University of Sheffield School of Dentistry: Overview

The University of Sheffield is one of the leading universities in the UK and has been ranked among the top 100 in the world. Sheffield is also known for its high-impact research; 92% of Sheffield's research was graded as "world-leading" or "internationally excellent". Moreover, the Dental Department at the University of Sheffield can boast a very high, 91% overall student satisfaction.

Sheffield's campus is located in the city centre, which means that it's easy to get around on foot or by bus, tram or train. As a city, Sheffield is also an enjoyable place to live as a student. It's affordable, well-connected and offers a lot of places to hang out after class.

Selection For Dentistry Interviews at University of Sheffield Dental School:

🔢 Sheffield BDS Dentistry (A200): Selection Process

GCSEs: GCSE grades are taken into account when shortlisting students for dentistry interviews at Sheffield.

A-levels: Sheffield requires at least a predicted AAA, with an A in Biology and Chemistry. Students taking 4 A-level subjects aren’t given a competitive edge in the selection process at Sheffield.

Personal Statement: The personal statement is read, but not given a lot of weight when selecting students for dentistry interviews. You may be asked to elaborate on some of the points you mention in your personal statement in your interview.

UCAT: The UCAT score is a significant element of the application process for dentistry at Sheffield. The admissions team sets a UCAT threshold score each year, depending on the averages of students who applied, among other factors. Verbal reasoning section is given more weight than other sections. This means that out of two students with the same UCAT score, the one with a higher VR score would be given priority. The SJT is also taken into consideration: You need to fall between Band 1 and Band 3 to be considered for an interview. The higher your SJT Band, the higher your chances.

📊 What is the UCAT cut-off score to get an interview at the University of Sheffield Dental School?

Historically, the UCAT cut-off for dentistry interviews at Sheffield has been between 2500-2600, but that may increase, due to the increasing number of applications and grade inflation.

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📤 When does Sheffield start sending interview invitations (BDS dentistry).

Applicants who have passed the first stage of the selection process will be invited to a dentistry interview by the end of January. In the invitation email, you’ll have a link to book a date for your interview that is most convenient for you.

👨‍👩‍👦‍👦 Sheffield Dentistry Interviews: Statistics

Here are approximate statistics to give you a better understanding of the competitiveness of the application process: Applications ~1000, interviews ~400, offers ~200, places =71.

💡 How To Prepare for Dentistry Interviews at the University of Sheffield?

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🦷 Sheffield Dentistry Interview Questions:

Motivations for dentistry:

• Why would you like to study dentistry?
• Why have you decided to apply to Sheffield? What makes Sheffield special in your view?
• Has anyone ever tried to dissuade you from applying to dentistry? Why have you decided to apply anyway?
• Why would you like to become a dentist, and not a dental hygienist or a dental nurse?

Insight into dentistry and current issues:

• What has been the impact of Covid-19 on dentistry in the UK? How did it impact dental professionals, patients, and the system as a whole?
• What are the 3 largest challenges that dentists in the UK face nowadays?
• What has been the greatest technological advancement in dentistry in the last 30 years?
• What would you improve in the dental sector of the NHS?
• What is the single most important lesson that your work experience placement taught you?

Critical thinking:

• During a routine checkup, you realise that a patient needs to have 2 teeth extracted. You explain that need to them and inform them about the cost, risks and benefits. The patient, however, reacts angrily saying he won’t wait so long and won’t be able to afford the next visit. He says he’ll do it himself at home with a string and a doorknob. How would you respond?
• Argue for the following: smokers should cover the entire cost of their NHS dental care.
• What are the risks and benefits of prescribing e-cigarettes to help smokers quit?
• The 3rd principle of GDC’s Standards for dentist goes as follows: Obtain valid consent. In your understanding, what makes consent valid?

Personal values:

• A young mother comes with their 12-month-old child to your dental practice for a checkup. During the checkup, you discover that the girl’s pulp is severely damaged and infected and recommend root canal treatment. After hearing the name of the procedure the mother nervously takes the child’s hand and says “We don’t want any treatments. Ginny, let’s go home”. Both the mother and the girl are clearly anxious. However, you know that the treatment is necessary. How would you act in such a situation?
• What is your greatest weakness?
• Why would you make for a good dentist? Why should we choose you?
• How would your friends describe you? Would you want them to describe you differently?

🚀 TOP Tip: Have a hard time answering any of the above questions? Read our comprehensive dentistry interview guide for free and ace your interviews!

Please note that these aren’t questions that have been asked at Sheffield in past years. Publishing such information would be against Sheffield’s policy. The above questions are adjusted for the interview style at Sheffield and are meant to give you a broad sense of the questions you may face.

Sheffield Dentistry Interviews (2023 entry):

🗓️ Sheffield Dentistry Interview dates (2022):

The University of Sheffield published that interviews for BDS dentistry will take place between the 27th of February 2023 and the 3rd of March 2023.

💬 Dentistry Interview format at Sheffield University:

For 2023 entry, Sheffield will most likely conduct in-person, panel interviews. Unlike the MMIs, such interviews are the most traditional form of an interview you can think of - one room, a few interviewers asking you questions and evaluating your performance afterwards. Sheffield’s interviews will be held by two members of the academic staff and one senior dental student.

The questions will most likely be pre-determined (don’t expect many follow-up questions) and will assess both your personal qualities, as well as your motivations for the course and some basic knowledge related to dentistry. The entire interview will last about 15 minutes.

👀 What are the interviewers at Sheffield looking for?

According to Sheffield’s website, the interviewers at Sheffield will be particularly interested in these areas:

• Motivation for the course
• Motivation for the profession and knowledge of current issues
• Evidence of independent thought
• Evidence of ability to apply knowledge
• Relevant experience, communication, personal qualities and values.
• Communication Skills
• Empathy
• Compassion

⏳ How long does it take to hear back from Sheffield after dentistry interviews?

All applicants should hear back from Sheffield by the end of March 2023, once all interviews have been completed.

✅ Sheffield Dental School Interviews: 3 Tips

📝 Interview-proof your personal statement

Although your personal statement doesn’t play a vital role in the selection for interviews at Sheffield, the interviewers may ask you to elaborate on some of the points you’ve written. Since it’s likely been a while since you last took a look at your personal statement, you should go back to it before your Sheffield dentistry interview.

Dig out your personal statement. Read it through. Highlight all the individual achievements, work experience placements or hobbies that you mention. Then try to put yourself into the shoes of the interviewer and come up with questions based on what you wrote. For instance, if you wrote about shadowing a dentist, the interviewers may ask you the following questions: “What challenges did the dentist face?”, “What qualities did he/she demonstrate?,” “What is the most memorable aspect/most important lesson of your work experience?” and so on. Try having a go on these questions, even on your own, and you’ll get more comfortable talking about the things you wrote in your personal statement. You can also have a look at our Free Dentistry Interview Guide, where you’ll find more tips and mistakes to avoid in your dentistry interviews.

😍 Be yourself and demonstrate passion

“Just be yourself” can sound like the most generic piece of advice ever, I know. But it’s also one of the most important things to remember in your dentistry interviews. One of the main aims of the dentistry interview is to learn more about who you really are, to see your personality and assess if you’d make for a good student/colleague.

That’s why you need to be your genuine self - remember that inauthenticity comes across. Don’t try to impress the interviewers or impersonate someone else. Be polite, be friendly, and treat the interview as a fun game and you’ll go a long way.

🔍 Do your research

It’s important that you do some research about the University of Sheffield before your interview. The interviewers will expect you to have thought-out reasons why you applied for dentistry to Sheffield. Here are a few questions that you should prepare for: Why Sheffield? How can you contribute to Sheffield? What do you like about the dental course at the University of Sheffield?