DentalPersonalStatement.com
by Dr. Robert Edinger
Helping applicants to Dentistry since 1995 
drrobertedinger@gmail.com

Indian Applicant for Prosthodontics Residency

 

 One of my most definitive moments as a dentist and a human being occurred the day a frail old man walked through the door of our dental clinic in India, covering his cheek with a piece of dirty cloth, the excruciating agony written all over his face. First, I saw the horrified look on the faces of my fellow interns. Then, I saw the gaping hole in his cheek, passing through the mandible into the oral cavity and exposing the postero-lateral part of the tongue.  The right side of his mandible was infested with maggots, and he was suffering from osteoradionecrosis. I stepped forward and calmly reassured the man that his problem would be resolved and set to work patiently and calmly removing the maggots one after the other. At the end of his treatment, the patient grasped my hand with tears welling up in his eyes and thanked me. At that moment, I knew who I was and was so thankful that I had become a dentist.

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I thought the dentist primarily made my grandmother’s dentures until I became a patient as a little girl. I took special note early on of the sophisticated intricacy of dentistry and how it is held in almost mystical esteem by patients and their families. Along with doctors, dentists are especially revered in my native India, which was one reason I chose this career. As an adolescent, I began reading everything I could find about dentistry because it was my first choice and career dream throughout that dynamic and delicate period. I went to dental colleges for a year before beginning my university career. I just hung out there, speaking with anyone and everyone who would take the time to talk to me, including a few professors.

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From the beginning, I was mesmerized by all the different facets of dental care. And I also became engaged with dentistry early on in the context of public health campaigns, taking special note of the efforts that I observed by dental professionals as I was growing up to provide basic information about the importance of hygiene. My country, India, is famous for its masses of poor. And those of us who have become professionals in the service of our community feel a special responsibility in my country to provide outreach to those in most desperate need of our efforts. I hope to return to India sometime in my career to organize dental camps in areas with little to no dental care for low-income patients.

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I was admitted to dental school based on academic merit. Holding the letter of acceptance in my hand, that day was the happiest day of my life. My mother was very proud of me and very supportive as well. As a single parent who always worked extremely hard to help me advance in my education, it was also a triumph for her. I did find my first year of dental school to be especially challenging. I was particularly pleased, therefore, to see my grades steadily improving throughout the course of the program. The solid 'A' grade I received on my pre-clinical Prosthodontics exam was especially gratifying since the examiner impressed me with my work and told me that I would make a great professional. I was known for my exceptional skill at cavity preparations, which I see as an art form and something that I have worked hard to improve constantly. By my third year of dental school, I was performing at the top of my class, which the program dean recognized.

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I attribute my success in dental school to my ability to manage stress and multitask. Highly refined time management skills, in particular, were of instrumental importance in my ability to succeed in my internship as a general dentist in a multidisciplinary clinic, where I spent two years immediately after graduating. Since our patient pool was huge, I am very grateful for the vast hands-on experience I accrued in this position with such a broad diversity of cases.

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My clinical posting in Prosthodontics was something that I found especially rewarding. One patient, in particular, stands out in my mind. He had an upper single complete denture and a lower partial denture. I worked very hard to get the occlusion off. I also performed numerous challenging root canals, which further enhanced my confidence in the excellence of my work. At this time, I realized I also had a special passion for Endodontics. Throughout dental school and my internship, I participated in many dental camps in schools and remote parts of the country. My volunteer service is perhaps the most important part of my identity as a dentist. As part of a community health program, I led an orthodontics project with a team of four other interns, completing our project on time according to our schedule. My attendance at the annual Indian Dental Conference was also an invaluable learning experience; seminars, symposiums, and presentations were given by dental professionals from all over India. I also attended the International Trade Fair at the conference, helping to expose me to state-of-the-art dental technology and equipment. Being multi-lingual has helped me to communicate well with a wide range of patients and better understand their needs.

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I relaxed through music and won first prize in the Ikebana competition while in dental school. I enjoy cooking and trying out new recipes, and I stay fit through tennis. My husband supports my quest to return to dental school here in America.

 

Thank you for considering my application.