I was born in the coldest city on earth, Yakutsk, Russia, home to large diamond mines. Thus, my area is also called Diamond Valley.” Diamonds are created under tremendous pressure, eventually forming the world’s most durable and precious minerals. I, too, have been shaped by tremendous pressure along the way, the most strident of which was a severe injury to my back during my third year of dental school, which left me at risk of being paralyzed. It took me a year to fully recover, and I had to make up that year of my dental education. Yet, I had time to think about the fragility and sanctity of life and the importance of healthcare professionals. This experience reaffirmed my commitment to becoming a dentist. Now making America my permanent home, I hope to be accepted into a DDS/DMD program for international dentists.
I was incredibly close to my grandfather growing up; he had always wanted to become a physician but was unable to do so due to being from a humble family and unable to afford a medical education which is extremely expensive in Russia. From my early childhood, we played doctor and patient; thus, the honor and integrity I attached early on to becoming a doctor was another major factor in forming my professional trajectory. My mother ran a beauty salon, and from her, I learned about and embraced the importance of aesthetics, especially facial beauty. By the time I was in high school, witnessing the transformation of my best friend - from a shy and largely invisible teenager into a beauty queen on her way to a successful career as a model – I set my sights firmly on dentistry, at once fulfilling my grandfather’s prophecy and at the same time building upon my appreciation for a beautiful smile. I love how dentistry is an integral and indispensable part of physical health, while it also raises self-esteem, resulting in the smile that I have come to crave as a professional. After completing a doctoral program, I intend to focus further on Orthodontics.
I was incredibly proud to be granted a scholarship to become a dentist by studying at the Moscow State Medical and Dental University. I excelled in dental school until my accident and had to postpone my third year. Still, I kept learning and stayed busy, launching a blog, for example, about Yakutia, our local culture, and the religion of the people of Sakha. I continued my education in dentistry by reading countless dental articles. This was when my interest picked up in Orthodontics, and I began to think about furthering my education in America after completing my dental program at home.
I returned to school fully recovered and became a group leader, learning to be responsible for my classmates and myself. I went on to become President of the Philosophy Club. Also, I joined the Association of Dental Students and Young Dentists, where I was soon chosen to serve as Secretary-General. I helped our association expand from 1000 to 10000 members by promoting our mission: providing future dentists with opportunities to study abroad, attend seminars, and volunteer. I learned much about business ethics during meetings with our sponsors, such as P&G, Colgate, etc. This experience also enhanced my teamwork and time management skills.
After graduating from dental school and coming to America, I was invited to intern shadow Dr. XXXX in his Rockefeller Plaza, New York practice. I got to know Dr. XXXX through connections in the Russian Dental Association. I was touched by observing how he treated his patients as family members or dear friends. Later, I began working part-time as a dental assistant. Working alongside Dr. XXXX taught me much about overcoming language barriers and communicating with people of diverse cultural backgrounds. This experience also encouraged me to begin my study of Spanish, at which I continue to progress. Later I was recommended to Dr. XXXX by our office manager and began serving at XXXX Smiles as part of a team of ten professionals. Working alongside Dr. XXXX has helped me appreciate the critical role of the office environment in the successful delivery of dental care since his practice was incredibly well organized, with ample resources on every level. I currently work in support of Dr. XXXX at XXXX Dentist in Los Angeles, California.
One patient that will always stand out in my mind because my memory of her continues to spur me forward was Sara, a six-year-old girl who was terrified when she came into the office because she previously had experienced a severe gagging reflex while taking impressions. I built a special rapport with her and proposed the purchase of an iTero 3D scanner to send the digital records to the lab. I was told it would take three weeks to deliver the appliance, but I was thrilled at my success in getting our hands on it in only one week. I will never forget Sara and her mother smiling and thanking me for resolving this issue. I hope to continue going that extra mile for my patients.
Thank you for considering my application.
International Dentist Personal Statement
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