I have a highly developed esthetic sense that arose outside of dentistry and initially showed itself when I was involved in an interior design project. While working on a residential housing project in Kuwait, I became fascinated with how an eye for detail, careful planning, the use and combination of suitable and compatible materials, and the cooperation of various professions could provide functional, pleasing, and healthy environments. From the moment I began my dental training, the aesthetic aspects of dentistry naturally became a particular interest. A good smile is of enormous assistance in enhancing personal confidence and the ability to form positive relationships. Providing such a smile beneficially affects lives, which provides a level of satisfaction that I cannot imagine in any other career.
During my training and current residency, I have acquired as much exposure to prosthodontics as possible since I have known for years that this would be my specialization as a dentist. I have collaborated with highly experienced and dedicated dentists and prosthodontists. This experience has provided technical knowledge and inspiring examples of dedication and professional excellence that I will always seek to emulate.
I understand that esthetics is only one aspect of the specialty. An excellent prosthodontist must desire to help others, but the desire alone is inadequate. He must be a highly trained technician, ready to look at every treatment as unique in its technical challenges and in the patient's uniqueness, who is more than a set of X-rays, a list of symptoms, and a treatment plan. He is an excellent collaborator and leader, ready to share and receive opinions and insights. He is a great communicator who can inspire trust and confidence in his patients and staff to explain complex plans in simple language. He appreciates innovation and has the enthusiasm and curiosity to keep abreast of a field in which new techniques and materials are constantly evolving and tries to add to the sum of common knowledge of the specialty for the benefit of all. But most of all, he is determined to relieve discomfort and restore or create smiles, a pleasing appearance, dietary choices, and self-confidence in his patients. He derives enormous satisfaction from doing so. I would not be making this application if I were not confident that I have the enthusiasm, drive, and potential to become an excellent practitioner in this vital specialty.
I hope to be involved in the clinical application of evidence-based innovation and quality research, especially in occlusion, implants, new materials, and computerized dentistry. I am excited at the prospect of practicing a specialty where new techniques and materials are being developed and applied rapidly to benefit many. I hope to assist in further research, especially in those areas of particular interest to me.
I know that cross-disciplinary cooperation is a significant feature of the specialty. I have happily studied, worked with, and treated people of many ethnic and social backgrounds. I am amiable, relate well with colleagues and patients, and continually seek to prioritize the patient. I enjoy sharing knowledge about my own culture and acquiring knowledge about others. I speak Arabic and English and am widely traveled. I have devoted substantial time to various volunteer projects throughout my training and dental residency in the US and abroad. This has provided me with exposure to supplementary dental training and specialisms as well as being a humbling experience that has persuaded me to devote some of my time and skills to the underprivileged and underserved throughout my career, especially children who have suffered congenital disabilities or accidents affecting their appearance and ability to speak or eat with ease.
I have some teaching experience which I have thoroughly enjoyed. It was a privilege to have been trusted with these roles and to have been able to share my knowledge. I have carefully noted the techniques applied and characteristics displayed by the most influential teachers in my academic career, and I always seek to emulate them. I have observed that passion is infectious and that the finest teachers derive the most excellent satisfaction from their work.
I aim to acquire the highest prosthodontic skills, knowledge, and experience to prepare me for practice, research, and teaching the specialty.
Thank you for considering my application.
Prosthodontics Residency Personal Statement