An Arab woman and a dentist born in Canada, I was primarily raised in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, our country’s most cosmopolitan and international city. I also completed dental school and launched my career in dentistry here in Jeddah. However, I tend to think of North America as my second home. I keenly look forward to continuing to get to know the USA, building upon my experience for three months in 2014 as a student in an Intensive English course in Washington, DC. I like to consider myself 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 addition to America, I have spent extended periods in Western Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Being well-traveled has helped me to feel comfortable in international dentistry, overcoming language and cultural barriers.
I was always near the top of my class in dental school, 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.
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. Soon, I decided to follow in my sister's footsteps rather than my parents, and I set my sights on dental school.
For me, a very community-oriented dentist, dentistry is inseparable from social service. For years, I have labored with various organizations and initiatives to help improve knowledge and awareness about oral health and hygiene. I have attended and often helped to organize many oral-health events for the community both before and after graduating from dental school: in malls, schools, and hospitals. Our profession has an essential duty to serve the community.
I believe that one of the most important duties we have is improving the community. I have always thought that a smile is one of the essential aspects of personhood. Beauty, confidence, and health are all central aspects of treatment outcomes for me. 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. I worked with consultants and assisted with restorations, absorbing as much knowledge as possible. I attended many lectures and workshops during this period, especially concerning composites and veneers. Entirely dedicated to lifelong learning, I plan to always study towards further career advancement in my field with a central focus on operative dentistry.
As a Teaching Assistant in Operative Dentistry at King Abdulaziz University, I have learned 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 of oral surgery. My interest in public health dentistry will enable me to progressively contribute to the cause of dental care and dental surgery in my country for the underserved who can least afford to pay for it.
Thank you for considering my application for advanced training in Operative Dentistry.
Operative Dentistry Residency Statement