike an exam, memorizing facts prior to the interview won’t be of much use. Instead focus on staying calm and confident as this will carry you through the interview.
- Read up about the various things impacting dental practice today. You will need a grasp of popular media headlines and NHS hot topics surrounding dentistry for the King’s interview. For example, read about the impact of COVID-19 on dental care provision.
- Practice non-verbal communication techniques. Tools like appropriate eye-contact and body language can help boost confidence and the examiner’s impressions of you as a candidate. However, this may not come naturally to you at this stage and even less so, virtually. Therefore, practice speaking in front of a mirror or record yourself on camera and watch it back to critique your own verbal and non-verbal communication style.
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Frequently Asked Question
→How can I prepare for a King's College London Dentistry interview?
To prepare for a King’s College London Dentistry interview, it is important to research the program and familiarize yourself with the curriculum and requirements. You should also practice answering common interview questions, develop strong communication and problem-solving skills, and prepare for ethical and moral considerations.
→What types of questions are asked in a King's College London Dentistry interview?
The interview questions at King’s College London Dentistry may vary, but they are typically designed to assess the candidate’s suitability for the program. Questions may include topics such as motivation for pursuing dentistry, ethical and moral considerations, current healthcare issues, communication skills, and problem-solving ability.
→What is the interview process like at King's College London Dentistry?
The interview process at King’s College London Dentistry typically consists of a panel interview with multiple interviewers. Candidates may also be asked to complete a situational judgment test or other assessment as part of the interview process.
→What are the key qualities that King's College London Dentistry looks for in its candidates?
King’s College London Dentistry looks for candidates who demonstrate a strong commitment to the field of dentistry, possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills, exhibit problem-solving abilities, show compassion and empathy towards patients, and have a strong academic record.
→How important is the interview in the King's College London Dentistry admissions process?
The interview is an important component of the King’s College London Dentistry admissions process, as it provides an opportunity for the admissions team to assess the candidate’s suitability for the program. While academic record and other factors are also considered, the interview can play a significant role in the final admissions decision.
→Is it hard to get into KCL dentistry?
Getting into King’s College London Dentistry is competitive, as the program is highly selective and attracts many qualified applicants. The exact admission requirements and selection criteria may vary depending on the year and the pool of applicants, but generally, a strong academic record, a genuine interest in dentistry, and relevant work or volunteering experience are important factors in the admissions process. As such, it may be challenging to get into King’s College London Dentistry, but with adequate preparation and a competitive application, it is certainly achievable.
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