University of Bristol (England) Dental School Interview Questions – Complete 2026 Entry Guide
Introduction 🦷
The University of Bristol Dental School offers a five‑year BDS programme taught in modern, purpose‑built dental facilities and clinical teaching hubs across Bristol. It combines scientific teaching, clinical skills and professional development, and is consistently a popular, competitive choice for UK and international applicants.
For 2026 entry, the Dentistry interview is a key part of selection. The University makes it very clear that no offer is made without an interview for BDS Dentistry.
This blog is designed for sixth‑form students and other applicants who want a clear, trustworthy overview of:
how Bristol decides who to interview
what the 2026 Dentistry interview actually looks like
what topics are assessed
how many applicants are interviewed and offered places
lots of realistic Bristol‑style example questions
genuine student comments and practical, supportive tips
Where possible, this guide is based on the official University of Bristol website and the Dental Schools Council (DSC), with carefully‑labelled support from reputable third‑party guidance.
How does Bristol decide who to call for a Dentistry interview? 🎯
According to the official Undergraduate Admissions Statement for Dentistry (BDS A206), Bristol’s process for 2026 entry is:
🟦 1. Academic minimums first
Your application is checked to see if you meet or are predicted to meet the published academic entry requirements (e.g. A‑levels / equivalent).
If you do not meet the minimums, you will not be shortlisted, regardless of your UCAT score.
🟩 2. UCAT score used to rank applicants
All applicants must sit the UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) in the year of application.
Bristol uses the combined cognitive UCAT score only (i.e. the three main sections; Situational Judgement Band is not used in shortlisting) to rank applicants who meet the academic minimums.
There is no fixed UCAT cut‑off published in advance. Each year, Bristol sets a threshold based on the strength of the applicant cohort.
Only those above that year’s threshold are invited to interview.
For context, the BDS Dentistry 2026 course page notes that for 2025 entry the final UCAT threshold to be invited to interview was 3070 (Home) and 3040 (Overseas) on the old 3600 scale – but stresses that these numbers change each year.
🟨 3. Personal statement and reference as tie‑breakers
Bristol states that, although academic grades and UCAT scores drive shortlisting, they may refer to the personal statement and reference to differentiate between applicants with similar profiles.
They are particularly interested in evidence of:
motivation and understanding of dentistry
relevant work experience or caring roles
teamwork and communication
🟪 4. Widening participation and guaranteed interview routes
Several routes can guarantee or favour an interview:
Gateway to Dentistry (BDS Gateway programme) – a widening participation course for UK students who don’t meet the standard entry requirements. For 2025 entry, the UCAT threshold to be invited to Gateway interview was 2480; this may change for future years.
International Foundation Programme (IFP) for Dentistry – successful completion of this one‑year programme for overseas students guarantees an interview for the Bristol BDS programme.
Guaranteed offers / guaranteed interviews scheme – Bristol’s wider “guaranteed offer/guaranteed interview” policy states that, from September 2025 for 2026 entry, applicants who meet certain widening participation and academic criteria may receive either a guaranteed offer or a guaranteed interview for courses that routinely interview, such as Dentistry.
What this means for you
You need to meet or exceed the academic minimums.
Then you must aim for a strong UCAT score relative to your cohort.
You should also check whether you are eligible for Gateway / IFP / guaranteed interview schemes if you meet widening participation criteria.
How will the University of Bristol interview for 2026 entry? (Format & logistics) 💻
All details below come from the official “Dentistry and Gateway to Dentistry – Interviews” page on the University of Bristol website, updated for the 2025–26 cycle.
Interview dates and platform
Interview window (2026 entry): various dates between December 2025 and February 2026.
Platform: Interviews are hosted remotely via Zoom.
Length: The formal interview usually lasts around 45–60 minutes.
Assessors: There is a Structured Interview Format with four assessors on the call.
You must respond to your interview invitation within two weeks or your application may be made unsuccessful.
Two pre‑interview tasks (very Bristol‑specific!) 🎨📊
Bristol sets two distinctive tasks that you prepare before the interview:
Pasta Model Task
You are asked to create a 3D model made out of dried pasta.
It should show an environmental habitat that represents your personality.
During the interview you will show the model and answer questions about:
why you chose that habitat
how it represents you
what skills or qualities it demonstrates (creativity, planning, dexterity, reflection etc.).
Presentation Task
You must prepare a 5‑minute presentation on a current controversial topic in dentistry.
You may use up to three visual aids (for example PowerPoint slides, printed images, or objects).
You are advised to bring a hard copy of any slides in case of technical issues.
You will deliver the presentation live to the assessors and then answer follow‑up questions about both the content and your reasoning.
These tasks let Bristol assess your:
communication and structuring of ideas
understanding of current dental issues
creativity and manual dexterity
ability to reflect on yourself and your values
On the day: what actually happens
From the official Bristol guidance:
You join the Zoom link about 5 minutes early to check your camera and sound.
The interview begins with:
an internet and sound check
an ID check (passport, driving licence, college ID etc.).
You must be in a quiet, well‑lit room with a neutral background where you will not be disturbed.
The four assessors then conduct the structured interview, incorporating:
your pasta model
your presentation
questions on wider themes (discussed later in this guide).
If there are connection issues, Bristol will not penalise you and will try to reconnect or, if needed, rearrange.
Very important: rules on confidentiality & AI use ⚠️
Bristol is extremely clear about professional conduct in the interview:
You must not:
discuss specific questions or scenarios from your interview with others (online or in person)
record the interview (other than brief written notes to support your answers)
use smartphones, other electronic devices, books, pre‑prepared notes, or AI programs such as “ChatGTP” during the interview.
They explicitly state that using such tools counts as academic misconduct (“contract cheating”) and raises serious concerns about your fitness to practise as a future dental professional. This could jeopardise any offer you receive.
So, it’s absolutely fine to prepare using resources beforehand – but in the interview itself, it must be entirely your own unaided performance.
What is the Bristol Dentistry interview style? Panel vs MMI 🪑
Bristol previously used Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs), but its current official wording describes a “Structured Interview Format” with four assessors, held over Zoom.
Putting the official information together with recent expert guides:
It is best understood as a structured panel‑style interview, not a traditional MMI circuit where you rotate between stations.
You stay in one Zoom call with several assessors who ask a planned set of questions aligned to clearly defined domains (e.g. communication, professionalism, insight, teamwork).
Your pasta model and presentation are incorporated as structured parts of that panel interview.
Key features of the Bristol style:
Four‑person panel (so more than one person is assessing you at all times).
Structured questions, scored against a marking scheme.
Strong emphasis on professional behaviour, honesty and reflection.
Mix of:
questions about you and your experiences
ethical/behavioural scenarios
discussion of your presentation and current issues in dentistry.
Student reports on forums (such as The Student Room) and interview guides often describe the tone as formal but friendly, with assessors aiming to put candidates at ease even though the stakes feel high.
When are the University of Bristol Dentistry interviews held? ⏰
From Bristol’s official admissions statement and interview information:
UCAS deadline: 15 October 2025 (18:00 UK time) for 2026 entry.
UCAT scores are sent to universities in early November.
Bristol then shortlists and sends interview invitations.
Interview dates (for 2026 entry): various dates between December 2025 and February 2026 (online via Zoom).
Historically, Dentistry interviews at Bristol have run from late December through to around March, and this pattern is echoed in specialist interview guides.
You should therefore expect:
interview invites in late November–January
interviews across December, January and February
Always double‑check the exact dates on Bristol’s own website for your year of application.
What topics are covered in a University of Bristol Dental School interview? 📚
Bristol’s admissions statement explains that the interview is used to assess the skills and attributes needed to be a successful dental student and dentist, and to see your insight into dentistry and related issues.
Combining Bristol’s official criteria with national guidance from the Dental Schools Council and reputable interview resources gives a clear picture of themes you should prepare for.
1. Motivation for Dentistry and for Bristol
Why you want to study Dentistry rather than Medicine or another health profession
What you understand about the realities of dental training and practice (e.g. long appointments, business aspects, dealing with anxious patients)
Why the University of Bristol Dental School in particular – course structure, early clinical exposure, modern facilities, community outreach, Bristol as a city
2. Understanding the dental profession & NHS context
The role of a general dental practitioner and the wider dental team (therapists, hygienists, nurses, technicians)
How NHS Dentistry works (e.g. access issues, prevention, NHS vs private provision)
Public health and prevention: sugar tax, water fluoridation, health inequalities in oral health
3. Personal qualities, teamwork & communication
Examples of working in a team or leading a group (e.g. school projects, sports, part‑time jobs)
Times you have communicated clearly with people of different ages or backgrounds
How you handle conflict, feedback, stress and setbacks
4. Ethics and professionalism
Scenarios involving consent, confidentiality, safeguarding and honesty
Balancing patients’ wishes with clinical judgement
What it means to display integrity and maintain professional boundaries
5. Work experience and insight
Although Bristol does not require formal dental work experience, it encourages applicants to seek out caring or customer‑facing roles; you will be asked to reflect on what you learned from whatever experience you do have (e.g. volunteering, care homes, customer service).
Expect to discuss:
what you observed
what surprised you
how it confirmed or challenged your decision to pursue dentistry
6. Manual dexterity and learning
Evidence from hobbies or interests (e.g. art, musical instruments, crafts, sport) that show good hand–eye coordination and perseverance
How you learn practical skills and respond to feedback
7. Data interpretation & problem‑solving
Simple charts, graphs or numerical information linked to dental topics (e.g. caries prevalence, waiting times)
Explaining trends, drawing cautious conclusions, and thinking about implications for patients or services
8. Current issues in dentistry
Because of the presentation task on a controversial dental topic, you should also be familiar with:
access to NHS dental care and “dental deserts”
prevention vs treatment
sugar consumption and public health measures
digital dentistry and AI
antimicrobial resistance and antibiotic prescribing
ethical questions around cosmetic dentistry
You are not expected to be an expert, but you should show you have read widely, can summarise both sides of a debate, and can link issues back to patient care and NHS values.
How many applicants receive a Bristol Dentistry interview and offer? 📊
Exact numbers vary by year, but recent data from Freedom of Information requests and carefully‑collated statistics from specialist sites give a useful picture.
From FOI‑based summaries:
In recent cycles, applications for BDS at Bristol have typically been in the hundreds to low thousands per year (roughly 800–1,300).
Around 17–25% of applicants are invited to interview (in the region of 150–270 interviews per cycle).
Of those interviewed, approximately 50–70% receive offers, depending on the year.
Overall, this works out to roughly 1 in 7 to 1 in 10 applicants eventually receiving an offer.
One widely‑used aggregator (TheUKCATPeople) summarises that, once you reach interview at Bristol Dental School, you historically have about a 50% chance of receiving an offer, while another FOI‑based analysis suggests that in some years this has been even higher (around 60–70%).
The exact figures for 2026 entry will only be known after the cycle finishes, but the key message is clear:
Getting an interview is hard. Converting it to an offer is very achievable if you prepare well and perform consistently.
Extensive example Bristol‑style Dentistry interview questions & “stations” 📝
Because Bristol explicitly asks candidates not to share real questions, and because confidentiality is part of professional behaviour, the examples below are invented. They are based on:
the official skills and attributes Bristol says it assesses
national guidance from the Dental Schools Council
general Dentistry interview question banks
They are designed to feel Bristol‑style rather than to reproduce actual questions.
Use them to practise structuring answers, reflecting on your experiences, and speaking clearly.
A. Motivation for Dentistry & for Bristol
Why do you want to become a dentist rather than a doctor, nurse or another healthcare professional?
Dentistry can be demanding and sometimes repetitive. What aspects of the career attract you the most, and what do you anticipate finding hardest?
Tell us about a moment or experience that confirmed for you that Dentistry was the right path.
What do you know about the structure of the BDS course at the University of Bristol? How does it suit your learning style?
Bristol’s Dental School emphasises early clinical exposure and community‑based teaching. Why does this appeal to you?
If Dentistry did not exist as a profession, what would you do instead and why? What skills overlap with Dentistry?
How have you “stress‑tested” your decision to study Dentistry?
What do you hope to be doing professionally ten years after graduation?
B. Insight into Dentistry & the wider healthcare system
What do you think a typical day looks like for a general dental practitioner in the NHS?
How does Dentistry contribute to overall health and wellbeing beyond simply “fixing teeth”?
NHS Dentistry has been in the news a lot recently. Can you explain one challenge it faces and suggest ways it might be addressed?
What are the key differences between NHS and private Dentistry from the patient’s perspective?
Should cosmetic dental treatments (such as whitening) ever be funded by the NHS? Why or why not?
Sugar tax and water fluoridation are sometimes controversial. Choose one and briefly explain both sides of the argument.
How might digital technologies or AI change the way dentists work in the future?
C. Personal qualities, teamwork & resilience
Tell us about a time you worked in a team. What was your role and what did you learn?
Describe a situation where something did not go to plan. How did you respond, and what would you do differently now?
Give an example of when you received criticism or constructive feedback. How did you feel and what did you do next?
Dental school can be stressful. How do you look after your own wellbeing when under pressure?
What does professionalism mean to you as a future dental student?
If a friend describes you in three words, what might they say, and how do those qualities relate to Dentistry?
Tell us about a time when you had to adapt your communication style for a particular person or situation.
D. Ethics & professionalism
A patient insists on having a treatment that you believe is not clinically appropriate. How would you handle this situation?
You notice a fellow student not following infection control procedures properly. What would you do?
When, if ever, is it acceptable to break patient confidentiality?
A child wants a procedure but their parent refuses consent. What factors would you consider in deciding what to do?
A colleague makes a joke you feel is unprofessional in front of patients. How would you respond?
E. Communication & empathy scenarios
These could be discussed as traditional questions or as role‑play prompts in a structured panel.
A very anxious adult patient is terrified of injections and needs restorative treatment. How would you approach the conversation?
A parent is upset because their child has significant dental decay and feels guilty. How would you support them?
A patient complains that they have been waiting too long to be seen. Show how you would respond.
You have to explain to a patient that a tooth cannot be saved and needs extraction. How would you communicate this sensitively?
F. Work experience & insight
Tell us about the most important thing you learned from any work experience, volunteering or caring role you have done.
What did you notice about how dental or healthcare staff worked as a team?
Describe a patient interaction you observed that impressed you. Why?
If you were unable to secure traditional dental shadowing, what did you do instead to understand Dentistry?
G. Manual dexterity & learning
Which activities or hobbies demonstrate your manual dexterity? What skills do they develop that are useful in Dentistry?
Describe a time when you had to practise a physical skill repeatedly to improve. How did you stay motivated?
How do you respond when you make a mistake in a practical task?
H. Data interpretation & problem‑solving
You might be shown simple charts or descriptions instead of real graphs in an online interview. For practice, imagine:
A bar chart shows an increase in dental caries among 5‑year‑olds in a particular region over five years. What might be contributing to this trend and how could the dental team respond?
A practice audit reveals that a high proportion of patients fail to attend their preventive appointments. What further information would you want to gather, and what changes might you suggest?
I. Current issues & your 5‑minute presentation
Since you must prepare a 5‑minute presentation on a controversial topic in Dentistry, here are some example titles you might choose (or be asked to justify):
“Should routine dental check‑ups remain free for certain groups on the NHS?”
“Is water fluoridation an effective and ethical way to improve oral health?”
“To what extent should cosmetic dentistry be regulated in the UK?”
“Can AI safely support clinical decision‑making in general dental practice?”
“How should NHS Dentistry adapt to tackle health inequalities?”
For each, practise:
summarising the issue in simple terms
explaining why it is controversial
presenting both sides fairly
giving a balanced, evidence‑informed personal view
J. Pasta model follow‑up questions
When you present your pasta habitat model, you may be asked questions such as:
Why did you choose this particular environment to represent your personality?
Which features of your model reflect qualities you would bring to dental school?
What challenges did you face while designing or building the model and how did you overcome them?
If you had more time or materials, how would you improve your model?
What does this task tell us about the way you approach creative or practical problems?
When are Bristol Dentistry offers released? 📬
Bristol’s official interview page explains that:
They aim to contact you with the outcome of your interview within about three weeks.
However, many applicants are placed “on hold” until all interviews are completed, to ensure fairness.
It is therefore unlikely that they will confirm a place until the main interview period is finished.
Student reports on The Student Room suggest that for recent cycles:
Most offers have been released after the final interview dates (for example, after early March in one cycle).
Some applicants receive decisions (offers or rejections) on specific “batch” days, sometimes with rejections earlier in the day and offers later – though this pattern may change.
Offer‑holder days for Dentistry have tended to run in the spring (March–May).
Officially, Bristol confirms that no offer is made without an interview, and any offer is usually conditional on occupational health clearance (and DBS where relevant).
So, for 2026 entry, you should be prepared for:
a provisional interview outcome relatively soon after your interview
but a final decision and UCAS update often coming once all candidates have been interviewed, i.e. March–April, within UCAS deadlines.
Top tips for your University of Bristol Dentistry interview 🌈
Here are practical, Bristol‑specific tips that align with official guidance and national expectations.
1. Know the official criteria
Start with the Bristol Dentistry admissions statement and the Dentistry interview information page. Highlight what they say about:
UCAT
interview format
attributes they assess
Then look at the Dental Schools Council “values and attributes” guide so your examples match what UK dental schools collectively look for.
2. Build a “rainbow” of examples 🌈
Create a mind‑map of 6–8 key experiences in different “colours” or categories, for example:
🟦 Academic challenge
🟩 Teamwork
🟨 Communication
🟧 Leadership
🟪 Caring / volunteering
🟥 Resilience / setback
For each, note a short story you can use to answer different questions.
3. Use a simple structure for answers
When answering questions, try a straightforward structure, for example:
Point – answer the question directly.
Explain – give your reasoning.
Example – brief, specific illustration from your experience.
Reflect – what you learned and how it applies to Dentistry.
This keeps your answers focused and avoids rambling.
4. Prepare the pasta task thoughtfully
Don’t treat it as a childish craft exercise – it’s actually a clever way to assess:
creativity and planning
manual dexterity
how well you can explain your thinking
Choose a habitat that genuinely reflects you (e.g. coral reef, woodland, cityscape), and be ready to talk about:
why that environment suits your personality
the symbolism of different parts of the model
any problems you solved while building it
5. Choose a strong, current presentation topic
Pick a topic in Dentistry that:
is genuinely current and debatable (e.g. NHS access crisis, water fluoridation, AI in Dentistry)
you can research using reliable sources (NHS, BDA, academic articles, reputable news)
you can explain in simple, non‑technical language
Practise delivering your 5‑minute talk aloud several times, aiming for clarity, not memorisation.
6. Practise speaking on Zoom 🎥
Since the interview is online:
practise answering questions on camera with a friend or teacher
check your lighting, sound and background
get used to looking at the camera, not at yourself
minimise distractions (notifications, other people, background noise)
7. Revise core dental & NHS topics
You do not need dental school‑level knowledge, but you should be comfortable discussing:
basic idea of dental caries, periodontal disease and prevention
the impact of lifestyle factors (sugar, smoking, alcohol)
NHS vs private Dentistry
key NHS values (respect, dignity, compassion, teamwork, improving lives, everyone counts)
8. Protect your integrity
Remember Bristol’s strong warning: do not use smartphones, notes or AI tools during the interview.
You can:
practise beforehand with friends, teachers, or free online resources
attend official outreach events, open days or summer schools
The Dental Schools Council specifically cautions against relying on commercial admissions companies, and stresses that universities do not endorse them.
9. Treat nerves as normal
Almost everyone feels nervous. What matters is:
breathing slowly before you speak
taking a second to think before answering
being honest if you don’t understand a question (“Please may I clarify…?”)
Interviewers are looking for potential, not perfection.
10. Reflect afterwards – but don’t obsess
Afterwards, jot down:
what went well
what you would improve next time
Then try not to over‑analyse every sentence. Bristol’s process includes “on hold” decisions, so silence for a while does not necessarily mean bad news.
Student comments & insights on the Bristol Dentistry interview 💬
While official information comes from the University itself, it can be reassuring to hear what recent applicants have said on forums and in interview guides. Remember these are anecdotal and not official policy.
From The Student Room and curated guides:
Several candidates reported that the interview, although formal, felt “chilled” or friendlier than expected, and that assessors were kind and understanding.
Students often mention being initially confused by tasks like the “matchbox” or “pasta” model, but finding that interviewers were more interested in their reasoning than in a perfect piece of art.
Some applicants noted that interviews lasted around 30–45 minutes, plus time for the two pre‑prepared tasks.
Many students emphasise the importance of:
mind‑mapping your academic and personal journey
practising common Dentistry questions
keeping up with dental “hot topics”
Guides such as Blue Peanut, Medic Mind and others echo that Bristol’s interviewers focus strongly on: motivation for Dentistry, NHS values, reflection on work experience, and professionalism.
Use these insights to reassure yourself, but always rely on the University of Bristol’s own pages for exact rules, dates and requirements.
Final thoughts
The University of Bristol Dental School interview is demanding but very structured and transparent. If you:
understand how UCAT is used
prepare thoroughly for the pasta model and presentation
practise answering questions about yourself, Dentistry, ethics and the NHS
behave with honesty, integrity and professionalism
…then you will give yourself a strong chance of turning an interview into an offer.
You absolutely can do this – one thoughtful, well‑prepared answer at a time. 🦷✨
References
University of Bristol – BDS Dentistry (A206) course page (selection notes, UCAT threshold examples, course overview). University of Bristol
University of Bristol – Dentistry and Gateway to Dentistry interview information (Zoom format, dates, pasta task, presentation task, conduct rules). University of Bristol
University of Bristol – Undergraduate Admissions Statement for Dentistry (BDS) (2024/25 and 2025/26 cycles; academic criteria, UCAT use, interview role). University of Bristol
University of Bristol – Gateway to Dentistry and International Foundation Programme for Dentistry (widening participation and guaranteed interview pathways). University of Bristol
University of Bristol – Guaranteed offers / guaranteed interview policy (relevant to Medicine and Dentistry for 2026 entry). University of Bristol
Dental Schools Council – Applying to Dentistry and Values and Attributes Needed to Study Dentistry. Dental Schools Council
Blue Peanut Medical – Bristol Dental School Interview Questions (2026 Entry) and UK Dentistry Interview Guides (FOI‑summarised statistics, thematic topics). Blue Peanut Medical
