Otago Dentistry interview 2027.
Otago invites about 350 applicants to an interview on Zoom in late September or early October. Here is what Otago says about it, how selection works afterwards, the six kinds of question, and one question you can try now.
From the University of Otago dentistry admissions page and a 2024 OIA response, read 27 October 2026.
A practice interview in Cutline’s room. The 2:00 is our practice clock, not Otago’s rule.
What the interview is.
On Zoom, in late September or early October
Otago says the interviews are conducted by Zoom in late September or early October, with the date confirmed each year. About 350 applicants across all admission categories are invited, and not everyone who applies is interviewed.
What Otago has said it assesses
In a 2024 Official Information Act response, Otago described the interview as assessing aptitude for the programme: motivation, decision making and communication skills. It is the clearest public statement of what the panel is looking for.
Then academic score decides
Otago says the final determining factor for selecting an applicant who has met all three admission criteria is academic score, or a weighted academic score in the graduate category. Your marks still do the final sorting.
What Otago does not publish
The number of stations or panel members, the exact questions, how the interview is weighted against grades, and the time you get per answer. Anyone who tells you these as fact is guessing. Cutline’s room uses 2:00 per answer as practice, not as Otago’s rule.
Who gets invited.
From Health Sciences First Year
- All seven first-year papers at Otago in the year you apply, not previously completed in one calendar year.
- An average of at least 65% across your best seven papers (an optional eighth paper counts if you take it), with no mark under 60% in the prescribed papers.
- A pass in the HSFY English Diagnostic, or ENGL 128.
- The Dental Admissions Committee may set a minimum academic requirement each year to reach the interview stage.
The other categories
Otago admits through three categories: Health Sciences First Year, Graduate and Alternative. The equity groups are Māori, NZRIPO (Pacific), Socioeconomic, Refugee Background and NZ Rural Origins.
- Graduate: your first degree completed within three years, with a weighted GPA of at least 5.
- Applying for both Medicine and Dentistry? You must select a preferred programme.
- For admission in 2027, every applicant must have completed the Otago Health Sciences First Year papers or their equivalents.
The six kinds of question.
The questions Cutline’s panel asks fall into six groups. The bank itself is inside the room, and one question from it is free below.
- The nine that come up most
- Your experiences and influences
- Dentistry as a profession
- About you
- Scenarios
- Money
How to prepare.
Answer out loud, on camera
The interview is on Zoom, so practise the way it happens: camera on, a question you have not seen, an answer spoken in full.
Have an answer for the three things Otago named
Motivation, decision making and communication. Know why dentistry, be able to walk through a decision you made, and say it clearly.
Keep a clock on it
Otago does not publish the time per answer. Practise to a set limit anyway, so you learn to finish a point. Cutline’s room uses 2:00.
Keep your marks up
Once you have met the criteria, academic score is the final determining factor. The interview does not replace the 65% and 60% rules.
Try one question free.
One free question with full feedback after you sign in. The paid room has every question, full interviews of six, and feedback on motivation, decision making and communication for each answer.
Why do you want to do dentistry?
Asked in a real person’s voice: Edwin, Cutline’s founder, who did Health Sciences First Year in 2025 and holds offers for both Otago Medicine and Dentistry.
Try it free in the practice roomWhere the room is included.
- Cutline HSFY Full Year 2027On sale from 2 November 2026. The Dent interview room is included.NZ$949or 3 x $329
- Summer + Cutline HSFY 2027Cutline Summer and the full year, room included.NZ$1,449
- The room on its ownFrom 1 July to 1 November 2027. A waitlist before then.NZ$149
Access to the room ends 1 November 2027. Prices in NZD including GST, with a 14-day full refund.
Questions people ask.
When is the Otago dentistry interview?
Otago says the interviews are conducted by Zoom in late September or early October, and the date is confirmed each year.
Is the Otago dentistry interview an MMI?
Otago describes a Zoom interview and does not publish a station format or the number of panel members. Cutline’s practice room is a panel that asks one question at a time, which is a practice format, not a claim about Otago’s.
How many people are interviewed for Otago dentistry?
Approximately 350 applicants across all admission categories are invited to an interview. Not every applicant is selected for one.
What does the Otago dentistry interview assess?
In a 2024 Official Information Act response, Otago described the interview as assessing aptitude for the programme: motivation, decision making and communication skills.
What marks do you need in HSFY to be considered for dentistry?
An average of at least 65% across your best seven papers, including an optional eighth paper if you take it, and no mark under 60% in the prescribed papers. You also need to pass the HSFY English Diagnostic or ENGL 128. The Dental Admissions Committee may set a minimum academic requirement each year to reach the interview stage.
How does Otago choose between applicants after the interview?
Otago says the final determining factor for selecting an applicant who has met all three admission criteria is academic score. In the graduate category it is a weighted academic score.
Can you apply for both Medicine and Dentistry at Otago?
Yes. Applicants applying for both must select a preferred programme between the two.
What are the admission categories for Otago dentistry?
Health Sciences First Year, Graduate and Alternative. The equity groups are Māori, NZRIPO (Pacific), Socioeconomic, Refugee Background and NZ Rural Origins. For admission in 2027, all applicants must have completed the Health Sciences First Year papers or their equivalents.
Can you get into Otago dentistry with a degree?
Yes, through the graduate category. Otago asks for a first degree completed within three years and a weighted GPA of at least 5.
How long do you get to answer each question?
Otago does not publish the time per answer, the number of stations or panel members, the questions, or how the interview is weighted against grades. Cutline’s room gives 2:00 per answer as practice, not as Otago’s rule.
What kinds of question come up?
Cutline’s panel asks six kinds of question: the nine that come up most, your experiences and influences, dentistry as a profession, about you, scenarios and money. One question is free to try and the rest are inside the room.
How can I practise for the Otago dentistry interview?
Cutline’s practice room at app.cutline.nz/dent gives you one free question, Why do you want to do dentistry?, with full feedback after you sign in. The paid room has every question, full interviews of six, and feedback on motivation, decision making and communication for each answer. It is included in Cutline HSFY Full Year 2027 and Summer + Cutline HSFY 2027, and sold alone for NZ$149 from 1 July 2027.