Pediatric Dentistry Residency Personal Statement

An Overview of Pediatric Dentistry Personal Statement

Outside of my own checkups as a child, my first exposure to pediatric dentistry was as a college student, accompanying my aunt with limited English ability on dental appointments for my special needs cousin, translating what the dentist said. Everything was made more difficult by the fact that my cousin is autistic. My aunt was turned away by several general dentists before finding a pediatric dentist who agreed to treat my cousin. A warm and compassionate dentist with infinite patience, my cousin barely cried and seemed to have had a good time when it was over. My life was changed in ways that I did not appreciate at the time, as this dentist will always serve me as an inspiring role model from whom to draw strength when confronted with special challenges. 

I recall how warm and compassionate the pediatric dentist and staff were to my younger cousin from the moment we walked into the office. I was astonished to see his tears dry up and his anxiety disappear after a few minutes in the dental chair. The dentist showed empathy towards my cousin and was patient with him in a way that no other dentist up until that point had been. It was not until a couple years later when I started working in a pediatric dental practice that I realized the dilemma my aunt faced when it came to finding my cousin a dentist was far more common than I thought. I recall once assisting the dentist during the treatment of an 11-year-old boy with Down Syndrome who had been to several other dental offices, none of which were able to treat him due to his behavior. During the patient’s first visit I could tell he was very apprehensive and scared. I made him feel comfortable by talking to him about his favorite movie, utilizing visual schedules to prepare the patient for the procedure, and using various toys to distract him during treatment. After the procedure the patient’s mother thanked both the dentist and I profusely, stating that she had driven more than two hours to the office to find someone who could treat her child. Although challenging at times, these types of experiences–particularly when it comes to working with special needs children–-have been extremely gratifying. I have learned how to be patient, adapt to my environment, and think outside of the box to find creative solutions when working with children. Daily interactions with children and their parents make me a stronger communicator. These communication skills were particularly useful when treating my own patient’s on my pediatric rotations in dental school. 

During my time in dental school, I have tried to gain as much exposure to the field of pediatric dentistry as possible to ensure that this career path would be the right fit for me. I have been fortunate enough to learn more about the specialty not only through coursework, but also from opportunities outside the classroom. For instance, as a member of my school’s Pediatric Dentistry Honors Program I’ve assisted faculty on pediatric cases in the school’s sedation clinic where I  carefully observed patients as young as 3 years old treated under general anesthesia for procedures such as pulpectomies, anterior zirconia crowns and frenectomies.

As a part of the honors program, I also attended seminars led by pediatric faculty where we reviewed complex pediatric cases and discussed treatment planning and behavioral management techniques. The pediatric honors program has been a valuable experience that has given me a glimpse into what a  pediatric dental residency looks like. I have taken on leadership roles by serving on the e-board of my school’s Pediatric Dentistry Club and as a co-chair of the Give Kids a Smile Committee. I have collaborated with my peers to organize and facilitate various outreach events for children living in North Philadelphia such as the special olympics and school supply drives. I am confident that balancing these leadership positions along with didatics, clinical requirements, and extracurriculars, has prepared me to enter into a residency program which will require a lot from me. More recently, I have been working alongside a few of my peers on a research project with faculty in the pediatric dentistry department on the topic of pediatric dentistry and the COVID-19 Pandemic. All these experiences have helped to solidify my desire to pursue a career as a pediatric dentist.  

As I begin my final year of dental school and start looking ahead, I can say with 100% certainty that I want to pursue a career in the field of pediatric dentistry. I am passionate about working with children and I am applying for a pediatric dental residency because I know there is still so much I have to learn. A position in a pediatric residency program would afford me the opportunity to continue my education and improve my clinical skills so I can provide the highest level of care to children for the balance of my professional lifetime, including those with special healthcare needs such as my younger cousin. 

Pediatric Dentistry Residency Personal Statement