My uncle and brother are dentists and so dentistry was certainly a career that I considered when I left school but decided that I would pursue a business career. I graduated ‘summa cum laude’ with a GPA score of 4.0 in Business from the University of XXXX but I soon decided that a career in business was not going to provide the kind of satisfaction that I needed. I wanted to help people in a direct and personal way. When I compared my working day to that of my brother, I concluded that his career provides the kind of satisfaction that I seek to attain.
When I reconsidered dentistry, it appealed to me in numerous ways, its ‘hands on’ character and the daily interaction with patients, I was also struck by the variety of the work, diagnostic, pain relief, preventative as well as reparative and esthetic. I once saw the wonderful effect that esthetic dental surgery can have. A young woman I knew was transformed from a reserved person who rarely smiled or even spoke into a cheerful, confident person with the help of a skilled dentist.
Having made my choice, I became determined to seek experience and training to enable me to change my career route as well as undertaking extensive reading and online research into dentistry. I spent eight months working as a dental assistant undertaking all the usual routine duties of an assistant and was able to observe dentists performing both routine and complex procedures. I particularly enjoyed dealing with the patients and putting them at ease if they were nervous. Unfortunately, it was necessary to curtail this introduction into dentistry as I needed more lucrative employment to fund my pre-med studies. However, this experience fully confirmed my choice. I have also entered a ‘pre-med’ program at the University of XXX. The program provides a good grounding in General Science, Biology and Chemistry which will ready me for the DDS program.
I know, from my personal research, that a substantial proportion of people in the US do not realize the importance of routine dental care on their dental, oral and general health and so fail to carry it out. I would hope to be involved in spreading information about preventative dental care to poorer communities during the program and to take part in free dental clinics for the underserved. It is my firm intention, once qualified, to give part of my time to such activities. A dentist is a highly regarded and well rewarded professional who should ‘pay something back’ to society and I fully intend to do so.
I am extremely excited by the current advances being made in dentistry such as the use of laser technology, computer imaging and the use of new materials and techniques in orthodontics. It is my hope to assist in research or trials to further such advances.
I have carefully considered the demands that a challenging DDS program will make. I am determined to apply myself fully to the program and to excel. I am certain that I have both the intellectual capacity and the personal commitment and drive to do so. I know that there will be very many qualified applicants for places on the program. However, I do regard myself as an excellent candidate. My bachelor degree results and awards will provide an assurance that I am a diligent and intelligent person who is used to ‘going the extra mile’ in his work; my preparation for entry to the program has been both practical and academic and has provided a good understanding of the dental working environment; my main recommendation however is a passionate interest in dentistry and in becoming a skilled, knowledgeable and effective practitioner.
Dental School Personal Statement Sample