Endodontic Residency Interview Insights

Deciding to pursue a dental specialty is one of the biggest career decisions you’ll make—and it rarely happens in a vacuum. Family circumstances, finances, geography, and timing all factor in. I originally wrote this guide after interviewing at Albert Einstein Medical Center and Texas A&M in 2019. At the time, I had four years of general dentistry experience at an FQHC affiliated with Indian Health Services, and I was not offered a position that cycle.

I’m publishing this updated version in 2026 because the landscape has shifted enough that candidates deserve a refreshed resource. The core of what makes a strong endo candidate hasn’t changed—but the process, the technology, and some of the clinical debates have evolved considerably.

This guide shares my firsthand experience and offers practical advice, resources, and interview questions to help you prepare.

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The Application Process

ADEA PASS and Program-Specific Applications

Most endodontic residency programs continue to use the ADEA PASS system for centralized applications. However, a meaningful number of programs still require supplemental or standalone applications—check each program’s website regularly, as requirements can change between cycles.

Unlike most other dental specialties, endodontics does not participate in the MATCH process. This gives programs more flexibility in how they select and offer positions, but it also means the timeline can be less predictable for applicants.

Apply Early—Rolling Admissions Matter

Endo programs review applications on a rolling basis. This cannot be overstated: submitting a complete application early in the cycle is one of the most impactful things you can do. Historically, the application portal opens in mid-May, and some programs begin issuing interview invitations as early as the first week of June.

Aim to submit by June 1st if at all possible. By late June, many programs have already identified their full interview pool. A June 9th submission is workable, but every week of delay carries real risk.

Once you submit, be ready to move quickly. Interviews are typically scheduled on short notice between late June and early August.

A Note for Experienced Applicants

If you’ve been in practice for several years before applying—as I was—lean into that experience. Programs recognize that clinical seasoning brings something a new graduate cannot replicate: judgment, chairside composure, and a track record of making hard calls. Frame your experience as an asset, not an apology.

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The Interview Format

How Many Candidates Are Interviewed?

Programs vary widely in the size of their interview pool. Competitive university-based programs may interview 15–30 candidates for 2–4 positions. Some smaller or stipend-based programs interview fewer applicants. Your goal is not just to get an interview—it’s to make a lasting impression once you’re in the room.

Interview Length and Structure

Expect anywhere from 20 minutes to a full day, depending on the program. Some programs run a structured schedule with back-to-back faculty interviews; others are more relaxed and conversational. A typical day might include a facility tour, brief presentations from the program director and residents, followed by individual faculty interviews.

Some programs use a panel format; others rotate you through one-on-ones. Prepare for both.

Lunch and Informal Time

Many programs include lunch with current residents. This is not downtime—it’s an opportunity. Residents often have real influence in the selection process, and they’re evaluating whether you’d be a good colleague. Be genuine, ask thoughtful questions, and avoid talking exclusively about yourself.

When Will You Hear Back?

Because there’s no MATCH, programs notify candidates on their own timelines. Some offer positions within days of the interview; others may take weeks. It is appropriate—and often expected—to send a thank-you email within 24–48 hours of your interview. If you receive an offer from one program and are still waiting to hear from another, contact the second program professionally to ask about your status.

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What to Bring to the Interview

Attire and Materials

Dress professionally and conservatively. When in doubt, err on the side of more formal. Bring extra copies of your CV and a notepad for questions you want to ask. A padfolio looks polished and gives you a place to keep your question list accessible without pulling out your phone.

Should You Bring a Portfolio?

A clinical case portfolio can be a strong differentiator, particularly for experienced applicants. If you’re going to bring one, it should be curated—5 to 10 of your best cases, well-documented with radiographs and brief case notes. Quality over quantity. A poorly assembled portfolio can hurt more than help.

If you bring a portfolio, be prepared to walk through the cases conversationally, not defensively. Have answers ready for “what would you do differently?” and “what was the most challenging aspect of this case?”

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Resources to Prepare With

Online Community Threads

The Student Doctor Network (SDN) endo interview threads remain one of the best sources of real-time, cycle-specific information from applicants in the process. Search for the current cycle’s thread on the SDN forums under “Dental Residents & Practicing Dentists.” Candidates post interview dates, question lists, and program impressions in near real-time.

Podcasts Worth Listening To

Dental podcasts are an excellent way to familiarize yourself with key figures, current debates, and the culture of endodontics. Some worth exploring:

• Endo Files Podcast – Covers clinical technique and emerging research
• Endo Voices – The AAE’s own podcast; essential listening before any interview
• The Endodontic Report – Clinical and practice management topics
• Dentistry Uncensored with Howard Farran – Older episodes featuring endodontic legends like Rick Schwartz, Martin Trope, Stephen Cohen, Allen Nasseh, and Gary Glassman remain highly relevant for understanding the history and debates of the specialty

Before your interviews, listen to at least a few episodes featuring the program director or faculty at your target programs, if any are available. Demonstrating familiarity with someone’s published work or perspective is a powerful interview differentiator.

Textbooks Worth Reading

Cohen’s Pathways to the Pulp remains the gold standard endodontic textbook and is the most likely reference point for clinical questions during interviews. If you have limited time, Dr. Rick Schwartz’s Best Practices in Endodontics: A Desk Reference is an excellent condensed alternative.

If your interview is weeks away and a full textbook isn’t realistic, watch online CE. Dr. Cliff Ruddle’s Advanced Endodontics series is widely respected and freely accessible—it’s a solid foundation for brushing up quickly.

The Journal of Endodontics

Read at least the last two or three issues of the Journal of Endodontics (JOE) before your interviews. A common interview prompt is: “Have you read anything interesting in the literature lately?” Having a specific, recent article to reference—and an opinion about it—demonstrates genuine engagement with the specialty.

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History of Endodontics: Know the Pioneers

Program directors and faculty often trained under legends whose influence continues to shape the specialty. Understanding this lineage is more than trivia—it signals that you’re serious about joining this community.

Key Figures to Know

• Dr. Herbert Schilder (Boston University) – Pioneer of warm vertical condensation and three-dimensional obturation. His students are sometimes called “Schilderites” and hold strong views on technique. If you’re interviewing at BU or with any Schilder-trained endodontist, know his work.
• Dr. Martin Trope – Influential in regenerative endodontics, trauma, and single-visit treatment.
• Dr. Stephen Cohen – Editor of Pathways to the Pulp and one of the most recognized names in the field.
• Dr. Gary Glassman – Known for innovation in rotary instrumentation and digital workflow.
• Dr. Allen Nasseh – Prominent educator and real-world endo practitioner.

Familiarize yourself with the AAE’s history at aae.org. Endodontists are a tight-knit community, and understanding how the specialty organized itself matters.

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Interview Questions You Should Prepare to Answer

About You

Tell me about yourself. This is almost always the opening question. You have limited time—some interviews run only 20 minutes—so keep your response focused and purposeful. Anchor your story in your clinical journey and genuine interest in endo. Leave room for the interview to move forward.

Why did you become a dentist? Even in an endo interview, faculty want to understand your foundational motivation. Have a clear, authentic answer.

What do you like about dentistry? What are some of its challenges? This is an invitation to demonstrate self-awareness and perspective. Be honest about the challenges—it shows maturity.

Why endodontics? This question will come up. Be honest and specific. Don’t make it about money. The best answers connect a genuine clinical passion with a clear vision for your future in the specialty.

What sets endodontics apart from other specialties? Another angle on “why endo”—think about the patient experience, the clinical precision, the relationship with referring dentists, and the scope of what endodontists are increasingly doing.

About This Program

Why did you choose this program? This may be the most important question you’ll face. Do your homework: know the program director’s research, the program’s clinical philosophy, notable alumni, and any recent contributions to the literature. Generic answers are a red flag.

What was your experience like at [dental school]? Be honest and reflective. Faculty interact with programs and students across the country—they likely already have a sense of your school’s strengths and gaps. Acknowledge both without being dismissive.

Were there any deficiencies in your dental education? A thoughtful, self-aware answer here is better than deflection. Showing you’ve identified and actively addressed weaknesses is exactly what good residents do.

Clinical Questions

Do you do root canals in your practice? Do you do molar endo? If you’ve been in practice, have a clear and honest answer. If you do molar endo, be ready to discuss your armamentarium, your access to CBCT, and your indications for referral. If you don’t, explain your reasoning.

What are your thoughts on endodontists placing core buildups after completing treatment? The shift toward endodontists placing definitive restorations has continued to gain momentum since 2019. Have a considered opinion—this is an evolving area with legitimate debate. Understanding the restorative interface is particularly valuable if you have general dentistry experience.

What are your thoughts on endodontists placing implants? This debate has not resolved and remains a live topic in the specialty. There’s no single right answer, but you should have a thoughtful, informed position. Review the AAE’s current position statement before your interview.

What are your thoughts on CBCT in endodontic diagnosis and treatment planning? CBCT adoption has expanded significantly. You should be able to speak to its indications, limitations, radiation considerations, and how it changes case complexity assessment.

What do you think about regenerative endodontics? This has moved from emerging to established in the last decade. Be prepared to discuss pulp revascularization/revitalization in immature permanent teeth, and where the research currently stands.

Self-Assessment Questions

What are your strengths? Lead with strengths that are genuinely relevant to residency performance—dexterity, patience, thoroughness, a track record of seeking feedback.

What are your weaknesses? Choose something real that you’ve been actively working on. Avoid the clichéd “I work too hard.” The interviewer is assessing your self-awareness and capacity for growth.

What is the biggest weakness in your application? Be prepared to address it directly and without excuses. Whether it’s a grade, a gap in training, a lower ADAT score, or a lack of published research—own it, contextualize it, and explain what you’ve done about it.

Why should we pick you? Be direct. This is not the moment for false modesty. Tell them specifically what you bring to their program, their residents, and the specialty.

Forward-Looking Questions

Where do you see yourself in five or ten years? Have a genuine answer. Academia? Private practice? Teaching? Research? An active role in the AAE? Don’t be vague.

What kind of endodontist do you want to be? This question stumped the author in 2019—don’t let it catch you off guard. Think about your clinical philosophy, your relationship with referring dentists, your interest in technology, your teaching ambitions.

What challenges do you think endodontology will face over the next decade? Some themes worth considering: the growing implant-vs-save-the-tooth debate, regenerative therapy, AI-assisted diagnosis and treatment planning, access to care, workforce distribution, and the changing referral relationship with general dentists.

What are the benefits of board certification? Do you plan to become board certified? Most programs want residents who see value in board certification. Know the AAE’s requirements and be able to articulate why the process matters to you personally.

You’ve been out of school for several years. Are you ready to return to full-time academics? If this applies to you, have a clear and confident answer. Highlight CE courses you’ve completed, endo literature you follow, and the ways your clinical experience has deepened rather than dulled your curiosity.

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Random Questions to Have Answers Ready For

Faculty use these questions to get to know you as a person and assess how you think on your feet:

• If you could do anything other than dentistry, what would you do and why?
• If you could have dinner with three people, who would you choose?
• Who are your role models or sources of inspiration?
• What was the last book you read?
• What do you do to manage stress?
• What does a typical day look like for you?
• What hobbies do you have outside of dentistry?

These questions are not throwaways. They reveal character, communication style, and cultural fit. Answer genuinely—programs are selecting colleagues.

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Situational-Based Questions

Some programs present written or verbal scenarios and ask how you would proceed. Be ready for cases like:

A patient presents for endodontic therapy at tooth #X with no obvious clinical indication. How do you proceed? Walk through your diagnostic process: history, symptoms, clinical tests (cold, heat, percussion, palpation, probing), and imaging. Demonstrate methodical thinking.

A patient presents for retreatment, and radiographs reveal a large separated file fragment in the DB canal that the patient was never informed about. How do you proceed? This tests your ethical reasoning and communication skills. The answer involves transparency with the patient, informed consent, and a thorough discussion of options and prognosis.

A referring dentist sends you a tooth with a mid-root perforation they didn’t disclose. The patient is also unaware. How do you explain this to the patient? Again, honesty and patient-centered communication are central. You should also be thinking about how to handle the referring dentist relationship professionally.

A 16-year-old presents alone with symptoms of irreversible pulpitis on #3. How do you proceed? Informed consent and minor patient protocols are the crux here. Know your state’s laws regarding minors and emergency dental treatment.

One of your co-residents has obtained unauthorized copies of old exams. What do you do? Academic integrity scenario. Programs want residents who will uphold institutional standards even when it’s uncomfortable.

Your best referral source routinely creates iatrogenic complications. You don’t want to lose the referral, but their work is below the standard of care. What do you do? A classic ethics and professional relationship dilemma. There’s nuance here—this is worth thinking through carefully before your interview.

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Questions to Ask Them

You will almost certainly be asked “Do you have any questions?” multiple times throughout the day—by faculty, residents, and the program director. Prepare more questions than you think you’ll need. The starred questions below tend to generate the most substantive conversations:

For Program Faculty and Directors

• ⭐ What are the biggest changes planned for the program in the next one to three years?
• ⭐ If there was one thing you could change about the program, what would it be?
• ⭐ What is the biggest challenge residents face during their time here?
• ⭐ Do you find your graduates to be well-prepared for specialty practice?
• Is there a general clinical philosophy or approach practiced here?
• What have been the most significant findings from your program’s recent research?
• Are residents required to challenge the written boards prior to graduation?
• How do residents interact with other specialty programs at this institution?

For Current Residents

• ⭐ Would you hire an endodontist who recently graduated from this program?
• What do you wish you had known before starting the program?
• How accessible is the program director for mentorship and guidance?
• What does a typical clinical day look like for a first-year resident?
• Are there opportunities to explore different techniques and materials, or is there a set protocol?
• How do residents balance clinical requirements with the academic and research components?

About Clinical Training

• What is the typical case complexity seen by first-year residents?
• Are there sufficient opportunities for retreatment and surgical cases?
• Has implantology been incorporated into the surgical curriculum?
• Does the program accept Medicaid patients? Where are most patients referred from?

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After the Interview

Send a Thank-You

Within 24–48 hours, send a personalized thank-you email to each faculty member you interviewed with. Reference something specific from your conversation. It takes ten minutes and leaves a lasting impression—most candidates don’t do it.

If You Are Not Accepted

Not being offered a position is genuinely painful, and it’s worth sitting with that for a moment before deciding next steps. Some candidates reapply the following cycle with a stronger application. Others use the experience to clarify whether the specialty is truly the right path. There’s no universal right answer.

If you plan to reapply, identify what you can strengthen: more endodontic CE, additional case documentation, a new letter of recommendation from an endodontist you’ve shadowed or trained with, or a more polished personal statement.

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A Final Note

Receiving an interview invitation is a real accomplishment. It means someone looked at your application and saw potential. Walk into that interview ready to advocate for yourself, ask excellent questions, and demonstrate that you’ve thought seriously about what it means to dedicate your career to this specialty.

The faculty interviewing you are choosing a colleague. Show them who you are.

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This guide was originally developed from firsthand interview experience at Albert Einstein Medical Center and Texas A&M in 2019. If you have suggestions, corrections, or experiences to add, reach out via embrasurespace.com.