Dental School Personal Statement

Born in New York to Indian parents, I was fortunate to have access to excellent and extensive dental care growing up, going beyond cleanings and braces since early on. In retrospect, I see myself as beyond blessed to have needed extensive dental care as a teenager, even the unpleasant moments were well worth it because my treatment rapidly became not only my salvation but morphing in time into my calling as well. My introduction to dentistry was like a religious experience. Now, I stand at the gates of my career reflecting upon that experience and the way in which it drives me to become a missionary dentist, focusing on the underserved to the extent to which I am able. I hope that my application to dental school will be looked upon with favor.

At 12, I struggled mightily with self-confidence issues resulting from my misaligned teeth and extreme crowding. I felt blemished, ugly, and unworthy. My smile was perfected at ____ Dental thanks to the talented Dr. ____ ____ ____. They turned my principal weakness into a strong asset, and I hope to pull victory from the jaws of defeat, smiling proudly to the grave. It is time for me to give something back, and to spend my life doing what I most love and what will bring me the greatest joy.

At 15, I began volunteering at ____ Dental to pursue my passion, learning about the inner workings of the dental clinic, and helping with what I could. Each day my learning mushroomed like a snowball, reinforcing my observations from the day before. My motivation grew in leaps and bounds along with my confidence. My principal responsibility as a dental receptionist and assistant was to calm patients and address their concerns.  I recall offering my hand to one patient who was terrified of the sound of drills. I encouraged her to squeeze my hand as firmly as she needed. This has now become standard practice for me as a dental assistant.

For years, my family feared dental work and avoided dental visits because of the prohibitive cost. However, in 2012, my dad, a psychiatric nurse technician, was physically assaulted at the hospital where he works. He was attacked twice before, but those were minor incidents.  Unfortunately, this time was different. The patient struck him in the mouth and stomped on my dad several times, which led to shattered teeth, jaw fractures, and a severe shoulder injury.  Witnessing his entire face marred by bruising and swelling, with his jaw immobilized with wires, left my family devastated. I eagerly accompanied him to his dental visits, trying to help him heal from this trauma.  We were able to find a phenomenal dentist, who was able to perform a miraculous restoration, and he now has a fixed bridge in place. His brave response proved that perseverance is paramount in the face of fear and misfortune. My father battled against considerable odds, demonstrating resilience, and teaching me to persevere in hard times.

I was the only member of my family to receive dental care growing up. Coming from a family that did not prioritize their oral hygiene and overlooked the detrimental effects of the neglect also propelled me forward to enter dentistry. The next step of my volunteer journey was at ____ ____ Dental Professionals, a multispecialty 8-chair practice, beginning in 2020. I had the opportunity to work with several top-tier providers to meet all our patient’s needs, including my own mother. She had struggled with periodontal disease for a staggering 30 years, and the pain and acute discomfort was becoming unbearable. She was also developing mobility in her anterior teeth, so I immediately scheduled her to meet with our periodontist, Dr. ____ ____. Since her anxiety would escalate every time her dental visit approached, I went with her and walked her through every step.

I was myself wounded by the discomfort in her eyes, her pained facial expressions, and the whimpering sounds she often made even though I did my best to calm her down. Like my patients before her, I encouraged her to squeeze my hands as hard as she needed. I constantly reassured her that each time she overcame the procedure's most challenging part, her relief was palpable. Dental extractions, bone grafting, and implant placements were all new terms to her, and I could see the bewilderment on her face. I noticed that the more I was by her side and addressed her concerns, the more comfortable she felt and the easier it was for her to complete the procedure. I effectively communicated the severity of her situation and the importance of improving her health (starting with her teeth), and she persisted through each visit. Having the opportunity to assist my mom throughout this endeavor was a profound honor.

In time, the incredible dental team completed her case treatments successfully, leaving her with a beautiful and confident smile. This was a life-changing moment for me. She always put us before herself, but for the first time, I was truly able to help her achieve something mammoth that would improve every aspect of the rest of her life.

My volunteer work taught me compassion precision, and my deep concern for the patient's emotional well-being. If selected for your program my mission in life will be, inspired, enabled, and empowered.

Thank you for considering my application.

Dental School Personal Statement