I come from an area in India where severe fluorosis is endemic. Of course, I noticed the mottled and unsightly teeth that were so common around me, and which affected the appearance of so many, this spurred an early interest in teeth and dentistry and led to my career choice which is one that I have never regretted. The ability to change grimaces of pain into smiles of relief is a privilege and a joy.
I was born into an agricultural family in rural India and was the first of my family to leave our home area to receive a higher education. Exposure to an urban environment and to people of different social backgrounds was a challenge to a country boy who had never travelled far but thrived.
I thoroughly enjoyed my very comprehensive dental training, undertaken at a prestigious Indian college. In the Community Dentist Rotation undertaken in my third year, I was selected to lead a team working in nearby villages which were affected by severe water fluorosis like my home area. Our objective was to educate the population about the serious risks of dental deformities caused by drinking water with extremely high fluoride content and to encourage village representatives to demand that the government provide safe drinking water. Our efforts were greeted very positively by the villagers and various petitions were drafted and submitted for necessary action to be taken.
After dental school, I served one year of internship in a government teaching hospital working under the guidance of expert and caring professionals. I dealt with a high volume of cases and consequently I gained exposure to a very wide variety of dental and oral diseases and enabled me to hone my technical and develop vital high level diagnostic skills.
In 2001, 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. 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 of professionals and a successful practice which I believe reflects my ability to relate well to patients and staff and to inspire trust and confidence in them.
I practiced general dentistry performing the usual wide range of procedures such as cavity fillings, extractions, bridge preparation, anterior and posterior root canal treatment and honed my diagnostic skills. I also worked with the local Rotary Club to provide free treatment among senior citizens and treating and providing dental and oral hygiene education to school pupils and residents of the poorer neighborhoods. This voluntary experience was highly satisfying, especially the opportunity to encourage the adoption of effective dental and oral hygiene regimes. I am currently a parent-volunteer at my son’s school in the US where I assist at field trips and provide information on effective dental care.
I came to the US in 2012 with my wife, who is a faculty member at a medical school. I have undertaken wide reading of professional journals to maintain an awareness of recent advances and research. I have completed Parts 1 and 2 of the NBDE examinations and have had the privilege of undertaking an externship under the guidance of a highly skilled and caring professional which also provided me with exposure to the use of the most sophisticated diagnostic tools. I have also assisted in a research project at the Head and Neck Cancer Dept. at the XXXX Medical School. I am extremely excited to be part of a profession in which advances in techniques and materials are so rapid and hope to play my part in future advances.
My career objective is to practice dentistry in a rural area where the population has limited access to excellent dental care and education. I am from a rural area myself and it seems to me that country people are the same the world over; open, honest, kind, and hard-working and I am very keen to work among such people and do all that I can to help them.
My time in the US has exposed me to people of many ages and social and ethnic backgrounds. I enjoy interacting with others, learning about their cultures, and sharing information about my own. I seek to be a ‘well-rounded’ person and enjoy taking part in sports, especially cricket, volleyball, and table tennis. I am fully fluent in English and speak several Indian languages.
To summarize: I have a decade of professional experience acquired in various environments that have exposed me to a very wide variety of conditions and work. I have created and run a successful team and practice demonstrating an ability to relate well with patients, fellow professionals, and staff. I have familiarized myself with the local dental environment 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.
Indian International Dentist Personal Statement Help
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