The multiple mini-interview and dental hygiene admissions: A feasible option?

As healthcare becomes more client-centered, certain provider "soft skills" have become more desirable. Although these skills may be valued by the health professions, admission processes often do not account for them. This study evaluated the performance of applicants to 3 dental hygiene programs in a multiple mini-interview designed to assess characteristics deemed desirable by the programs and profession.

Trained evaluators assessed the performance of participants as they rotated through 8 unique stations designed to highlight specific traits. Participants were scored on a 1-7 Likert scale, and a mean average was calculated based on performance at all stations. Participants and evaluators also completed a survey to determine opinions regarding the multiple mini-interview (MMI) activity and its potential as an admissions tool. Two-tailed Fisher's exact test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to assess the relationship between station types, and ANOVA and post hoc tests to analyze the performance of program groups among stations. Qualitative data were analyzed for trends and themes.

Mean scores ranged from 2.5 to 6.25, with a mean average of 4.90. Both participants and evaluators expressed a high degree of satisfaction with the activity overall and believed it was an effective tool for assessment of nonacademic traits.

An MMI is a feasible option for assessment of nonacademic traits of candidates for admission to dental hygiene programs. Programs that consider both academic and nonacademic performances of applicants may admit individuals who are not only uniquely qualified to be healthcare providers, but might otherwise not have gained admission.