UK Dentistry Interviews 2026 – Complete Guide to MMI Questions, Formats & Tips

Applying to dental school for 2026 entry is exciting… and seriously competitive. Interviews are still the biggest “make-or-break” stage for most applicants — especially now that schools are using a mix of MMIs, panel interviews, and online/f2f hybrids.

This updated guide (for sixth-form and graduate applicants) covers:

• ✅ How competitive dentistry really is (with real admissions ratios)

• ✅ New dental schools + extra training places (what’s confirmed vs proposed)

• ✅ Key dates + interview timeline for the 2025–26 cycle

• ✅ Hot NHS dentistry topics that interviewers love

• ✅ How to prepare (without sounding scripted)

• ✅ Links to every UK dental school’s interview guide on Blue Peanut

Dentistry competition by the numbers 📊 (why interview prep matters)

Dentistry has been competitive for years — but what catches many students out is how early you can be filtered out (UCAT cut-offs, GCSE scoring, academic thresholds), and then how much weight the interview carries once you’re shortlisted.

A real example: Sheffield’s admissions data for recent cycles shows how quickly the funnel narrows — hundreds of applicants invited to interview, and then a much smaller number receiving offers.

Key takeaway: if you get an interview invite, you’re already academically strong — the interview is designed to separate the strong from the offer-worthy.

So what does that mean for you?

• Your goal isn’t to “know more dentistry facts” than everyone else.

• Your goal is to prove you’re safe, professional, reflective, ethical, and genuinely motivated — in a pressured environment.

That’s why candidates who practice timed MMI delivery, role-play composure, and ethical frameworks consistently outperform equally smart applicants who “just wing it.

New dental schools + added places for 2026 🏫✨

There’s genuine momentum in UK dental education as the country seeks to address long-term workforce shortages and access issues.

1) Norwich / UEA School of Oral Health (planned capacity ~40/year)

A new School of Oral Health affiliated with the University of East Anglia (UEA) has received local support through funding and infrastructure planning. Public information about the project states that facilities are being developed to initially accommodate approximately 40 undergraduate students annually, with plans to expand in the long term.

What this means for applicants:
If an intake is confirmed for 2026 entry, it will still be competitive — but applicants who can clearly explain why the region needs dentists and why they want to train there may stand out.

2) North Wales dental school proposal (Bangor/Aberystwyth + partners)

In late 2025, renewed momentum and public reporting emerged regarding a proposal to establish a new dental school in Wales, involving Bangor and Aberystwyth alongside health and university partners. This is significant — but it’s best viewed as “in development” rather than a guaranteed entry in 2026.

3) Lincolnshire Institute of Dental and Oral Health (not a BDS — but still relevant)

The University of Lincoln has announced funding for the Lincolnshire Institute of Dental and Oral Health, aimed at increasing the dental workforce through training routes such as dental hygiene and therapy, rather than a dentist BDS degree at the outset.

This reflects a broader NHS policy: focusing on prevention, skill-mix, and expanding access via the entire dental team — a theme that does come up in interviews.

Key dates + dentistry interview timeline (2025–2026) 📅

UCAS deadline (dentistry)

For dentistry (like medicine + Oxbridge), the UCAS equal consideration deadline is:

• 15 October 2025 (18:00 UK time)

What happens after you submit?

While exact dates vary by university, the pattern is usually:

• Oct–Nov 2025: shortlisting begins (UCAT + academics + contextual criteria depending on school)

• Nov 2025–Mar 2026: interviews take place (some schools start early, many cluster in Jan/Feb)

• Mar 2026: many offer decisions land around/after interviews finish

Some universities publish rough windows. For example, Sheffield outlines a structured cycle with screening in autumn, interview invitations in January, and selection activity in late February.

A 2026-entry change many applicants miss: the UCAS personal statement format ✅

For 2026 entry, UCAS adopted a new, structured personal statement format with three guided questions, rather than a single extended essay. This change alters how you present motivation and experience—and it can influence what you’re asked at an interview since interviewers often probe what you wrote.

Tip: don’t just write “I’m passionate about dentistry” — write something that creates interview-friendly proof (“I observed X… I learned Y… I reflected on Z…”).

✅ Turn dental interview practice into performance.

Our dentist-designed mock MMI mirrors real stations—communication, ethics, critical thinking, data interpretation, manual dexterity—assessed by experienced tutors and former assessors 🥇. Gain confidence and a personalised action plan. ➡️ Click here to secure your spot — strict 10 places per circuit.

Interview Formats & Structures at UK Dental Schools (2026 Entry)

UK dentistry interview formats are still split mainly between MMIs (Multiple Mini Interviews) and panel/structured interviews. Delivery is now a genuine mix: some schools are explicitly in‑person, some explicitly online, and several operate hybrid rules (often differing for Home vs International applicants). Always follow the instructions in your interview invite.

University of Birmingham

Format: MMI circuit with 5–10 mini interviews, each lasting 5–10 minutes.
Delivery: In person only (the university states it does not offer online or telephone interviews).
Timing: Interviews take place during the February half-term week.
Read our guide: University of Birmingham Dentistry Interview Questions (2026 Entry)

University of Bristol

Format: A structured interview (not an MMI circuit).
Delivery (2026 entry): Remote via Zoom.
Length: ~45–60 minutes, with four assessors.
Timing: Interview dates run between December 2025 and February 2026.
Read our guide: University of Bristol Dentistry Interview Questions (2026 Entry)

Cardiff University

Format: Cardiff states it uses a Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) process.
Timing (2026 entry): Cardiff publishes BDS (A200) MMI dates as 12–23 January 2026.
(Cardiff does not always publish station counts publicly—treat any “10 stations” claims as non-official unless your invite confirms it.)
Read our guide: Cardiff University Dentistry Interview Questions (2026 Entry)

University of Dundee

Format (confirmed): 7 stations assessing different qualities; includes questions/situations/dilemmas and a role‑play scenario.
Delivery (2026 entry):

• UK-based applicants: expected to attend in person.

• International applicants: may be offered a remote interview via Blackboard Collaborate.
  Length: Plan for ~60 minutes total.
  Timing: Interviews are held between December and January.
  Please read our guide: University of Dundee Dentistry Interview Questions (2026 Entry)

University of Glasgow

Format (2026 entry): Glasgow’s published guidance for 2026 entry states that online Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs) will be used.
Timing: The same source lists interview dates as 23, 25 & 27 February 2026.
Read our guide: University of Glasgow Dentistry Interview Questions (2026 Entry)

King’s College London (KCL)

Format: King’s runs an interview process for Dentistry BDS; the exact structure (MMI-style vs panel/structured) can change by cycle and is usually clarified in your invite/applicant portal.
Read our guide: King’s College London Dentistry Interview Questions (2026 Entry)

University of Leeds

Format: Leeds uses Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs) for Medicine and Dentistry applicants; Leeds’ own outreach materials emphasise that the structure and content are similar whether interviews are in person or online.
Read our guide: University of Leeds Dentistry Interview Questions (2026 Entry)

University of Liverpool

Format: Liverpool uses an MMI-style selection interview for Dentistry.
Timing & delivery: These can vary by cycle (some years online, some in person), so treat station counts/platform details as invite-dependent.
Read our guide: University of Liverpool Dentistry Interview Questions (2026 Entry)

University of Manchester

Manchester provides a dedicated page for the Dentistry interview stage.
Format/delivery: Check the current-cycle instructions on that page and in your invite (Manchester has historically used an MMI-style approach, but applicants should rely on the official wording for their year).
Read our guide: University of Manchester Dentistry Interview Questions (2026 Entry)

Newcastle University

Format (confirmed): Panel interview, lasting ~20 minutes, led by two selectors.
Read our guide: Newcastle Dentistry Interview Questions (2026 Entry)

University of Plymouth (Peninsula Dental School)

Plymouth publishes a central Medicine & Dentistry selection and admissions process page for applicants.
Format/delivery: Refer to that page + your invite for the current cycle’s exact setup (Plymouth has commonly used an MMI structure in recent cycles).
Read our guide: University of Plymouth Dentistry Interview Questions (2026 Entry)

University of Sheffield

Format (confirmed): Semi-structured interview, lasting up to 15 minutes.
Panel: Two academic staff + a senior dental student, trained to assess you across defined areas.
Read our guide: University of Sheffield Dentistry Interview Questions (2026 Entry)

Queen Mary University of London (Barts & The London)

Format: Typically a panel/structured dentistry interview format (confirm exact delivery and timing in your invite).
Read our guide: Queen Mary (Barts) Dentistry Interview Questions (2026 Entry)

Queen’s University Belfast (QUB)

Format (confirmed): MMI.
Delivery (2026 entry): QUB states that interviews will be online for international fee-paying applicants and in person at QUB for home-fee applicants—still using the MMI format either way.
Timing: Candidates may expect interviews from mid‑December to March.
Read our guide: QUB Dentistry Interview Questions (2026 Entry)

University of Central Lancashire (UCLan, Preston) — Graduate Entry

The BDA lists Preston (UCLan) as a UK graduate-entry dental school.
Interview format/timing: Check the current admissions guidance/invite for details (often MMI-style).
Read our guide: UCLan Dentistry Interview Questions (2026 Entry)

University of Aberdeen — Graduate Entry

The BDA lists Aberdeen as a UK graduate-entry dental school.
Interview format/timing: Check Aberdeen’s current-cycle admissions guidance (graduate-entry processes can differ materially from standard-entry BDS).
Read our guide: University of Aberdeen Graduate Entry Dentistry Interview Questions (2026 Entry)

NHS policy changes + hot topics for 2026 dentistry interviews 🔥

Interviewers love candidates who can discuss real dentistry issues calmly and fairly — especially if you can show both sides.

Here are the big 2025–26 themes worth preparing:

1) NHS dental contract reforms (England) + urgent care access

In 2025, the government ran a consultation on NHS dentistry contract quality and payment reforms, including steps designed to:

• improve access to urgent care,

• better support higher-needs patients,

• and encourage prevention.

By late 2025, reporting around the reforms also emphasised changes aimed at prioritising urgent needs and implementation from April 2026 (so it’s very relevant for 2026 interview discussions).

Interview-style prompts you should expect:

• “How would you improve access to NHS dentistry?”

• “What are the pros and cons of changing how dentists are paid?”

• “Prevention vs treatment: where should the NHS focus?”

2) Prevention is going mainstream: supervised toothbrushing 🪥

In March 2025, the government announced a supervised toothbrushing programme aimed at helping prevent decay in young children, particularly in higher-need areas.

Why it comes up: it’s a perfect example of prevention, inequality, and practical public health delivery — all classic dentistry interview territory.

3) Water fluoridation expansion in North East England 💧

In March 2025, the government published its response on expanding community water fluoridation in the North East, aiming to extend coverage to around 1.6 million more people, with an explicit goal of reducing decay and inequalities.

Interview angle: be ready to explain (in plain English) what fluoridation is, why it’s used, and how you’d speak to a concerned parent or community member.

4) Sugar + baby foods: “more sugary than Coke” headlines 🍭

In April 2025, the British Dental Association highlighted concerns about sugar levels in baby food pouches and urged action, alongside a public petition calling to “make sugar the new tobacco.”

Interview angle: this is an easy “public health dentistry” discussion:

• corporate responsibility vs personal choice,

• marketing ethics,

• health inequalities,

• and realistic prevention strategies.

5) Access “dental deserts” + inequality (the human side)

Access problems remain a defining theme of UK dentistry — and interviewers often turn this into:

• empathy questions (“What would you say to a patient who can’t find an NHS dentist?”)

• prioritisation questions (“who do you treat first?”)

• professionalism questions (“how do you handle frustration safely?”)

A top candidate shows they understand the system pressures without blaming patients or sounding cynical.

Excelling at Your Dentistry Interview: What Actually Works ✅

Facing a panel or MMI can be nerve-wracking, but there are proven strategies to perform your best. Here’s what genuinely works – drawn from expert advice and dental schools’ recommendations:

1. Know the Format and Practice Accordingly:

Find out whether your interview is a panel (featuring traditional or structured questions with 2–3 interviewers) or an MMI (Multiple Mini Interviews with timed stations). Then, practise simulating it:

• For MMIs: rehearse giving clear, concise 5–7 minute answers to common station prompts, using a timer. Focus on structuring responses with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Get comfortable moving swiftly from one scenario to the next. Mock MMIs with friends or teachers can be very helpful.

• For panels: practise delivering longer, conversational answers. Build the stamina to speak for a few minutes coherently. Work on maintaining good eye contact and engaging the interviewers. Some schools (like Barts/QMUL) now explicitly use a panel format and expect a more discussion-like atmosphere.

2. Review Your Application and Work Experience Thoroughly:

Anything you mention in your personal statement or reference is fair game. Reflect on every experience: What did you learn? What skills did you demonstrate? Be prepared to provide specific examples (teamwork from your part-time job, empathy from volunteering at a care home, manual dexterity from playing the violin, etc.). Dental schools appreciate candidates who can reflect deeply: “In my week shadowing a dentist, I observed how vital clear communication is – for example, the dentist used models to explain treatment, which taught me the importance of patient education.” This shows insight. Remember, “Birmingham explicitly uses your personal statement and work experience in selection, and interviewers will often explore what you wrote.” So don’t be caught unprepared – review your work and be ready to discuss or expand on it.

3. Brush Up on Ethical Principles and Scenario Handling:

Dental interviews often feature ethics or professionalism scenarios (e.g., a colleague making a mistake, a patient refusing treatment). Review the core GDC ethical principles (prioritise patients’ interests, gain consent, maintain confidentiality, etc.). Practice a straightforward framework for ethical questions.

• Identify the issue (e.g. patient safety vs patient autonomy).

• State relevant principles (e.g. do not harm, consent).

• Outline your approach: say what steps you’d take and why, showing empathy and fairness.

• Acknowledge multiple viewpoints if appropriate (e.g. “On one hand, we respect autonomy, but we also have a duty of care…”).
  This structured thinking impresses examiners. And remember: often “there are no right answers in an ethical debate – interviewers aren’t looking for a specific viewpoint, but how you reason it out.”.

4. Stay Up-to-Date on Dental News (Briefly):

As covered in the hot topics section, understand the main points of NHS dentistry issues and any major headlines. You don’t need to memorise statistics, but being able to say “Yes, the lack of NHS dentists is a big issue – I read that millions struggle to get an NHS appointment, which is something I hope to help address as a future dentist,” can turn a generic answer into a standout one. Following the British Dental Journal news, Dentistry Online, or even the NHS England updates in the weeks before your interview can provide valuable insights.

5. Practice Common Questions Aloud:

There are staple questions like “Why Dentistry?” “Why this university?” “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” “Tell us about a time you demonstrated teamwork/leadership/resilience.” Don’t script complete answers (they’ll sound robotic), but bullet-point your main ideas and practice speaking them. Get comfortable talking about yourself – it’s surprisingly tricky if you haven’t done it before! Aim for sincere and specific responses:

• Replace a cliché like “I want to help people” with a personal example: perhaps mention how volunteering at a dental clinic helped you see the impact a dentist can have on someone’s confidence and health.

• For “Why [School]?”, refer to specific aspects of the programme (Problem-Based Learning at Manchester? Early clinical exposure at Plymouth? Anatomy dissection at King’s?). Demonstrate that you have researched them.

6. Work on Communication Skills and Body Language:

Dentistry is a caring profession, so interviewers notice how you communicate, not just what you say.

• Practice speaking clearly, at a moderate pace – especially for virtual interviews, clarity is key.

• Check your body language: sit up straight, avoid crossing arms, nod and smile (where appropriate) to show engagement. If online, look at the webcam to mimic eye contact.

• Try recording yourself answering a question. This can reveal habits such as excessive “um’s” a drifting gaze, or a too-serious expression. You want to come across as confident, thoughtful, and personable. (Don’t worry about being perfect – interviewers know you’re nervous. They’re looking more for sincerity and potential.)

7. Time Management in MMIs:

In MMI stations, time flows quickly. Practice structuring answers that fit the timeframe (usually around 5 minutes of speaking). A helpful technique is to briefly outline your points at the start (“There are two main reasons I believe… First,… Second,…”). This demonstrates organisation and helps you cover everything before time runs out. If a station involves reading information or a prompt, make good use of any provided preparation time (jot down key issues mentally). If you finish early, don’t panic – you can add a thoughtful conclusion or simply say all you intended; quality matters more than quantity. Conversely, if you’re still speaking when time’s up, stay calm – take a breath and confidently move on to the next station. Interviewers understand this is part of the challenge.

8. Embrace a “Growth Mindset”:

No one expects you to know everything or be perfect. It’s okay to ask for a question to be repeated if you didn’t hear it properly, or to take a brief pause to gather your thoughts. If you get a question you have absolutely no idea about (happens to everyone – could be a curveball like “How would you explain a complex dental procedure to a 7-year-old?”), Demonstrate your problem-solving approach out loud. Even if your answer isn’t textbook, showing reasoning and calmness is a win. If you feel you messed up an earlier question, don’t dwell on it – each interview station or question is a fresh chance. As one dental student said of MMIs, “it felt fast-paced but fair, with a chance to reset at every station.” Use that to your advantage.

9. Professionalism and Enthusiasm:

Treat your interview like a formal job interview. Dress smartly, ideally in business attire; remember, clinical cleanliness counts! Arrive early or log in ahead of time. Be courteous to everyone you encounter – staff, students, fellow applicants – as it all reflects on you. That said, let your enthusiasm shine through. Dentistry is both a science and a human-centred profession – demonstrate your genuine excitement. Smile when appropriate, speak energetically, and don’t hesitate to share why you’re passionate about this career (perhaps you enjoy the hands-on aspect combined with patient interaction, or your own orthodontic treatment inspired you – whatever motivates you, let it show).

10. Reflect After Mock Interviews:

If you get the chance to do any mock interviews (with a teacher, careers advisor, or a dentist you know), please don't hesitate to ask for feedback: Did I answer the question asked? Did I speak too quickly or too quietly? Did my examples show my skills? You can use this advice to improve. Even practising in front of a mirror and reflecting (“Did I actually address the ethical issue in that answer?”) can help you refine your technique. Each practice session will reduce your anxiety and boost your confidence for the real interview.

Finally, remember that interviewers are not trying to catch you out; they simply want to get to know the person behind the UCAS form. Many interviews, especially currently, are described as friendly but structured – for example, King’s panels are known to be friendly even if interviewers keep a neutral expression. They want you to succeed. A Queen’s Belfast tutor shared that their interviewers aim to put candidates at ease and understand their motivations and values. So try to see it as a conversation about your favourite subject – dentistry – and you. If you prepare thoroughly and stay true to yourself, you’ve done everything you can. Good luck! 🍀😁