A Saudi Arabian woman and a dentist born and raised in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, I launched my career in dentistry here at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah. I think of myself as well-read concerning global dentistry issues from multicultural perspectives. I look forward to contributing to the diversity of your distinguished advanced training program in Operative Dentistry in America. I have spent extended periods in America, Western Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Being well-traveled has helped me to feel comfortable in international dentistry, overcoming language and cultural barriers.
My father and mother, both physicians, have always been my foremost role models. Since I was a young, curious child, I observed them treating and helping people, alleviating their pain and symptoms, and helping significantly improve the overall quality of their lives. I listened intently to their conversations about cases and patients. When I was in high school, my older sister was in dental school, and I spent countless hours observing her, watching her carve teeth in wax, leaving me impressed with the creativity and talent required. I have decided to follow in the footsteps of my parents and sister and combine my drive to improve people's lives by using my talent and creativity to advance oral health care.
As a dental student, I was always near the top of my class, consistently earning a certificate of achievement. Each year, I did even better than the year before. I gave dental school my all, 24-7. By the end of my sixth and final year, I submitted twice the material required for my comprehensive clinical care course. I graduated with a GPA of 4.79/5, ranking third in my Dental Medicine & Surgery class at King Abdulaziz University Faculty of Dentistry in Jeddah (2016). I completed an internship program and began working at this same university as a teaching assistant in January 2018. I am incredibly proud that I have one publication in public health dentistry. I hope to publish my next project in operative dentistry.
I have always believed that a smile is one of the most critical aspects of personhood. Beauty, confidence, and health are central aspects of my treatment outcomes. I was thrilled to begin treating patients in my fourth year and quickly focused on dentistry's operative and esthetic aspects. Nothing brings me as much joy as treating many patients and seeing the results in the happiness written on their faces. I genuinely love what I do. During my internship, I spent four months in restorative clinics in different hospitals in Jeddah. Working with consultants and assisting them helped me absorb much knowledge about dentistry. I attended many lectures and workshops during this period, especially concerning composites and veneers. By the end of this experience, I was convinced I wanted to give my professional life to Operative Dentistry. I plan to always study towards further career advancement in my field.
A community-oriented dentist; for me, dentistry is inseparable from social service. I believe that one of the most important duties is to improve the oral health of members of our community, especially those that are underserved. I look forward to a long professional lifetime assisting with initiatives that help to improve knowledge and awareness about oral health and hygiene. I have attended and often helped to organize many communities oral-health events both before and after graduating from dental school: in malls, schools, and hospitals. Our profession has an essential duty to serve the community.
As a Teaching Assistant in Operative Dentistry at King Abdulaziz University, I have continued to learn many things that will enable me to hit the ground running in your program and excel. After several more years of advanced training, my long-term goal is to give my all to the academic world of dentistry and make my mark as a creative teacher of Operative Dentistry, passing on the torch to new generations of Saudi students in Dental school. I also look forward to doing research in this area when I am further along in the development of my career.
Thank you for considering my application for advanced training in Operative Dentistry.
Operative Dentistry Residency Esthetics