What skills are necessary to work as a team?

With a question like this, it's important to have a structure to it. You don't want to just list the skills, tell the interviewer why this is important, what have you done in the past to demonstrate this? Then mention why this is a valuable skill in dentistry.

Here is an example of what you might say:

'One of the skills needed for an effective team would be communication. This is important because it ensures that everyone is aware of their designated roles, maintaining a good workflow. Good communication also allows for a positive work environment, building a good foundation of trust with your peers.

For example, when I was organising a social event for my sports team, I had to delegate tasks to my peers and had to consider their preferences. Having good communication skills with my teammates allowed me to delegate roles swiftly and this meant that we could quickly focus on other objectives.

This is important in dentistry because dentists need to communicate with nurses, hygienists, therapists and patients to provide patient care whilst maintaining a healthy work environment.'

This is just one example of what you could say, but there are other skills you should definitely include in your answer. Make sure you also mention:

• Leadership
• Empathy
• Adaptability
• Problem-solving
• Reliability