The candidate card
Setting
Dental clinic
Candidate
You are a dentist. Ms Bhavana Unnikrishnan has brought her 4-year-old son for his first dental check-up after several weeks of pain when eating. Your examination shows decay in several of his baby molars, some of it extensive, in a pattern that suggests frequent sugary drinks; there is no facial swelling or sign of spreading infection, and you have already provided interim care today to ease his pain. He needs a referral to a specialist children's dentist for treatment, and your practice will continue to provide his routine and emergency dental care while he waits, as well as supporting changes to his diet and brushing at home.
Task (interlocutor: parent)
- Find out about her son's drinking and eating habits and his tooth-brushing routine at home
- Explain your findings and why baby teeth matter (chewing, speech, holding space for adult teeth, risk of pain and infection)
- Reassure Ms Unnikrishnan in a non-judgemental way and respond to her belief that baby teeth do not need treatment
- Advise on practical changes at home (bedtime drinks, sugary foods and drinks, brushing with fluoride toothpaste)
- Explain the referral and what to do if his symptoms get worse, and agree a plan for home care and follow-up
In the test you get 3 minutes to read the card and plan, then about 5 minutes to talk. This card is original, written for this site; the interlocutor's card is not shown.
How to approach this card
- Ask about drinks, snacks and brushing in a curious, neutral way, since she may already feel judged. Open questions about a typical day give you the facts without implying blame.
- Say what you found and what you have done for his pain today before discussing causes. A worried parent is likely to take in explanation better once she knows he has been looked after.
- Answer her belief that baby teeth do not need treatment by asking what she understands, then explain their jobs: chewing, speech, holding space and the risk of pain and infection. Do not contradict her bluntly.
- Frame drinks and brushing advice as small, achievable changes, starting with bedtime drinks, and use shared language such as we can work on this. Avoid words like neglect or bad habits.
- If time is short, secure agreement on the referral and what symptoms should prompt contact, then one home change. Close by explaining that your practice continues his routine and emergency care while he waits.
Phrases to adapt
Use your own words; these show the register, not lines to memorise.
- Lots of parents are surprised by this. It isn't about anything you've done wrong.
- Tell me what a normal day of drinks and snacks looks like for him.
- What have you heard about whether baby teeth need treatment?
- Which one change feels easiest to start with this week?
Medical words in plain English
| Term | How you might say it to the patient |
|---|---|
| decay in the baby molars | Holes forming in the back baby teeth he chews with. |
| paediatric dentist referral | A referral to a dentist who specialises in treating children. |
| interim care | Short-term treatment today to ease his pain until the specialist can treat him. |
How this card is marked
Two assessors mark the recording on nine criteria: intelligibility, fluency, appropriateness of language and resources of grammar and expression (each 0–6), then relationship building, understanding and incorporating the patient's perspective, providing structure, information gathering and information giving (each 0–3). Grade B usually means 5 on each language criterion and 2 on each clinical one. See the AI Speaking practice guide for what each criterion looks for.
More Dentistry role-play cards
- Neglected oral care in a parent with dementia Dental clinic
- Dentist: root canal treatment or extraction for an anxious patient Dental clinic
- Bleeding gums in pregnancy Dental clinic
All sets: nurses, doctors, other professions. Your profession's guide: OET Dentistry.
Questions about this role-play
How do I stay non-judgemental but still raise sugary drinks?
Ask what he usually drinks and when, then say the pattern in his mouth is common and fixable. Focus on what to change (such as bedtime drinks), not on past choices, and thank her for bringing him in.
What if she keeps saying baby teeth fall out anyway?
Accept that they do fall out, then explain what they do until then: chewing, speech, holding space for adult teeth, and the risk of pain and infection, which he is already having. Keep it short and tied to his symptoms.
What do I say about worsening symptoms?
Give clear actions: contact the practice the same day for worsening pain, fever or facial swelling. Call 000 for difficulty breathing or swallowing, drooling or rapidly spreading neck swelling; swelling around the eye needs urgent emergency care. Do not wait for the specialist appointment if these develop. Ask her to repeat the plan back.
Sources
Last checked 22 Oct 2026. Rules and prices change: confirm on the official page before you book or apply.
OETAce is an independent practice site. OET is a registered trademark of Cambridge Boxhill Language Assessment (CBLA); we are not affiliated with or endorsed by CBLA. All practice material here is original.