My mother came to America a decade ago in great pain with several broken teeth, making it difficult for her to eat. Afraid of dental care in her country, Vietnam, and lacking access to insurance, it was not until she came to America that a kind, soothing, Vietnamese-speaking dentist convinced her to have much-needed dental work. Her smile afterward, her joy at no longer being in pain, convinced me to pursue dentistry. Since then, I have been focusing on reading about oral health issues and preparing myself for dental school. My professional dream is to become a dentist who helps the underserved in the community, especially members of immigrant groups and those without adequate access to dental care.
Since 2010, I have been living for my education here in the USA, geared towards the realization of building a career in dentistry. I am finishing my undergraduate studies in Biology. I chose this major because of its central relevance to dentistry. I learned about the structure and function of the body and diseases. In my sophomore year, I received my biggest challenge yet—my child, also my biggest blessing. I reduced my course load for one year to adjust to my new family’s needs while continuing my pursuit of dentistry. I learned from that experience how to master balancing school, work, and family.
My mom’s dentist, Dr. XXXX, became our family dentist. I would go on to shadow and later assist her. Dr. XXXX helped encourage me to become a Certified Dental Assistant. Shadowing and assisting Dr. XXXX was a special joy because she attends to many patients, many, if not most, elderly. I felt needed, especially when putting the elderly at ease. I empathized with those patients without insurance or other financial means. I realized dentistry could overlap between science and the creative arts. I often observed how to use a syringe to numb the teeth in much the way I use a needle on fabric. I made progress in gaining patients’ trust and making them feel comfortable. As a Dental Assistant, I also gained valuable experience working for over four years at another office and in specialty practice areas such as dentures or braces. I tried to learn everything I could about this exciting field: how to take the impressions of patients’ teeth gently more carefully, so they could feel more comfortable putting weight on their teeth. In my determination to help patients navigate their dental experiences with ease, I seek to give my professional life to the goal of making each one of my patients smile and enhancing their quality of life in sustainable ways.
I have stayed busy in dentistry, volunteering with the Texas Mission of Mercy in XXXX, a free dental clinic for people with limited access to oral care, focusing on the elderly. I assisted in making dentures for a senior with no front teeth for many years. His tears of joy at the profound improvement in his life remain with me today. I look forward to staying engaged and giving back to my community, especially our underserved and elderly members, promoting beautiful and healthy teeth. My shadowing and volunteering experiences have brought me close to the patients I wish to serve the most—those with great need and limited access.
Through my ability to speak two languages, I want to help improve access to dental care, educate others on oral health, and overcome barriers to understanding between patients and dentists. I hope to practice dentistry in an area of the country with a Vietnamese community and provide care in English and Vietnamese. I see it as especially important to reach out to those who might experience the most need, such as recently arrived immigrants and elders who may not have received optional dental care because of how language barriers affect them. This is one small way I hope to make a difference in people’s lives.
I hope to continue studying dentistry because of my passion for the science involved, the communities needing dental care, and my view of dentistry as art. I am especially committed to helping the underserved and increasing access to dental care. In the future, I wish to help alleviate others’ dental pain, be able to restore teeth, and rejoice at the smiles of my patients.
Thank you for considering my application.
Vietnamese Personal Statement for Dental School