I have maintained a direct path to the opportunity and challenge of an Advanced Education Pediatric Dentistry (AEPD) program. Pediatric Dentistry is my passion, my lifeblood, and the area that I know best because I spend so much time reading, writing, and discussing pediatric dentistry. While raised in the USA, I was born in El Salvador and returned there to complete dental school because I want very much to specialize throughout my lifetime in dental care for Central Americans, especially Salvadorans. For me, what is most important is that, as a dentist from El Salvador and the USA, I already have one foot in the door with one of the largest underserved communities in the United States, undocumented Hispanic immigrants, and their children.
In my experience, patience, a gentle demeanor, and a solid grasp of pain management are essential for success as a pediatric dentist. It is up to us to ensure that the experience of children in the dental clinic is a pleasant one, demonstrating how and why a Dentist is someone who can and should be trusted, someone who cares and has only the child's best interest in mind. While care is our central focus, I also feel strongly that efforts to educate parents on the importance of primary teeth and preventive home care must also be treated as a high priority.
Completing your distinguished AEPD program will allow me to not only increase my direct patient exposure and clinical skills but also broaden my grasp of various critical areas within the dental field, including orthodontics, restorative dentistry, oral surgery and rehabilitation, and general anesthesia. I am particularly excited about the opportunity to work closely with a diverse patient population, which will enhance my understanding of the complexities and nuances involved in treating different dental conditions. Engaging with experienced faculty and collaborating with fellow residents will further deepen my knowledge and expertise in these specialties, enabling me to provide comprehensive care to my future patients.
Moreover, I look forward to becoming increasingly engaged in research during my time in the program. Research is an integral part of advancing dental practices and improving patient outcomes, and I am eager to contribute to this field. I hope to publish my findings in reputable journals in the future, particularly focusing on dental caries in pediatric patients among undocumented residents of the USA, specifically those who are originally from Central America and the Caribbean. This demographic often faces unique challenges regarding access to dental care and education about oral health, and I believe that shedding light on this issue can lead to better strategies for prevention and treatment. By addressing the disparities faced by these communities, I aim to make a meaningful impact on their oral health and overall well-being. Additionally, I am committed to exploring innovative approaches and interventions that can be implemented to improve dental health outcomes for vulnerable populations.
Becoming ABPD certified will enable me to bring my goals and dreams to reality in the service of non-English speaking Latinos on the US East Coast. I hope to use the dental practice that I will establish as a springboard for dental mission work back home in El Salvador, my homeland, and in time throughout Central America. Most of all, I look forward to filling a great need for training Salvadorian dentists in pediatric dentistry.
I anticipate being able to excel in your program because of my solid academic grounding in Dentistry, my experience of a Pedodontics rotation, my externship work serving the mentally/physically disabled, OR, and a full-mouth reconstruction experience. What I have most enjoyed is working alongside Pediatric Chief Residents, subbing for Pediatric Residents, and gaining general anesthesia, IV sedation, and emergency dental care experience. Outside the OR, I spent weekends at a private practice in the Bronx.
Thank you for your consideration of my application to your program.
Hispanic Pediatric Dentist Personal Statement
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