1 What activities have you performed that demonstrate your ability to work effectively with people? The best evidence that I have of my ability to work with people is the fact that I am highly appreciated by my colleagues and supervisors in my current position as a Clinical Demonstrator at the XXXX Medical and Dental College—where I graduated from dental school in 2009—since June 16th of 2014. My day-to-day responsibilities include patient evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment management; I also tutor fourth-year students and general practice residents. Treating patients while I instruct students has helped me to perfect my professional capacity in numerous areas, learning greater levels of patience, exploring the complexities of ethical issues, and building teamwork through leadership, fostering our sense of shared purpose and quest for professional excellence. I also completed a one-year residency here at Lahore Medical and Dental College from April 2010 through March 2011, serving as general practice resident with two months spent in each rotation in every department of dentistry. Equally important to my career trajectory as a dentist and the challenges that I have faced along the way learning to communicate as effectively as possible with patients and colleagues alike is the testimony of my extensive association resulting primarily from a dental internship at XXXX; providing me with advanced training in MCPS in operative dentistry and extensive experience in the diagnosis and treatment of cases related to restorative dentistry and endodontics. I did case presentations, led discussions, and helped to organize as well as attend conferences where I always presented. 2 Please describe your immediate and long-term professional goals. My sense of purpose in life deepened during my dental internship at XXXX especially because it provided me with a platform to treat low-income patients of a variety of different ethnic backgrounds, all with extremely limited resources. While I found treating these people to be extraordinarily challenging in some cases, primarily because of budget constraints, I learned to think quickly on my feet and make life-changing decisions in a split-second fashion, because I simply had no other choice. Learning to channel my energies in the most pragmatic way possible, always healing and resolving conflicts, I never failed to maintain my focus and my cool. I was also a great professional asset to my parents’ hospital where I served for some time as Assistant Director. My experience in hospital administration will always be with me, inspiring and empowering me with creative ideas for excellence in dentistry, especially with respect to the underserved. I have long developed a special interest in the issue of infection control and I intend to continue to build my own special research base in this area in which I hope to distinguish myself by my publications in the future and I look forward to deepening my critical edge and distinguishing myself in this area in particular as a student in your program. After completing your distinguished program, I plan to continue to further my education both formally and informally in Endodontics, devoting myself to a professional lifetime of both research and practice in this area. 3 Describe (if applicable) your work experience (paid or unpaid) in the U.S. or Canada and how it contributes to your professional experience. I already feel like an international dentist primarily based on my successful completion of an internship in Connecticut from Sept 2013- March 2014 for Dental Arts of Avon PC, assisting and observing Dr. XXXX, D.M.D. I recently completed a 150-hour volunteer observership in the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department and General Dentistry at Brooklyn Hospital Center where I have been exposed to numerous dental cases from simple extractions to extractions under sedations to sinus lifting to implant-supported, complete, and partial dentures. I have been attending conferences here as well on issues such as guided tissue regeneration, ANUG and LANAP and I have had the opportunity to follow numerous cases of oral surgery in the operation theater including Enucleation of OKC and bone augmentation. My hard work during this volunteer period has been very much appreciated by the Chairperson of the Dentistry Program and the director of the General Practice Residency Program. They have both given me letters of recommendation in addition to receiving a Certificate of Appreciation from Brooklyn Hospital. My volunteer experiences here in the USA have helped me to better appreciate the way in which great doctors attend to the patient in a holistic fashion, spiritually, mentally, and physically, and always with compassion and sincerity. I have myself become more passionate, modest, refined, and cooperative, especially with respect to our patients. One special highlight of my work in the USA was volunteering with CLOUD 9, organizing an event that took place on June 29th, 2013, to raise funds for the charitable activities of the XXXX Memorial Hospital, which cares for victims of cancer who have scare resources. 4 What qualities of the University of XXXX School of Dental Medicine do you feel will help you achieve your professional goals and how? The Dental program offered at UXXXX will put me on the world stage of dentistry, the facility is very advanced and up to date on every aspect of dentistry; being a student there would help me to achieve my goal of getting the best training and education available. Growing up in a family where my parents and siblings are all doctors and received the best education available to them, I do not want to settle for anything less either. The clinical and research opportunities available at UXXXX represent the optimal springboard on which to excel as an international dentist in the future, especially since I have already fallen in love with your campus and its history. Most of all, I hope to be accepted into your especially distinguished program at UXXXX because of the excellent clinical training and the research opportunities that your program provides. I see Operative Dentistry as the HEART OF DENTISTRY and Endodontics as the queen of the oral health sciences. I thank you for considering my application to UXXXX. Sample Additional Questions and Answers for International Dentist Application

I am a Thai woman, born and raised in Bangkok, Thailand. I hold the degree of Doctor of Dentistry awarded by XXXX University in 2010. I speak English, French and Mandarin Chinese. In much of Asia, including Thailand, dental health is neglected and basic education in dental care is often lacking or ignored. There also exists a general shortage of dentists and the situation is much more serious in the case of qualified orthodontists. Demand is such that much orthodontic work is done by dentists who are untrained in the specialty and sometimes, unfortunately, from people who are not trained dentists!  The appearance of those who seek orthodontic treatment, mostly young women, is often permanently marred because of this sad situation. As a dental student, I assisted in providing basic dental care and education to communities in rural areas of Thailand. I became aware that, whilst effective orthodontic treatment is rarely available in urban areas, in the countryside it is unobtainable, but is also desperately needed.  As a senior student, I took part in a survey to measure the dental health of primary school children and many required skilled orthodontic treatments that they are unlikely to receive. I recently completed a short course in orthodontics so that I can, at least, provide basic orthodontic treatment but realize that, to make a significant difference, I need to acquire an understanding of advanced techniques and the treatment of complex cases that the program provides. It is my hope to be able to offer accessible treatment especially for the most serious cases in my country and to train others to recognize situations where orthodontic treatment is required, as well as supplying training in providing basic treatments. Unfortunately, there is no training available, at the level offered by the program, in my own country. I am aware that great advances have been made in Orthodontics in the last decade and I am excited by the possibility of contributing to further progress in this specialty. I am also very attracted by the opportunity to assist in research into new treatments and materials whilst participating in the program. Following my graduation, I initially worked in private clinics. During this time, I undertook a wide variety of work from restoration to prosthodontics.  I was then successful in obtaining a post at one of Thailand’s leading hospitals, the XXXX. My duties at the hospital have also given me valuable experience in providing a variety of treatments to patients of many kinds. During this time, I have had the opportunity to observe the work of the Orthodontists on the staff and receive guidance from them. I have traveled within Asia, to several European countries and to the United States. I am interested in meeting people from various cultural and social backgrounds and am aware that studying in New York will enable me to do so. I also look forward to sharing insights from my own life and work with members of the academic community. I am regarded as being cooperative, friendly, and diligent.  I have a genuine interest in my patients and in pursuing the absolute best outcome in treating them. I have the potential to excel within the program and intend to do so, if selected to participate. I am aware that there will be many professionally qualified applicants for this prestigious program. However, I am an excellent candidate, not least, because of my genuine passion for Orthodontics and my heart-felt hope to bring much needed expertise in this area, to my country. Orthodontics Residency Personal Statement Help

I joined a program called ‘Young Medic’ in Russia during the last two years of high school which provided opportunities to observe physicians and to provide basic assistance to them and their staff. I was deeply impressed by the dedication and skill of the professionals I met and was confirmed in my decision to enter the field of healthcare. After graduating from high school, I worked for a year in the Department of Maxillo-Facial Surgery and Pediatrics in a Russian medical school, and I was invited to observe surgeries and attend lectures. Seeing what a dramatic difference that dentistry makes in so many people’s lives, I made a firm decision to pursue a career within it. However, another path opened causing my decision to be delayed. I came to the US as a competitive ice skater and was set to pursue a successful, if short term, career in this field but injury prevented me from doing so.  I was helping to support my family and so I had to work, I trained and qualified as a Registered Dental Assistant. Once qualified, I worked for an agency which exposed me to many practices and specialties for seven years, including: general practice, orthodontics, oral surgery, pediatric dentistry, and endodontics.  I was also pursuing a degree in Biology & Biochemistry with an emphasis on pre-med. Studies and became involved in skating again by joining a program to encourage disadvantaged youngsters to use their energy, and increase their confidence, through skating.  Working with the disadvantaged young and listening to their stories fired an interest in psychology and I started to undertake some informal study. Having gained my degree, it had been my intention to join a DDS program, but fate decided otherwise. Because of illnesses and deaths in my family in Russia, I was obliged to continue working. I decided to pursue formal studies in Psychology and gained a master's degree and a further Master’s in Family and Marriage Therapy. I practiced as a counsellor which was a rewarding and interesting experience, but I longed to return to dentistry. By this time, I was married with 2-year-old twins and my husband was asked to move to England by his employer.  I decided to apply for entry to a Dental degree course in England and was admitted to the UK’s most prestigious dental school and graduated in July 2015. The program provided excellent, comprehensive training and patient contact throughout. I was involved in providing preventative education to the financially disadvantaged, especially regarding the link between smoking and periodontal disease and taught oral health hygiene and proper cleaning techniques to in-patients with brain damage. I was also selected to be a guide on college open days in recognition of my enthusiasm and ‘people skills’.  It is my firm intention, once qualified to practice in the US, to regularly sacrifice time to give free treatment to the financially disadvantaged to ‘pay back’ for my own fortunate circumstances and for the welcome that I have been accorded in this country. We moved back to the US shortly after graduating and, since then, I have sought as much additional exposure to US dentistry as possible by attending lectures, assisting dentists at free clinics and by visiting various colleges and undertaking research to evaluate the training and facilities offered to students and it is for this reason that this application is made to your program. To reach the high standard that I reached as a skater, it was necessary from an early age to show uncommonly prominent levels of determination, commitment, and diligence.  I have done so in all areas of my life, and I will continue to do so. These characteristics have been further demonstrated in the award of several degrees whilst working, and later, while being the mother to two infants. I am confident that these characteristics will also enable me not merely to succeed but to excel within the program. My background and life experiences have provided me with many opportunities to interact with people from other ethnic and social backgrounds. I love to share knowledge of my own culture and to learn about others. I get along easily with people and have a well-developed sense of humor. I am an empathetic person, and my psychology training has provided an excellent basis for understanding others. I believe that my background in psychology can be usefully applied in Dentistry, I am particularly interested in the ‘fearful patient’ and in finding methods to establish the causes and seeking effective ways to alleviate them. I hope that an opportunity might arise in the program for me to assist in research in a related area of study. I am confident that I have the potential to become a first-class dental practitioner in the US. I am sure that I possess the natural characteristics, experience, education, and training that will enable me to ‘add value’ to the program and to ‘add luster’ to its already prestigious reputation. Thank you for considering my application. International Dentist Personal Statement Editor International Dentist Personal Statement Russian Ice Skater

I am from India, where I completed my Bachelor of Dental Science Degree. A highly dedicated dentistry professional, I especially look forward to doing research in the future in oral and maxillofacial surgery. My long-term professional goal is to have my own dental practice where I labor mightily each day to put a smile on the faces of my patients. This is where I attain my dignity, satisfaction, and pride. I also look forward to working extremely hard as a member of my community, engaging in volunteer activities that raise awareness concerning the importance of maintaining one’s oral health. I want to devote as much of my energy as possible to assisting low-income people to get appropriate dental care. My extensive experience in dentistry began while I was in high school, shadowing my uncle who is a dentist. While in dental school, I worked under the supervision of one of my professors as an assistant dentist, completing a 1-year internship. After my graduation, I worked as a junior dentist in a private clinic in Hyderabad for 15 months. My experience as a volunteer includes working with the mentally disabled at the XXXX Institute as well as helping to conduct numerous dental camps in rural areas while still a student. I have also devoted countless hours to the Red Cross, both in India and here in the USA. I am currently working as a volunteer assistant at a blood donation center in XXXX, Mo. My experiences have enabled me to learn to adapt myself to a broad variety of professional contexts and challenges. My pride is centered on my compassion and the confidence of the patient is what I most prize. I want very much to devote my life to the cause of promoting oral health awareness and working selflessly for the betterment of the members of my community. I want to be the kind of dentist who is very well connected with networks of like-minded professionals devoted to dental camps, missions, and other volunteer efforts. As a student of dentistry in India, I cared for those patients who lived in some of the most poverty-stricken rings of misery surrounding Indian cities. Each day was an intense learning experience that helped me to grow enormously on a human level in response to the magnitude of the challenges. During my last two years of study, I had the opportunity to work in rural areas where levels of health awareness are especially low; I came across many people who did not even know what toothpaste was and had never seen a dentist even once in their entire lives. Community service provides my life with its meaning. I thrive as a human being on the expression of love and compassion. Now, I want very much to prepare myself for practicing dentistry here in my new community. Since my arrival in the USA a little over a year ago, I have taken several online courses in preparation for returning to dental school here in America, as well as preparing for the NBDE. I was a recognized leader among my peers in dental school in India. This is why I was one of only a few students to later be appointed as a faculty member, in my case, in Oral Medicine & Radiology. Both before and after my graduation, I was heavily engaged in the organization of various programs, all devoted to raising the awareness of the importance of oral health and hygiene. I look forward to giving my all to your distinguished program so that I might continue to excel in my chosen field here in America. I thank you for considering my application to your program. Indian International Dentist Personal Statement Help

My love for dentistry is pure, just as my special journey to discover this amazing profession. I was raised in Vietnam, but my adult years have been spent here in America, where I have volunteered to help oral health initiatives. I feel strongly that I might be able to give something back to society by spending my life working to educate communities about oral health, especially those whose limited resources make it extremely difficult for them to find affordable dental care. I traveled quite a lot in Vietnam and visited many underserved areas; since my parents are both very socially conscious physicians, I was immersed early on in many public health issues and debates. I have always been highly motivated to be independent through a variety of projects, such as selling Valentine’s Day flowers and handmade gifts on a street corner. I was extraordinarily successful since people loved the unique creativity of my products. And I was also generous with the money that I earned, giving much of it away to people who were in desperate need of help. I find my most profound fulfillment in building new relationships and visualizing the happiness of people. As a high school girl, I maintained good grades while I cultivated my passion for art and human growth, most of all how to love and care for people. Life has been challenging for me with unfamiliar language and culture when I immigrated to America; yet I was accepted by UXXX into one of the leading Bioengineering programs in the nation. I am fascinated by the astounding advancements that have been made in medical and dental instrumentation, and I follow these developments closely in the literature. My experience working in a lab has also helped me to enhance my manual dexterity. There is always room for the human touch. Everything came together for me in an epiphany last summer when I was myself seated on the dentist chair.  Under the brilliant glow of light and the captivating drilling sounds, the dentist appeared as a scientist who, at the same time, utilizes her hand-skills gently as an artist to heal and comfort her patients. Dentistry is truly my dream profession as it combines everything, I am most passionate about. My knowledge about dentistry has been strengthened by shadowing, and participating in pre-dental workshops, and volunteer activities. I took pre-dental technique courses to ensure that I have manual dexterity to fit in the profession. When I recently attended a California Dental Association event where the latest in dental technology was presented, I took special delight in explaining to my pre-dental friends how various instruments work especially well because of their innovative design. As a bioengineering student, I have continued to cultivate a good sense of the mechanics and technology of medical and dental instrumentation. The most powerful role models that I have had so far have been the dentists who volunteer for a dental clinic for low-income people where I also help. Many of these dentists worked full time and then came to volunteer at these free clinics until 9 pm. I also had an opportunity to volunteer at a dental screening event at elementary schools in the San Diego area, where I met a little boy who was called “silver man” because he had so many stainless-steel crowns on his baby teeth. He thought that he would be this way forever as no one had even told him about permanent teeth, much less proper oral hygiene. When he hugged me tightly, I could feel his boundless yet speechless gratitude. Such moments have elevated my motivation to become a dentist; it is no longer a personal desire; it is a call to be a part of something much larger. No child should be called “silver man” because children deserve healthy and beautiful smiles. I am going to pursue general dentistry while learning another foreign language, for my goal is to be a dentist who can serve and educate dental care to a diverse community. I do believe overcoming language barriers and providing more volunteer work are the key factors in improving access to public health care. From my engineering perspective, I love mastering the mechanics of state-of-the-art tools. From my artist view, I love to see beautiful artworks coming out from a natural passion. Sincerely, I love to care for people to improve their health and quality of life. This is how I see dentistry in me, and how I know I belong to dentistry. Dental School Personal Statement Language Barriers

From the time that I was 6 through 10, I lived in Yemen in an old house with no electricity. I read late into the night with an oil lamp. At least it was not as crowded as my home back in our Arab Ghetto of Dearborn, where twelve people were crammed into a 3-bedroom home. The most difficult part of growing up, both in Yemen and Michigan, was escaping the family so that I could study at home. I always stayed as long as I could at school. My mother was overly protective and stifled the natural development of all of us. In Yemen, I attended the village school and received instruction in the Yemeni dialect of Arabic, the first language of my family. Thus, I began school in this language, the same language that my family used in the home. As a result, I had no English-language instruction until the age of ten when we returned to America. It has been a struggle to catch up. If I were to be accepted as a disadvantaged student to your program, this would represent a great triumph over adversity, an authentic rags-to-riches American story in terms of language and identity. After we moved back to the USA from Yemen in 2010, now in the English world, I desperately needed help with my homework. But I could never ask my parents because they were entirely illiterate in English. Our life has always been a desperate struggle to survive in America. When my elder brothers grew up, they both quit school to find a job. I was the only one in the family who studied, an effort that was rewarded by a scholarship for my undergraduate studies in Michigan. I now live in Louisiana, where I was able to find work after finishing college. I worked full-time all the way through college in order to pay my bills. My parents have always been interested in other things than my education and I have long been left to provide entirely for myself. In the Yemeni village where I began the first four formative years of my education, there are no pharmacies, dentists, doctors, or even teachers with degrees, and only me spoke any English (which I learned mostly from the television). We were dedicated to subsistence, and our teachers did the best that they could in the absence of training and materials. I was only vaguely aware that such a thing as dentistry existed until I moved back to America at the age of ten. I come from a doubly disadvantaged background, with respect to my childhood in America as well as in Yemen. In America, until the age of 6, and then again from 10 years old forward, I lived on the south side of Dearborn, Michigan, in an area occupied primarily by poorly educated, immigrants from the Middle East. The job losses in the auto industry helped to aggravate already desperate economic circumstances making life brutal and stressful for most: debts, drugs, domestic and street violence, etc. I may not have survived as well as I have if it were not for my “little light” from Yemen. While still a child, I fell deeply in love with one of my classmates. As soon as I finished high school, I flew back to Yemen and married her. Now, she is here with me in America, and she is my source of special strength and sustenance to become a dentist. My wife and I both work to support we; however, I have also devoted countless hours as a volunteer in dentists’ offices, observing a wide variety of procedures and gaining a much better understanding of the roles of the different members of the team that I provide with general assistance. I have also undertaken a great deal of informal study about dentistry, and I am excited at the rapid developments in techniques and materials that are occurring. My study makes me enormously keen to become a part of research projects. Unfortunately, our country, Yemen—like Pakistan and Afghanistan—is rapidly becoming an increasingly dangerous place for Americans. The more bombs—drone strikes—that fall, the more anti-American sentiment is created. And I am rapidly becoming more American than Yemenis. Still, Yemen is our home, and we want to go home to Yemen after we finish dental school so that we can help our people. To Yemen, America is like God. The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. I thank you for considering our application for disadvantaged status. Description of childhood residency in Dearborn, Michigan.  (250 words) We lived in a small brick house that was built in the seventies in Dearborn, Michigan. We were considered a poor family. We never had any popular name brand clothing so important to young people. My dad did most of the shopping at flea markets. Our home consisted of three bedrooms, one bathroom, and a small living room and kitchen. We are a large family with ten children; the boys were in one room and the girls in the other. The youngest of us children slept on mattresses on the floor, with the eldest two in the double bed. These rooms were only about 10 x 12 ft including the closet. In addition to school, the other bright spot in my life was the park with basketball courts. My older brothers did their best to make my life miserable early on, so I grew up tough and learned to defend myself.  Although I always did my best to avoid a fight, and even refrained from participating in tournaments because this is how it usually ended up. My time in the park was limited anyway by extremely strict parental rules. There are aspects of Yemeni culture of which I am not enormously proud. My childhood was not only marred by poverty, but also by violence. My mother beat us with a belt when we failed to return home directly from school, abruptly putting an end to whatever extra-curricular activities we might try to engage in. Disadvantaged Status Essay for Dental School

I performed my first extraction as a fully certified professional dentist soon after my graduation. My patient was a pleasant and humble woman about 50 years old. The procedure was executed in an immaculate fashion. Several hours later, as my shift ended and I was headed home, I found her waiting for me outside the door. She tried to thank me by touching my feet. I stopped her and gave her a big hug -- in fact, I held her closely for a while and thought about the historic brutality of our class structure in India, her attempt to prostrate herself before me has long historical roots that are difficult to overcome. Growing up in India, I recall with great clarity my father’s tireless commitment as a doctor. My enthusiasm for health care, initially, was a gift from my father, especially because of the profound respect that he earned within our community. In India, dentistry and medicine are seen more as noble social service to the community than lucrative careers and this commitment to social service is the foundation of my own decision to become a dentist. While I have always had a passion for healthcare in general, my specific interest in dentistry began with a personal experience. At sixteen, I suffered from a severe toothache, the most intense pain I have ever felt. It got so bad that I thought I might miss my upcoming exam. To me, it was like a miracle when the dentist took away my pain in a single visit. This resulted in my immense respect for dentistry early on. Soon, I started to prepare myself for a career in dentistry, volunteering at dental clinics operated by associates of my father. All my hard work paid off and I was accepted to the esteemed Narayana Dental College. My graduate studies empowered me with knowledge and my hands-on experience has given me extraordinarily strong execution skills. I especially love diversity and interaction with diverse ethnic and linguistic groups. I adore the practice of dentistry and the opportunity to apply my knowledge to healing and preventing oral decay. I have worked extremely hard towards my goal of becoming the finest dentist possible and I hope and pray that I will be accorded the honor of a lifetime of service as a dentist here in America, especially doing everything within my power to attend to the underserved. After my graduation, I apprenticed under Dr. XXXX, where I gained confidence in my ability to handle many difficult challenges on my own. I became ever smoother and more efficient with everything from extractions to restorative work, and assisting with osseous resective surgeries, gingival grafts, crown lengthening, root resection, and implant surgeries. But as important to me as my improvement in skills was the experience, I had bringing dentistry out of the clinic and into the community. With Dr. XXXX, I organized community dental camps in rural areas around our city, Warangal. I ensured and improved the smooth operations of these events, making it possible for us to serve more patients and therefore do better in the same length of time as previous camps. At our dentistry camps, I saw children with grossly decayed teeth, adults with bleeding gums, and people who lived with constant pain and discomfort. Bringing oral hygiene and dental care to under-served people made me feel blessed to have the opportunity to help others and to savor the smiles on the faces of my patients. Educating them about the importance of oral hygiene practices left me with a satisfaction even deeper than what I could achieve from performing “normal” dental procedures in the office. Not only was I providing them with immediate relief, but by teaching them how to take care of their teeth and gums, I was giving them the gift of future health. I am especially troubled by the way in which in my native India, many patients are infected in dental clinics. For this reason, I bring with me to dental school a special passion for the battle against infections in health care settings, a subject to which I have already devoted years of personal research and I hope to combine a lifetime of practicing dentistry with doing research and making public policy recommendations in the public health sector especially as concerns oral health care in India. Since re-locating to the United States, I have continued to pursue my interest in dentistry and public health. I passed my board exams here in California and I am now an observer at the clinic of Dr. XXXX. I have also volunteered at several non-profit dental clinics. This has been a wonderful opportunity to supplement my dentistry experience with the additional practical knowledge that it takes to run one’s own practice – everything from working with insurance companies to implementing infection protocols. I am more confident than ever that I have the skills it will require to pursue my dream of someday having my own practice. The experiences I have had from clinics to camps have solidified my passion for improving my patients’ lives by improving and protecting their oral health. I am confident that I am ready to move onto the next phase of my career in dentistry – as an advanced placement student in your dentistry program. International Dentist Personal Statement Samples

I am a Jordanian woman, born and raised in Jordan until the age of thirteen when I moved to the United States. I currently reside in California. I speak Arabic, English and some French. I anticipate the award of the B.S. degree in Biology in May 2012 from California State University. My goal is to qualify as a dentist and assist in the enhancement of dental health with a special focus on low-income communities in America and Jordan. In Jordan, dental health is not considered to be a priority and there is little understanding of the close relationship between dental/oral health and general health. Teeth are often regarded as ‘optional extras’ that will inevitably be lost in early middle age and it is unusual to see people of fifty with their own teeth. When I arrived in the United States, the first thing I noticed about the people I met was the fact that they smiled so easily and that their teeth looked so good.  I decided that I wanted ‘American teeth’! Teeth that were white, well cared for and would last into old age. At my first visit to a dentist’s office in the US, I was thoroughly impressed and decided there and then that I wanted to help people to keep their teeth in good condition so that they could always smile easily and eat whatever foods that they like no matter what their age. Since the age of thirteen, I have worked towards my goal. I am now working towards the Dental Assistant certification; I have provided general assistance to dentists and nurses at a Delta Dental office and have spent 60 hours shadowing an experienced dentist who has been of enormous help to me. I have thoroughly enjoyed engaging with patients and staff and have learned how patients are put at ease.  I intend to extend this experience as far as possible before the program commences. In addition, I have undertaken considerable, non-dental, volunteer activities as a fraternity member raising funds for St. Jude’s and CHLA hospitals. I was also selected to lead groups providing orientation to new students at XXU, which I have done for two years. Allaying the fears and apprehensions of those entering a new phase of their lives has been very satisfying and my selection demonstrates a facility for communication and putting people at their ease (good training in dentistry!). In addition to having a bi-cultural upbringing, I have travelled widely in the Middle and Far East. I have happily studied, worked, and socialized with people from many cultural and social backgrounds and enjoy sharing knowledge about my own culture with others. It was necessary for me to integrate into a new community at a particularly sensitive age and I believe that I did so very successfully demonstrating adaptability and the capability to relate well with others in that I quickly established several long-term friendships that continue to this day. I am the eldest child in a Jordanian family and, as such, am expected to provide an excellent example to my siblings in academic achievement and personal conduct and I have always sought to be such an example to them. My goal is to excel in a DDS program and to become a first-class dentist and an effective advocate for dental and oral health. It is my firm intention, once qualified, to use my expertise to assist in educating people about oral and dental health low-income communities in the United States and Jordan. I would hope to be able to undertake research into the early recognition of serious oral health conditions and hope to specialize although I have not yet decided on a particular area. I am aware that dentistry programs are highly competitive, and that the committee will have many tough decisions to make. However I am an excellent candidate, I am diligent, academically able, personable and, most importantly, passionate about pursuing a career in dentistry. I undertake to give total commitment to my work in the program if selected. Thank you for considering my application. Dental School Personal Statement #dentalschool #personalstatement

I am a young woman and a dentist who was born and raised in Poland. I came to the United States with my fiancé and now live in Hawthorne, California. I graduated from the Medical University in my hometown of Lodz in 2004 and completed my studies in the faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, obtaining the title of Doctor of Dentistry in 2006, shortly before moving to the U.S. Upon my arrival, I immediately began preparing for the National Board Dental Exam (NBDE) and have now finished Part 1. At present, I am diligently studying for Part 2. After completing a program for International Dentists and becoming licensed to practice Dentistry in my newly adopted country, my long-term goal is to continue to focus on enhancing my professional skills and to specialize in restorative dentistry and endodontics. I hope to someday establish my own dental office where I might be able to make special contributions to the less privileged members of our community. First, however, I look forward to working for another talented dentist where I will be able to gain additional experience. Polish is my native language, and I learned Spanish in high school; I also read and speak some German. I hope to be able to use my Spanish more in the future, here in California, working with immigrants from Latin America. Since my arrival to the United States and until today, I have faced what is the greatest challenge of my life: English. The first time that I took the TOEFL, I received the disappointing score of 84. Yet, as a testimony to my struggle, last year, I managed to score 104. And, as I have been working extremely hard, every day, especially with English in the medical/dental field, I believe that I would score higher at this time if I were to re-take the test. I hope to be granted an opportunity to demonstrate how much I have improved and my dedication to continue to improve daily in my English skills. My central goal in life is to serve my community and I have long been dedicated to helping those in need. In high school, I worked with children from poor, under-privileged, and troubled families, helping them to do their homework and to develop better study skills. After completing the course work for my dental program in Poland, I enjoyed one full year of training in a public clinic where I gained considerable experience across a wide field of clinical applications, including dental surgery, restorative dentistry, pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, and prosthodontics. This experience helped me to improve my communication skills and develop my ability to build good working relationships with clients and strategies to enhance cooperation with patients. Working in this clinic was arduous work, but it was also extremely rewarding to see the happy faces of the satisfied patients. I'm a sensitive person, and I always try to help everybody that I encounter who needs my help. I was even sometimes called "Mother Theresa" by my friends in high school because I was always there for everybody and cared for them. I am deeply committed to the provision of individualized patient care on both clinical and emotional levels. I have also been very dedicated to the ongoing development of my manual skills, increasing and maintaining my dexterity in my free time by drawing and painting; I love making compositions of flowers and decorating homes. I want to help people to look and feel good about their appearance and this is why I find so much joy in the practice of dentistry, the enhancement of people’s sense of dignity and self-worth. As a woman I like to see other women take pride in what they see in the mirror. This is where I long to give something back to my community, helping people to smile with confidence, relaxed. I think that I'm a good doctor because patients like me and always return. Some were terribly upset when they found out that I was leaving the clinic. I am a cosmopolitan woman with diverse interests and experiences that help me get along well with people from anywhere in the world. In addition to the U.S., I have spent time in Spain, Italy, England, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Kenya. I met a lot of wonderful people and experienced an enormous diversity of cultures that have reinforced my appreciation for how important it is for people to have bright smiles and healthy teeth. I especially want to attend the program at XXXX University; it is my first choice to fulfill my dream. I too want to become an American, Polish American, and I so I very much respect the philosophy of your program that it is important to merge internationally trained dentists with traditional dental students, in time, rather than having two different tracks. Every day when I wake up, I remind myself that I am preparing for the rigorous summer curriculum at XXXX that will prepare me to take my place on equal footing with third year traditional dental students in the Fall Quarter. I breathe deep and I smile, because I realize that I am thinking and even beginning to dream in English not Polish. Thank you sincerely for your consideration of my application to your program. International Dentist Personal Statement Help

My uncle and brother are dentists and so dentistry was certainly a career that I considered when I left school but decided that I would pursue a business career. I graduated ‘summa cum laude’ with a GPA score of 4.0 in Business from the University of XXXX but I soon decided that a career in business was not going to provide the kind of satisfaction that I needed. I wanted to help people in a direct and personal way. When I compared my working day to that of my brother, I concluded that his career provides the kind of satisfaction that I seek to attain. When I reconsidered dentistry, it appealed to me in numerous ways, its ‘hands on’ character and the daily interaction with patients, I was also struck by the variety of the work, diagnostic, pain relief, preventative as well as reparative and esthetic. I once saw the wonderful effect that esthetic dental surgery can have. A young woman I knew was transformed from a reserved person who rarely smiled or even spoke into a cheerful, confident person with the help of a skilled dentist. Having made my choice, I became determined to seek experience and training to enable me to change my career route as well as undertaking extensive reading and online research into dentistry. I spent eight months working as a dental assistant undertaking all the usual routine duties of an assistant and was able to observe dentists performing both routine and complex procedures. I particularly enjoyed dealing with the patients and putting them at ease if they were nervous. Unfortunately, it was necessary to curtail this introduction into dentistry as I needed more lucrative employment to fund my pre-med studies. However, this experience fully confirmed my choice. I have also entered a ‘pre-med’ program at the University of XXX. The program provides a good grounding in General Science, Biology and Chemistry which will ready me for the DDS program. I know, from my personal research, that a substantial proportion of people in the US do not realize the importance of routine dental care on their dental, oral and general health and so fail to carry it out. I would hope to be involved in spreading information about preventative dental care to poorer communities during the program and to take part in free dental clinics for the underserved. It is my firm intention, once qualified, to give part of my time to such activities. A dentist is a highly regarded and well rewarded professional who should ‘pay something back’ to society and I fully intend to do so. I am extremely excited by the current advances being made in dentistry such as the use of laser technology, computer imaging and the use of new materials and techniques in orthodontics. It is my hope to assist in research or trials to further such advances. I have carefully considered the demands that a challenging DDS program will make. I am determined to apply myself fully to the program and to excel. I am certain that I have both the intellectual capacity and the personal commitment and drive to do so. I know that there will be very many qualified applicants for places on the program. However, I do regard myself as an excellent candidate. My bachelor degree results and awards will provide an assurance that I am a diligent and intelligent person who is used to ‘going the extra mile’ in his work; my preparation for entry to the program has been both practical and academic and has provided a good understanding of the dental working environment; my main recommendation however is a passionate interest in dentistry and in becoming a skilled, knowledgeable and effective practitioner. Dental School Personal Statement Sample

I trace my adult aspirations back to the age of nine. At this time, my father returned to college in his late thirties to pursue a master’s degree in anesthesia. I was the oldest of three children, my mother was also unable to work, and we soon found ourselves scrounging out an existence on welfare. I will never forget my first Christmas on public assistance, my parents agonizing over how they could buy presents in addition to putting food on the table. Our church taught me the most important lessons in life at that time, compassion, and generosity. And these moral imperatives have become my principal frame of reference, what I aspire to accomplish myself. One morning, my mother woke up in excruciating pain, and we realized that the local dental school clinic was our only option as welfare recipients. John, a dentistry student, recommended a root canal and patiently responded to each of my mother’s concerns in a simple, straightforward way with illustrations; I could even understand it at 10 years old. I could see that my mother felt safe and comfortable, fully trusting in John. During the procedure I saw the tears roll down her face as I held on to her hand. John let me hold the suction for part of the procedure. John became my first real life hero; and from that day forward I have nurtured and treasured the dream of becoming a dentist myself, and attending to the weakest among us, the underserved. Later, we would move to Florida where I constructed a hockey workshop in our garage with numerous stick handling drills that helped develop my natural dexterity and coordination. One professional experience that has helped to prepare me for the great challenges of dental school was my employment with XXXX Marine Services. We helped to train helicopter pilots in the fields of search and rescue. Coast Guard helicopters would hover within ten feet of my head while I was raising and lowering rescue baskets. Since entering high school, I have cultivated noble goals of wanting to give something back to the community. One of my early forms of engagement with the community in high school was serving as Captain of our ice hockey team. Even though we lost the state tournament, I went on to serve as Assistant Captain of the Hockey team, helping to bring XXU Ice Hockey to its first winning season. Yet, when I realized that my grades were suffering, I quit the team to be able to devote myself full time to my studies. During my first year I co-founded the XXXX Leadership Organization, beginning with only ten members. My first title was Social Service Coordinator, and I oversaw designing and organizing our efforts to raise money for the Wounded Warrior Foundation. Within 3 years, we had 150 members. I see my natural inclination for organizing philanthropic activities to be my greatest asset and I feel strongly that the greatest contribution that I might be able to make to society would be to provide free dental health care to members of our American societies with scant resources. I see my home as the entire Caribbean area and I have spent a lot of time in Jamaica, the Bahamas, Cozumel, Belize, the Grand Cayman Islands, Haiti, and Puerto Rico. I was a close observer of healthcare systems on these islands, especially Haiti, and it is my sincere hope to make major contributions to dental missions to these islands in the future. I studied Spanish for 3 years in college and continue to improve through a concerted effort to practice. I have also dedicated a lot of planning to my goal of someday operating a free mobile dental clinic in rural areas of Florida, especially for the benefit of migrant farm workers and their families. I assure you that I will give my all to my studies if admitted and I want to thank you for consideration of my application. Dental School Personal Statement Examples

An immigrant from China, what first fired my interest in dentistry was suffering an accident two years ago that resulted in a fractured jaw. I required extensive oral surgery and became interested in the work undertaken to repair the damage done. During the process, a close relationship developed with my surgeon, and I have worked with him as a volunteer since that time. I was able to understand the anxieties of patients and to allay them from my own experiences. I was the victim of abuse during the first seven years of my life, and this helped to make me acutely sensitive to the emotional needs of others and especially aware of non-verbal signals of distress. My own emotional turmoil had its effects on various aspects of my life including my academic work, but this was resolved when I sought help as an undergraduate student. The results were dramatically positive, and my grades immediately improved to A’s. This situation has had the effect of creating an empathetic nature and a desire to help others and I regard dentistry as an excellent path to achieving this goal. I have been involved in various volunteer activities throughout my academic career including assisting in an educational project for the benefit of poor Ecuadorian children which was a truly life-changing experience and benefited me as much as the children. These activities have spurred in me the desire to ‘make a difference’ with my life rather than merely to ‘make a living’. I come from a culture in which dental hygiene and oral health are given an extremely low priority and where total loss of teeth at an early age is often regarded as natural. There exists in India an incredibly significant shortage of dental professionals and oral surgeons to provide even basic education and treatment. I am a frequent visitor to India and one of my goals would be to give some of my time to training people in providing basic education in the importance of oral hygiene and health and in providing free treatment to impoverished children in need of reparative and restorative dental surgery as ways of ‘giving back’. The ability to smile is important in all cultures but especially in South Asia and being able to give someone, especially a child, their smile back is a gift that provides immeasurable benefits to them. It would be my hope to undertake research in the areas of tissue engineering and reparative dentistry, should my application succeed. These are the areas of special interest that will assist me in reaching my goal of practicing in oral and maxillofacial surgery. I have happily studied, worked, and socialized with people of many diverse cultural and social backgrounds and look forward to extending this experience during my participation in the program. I know that cultural awareness and sensitivity is particularly important in relating properly to colleagues and patients and having ‘straddled’ two quite distinct cultures, I regard myself as being particularly well equipped in this regard. I am aware that dentistry is an extremely competitive field and that there will be many professionally qualified applicants for the program. However, I am an exceptional candidate. My academic achievements and awards will provide reassurance as to my solid work ethic and my ability to excel in my chosen areas of study.  I have undertaken significant formal studies in relevant areas including biology, physiology, chemistry, and physics which will provide a firm basis for my studies in the program. I also promise very enthusiastic participation in the program and a passion for dentistry that will be hard for many applicants to match. Asian Woman Dental School Personal Statement Edit