Why do you want to be a dentist?

To fully answer the question, think about what inspired you to be a dentist. Was it to help others learn about their oral health? Was it to provide compassionate care? Were you traumatized by a dental experience and want to help kids have a better experience? These are important indicators for your inspiration in choosing dentistry.

Highlight your strengths that will support your success as a dentist. Hard skills like technology proficiency, dental equipment operation, and specialized skills in different areas of dentistry are important to highlight. Soft skills are also important to discuss, such as communication, leadership, and healthcare team management.

Once you have identified these skills, relate them to the job description. For instance, when discussing your technology skills, relate that to being able to manage records, budget, or organize dental supplies. Be genuine in your responses and be honest about your reasons for pursuing this field.

Example answers include:

I've been interested in a career in the healthcare field since I was a senior in high school. Teaching patients about the nuances and functions of teeth and helping them improve their oral hygiene practices is something I feel is essential to helping them better understand how oral health supports overall health.

Currently, I'm learning about holistic approaches to caring for oral health as part of patients' overall health, and these practices have helped me advance my knowledge and skill set. Being able to learn new methods and apply new techniques that improve patient care is one reason I aspired to become a dentist.