Example Dentistry Personal Statement
With a mother who works in a dental practice, I have been brought up to understand the importance of dental and oral health and to appreciate and value the work of the dentist in alleviating pain, improving his patients’ appearance and generally allowing people to live a more satisfactory life. At the same time I am driven by a strong scientific curiosity which has made my A-level studies in Chemistry, Biology and Psychology both inspiring and very instructive in the way they have allowed me to develop methods of thought and research which will be essential to me in my professional life as a dentist. As a part of my Biology course I worked on a project investigating the incidence and pathology of dental caries in children, and the effectiveness of brushing methods. I am very gratified by my good A-level results, which I achieved despite being hampered by dyslexia, for which I asked for no extra time allowance in my examinations, and I believe that this is a good indication of my determination and serious dedication to my subject. I am by nature a patient and compassionate individual and the appeal of dentistry for me lies very much in the opportunities it offers to enhance people’s lives, to free them from discomfort and to help them to develop the confidence which comes from a pride in one’s appearance. I am also acutely aware of the importance of preventive dentistry, particularly in educating one’s patients about the dangers of gum disease. The dentist can even spot dangerous health conditions which may not be readily apparent to the patient and thus act to forestall serious health problems or even save lives. With an aging population these aspects of dental care can only become more important, and to be able to offer this sort of care holds out the prospect for me of both professional and personal satisfaction.
Work experience has given me considerable insight into the working life of the professional dentist. In 2009 I undertook a placement at the Ball Tree Dental Practice in Worthing, partly in the reception area but also at times in the surgery, including watching a specialist endodontist carrying out root canal surgery. In 2011 I spent a week at the Royal Sussex County Hospital Maxillo-Facial Unit, shadowing the consultant and registrar and observing work in the Assessment and Review Clinic as well as witnessing treatment methods including a number of extractions. During my gap year I am working 30 hours a week at the Ball Tree Practice as a DSA, doing administrative tasks as well as dental nursing and instrument decontamination, from which I shall gain a level 2 diploma in dental nursing. My mother’s practice has a new Foundation Dentist each year, and I have learnt much about life at Dental School from talking to FDs and their associates.
Outside my academic interests I lead a busy life. I have almost completed the qualification work for a D of E Gold Award, part of which included fifteen months of voluntary work at a British Heart Foundation shop, learning to work with others and feeling I was making a worthwhile contribution to society. I also ran a Sunday football game for children who were not of club standard but wanted to enjoy the sport and have some physical exercise. I am a keen reader, enjoying fiction and books on current affairs. I am keen to keep abreast of developments in my field and read the British Dental Journal as well as other journals which the Practice takes.
My ambition is to work in general practice after qualifying and perhaps become a practice owner myself in time. I feel very strongly about the value of the work I plan to do and can guarantee my full commitment to the training course and to the profession. I work hard, enjoy operating as part of a clinical team and fully understand the responsibilities which the life of a dentist entails, and I believe I have the academic and personal qualities to become a very successful student and practitioner.
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