A Pilot Study to Assess Feasibility of Lay Representation in Dental School Admissions Interviews

Abstract

Regulatory bodies in the dental profession often include members of the public as a way to ensure that patient interests are represented. With student selection for admission to dental school being a multifaceted, highly competitive process, this study was motivated by curiosity about the value of involving members of the public in the admissions process. At Newcastle University School of Dental Sciences, UK, semi-structured selection interviews conducted by two members of the faculty staf are part of the process. In the 2016-17 and 2017-18 admissions cycles, four lay representatives joined a number of the interview sessions. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of having a lay person present during the selection interview and whether this could become an integral part of the admissions process. A secondary purpose was to internally validate the processes in place for the interviews by considering the alignment of judgments of the panel and lay representatives. This study followed a two-stage, mixed-methods design. Quantitative analysis compared numerical interview scores awarded by the panel and lay representative when present. Scores for each question domain and overall interview score were compared. Qualitative analysis was carried out by conducting a focus group with lay representatives to seek insight into their experience and relections on the interview processes. Thematic analysis was used, and overarching themes identiied. The results showed no statistically signiicant diference between the interview panel and lay persons' scores for each domain or overall score awarded for the interview. The thematic analysis identiied three overarching themes: reason for volunteering, process and training, and thoughts on style of interview used. These results suggest that involvement of lay people from the local community was feasible, and there was interest in continuing this involvement from the volunteers themselves.

Postbaccalaureate and graduate applicants to dental school: An analysis of holistic review

“…18,19 However, many master's programs often have linkages with dental schools to grant interviews to the highest-performing students ready to transition to rigorous professional school coursework, and the lateness of those file reviews, interviews, and offers may obfuscate any definitive conclusions. Our analysis also does not take into account extra-application factors that could affect applicant evaluation or performance, such as weather during admissions interviews, 20 different interviewing formats such as the Multiple Mini-Interview 21,22 or video interviewing, [23][24][25][26] or performance on a psychomotor skills test. 27 The data from this PBGR applicant analysis suggests further reflection and consideration of systematically rewarding improvement in academic performance, especially if higher PBGPA/GRGPA can be attributed to better access to strong mentoring and personal/professional development.…”