Dentistry MMI Interviews

Dental schools use either the traditional or multiple mini interview (MMI) format to interview applicants. Dentistry MMI interviews have increased in popularity during the past few years, replacing traditional interviews at many universities.

This page will provide information on everything you need to know about Dentistry MMIs and the best ways to prepare for one!

MMIs involve a number of stations which assess different skills and qualities. An interviewer will be present at each station to assess you on a given scenario. They won’t have any idea how you performed at other stations. There are typically 10 stations and each station is usually five minutes long.

Your overall score is then used alongside your predicted grades, UKCAT and personal statement to decide who to give an offer.

Got a Dentistry interview coming up? Book your space on a Dentistry MMI Circuit!

Why are MMIs used instead of a traditional interview?

From a university’s perspective, an MMI is favourable over a traditional dental school interview for many reasons. These include how they allow schools to:

• Assess a wider variety of skills – this includes your communication, ethics and manual dexterity
• Measure your abilities more reliably – the stations are more difficult to anticipate, compared to traditional interview questions which are easier to predict
• See you in a practical role – this relates to the hands-on aspect of Dentistry as a career

What can I expect from an MMI interview?

The table below summarises the areas to focus on when preparing for any dental school using MMIs. This is based on previous years’ interview experiences and information provided by the university.

General Tips for MMI Interview Preparation

1. Do thorough research into the university

Make sure you’re aware of the location, teaching style, societies and unique facilities. This shows your genuine interest in studying there. Use these factors to your advantage by showing how they make you an ideal student.

2. Record yourself discussing a current hot topic in Dentistry for 5 minutes (e.g. the sugar tax, new dental technology)

This will help you to perfect your time management skills and ensure that you can practice communicating concisely and clearly.

3. Practice role-playing

Role-play stations are common at most MMIs and catch a lot of students off guard. They will test your ethics, communication and teamwork skills all at once.

Role-playing with someone watching you is a great way to prepare. For example, you can get a friend to act as a nervous patient, while you play the role of a junior dentist responsible for calming her down.

4. Read the General Dental Council (GDC) Standards

Ethical scenarios will come up in every MMI, so it’s important to recap the ethical guidelines set by the GDC. This will help you to formulate your answers and present a balanced argument for any complex ethical case you are given.

Tips to Remember During Your Interview

• Read the scenario and listen to the interviewer’s questions carefully. Sometimes they’ll hint towards the right direction if you’re struggling!
• Don’t feel in a rush to answer. Even if a station is only five minutes long, you can still pause and think about the question before you answer, or clarify if you’re unsure.
• Be confident at every station, because each one is assessed independently. Even if one or two stations don’t go as well as you hoped, keep your head up and be positive for the next one!

Words: Tayyiba Yunus

Learn More:

• Dentistry MMI Circuits
• Dentistry Tutoring
• Deciding On Dentistry
• Dentistry Work Experience
• Choosing a Dental School
• Dentistry Courses: Specialities
• Dentistry Interview Preparation
• Dentistry Interview Questions and Answers