A personal statement for dental school is more than just a recount of experiences; it’s an expression of passion, dedication, and a vision for the future. For this candidate, a childhood injury and subsequent life experiences have shaped a profound commitment to healthcare and dentistry. This personal statement reflects a journey of resilience, empathy, and a desire to make a difference in the lives of underserved populations.
Dental School Personal Statement Examples
My intense passion for health care began after breaking my arm – in four places – and finding myself in the ER at Maimonides Hospital in Brooklyn, NY. My mother, a recent immigrant from Poland, spoke little English and was consumed with worry that we had little to nothing to pay for my care and no insurance. I remember it like yesterday, sitting on the hospital bed in excruciating pain, glancing nervously at my mom. The look on her face seemed to confirm my worst fears; I will never forget it.
An orthopedic surgeon wanted to put metal plates in my arm, requiring several surgeries. My mother was afraid and, quite surprisingly, correct in suspecting that the plates were unnecessary, and my arm could heal independently. My mother was directed to Dr. XXXX in a search for alternatives, who confirmed her suspicion that my arm could recover in a cast followed by physical therapy. Dr. XXXX saw me every week at no charge until my arm was fully healed. More than 15 years later, my arm and handwork are perfect. Dr. XXXX will always be one of my foremost role models, personally and professionally. I also admire his dedication to noninvasive measures with the best outcomes. As I see it, Dr. XXXX saved my arm and hand for dentistry.
During the summer of 2016, I worked as a Unit Head for the Sunrise Day Camp in Staten Island, one of only a handful of free day camps in the U.S. for children with cancer and their siblings. As a Unit Head, I oversaw approximately twenty children aged three to seven and ten camp counselors. I was the connection between the children and their parents, and I heard children complaining that their mouths hurt when eating or talking. Soon, I was paying exceptional attention to how chemotherapy causes tooth decay due to infections the weakened immune system cannot fight. One camper, Dominick, became dehydrated and overheated due to insufficient water. He said he didn't like water and would only drink juice. Later, in the nurse's office, she saw that he had a lot of cold sores when she looked at his mouth. We realized that it wasn’t the taste of water that he didn’t like but that the juice better eased the pain of his cold sores. We taught him to drink the water with a straw to get it past the open sores.
At this camp, I was mas impressed by the fact that many of the most innocent members of our society suffer the most, and I decided to give my life to health care to serve them. I have my sights set on dentistry for several reasons, my love for working with my hands in small places, intricate detail, and caring for children who will always have a special place in my heart.
During the summer of 2017, I volunteered for a dental outreach program, Volunteers Around the World, and went to Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic. On this mission, I had the opportunity to assist dentists, take patient histories and vitals, and sterilize dental tools. We also had the chance to conduct an education day, where we taught oral health and hygiene to local children. Most importantly, due to the free services offered through the dental clinic we set up, many patients received treatments that they would not have otherwise been able to receive. Seeing much of the population with some form of oral health disease and level of discomfort, due to the lack of access to oral health care, with very few dental practitioners in their area, all this left me profoundly inspired to give my all to dentistry. I want to provide dental care to the underserved, who would otherwise not receive any consideration. Nothing excites me more.
As I apply to dental school, I can't help but think of the medical attention Dr. XXXX gave me. His fight to make my arm whole again without surgery paved the way for my career in dentistry. His careful, patient, artful attention to my broken arm will live on throughout my professional lifetime, in every oral surgery I perform, each tooth I save.
My work with children with cancer has taught me that they deserve all that we can do to assist them in achieving a pain-free, beautiful, and natural smile. This experience has made me an advocate for fair and accessible oral health care for all. I hope to one day be a dentist who goes out of her way to bring a smile to the face of those who suffer the most for no fault of their own.
Thank you for considering my application to dental school.
Detailed Analysis
This personal statement effectively conveys the candidate's passion for dentistry and their commitment to providing compassionate, patient-centered care. The introduction immediately captures attention with a personal story that highlights the candidate’s empathy and resilience, while the subsequent sections provide a well-rounded picture of their experiences, skills, and aspirations.
What Works Well:
The use of personal stories, such as the candidate’s own experience with Dr. XXXX and their work with children with cancer, adds authenticity and emotional depth to the statement.
The candidate’s dedication to serving underserved populations is evident throughout the statement, aligning with the values of many dental programs.
The statement effectively connects the candidate’s past experiences to their future goals, providing a cohesive and compelling narrative.
Areas for Improvement:
Adding more specific examples of the candidate’s impact in their volunteer roles could provide a clearer picture of their skills and achievements.
Some sections could be condensed to enhance readability and maintain the reader’s engagement, particularly when discussing multiple experiences.
FAQs
What should be included in a dental school personal statement?
A dental school personal statement should include an introduction, a description of your relevant experiences and motivations, specific examples of your skills and achievements, and a conclusion outlining your long-term goals in dentistry.
How can I make my dental school personal statement stand out?
Is it important to discuss volunteer experiences in a dental school personal statement?
What are common mistakes to avoid in a dental school personal statement?
Additional Resources
Dental School Personal Statement Examples
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