Celebration of Diversity in Global Dentistry, Sample 1st Paragraph for the Bachelor’s Degree in Dental Hygiene

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I was born in Somalia but raised in Memphis Tennessee.  Now 33 years old, I have visited Somalia many times as both a child and an adult. One of the reasons why I want very much to become a dental hygiene professional is because every time that I have visited my country of origin, it breaks my heart to witness beautiful men and women held captive by their poor dental hygiene. I know that they would wish to smile openly without covering their mouths with their palms. I feel their tragedy very deeply and dream of returning to help Somalia develop structures of oral health care. My country is probably the last place anyone would want to visit, because of the violence and abysmal poverty. So we need to have confidence in our ability to smile.

Across the continent of Africa south of the Sahara, many people go about their daily business with a small stick or twig protruding from their mouth, which they chew or use to scrub their teeth. It is cut from wild trees and shrubs in the bush and its users swear it is even more effective as well as natural and perhaps most importantly, cheaper; and therefore much more accessible than the pricey, plastic, typical alternative found in pharmacies and supermarkets.