Two statements for the same applicant follow. The first one is general, not directed to any program, followed by the second one, which is directed to the client's first choice,
General Statement for CAAPID, not directed to any university
A dentist from India, now making a new home for herself and her family here in the USA, I was born into a family of empathetic doctors. I spent my childhood frequenting the clinics and retirement homes they served, observing their care for those in need. Their loyalty and passion for serving humankind profoundly impacted me and drove my commitment to dentistry as my social service and contribution.
I finished dental school in India in 2011 and earned my Master of Dental Surgery Degree in 2015, focusing on Oral Medicine & Radiology. I have been in the USA since my marriage in April of 2017. I am strongly motivated to restart my career in dentistry here in America by completing a doctoral program and engaging in various capacities to gain new experiences. Just recently, for example, in March 2019, I got an excellent opportunity to observe dentists specializing in treating patients with disabilities, one of the areas in which I seek intensive, advanced education and experience in the future.
I have long cultivated a special research interest in oral health education and oral cancer. I have worked with patients with oral cancer and potentially malignant disorders as a part of my dissertation in India. This also allowed me to observe for 1-month in an Indian Cancer Institute, cementing my determination to continue learning all I can about the battle against oral cancer, smoking cessation, and global public health education on this issue. I counseled my patients to quit using tobacco to prevent this deadly disease.
After dental school in India, I worked full-time as a dentist, primarily diagnosing and treating endodontics cases. I performed root canal treatments and provided crown preparations voluntarily for low-income patients in a charitable clinic. Next, I worked at a dental clinic for nine months to gain additional experience and then started my practice, where I operated for one year before coming to the USA.
My first experience as a dental assistant in the USA was with Medical Teams International. Serving on a mobile clinic alongside Dr. XXXX, who has encouraged and supported me to work towards my goal. He has been accommodating and kind; I have learned a great deal from Dr. XXXX and our patients, especially about the difficulties of homelessness and the challenges facing senior populations in Seattle. Recently, one patient was so happy with her treatment that she brought a whole plate of treats for the team to the mobile dental clinic.
I gravitate naturally towards helping the underserved, geriatric, and pediatric populations. I have also volunteered as a dental assistant at the XXXX Christian Clinic since August 2,018. I have had the opportunity to learn from Dr. XXXX, a renowned faculty member of the University of Washington. I assist dental students in providing comprehensive treatment to their patients, including extractions, crown preparations, restorations, gingivectomy by electrocautery, bridges, dentures, and composite veneering. Dr. XXXX always tries to teach dental school students. For example, when she first introduced CAD-CAM to the dental students, she ensured that I was there to see and learn about it and have a chance to interact with the geriatric population, learning about their priorities and the unique challenges they face.
I have also volunteered at a senior citizen center, spending time with people with dementia, getting to know them, interacting, and longing for additional opportunities to care for the elderly.
I completed a 95-hour hands-on workshop in restorations, crown preparations, and removal of partial dentures, pouring over numerous case studies and learning techniques to improve my clinical skills. This opportunity allowed me to practice and correct my mistakes during my dental sessions.
I am fully dedicated to lifelong learning in Dentistry; after earning my doctoral degree, I hope to receive advanced training in smile design and cosmetic dentistry. I will always stay current about advancements in general dentistry and be involved with professional organizations and local groups devoted to oral health education. Always staying heavily engaged at the grassroots level and focused on the underserved who need me most, I want to volunteer regularly to balance my professional life. Helping people and treating and educating patients and the public is where I find my inner peace and satisfaction. I thrive on every opportunity to interact and communicate, learning about people in need and their unique oral health stories.
Thank you for considering my application.
Same applicant as above, CAAPID Application for Indian International Dentist, Statement directed to a specific program.
I moved to the USA from India in 2017. It never ceases to amaze me how far ahead the US dental practice is compared to the rest of the world. I keep myself thoroughly aware and constantly working on refurbishing my existing skill sets. I have shadowed dentists and attended hands-on workshops covering in-depth restorations, crown preparation, provisional fabrication, etc. These self-driven learning experiences gave me relevant techniques and expertise to advance my profession. I also volunteer with a mobile dental clinic in Seattle as a Dental Assistant. With the growing homelessness, healthcare has become a primary concern for Seattle's needy population. Most engaged with my community and in love with Seattle, the International Dentist Program at the University of XXXX is my first choice.
I am a compassionate person who was born into a family of doctors. My parents frequently took me to their clinic, where I observed and admired the care of their patients. Their loyalty and passion for serving humanity made a profound impact on me. My parents always emphasized the importance of being sincere, empathetic, and respectful toward others.
Art captivated me as a child and did very well in my art classes. I used to create small handicrafts for my family and friends. During my adolescence, I started researching healthcare fields since healthcare has a long history in my family.
My journey started in 2006 when I began a five-year Bachelor of Dental Surgery in India. Intensive hands-on practice during my classes helped me smoothly transition from pre-clinic to clinical sessions. I got the opportunity to learn clinical skills from excellent mentors whose lessons I still remember and follow. I was grateful and proud when delivering my first denture to a patient. This simple act taught me that I could provide so much happiness to somebody through my work. I also learned about patient management and interaction, addressing their concerns and difficulties, and setting the right expectation with empathy and accuracy.
As a dental student, I sought to give back in any form. I volunteered to work with underserved populations in rural areas, where we explained the importance of oral hygiene. I volunteered at a dental camp in rural South India, where we worked as a team of 15 dentists and diagnosed over 1,000 patients in 6 days. I treated over 30 patients during this camp. Apart from our roles as dentists, we organized street plays in which I participated as an actor. It became a memorable experience as we interacted with villagers to spread awareness about dental hygiene, talked about their difficulties and lifestyle, shared their food, and played local games with the children.
I attended various guest lectures and conferences where I learned more about Oral Medicine and Radiology and their impact on the patient’s treatment plan. I went on to complete a three-year residency in Oral Medicine and Radiology.
My master’s degree also enlightened me about cancer screening, orofacial pain management, and other specialized diagnostic procedures. This gave me many rewarding experiences of improving someone’s life by relieving pain and providing a healthy smile. Learning never stops in this field, and each case provides growth and professional advancement opportunities. I witnessed many instances of Fibrous dysplasia, Granular cell ameloblastoma, dentinogenesis imperfections, etc. For my master’s thesis, I focused on potentially malignant disorders and oral cancer patients; I was strongly impacted by my interactions with vulnerable and negatively impacted patients suffering from cancer. It was an awakening when I realized dentists' significant impact on a patient’s quality of life through early diagnosis and immediate attention to these life-threatening diseases. I regularly followed up with the cases and counseled the patients about tobacco. These three years gave me a new sense of responsibility and maturity in dentistry.
After my master's, I started working as a dentist, exposing myself to a professional environment. I worked with a team of dentists and dental staff to provide comprehensive patient care.
Although dental treatment costs are lower in India, it is still costly for lower-income groups. Most tend to ignore dental care & oral hygiene due to monetary reasons. I started my private practice alongside my ongoing job to provide dental services to lower-income groups at affordable pricing to do my bit for the community.
Such activities increased my knowledge of the local community's culture, habits, and problems. I am currently volunteering as a dental assistant in a community clinic where I assist the dental students and professors at the University of XXXX. This clinic focuses on providing comprehensive dental care to the senior population. Observing the dental students treating patients in the clinic helps me understand the students' training process and learn the most advanced techniques, such as CAD-CAM, at the dental office. This clinic provides me with an opportunity to absorb new things every day.
The more I observe and work alongside dentists, the more I hope to someday practice Dentistry here in America. This gives me joy, allows me to give back to the community, and provides me with a sense of accomplishment. I am a hard-working student and passionate about my goals. As a student, I will continue to work diligently toward my dream of becoming a dentist and providing compassion-filled dental care to patients in the U.S.
Indian Woman Dentist International Dentist Program
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