I was born and raised in Bangkok, Thailand, where I now live and work. I hold the DDS and a master's degree in Periodontics. I speak Thai and English. It is my goal, in applying for admission to the program, to maximize my knowledge of Implant Dentistry to help patients in my country who desperately need this type of treatment and to share the knowledge and skills gained with others. In much of Asia, including Thailand, dental health is neglected, and primary education in dental care is often lacking or ignored. There also exists a general shortage of dentists, especially those with specialist skills and knowledge. Therefore, there is a great deal of work to be done. As a student, I was involved in a project to provide free simple dental treatment to the poor living in remote areas, exposing me to the full extent of the problems involved. I intend to use my time and talents to provide free treatment to poor people throughout my career. If I am selected for the program, I plan to become involved in the Thai Royal Implant Project. I hope to be a significant part of the solution to the lack of implant availability in Thailand. After my graduation, I spent much time treating patients who had lost all or many of their teeth and wore dentures or bridges. Many of these patients complained of discomfort, difficulty in retention, and had esthetic concerns. My graduate work in Periodontics involved some training in the use of implants, and I began to appreciate the enormous value they offered to patients. For instance, one patient who had lost an anterior tooth ten years previously told me that his implant had changed his life. The patient was able to bite and smile confidently and was a much happier person. The fear of smiling is a terrible social disability in any society, but especially among the Thai people, and I hope to give many others the confidence to do so. As well as my coursework on this topic, I sought additional training in Implant Dentistry, read widely on the subject and attended symposia, journal analysis conferences, and was involved in ‘interesting case’ and ‘problem case’ discussions. When participating in the 2010 General Session and Exhibition of The International Association of Dental Research, I became aware that implant surgery was more complex than I had appreciated. Following my Master’s graduation, I worked in a private clinic treating patients with complex problems but sometimes lacked the prosthodontic knowledge necessary to prepare an effective treatment plan. Consequently, I enrolled in a Mini Mini-Residencythodontic Program to enhance my knowledge. However, it became clear to me that the level of expertise I sought to become current in implant technology was both lacking in Thailand. I realized that, to become an expert in this specialism, it would be necessary to seek advanced knowledge and skills in the United States. My research into available programs led me to yours. I am excited by the level of expertise of your faculty members, the availability of current technological resources, the breadth of the curriculum, and an appreciation of the importance of a spiritual element in our work and study, which I fully share. I have spent three months in the United States and a summer in New Zealand to study English; I have also traveled as a tourist in Japan and Spain. I enjoy meeting and working with people from diverse cultural and social backgrounds and sharing with them an understanding of my own culture and society. Since I graduated from the master's program, I have provided training to dental students and consider myself an able teacher. I intend to share the knowledge and skills gained in the program as widely as possible. My participation in the program will enable the future training of many others through me. I also intend to undertake research into Implant Dentistry technology on my return to Thailand. I feel sure that the excellent results that I have obtained throughout my academic career will assure my work ethic and diligence and, therefore, my tremendous potential as a student in the program. In addition, I offer a genuine passion for Implant Dentistry and an assurance that I shall apply myself fully and enthusiastically to the program. I also look forward to contributing to the academic community by sharing insights gained in my career to date. I am aware that the program will attract many well-qualified applicants, but I genuinely consider myself to be an excellent candidate for the reasons provided.  Thank you for considering my application. Fellowship Program Implant Dentistry

I am a Vietnamese woman who was born and raised in Vietnam and have been resident in the US since 2001. I hold a bachelor's degree in dental hygiene, awarded by the University of XXXX in January of 2009. I was raised in a country where people usually seek the services of a dentist only when in pain. Routine dental visits are unheard of. Regular personal dental care is widely neglected, and many people never even brush their teeth.  Most people in Vietnam have lost all, or most, of their teeth by middle age; this is regarded as merely a natural consequence of aging. Soon after my family came to the United States, I sought the services of a dentist and was informed that I had several cavities. It was explained to me that these would need to be filled and that a strict regimen of personal dental care was necessary to avoid further problems and avoidable loss of teeth. I encouraged other family members to seek help, and similar issues were identified. Until now, I had little idea of the importance of dental health. Still, I quickly realized how significant it is, not only in cosmetic terms but also in maintaining good general health. I then decided that this would be a good field in which to devote my time and talents. I became a Dental Assistant in 2001 and have worked in dental surgeries since then. I now regard my work as more of a vocation than a mere career choice and feel privileged to have been able to fulfill it. In 2005 and 2008, I returned to Vietnam as a volunteer and worked with several organizations.  I spent time in remote, rural communities teaching children to read, repairing houses, and providing general assistance. I also worked, for a time, in the Hospital for Tropical diseases as a patient representative, amongst other duties. I would love, one day, to return to Vietnam to raise the awareness of the importance of dental health and good basic personal routines and to provide some personal dental care in poor communities. I would also love to be involved in designing courses for local dental hygienists and infecting them with my enthusiasm for ‘bringing a smile to the face of Vietnam.’   I also hope to volunteer to help immigrants to the US from cultures in which dental health is a low priority and to, teach them the lessons that I learned, and to provide treatment to those who cannot afford to pay. I began my formal dental hygiene studies in 2006 and excelled in them. Since 2009, I have been employed as a Dental Hygienist and find that I can’t wait to start work each day; I genuinely love my job. I relate very well to patients and receive excellent feedback from them. I am a hard-working person, as my academic results and honors demonstrate. I also offer a dedication to, and passion for, the improvement of dental health in the community.  I feel that my experiences would enable me to provide valuable insights to the academic community.   I hope very much to maximize my expertise as a dental hygienist, and I am sure that the master's program at XXXX is the best means to do so. Dental Hygiene Master Vietnamese Dental Missions

I have maintained a direct path to the opportunity and challenge of an Advanced Education Pediatric Dentistry (AEPD) program. Pediatric Dentistry is my passion, my lifeblood, and the area that I know best because I spend so much time reading, writing, and discussing pediatric dentistry. While raised in the USA, I was born in El Salvador, and returned there to complete dental school because I want very much to specialize throughout my lifetime in dental care for Central Americans, especially Salvadorans. For me, what is most important is that, as a dentist from El Salvador and the USA, I already have one foot in the door with one of the largest underserved communities in the United States, undocumented Hispanic immigrants, and their children. In my experience, patience, a gentle demeanor, and a solid grasp of pain management are essential for success as a pediatric dentist. T is up to us to ensure that the experience of children in the dental clinic is a pleasant one, demonstrating how and why a Dentist is someone that can and should be trusted, someone who really cares and has only the child's best interest in mind. While care is our central focus, I also feel strongly that efforts to educate parents on the importance of primary teeth and preventive home care must also be treated as a high priority. Completing your distinguished AEPD program will allow me to not only increase my direct patient exposure and clinical skills, but also broaden my grasp of orthodontics, restorative dentistry, oral surgery and rehabilitation, and general anesthesia. I look forward to becoming increasingly engaged in research, and I hope to publish in the future in dental caries in pediatric patients among undocumented residents of the USA, originally from Central America and the Caribbean. Becoming ABPD certified will enable me to bring my goals and dreams to reality in the service of non-English speaking Latinos on the US East Coast.  I hope to use the dental practice that I will establish as a springboard for dental mission work back home in El Salvador, my homeland, and in time throughout Central America. Most of all, I look forward to filling a great need for training Salvadorian dentists in pediatric dentistry. I anticipate being able to excel in your program because of my solid academic grounding in Dentistry, my experience of a Pedodontics rotation, externship work serving the mentally/physically disabled, OR, and full-mouth reconstruction experience. What I have most enjoyed is working alongside Pediatric Chief Residents, subbing for Pediatric Residents, and gaining general anesthesia, IV sedation and emergency dental care experience. Outside the OR, I spent weekends at a private practice in the Bronx. Thank you for your consideration of my application to your program. Hispanic Pediatric Dentist Personal Statement

I am a young woman from India who is very mature for someone twenty-six. I have always been profoundly serious, and a tremendously hard worker. My grandfather and grandmother are also dentists and I lived with them my whole life until I got married to an American veterinarian and moved to the USA. I am a dentist in India, but I realize that I am still a long way from becoming a dentist here in America, but I want very much to become a practicing Orthodontist. We now live in Indiana. But we want to move to XXXX if I am accepted to your program. After completing your program, we are planning to settle in Seattle, Washington. What is most important to me is that I be on an equal professional footing with my husband one of these days in the not-too-distant future. I want to make at least as much money as he does, and I want to have a title that is equally well respected. I think that this will be particularly good for my marriage. I also think that a healthy, balanced marriage can help one to become a great professional and excel in one's field. My first choice for graduate study is the MSD Program at the University of XXXX because, after an exhaustive analysis, I feel extremely convinced that it is this professional degree which will best prepare me for making the greatest contribution that I possibly can to my newly adopted country, and I also feel strongly that the University of XXXX is the best program in the country. This degree will also better prepare me to go back to India some day when I am older, for volunteer efforts, perhaps after we have grown children who no longer need me all the time. Nothing would bring me greater joy than to help to develop dental care institutions in my native country for people with few economic resources. Obtaining the MSD Degree at the University of XXXX will enable me to make the fullest contribution possible to my society, here in the USA, in my native India, and the world. I am a global citizen with cosmopolitan, diverse interests, and a humanitarian soul. I would be so very honored if I were to be accepted to your program and have the beautiful opportunity of contributing to the diversity of the academic community as an Indian woman. Since English is a national language in India, I have little to no communication hurdles with Americans. I especially look forward to working with patients from a broad variety of social classes and ethnic backgrounds. I live to make people smile; this is why I have decided to dedicate my entire professional life to Orthodontics. I am also an excellent candidate for your program because of my extensive volunteer experience. I volunteered as a 3rd and 4th year student working in rural parts of my state (Punjab) under the supervision of dental faculty, raising awareness regarding oral hygiene, proper techniques for brushing one's teeth and we used visual aids like posters, written material, and slide shows. In addition to my volunteer work, I also worked as an Associate Dentist for a year-and-a half in India. I am especially good at root canal treatments, preparing dentures, tooth extraction, and local, oral anesthesia. Thank you from the bottom of my big heart for your consideration of my application. MSD Orthodontics Personal Statement

I am a dentist who was granted permanent residency when I came to the United States one year ago as a political refugee fleeing, along with my family, the ethnic cleansing taking place in our native Bhutan. Now, it is my calling to serve this beautiful new land that has adopted me; I want to show my appreciation to America for having the big heart to take my family in, thereby saving our lives. My long-term goal is to work on behalf of dental missions to India, where I was trained as a dentist, and Nepal, where I taught as well as practiced dentistry from 2004 through 2010. Bhutan is in desperate need of oral health professionals. Much of my heart is still there; if the political situation improves at some point in time, I might also have the profound privilege of serving the people of my homeland as a Professor of Dentistry. What I desire most now, however, is to become a highly productive citizen of this great country, America. I was born and raised in Bhutan and completed my Bachelor of Dental Surgery Degree while enrolled in a Bhutanese Government Scholarship Program at Goa Dental College and Hospital in India. Soon after beginning my studies in India, however, my parents and other family members were forced to leave Bhutan due to ethnic violence. Nevertheless, despite the personal and financial hardships of this situation, I completed my dental studies ranking fourth in my class at Goa University. I went on to complete a one-year internship at that same institution. My goal in life is simple, to help people smile and live happily. I especially look forward to laboring mightily in the areas of education and preventive oral health awareness, in addition to curative and rehabilitative services. My dedication is strengthened further by the absolute misery that I have personally experienced up close. After completing my bachelor’s degree and internship program in India, I joined my parents in a refugee camp in Nepal since I was not allowed to return to my home in Bhutan. Soon, however, I began working at the BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences at the College of Dental Surgery in Nepal, initially as a dental surgeon and later as a faculty member in the Orthodontics Department. I began serving as a dental surgeon with the Department of Orthodontics in 1997. I was later promoted to the position of Additional Professor, primarily teaching courses in Orthodontics and oral health to medical students. Throughout this period, I published several important research projects—some of which were published in international journals—which I also presented at professional conferences. I am equally proud of my service to the humble poor of Nepal, and the long hours that I spent laboring for the oral health needs of rural communities in the mountains of eastern Nepal. I worked as a team leader at several community camps, supervising dental students during their internships at various district hospitals in the region. By the time that my family was accepted by the US for resettlement in Massachusetts in January of 2011, I was determined to enroll in an advanced standing dental program for international dentists so that I might continue my profession in my new home. Soon after arriving in the United States, I began working as a case manager at the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership Program. We assist the community in accessing social services, including medical and dental health care. As a trained medical interpreter, I assist Bhutanese living throughout the US by telephone, helping them to access medical services. I feel strongly that my seven years of experience as a clinician and a faculty member with a specialized MDS degree will help me to excel in your distinguished program. I have a special passion for Orthodontics and look forward to developing a life-long specialization in this area. My personal experience living with my family in a refugee camp has inspired me with humility and tranquility that will serve me well as a dentist. Practicing and teaching Orthodontics in Nepal has cultivated in me a profound passion to provide access to dental care to the most poor and underprivileged people of the planet’s many developing societies. I hope to have the honor of devoting a large part of my professional future to the development of dental missions with free checkups and education programs for the prevention as well as the treatment of oral disease—especially for those who cannot afford to pay for such services. Thank you for considering my application. International Dentist Political Refugee

Awarded the DDM degree in the Philippines in 2011, I was included on the Dean’s List five times and was the beneficiary of a corporate scholarship.  After qualifying, I initially worked as a General Dentist for several months in the Philippines and, since August 2011, have been employed as a Dental Assistant in the US. I am now seeking to qualify to practice as a dentist in the US. My goals are to become a highly skilled and dedicated practitioner working in the US, but I also intend to devote substantial time to working in free dental clinics both here and in the Philippines. I hope to play a part in educating those who are unaware of the importance of dental and oral health to their general well-being in underserved communities. I have developed a particular interest in clefts and other conditions requiring surgery and hope to specialize in orthodontics and surgery. Although my mother is a dentist, my decision to enter dentistry was taken independently and after much thought. Dentistry’s appeal to me lies in its extraordinary breadth, involving, as it does, aesthetics, pain relief, corrective surgery, and oral and dental disease prevention. It also calls for careful planning, openness to innovation, the ability to lead a team effectively, and to deal sympathetically with each patient treating each as an individual with unique needs. I have sought to develop these characteristics throughout my training and work to date. I have the potential to meet all the requirements necessary to become a genuinely effective dentist. My work as a dental assistant in the US has given me a good grounding in the dental health environment and the contrasts in the dental health and treatment of patients here and in my own country. This has further enhanced my dental education. I have assisted dentists in various complex procedures, including implants and surgery. I am particularly attracted to this area of work because of the substantial benefit to patients in terms of a new and confident smile, the ability to resume a regular diet, and the ability to speak normally. I have witnessed the life enhancing changes that a dedicated dentist can bring to patients by applying skills and knowledge in these specialties, and I am eager to emulate these successes. I have undertaken substantial volunteer activity in free dental clinics in the Philippines both as a student and following qualifications. My last role was as head of a team providing services to rural communities, including extractions, restorations, fluoride application, and education in dental and oral health routines. In addition to providing much-needed services, this activity gave me enormous satisfaction and has contributed much to my professional education. I have taken great care to continue my professional education since coming to the US by reading professional journals and attending several seminars, workshops, and certification programs. I am fully aware of the importance of keeping ‘up to speed,’, especially in my areas of particular interest in which new techniques and materials evolve at an exciting rate. I hope to assist in research relating to recent potential advances. I know that the aging of the US population will affect dentistry in the future. I come from a culture in which the elderly are held in great esteem, and I enjoy treating the elderly. My intention to specialize in surgery will enable me to offer various relevant options to elderly patients. It has always struck me that those most in need of dental treatment are often those least likely to seek it because of the natural fear of pain. I am fully aware that interpersonal skills, the ability to inspire confidence in patients and to empathize with them, are as important as technical knowledge and skills. I have the natural characteristics of empathy required of a highly effective health professional, and I have always enjoyed excellent relations with patients throughout my training, voluntary activity, and professional work. I have had the privilege of studying, working with, treating, and socializing with people of many cultural and social backgrounds. I look forward to extending this experience in the program. Having experienced some of the challenges of adjusting to a new culture, I can empathize with those undergoing similar experiences. I also believe that my background will enable me to add value to my class in the program. In summary, I have the necessary academic ability and experience to enable me to excel within the program. I also have the characteristics of diligence and empathy that provide the potential for me to become a first-class dentist. However, my main recommendation is a genuine passion to acquire and to share additional skills and knowledge to enable me to provide the most relevant, current, and effective treatments to patients both in practice and to underserved communities in a volunteer capacity and to help in the ongoing development of new and improved techniques. CAAPID Application Sample International Dentist

"Smile, say cheese," I said to my family before taking a picture. Everyone smiled except my father. Whenever I think of my father, he reminds me of a poker face because he is a person who never talks and smiles. Even as a child, I feared my father because he always looked rugged. His attitude had left me with a strong negative impression. My sense of curiosity developed, and it would only be much later that I would come to understand why he never talked and smiled. My father has yellow, ugly anterior teeth. When I discovered this fact, I became profoundly intrigued by the question of how important teeth are to living a whole and rewarding life. I was born and raised in Korea until I was sixteen. My mother, brother, and I immigrated to America primarily to pursue my educational and health care career goals. I was always interested in the health care field, but my decision to pursue a dental career stem from my volunteer and work experiences. In the last two years, my attention has become focused on dentistry as this profession offers the best opportunity to pursue my overarching goals. To better understand what a dentist's life would be like, I started volunteering at the family dental office near my house. This dentist was disappointing, however, as I soon came to realize that he was a person who worked primarily for money. Dr. XXXX was kind to his patients, but he did not give them what I like to call "sincere" care. He finished all appointments in about 30 minutes and finished every treatment, as I see it, too rapidly. Some of the patients came back to the office and complained about the pain, and I was disappointed by his attitude; I quit volunteering at his office about five months later. Fortunately, I found work as a dental assistant at another general dental office. I count myself supremely lucky to have met Dr. XXXX, who had high spirits, an enthusiastic sense of humor, and a highly sympathetic manner for his patients. He always tried his best to provide genuine care and fully satisfy his patients. There was one patient who received the fixed treatment for about three months, and I still remember how she looked and what she said on the last day of the treatment. She had some of her upper anterior teeth extracted and had a bridged crown. It took longer because Dr. XXXX had to send the height back to the dental lab two times to make her satisfied after multiple checking. On the last day, when she finally had the crown cemented on, she looked much younger and brighter than ever before. She said she did not talk much, and her ugly teeth kept her from always smiling. When I heard her saying that it reminded me of my father. Reflecting upon his physical and emotional suffering from time to time continues to inspire me to work as hard as possible in my chosen field. I really enjoy working with Dr. XXXX and learning how to use many of the dental instruments and participate in treatments—finding ever greater delight at my expanding capacity to assist. I find fulfillment in the physical and emotional commitment and self-sacrifice to provide the highest possible quality of patient care. I see dentistry as a uniquely challenging profession that offers a highly satisfying opportunity to alleviate physical and emotional suffering. I was an active volunteer member of Mill Wheat Mission and helped many disabled children and their families to make progress with learning activities. Assisting disabled people was not an easy job as it was heartbreaking at first. I could not understand what they were saying and did not know what they wanted. But as I interacted with them more frequently, I learned how to be more patient and to understand them better. As an active member of the New Life Volunteering Society, I learned to connect with people of various ages and social backgrounds. Volunteering at a Chicago public school, I used a soothing tone of voice and simple vocabulary to put children at ease. These experiences have helped me to develop the essential characteristics for a dental career. For the moment, I am continuing to volunteer and work as a dental assistant and try to learn as much as possible before entering dental school. There is no greater pleasure than the ability to use one's intellect to alleviate people's pain and the physical and emotional suffering of one's patients, bringing back their smiles. DDS Dental School Shadowing Korean Immigrant

My father has been a practicing dentist in Rhode Island for the past 28 years, since the year I was born. Thus, I have had constant exposure to the practice of dentistry throughout my life. I am incredibly proud of the fact that he has always provided care for people irrespective of their economic status. The profession of dentistry has given so much to my family and me, and I realize, by obtaining a degree in dentistry, that I will be able to give something back to the community. It took me a long time, however, to understand and embrace my calling. As with many young people, I did not know early on what I wanted to do, and I sometimes resented my parents' direction. I did enjoy working at my father's office during summer vacations in high school, but I did not want others to make a career choice for me, and I wanted to see what else was out there. This youthful passion and lack of maturity resulted in many disagreements with my parents, and my grades suffered during my undergraduate years. It was not until my graduation day at ____ University that my life came full circle, and I made up my mind that decided that dentistry was my calling. Since then, my focus, dedication, and commitment have centered on becoming a dentist. As an undergraduate student, I came to understand life better and develop more focus on my vocation. Even though my academic performance remained average, I grew into a serious and dedicated young man determined to distinguish himself in Dentistry. I began to see my compassion and empathy as my greatest gifts and helping people as my greatest joy in life. I especially enjoyed my psychology classes in college because of my curiosity about human nature, learning how to become an excellent listener, and the importance of being mindful of and attentive to others. I am very thankful to my parents for allowing me to learn through my mistakes, finish my degree in psychology at Boston University, and press on with complete determination and perseverance to accomplish the task at hand. During my final year, I began to manage my time more effectively as well as improve my study habits as I continued to learn and mature as a person. But I knew that after graduation, I still faced an arduous task in accomplishing my dream of becoming a dentist. Painfully aware of the inadequacy of my grades at ____ University, especially in my science courses, I labored to redeem myself by making up these courses at Providence College in Rhode Island. I wanted to prove to dental schools that I have the work ethic and intellect to handle the methods at dental school. At PC, I have taken all my required classes for Dental School and finished them with a science grade point average of 3.23, as well as having the invaluable experience of assisting with cancer research in the lab of Dr. ____ ____. Furthermore, I have been shadowing at a dental laboratory, seeing how dentures and crowns are made. At the same time, I have also been working as a dental assistant and preparing myself for the DAT through a Kaplan review class, and very much looking forward to improving my scores when I re-take the test. Most recently, I have taken over the business side of my father's dental practice, assisting the office manager with the accounting and continuing to bolster my science background by taking additional courses in microbiology and human physiology. Simultaneously working and going to school has been difficult, but I believe that I have now achieved a solid preparation that will serve me well in Dental School. I have matured dramatically over the last several years, and now believe that I have the necessary tools to succeed in dental school. I am full of energy and highly motivated with a steady focus. I ask for the privilege of giving my all towards the noble goal of becoming an extraordinarily successful dentistry student and, in this way, prove and establish myself as a public servant. I also feel that my psychology degree has helped prepare me to become an excellent dentist, someone who understands the difficulties in life that people face, especially those members of our community with few economic resources. My father is one of a handful of dentists in Rhode Island who accept patients on public assistance. Like him, I wish to devote my professional life to caring for the most underserved members of our society. I want to thank you for your consideration of my application to join your program. DDS Dental School Dentist Father Role Model

I was raised in a family in which several members were successfully and happily engaged in medicine and dentistry. My father was a dentist and there was an assumption in the family that I would follow him, however I was not particularly drawn to dentistry. At school I had a vague hope, like most young people, to earn a living in a way that would be of benefit to others but had no firm idea as to how this might be achieved. I chose the ‘pre-medical’ academic path in grade 11 only because of an interest in Biology but was still unsure what career to pursue. One day, my father’s assistant was called away from the clinic because of a family emergency and I was asked to help for several days. It was a life-changing experience. Seeing grimaces of pain being rapidly transformed into smiles of relief and gratitude was very impressive, as was the caring professionalism I witnessed, and the resulting trust and confidence shown by the patients. By the end of those few days, my mind was made up and I have never since regretted my choice of career. My goal is to qualify to practice in the US and to specialize in orthodontics and craniofacial anomalies, especially the treatment of cleft palates which cause such distress and can be so radically repaired. Having a highly experienced and skilled dentist as a father was an enormous help during my studies. He was always there to help, advise, and encourage, and my vacations were spent in his clinic helping and observing.  Thus, my practical skill always exceeded that of my fellow students who would sometimes seek help from me. I was always happy to share my skills and knowledge with them and found great satisfaction in doing so. After dental school, I served one year of internship in a government teaching hospital working under the guidance of expert and caring professionals which I completed in 2007. I dealt with a high volume of cases and consequently I gained exposure to a very wide range of dental and oral diseases which enabled me to hone my techniques and to develop vital diagnostic skills. Following completion of my internship, I set up my own practice with the object of providing affordable dental care as widely as possible in the local community. I set out to develop interpersonal skills, creating positive relationships with patients. I made a firm decision to treat each patient as an individual worthy of respect rather than as a set of x-rays and notes and was particularly successful in reassuring and treating fearful patients. Leading a team and being responsible for all the commercial aspects of the practice was highly challenging being so young but I created a happy and effective team and received excellent feedback from patients. I have undertaken significant voluntary and subsidized work with poorer patients, in providing oral and dental health education and, since arriving in the US, by assisting in charity projects.  This exposure has been humbling and highly satisfying and has made me realize that providing free or subsidized treatment and education to those who have lacked opportunities in life is an obligation rather than a choice and it is my intention to do so both in the US and in Pakistan throughout my career. After arriving in the US in 2015 to join my wife, I faced significant challenges. Working full-time while preparing for the NBE in a new culture and environment called for substantial reserves of determination, resolve and time management. At times, it has been necessary for me to take unskilled jobs to help support my family, but I have chosen ‘customer facing’ roles to perfect my English and to acquire experience of relating to people of a wide variety of social and ethnic backgrounds and have enjoyed doing so.  However, I have also sought as much exposure to the US dental environment as possible and have attended numerous workshops and read technical journals to keep abreast of current developments in dentistry. I have also had the opportunity to undertake observerships and to work as a Dental Assistant to a highly skilled and experienced orthodontist. This last experience confirmed my choice of a specialty. I am an enthusiastic amateur artist and musician and the esthetic potential in dentistry has always drawn me and I hope to combine my technical skill, knowledge and understanding of esthetics for the benefit of my patients. To summarize: I have an excellent academic record and eight years of post-qualification professional experience acquired in various environments that have exposed me to a very wide variety of conditions and patients. I have created and run a successful practice demonstrating an ability to relate well with patients, fellow professionals, and staff. I have familiarized myself with the local dental environment as far as possible and kept up to date with recent developments and advances in techniques, diagnostic tools, and materials. I undertake to work with exceptional diligence and commitment to excel within the program and in my career beyond it. Thank you for considering my application. International Dentist Personal Statement Sample Pakistani Applicant

What I most prize in my life as a dentist is healing wounds, especially those that cannot heal without the warmth and compassion of the human touch, in combination with the correct dental treatment. As a person who relishes diversity, I now speak three languages since I started learning Spanish in high school and have put a lot of effort into this language over the years. Spanish is important to me because I want to be able to speak the language of so many of our underserved. I hope to be selected for a Residency Position in General Dentistry in your especially distinguished program because of my readiness and passion for long hours on my feet treating as many patients as I can in a location with diverse settings. I traveled to India for the first time in the summer of 2009 to help with a medical and dental mission and it was on this first mission that I became certain that my calling would be dentistry. I went with my church to Amritsar, India, where we worked with local people in a community, and I helped to forge a relationship with these same people over the course of four successive summers. We had the opportunity to serve children and adults through health education as well as providing them with medical and dental supplies and attention. I quickly noticed that many people in this area had dental issues and mouth pain. In fact, one man wrapped his jaw with a handkerchief to keep a piece of wood and a leaf in his mouth to alleviate the pain. When I inquired as to why this was the case, I received the same basic answer every time that I asked the question: oral health care was seen as something that was simply reserved for the wealthy. I hope to be selected to your competitive Residency Program in General Dentistry, at least in part, because of my profound passion for helping the underserved, here in America as well as in other still more desperate parts of the globe such as India. I also hope to contribute to the diversity of the program as an immigrant from South Korea, I understand cultural differences and take pride in my ability to effectively treat people from all backgrounds. After moving to the USA in 1998, I was the only person fluent in English in my family, and I have served as the translator in one way or another ever since. My family duties included helping with all the paperwork to gain permanent residency. As I began college, I faced difficulties maintaining my grades during my first two years because my family was facing deportation; and I was needed at all the hearings to translate and complete the paperwork. When the deportation letter came in 2006, my family was devastated, and the frequent trials lasted through 2009. Thus, I postponed attending college so I could focus on helping my family. In October of 2010, we were finally granted permanent US residency. This was a great blessing for my family, and I found myself eligible for financial aid. Since then, I have been able to dedicate myself entirely to my studies. For the last few years, I have been volunteering and shadowing at local clinics and have put in many hours watching and learning from amazing dental professionals, practicing my dexterity, artistry, science, communication – connecting with and comforting people. I look for ways to improve my skill while performing procedures by actively interacting with faculty and professors, so that I can provide optimal care for the patient. As a result of the clinical and didactic education provided by participation in your residency program, I will become still more skillful, knowledgeable, and well-rounded, a highly teachable dentist. I especially enjoy challenging situations. For example, I recently had a 70-year-old patient, who was very demanding with lofty expectations. Upon clinical examination, the patient had rampant caries and multiple teeth that were non-restorable. To produce the treatment plan that was acceptable to both patient and faculty, I spoke to different specialty departments for their professional opinion. The most challenging aspect of treating this patient was setting a realistic expectation for the outcome. I educated the patient about what must happen, such as extraction and periodontal therapy. By educating the patient about the multiple options for replacing the lost teeth, I learned a valuable lesson about the importance of considering all possibilities out of respect for patient autonomy. By participating in your residency program, I hope to see many more patients and be able to advance my clinical skills so that I can be well-equipped for my career over the long term. As a dental student, I participated in dental outreach to the Dominican Republic providing free dental treatment for those who could not otherwise afford it. We also educated patients young and old about prevention and simple tooth brushing and flossing. I take pride in the oral health of my patients and the people of the community that I serve. Your residency program will provide me with the opportunity to clinically sharpen my skills and take responsibility for the patient’s oral health guidance under the supervision and feedback of very experienced and knowledgeable faculty members and my fellow colleagues. My compassion has been the central force that has driven me to become a dentist. I have learned how to connect with people and make them feel comfortable by exuding empathy and compassion. I look forward to being selected for a residency position at a comprehensive dental hospital, where residents can learn about dentistry from experienced practitioners. Upon completion of your program, I plan to practice dentistry in underserved communities while also volunteering with organizations that provide dental care in impoverished and rural areas around the globe. Thank you for considering my application. General Dentistry Residency Personal Statement

Perhaps the most vital aspect of my candidacy for your program at XXXX University is that I am very dedicated to my professional performance and highly motivated and determined to achieve my professional goals. I have dreamed of becoming a dentist for many years. Even as a child, perhaps especially as a child, I was well aware of the pain and dread associated with dental problems. I am very attracted to dentistry because of the great challenge and opportunity. The chance to see my clients walking out of my practice with a big smile and a great sense of relief and confidence for me will be sheer joy. I know I am going to get there. Generally speaking, if someone dedicates themselves entirely to their priority in life, they meet with success. And for me, this will distinguish me as one of the most dedicated students in the program at XXXX's School of Dental Medicine. While I look forward to supporting myself, I am not materialistic; the quality of existence found through service to others draws me, the privilege of alleviating pain. I see the practice of dentistry as a form of social work, and I am motivated by my love for my community. I especially look forward to the precious little and half terrorized--children that will come to me for help, putting them at ease and ensuring that they understand that I genuinely care about them. They will be able to sense that I am doing this out of profound affection and a hunger to help. I have many hours of experience shadowing dental assistants at XXXX Dental Care Centre in Granite City. I also volunteered for Giving a Kid a Smile Day, hosted by my university. I know a great deal about dentistry tools, and I am familiar with correct dentistry terminology with hands-on experience in patient care; these experiences have confirmed that dentistry is the right career choice for me. I have always worked well in a team environment, and I am willing to go the extra mile to achieve my goals. I believe that I have the necessary drive and passion for excelling and succeeding in your program. I believe a person's smile is one of their most important assets in life, and it is my passion to help every person obtain the best possible smile; I am well aware that many, especially the neediest in society, do not have the opportunity to take care of their teeth. My central goal is to contribute to the movement to change that. I would especially appreciate the opportunity to study dental medicine at XXXX University so that I may achieve my dream of looking at one of the top dental schools in the country at the same time that I can stay close to home and enjoy the full support of my family. I am very conscientious and well organized, with a great sense of humor, and I want nothing in life as much as I want to become a first-class, outstanding dentist. Thus, I feel that I am a strong candidate for your program. I was born and raised in Alton, Illinois, and this past May; I graduated from XXXX University with a major in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. I wish to continue my studies in my home state, and this is of utmost importance to me; as it is in my home town and I want to achieve my long-term goal of running my family practice here and be able to give back something of great value to my community The course that I dream of is providing excellent dental care with fees on a sliding scale according to income. I will take particular joy in treating needy minority children at no cost and developing an educational center to teach people about the importance of dental hygiene. Accumulating money and possessions has little interest to me. Instead, I live to serve and help people who need me because of the sheer joy this gives me. I want to thank you for considering my application. Dental School Give a Kid a Smile Day

I came to America from my native Iraq three years ago. I distinguish myself through determination and dedication, which won me a place on Iraq’s Olympic Swimming Team and serve with distinction with the US Army as a translator and cultural adviser. Working with the United States Army enhanced my ability to work in a team environment and learn organizational skills and discipline, which has a great deal to do with why I am still alive. I was granted permanent residency in the US as a token of appreciation for my service. Now, I want to apply my organizational and problem-solving skills to the benefit of dentistry. I finished dental school at the University of Baghdad in 2005. It is my goal to be enabled to practice dentistry in the US and to provide skillful, knowledgeable, and caring treatment to my patients. If you walk into the waiting room of a dentist in the US, you are likely to see a group of relaxed-looking people reading magazines. If you observe the clientele of a free dental clinic in Iraq, you will see many distressed people with swollen faces and pain-filled eyes. When you have witnessed the latter, as I have, you appreciate dentistry in a whole new light. Seeing the almost immediate relief of pain available under the care of a skilled dentist seems miraculous. My cousin was a dentist in Iraq who gave some of his time to patients unable to pay for treatment and invited me to visit the free clinic; it changed my life. I also recalled a time when my father had suffered an oral abscess, and his pain was relieved immediately following a visit to a dentist. My original goal, at that time, was to follow my sister into medicine. Still, I then began to consider dentistry because of the appeal of being able to relieve pain so quickly and thoroughly.  I also became aware that much oral and dental pain and teeth loss is preventable with good primary health education and the importance of oral health for general health and well-being.  These experiences fired my interest, and I subsequently enrolled to study dentistry at the University of Baghdad in Iraq and qualified to practice in my country.  During my studies, I undertook voluntary work in various hospitals and clinics and learned much about different techniques and specialties but, as importantly, about treating patients with genuine care and trying to achieve the best possible outcome for each patient. It seemed to me that dentistry was an art as much as a science offering the possibilities of relieving pain, improving appearance, enabling people to eat a regular diet, and, not least, giving people the priceless gift of a smile. Once I had obtained my degree, I practiced for a brief period. However, circumstances in my country were such that various obstacles and barriers prevented me from efficiently continuing to work as a dentist. So, I accepted employment as a translator and cultural adviser with the US forces. This service gave me experience in teamwork, planning and organizing, and discipline. It may also have saved my life in a very violent time. Following my service with the US military, I was enabled to move to the United States and given permanent residency in appreciation for my work. Since arriving in the US, I have worked as a Dental Assistant in various settings and with multiple patients.  This has been a valuable exercise in helping me to become accustomed to a new culture and dental environment. I am now ready for the ‘next step,’ which is to qualify to practice dentistry in this country. It is my intention, once qualified, to donate some of my time to a free clinic to give something back to the US, which has been so good to me. I would also hope to be involved in furthering the provision of education on the importance of routine dental and oral care in poorer communities. My first job in the USA upon arrival was as a retail manager. I consider the skills I acquired and applied in that period to be applicable to most professions. I was required to supervise, motivate, direct, plan, and budget while providing excellent customer service. This was a challenging experience during which I learned many valuable lessons. The aspect of the job that I enjoyed most was in delivering training; I discovered a love of teaching that I might not otherwise have found, and I hope to have the opportunity to train dentists and dental assistants in the future. As a member of the Iraq national swimming team selected for the Olympic squad. I grew accustomed to dedicated, regular, disciplined training, and the ability to focus entirely on the ‘job at hand.’ I see this as relevant to my application. I have happily worked with people of many diverse cultural and social backgrounds. I appreciate the importance of being culturally sensitive generally and its particular importance in the field of health care. I have a particular interest in implant surgery and hope to be able to assist in research in this area of study. It is my aim to specialize in orthodontics after completing a doctoral program. I am aware that dentistry programs attract many well-qualified applicants. However, I genuinely regard myself as an exceptional candidate. , I have experience practicing as a dentist, and I have substantial experience in this country working as a highly effective dental assistant. I have what it takes to become a successful participant in the program and will fully dedicate myself to excellence. Thank you for considering my application. DDS Degree Dentist from Iraq