Explain your motivation to seek a career in Dentistry? Discuss your philosophy of the medical or dental profession and indicate your goals relevant to the profession. (Max: 4500 Characters with spaces)
As a child, I was often found sprawled on the floor of my room engrossed in drawing, painting, and sculpting. After meticulously finishing my art projects, I would gift them to friends and family, eagerly waiting for the smiles to spread across their faces. My grandparents had a photograph of when they first met that was ruined during the Vietnam war. I still recall the touching tears that dripped down my grandparents face as I gifted them a hand drawn recreation of this photograph for their anniversary. I loved seeing the positive impact my art works had on people around me. While the smiles on people’s faces fueled my love of art, it was through reclaiming my own smile that I discovered dentistry as another passion in which I could utilize my artistic inclination and manual dexterity to significantly impact the lives of others.
The first time I ever considered dentistry as a career was after the correction of my underbite. My misaligned teeth and lower incisors that protruded in front of my upper teeth had been a major source of insecurity for me. Fearing judgment and ridicule, I avoided social interactions and refused to smile openly. Only after the craftsmanship involved in reshaping and realigning my teeth, did feelings of insecurity turn into newfound confidence, and I began to fearlessly smile again. The transformative impact my new, beautiful teeth had on my self-esteem and life ignited my fascination with dentistry. This led to me enrolling in a dental program at my high school, where I not only earned my Registered Dental Assisting License, but also learned how a person’s oral health was the doorway to their body. Proper dental hygiene not only prevented tooth loss and decay, but also bacteria from entering the body, leading to other diseases. I began to see dentistry beyond the aesthetics of a beautiful smile, but also as a holistic approach to improving peoples’ overall health and quality of life.
Once in college, my curiosity towards dentistry only grew as I started volunteering at a limited dental care clinic in Houston and attended a dental missionary trip to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. At both locations, I was deeply humbled by what I witnessed as many of the patients I served not only suffered from severe dental diseases necessitating extractions, but also faced financial constraints and lacked the awareness needed to prevent such issues. While it was important to relieve the patients’ pain and treat their dental problems, I realized it was even more crucial to discuss the importance of proper oral hygiene and the effects of dental care on systemic health in an understanding way. These invaluable experiences allowed me to assist in providing limited dental care to underserved communities as well as transformed my perspective on dentistry as not merely a profession, but a lifelong commitment to utilize my hands in service to improving my community.
Volunteering at a limited dental care facility in my community and in Santo Domingo made me realize I wanted to treat underserved communities; however, working as a dental assistant for Dr. Chu inspired the kind of dentist I wanted to be. Many of the patients I assisted Dr. Chu with had various dental decay or fractures, and while some dentists would crown the tooth, Dr. Chu focused on preserving as much of the natural tooth structure as possible. The results of his commitment to patient-centered care and the quality of his restorations are evident in the trust his patients place in him and the enhancement of their oral and overall health. The experience and clinical skills I gained working with Dr. Chu empower me to aspire to become a dentist as compassionate, meticulous, and dedicated to excellence as he is.
During my time working with Dr. Chu, the spread of covid-19 across the world caused our office to reconsider infection control procedures. To ensure the safety of ourselves and our patients, I had to adapt and help implement new protocols and technologies to capture and reduce aerosol contamination. Seeing the impact covid-19 had on dentistry prompted me to pursue a Master’s in Public Health concentrating in Occupational Safety and Health. The knowledge and experience I gained from the program provided me with a unique perspective on how to prevent workplace hazards and ensure the safety of dental professionals and patients.
Throughout my journey, I discovered that dentistry is an art, not just in the creation of intricate models and crowns, but in the way you use your manual dexterity to serve others. Your hands create detailed work and perform procedures that not only instill confidence, but also transform individuals’ health. As a dentist, my goal is to leverage my expertise to educate and provide quality care to underserved communities, while prioritizing the importance of safety above all else. [4,864 characters]
Learning from others is enhanced in educational settings that include individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Please describe your personal characteristics (background, talents, skills, etc.) or experiences that would add to the educational experience of others. (Max: 2500 Characters with spaces)
Growing up in an Asian immigrant household, my parents would often work long hours and multiple jobs to put food on the table and clothes on our backs. They worked extremely hard to provide my siblings and I with a better life. Despite their own struggles, when a friend needed help affording treatment for cancer, they provided financial support without hesitation. Even with their busy schedules, they spent their spare time making sandwiches for the homeless. My parents’ commitment to serving others, despite their own challenges, has instilled in me a deep appreciation for giving back to the community and caring for those in need.
My upbringing was the reason why I was unable to ignore the small, abandoned kitten that approached me from beneath a truck. The kitten, which I later named Toast, was covered in fleas and very skinny. Although I had my education and internship to manage at the time, I knew that if I didn’t help this kitten, there was no guarantee that someone else would. With that realization, I made the decision and commitment to care for and find a loving home for Toast. Over the next several months, I learned how to balance my work while providing round-the-clock care and attention to a scared and sick kitten. Through my unwavering efforts and tender care, Toast slowly transformed from a kitten that was timid and emaciated to one that was healthy, lively, and affectionate. Eventually, I found a loving home and perfect companion for him with the help of a local animal rescue organization.
Winston Churchill once said, “We make a living by what we get, but a life by what we give.” While I had aspired to make a difference in Toast’s life, he ended up making just as much of a difference in mine. I provided him with a sense of safety and love, and in return, he became a source of emotional support amidst the stress of school. Despite our language barrier, Toast learned it’s okay to trust, and I learned how to empathize and be sensitive to the needs of others. Raising Toast taught me patience and how to find creative solutions in challenging situations. While I found a loving home for him, he left me with invaluable skills and insights that will guide me throughout my life and career.
I hope as I progress in my professional journey, I can show my peers that in serving others, we can often gain as much as we give. My upbringing and Toast’s impact on my life portrays how the act of giving can be transformative and foster personal growth and mutual learning in unexpected ways. [2,525 characters]
Briefly discuss any unique circumstances or life experiences that are relevant to your application which have not previously been presented. (Max: 2500 Characters with spaces)
One moment, I was gliding down the slopes at the Angel Fire Resort in New Mexico with the exhilarating rush of wind in my hair and the crisp snow beneath my skis. The next thing I knew, I was in the back of an ambulance, pain spreading throughout my body as an EMT personnel urged me to focus on each breath. What began as a short, fun trip with friends suddenly transformed into a traumatic experience that posed many challenges and reshaped my view of life.
My ski accident in New Mexico left me with a concussion, pulmonary contusion, and the fracture of my clavicle and ribs. While I healed rather quickly from the concussion and pulmonary contusion, the fractured ribs and clavicle were a much longer and more painful recovery. Small movements became excruciatingly painful and once simple tasks, such as showering or cooking, became daunting challenges that required assistance from loved ones. During this time, I was also in the middle of the second semester of my Master of Public Health program. Overwhelmed by the weeks of school I had to miss, the difficulties of my courses, and the circumstances of my health, I was afraid I would have to postpone my educational aspirations and put my career goals on hold. As I considered whether I should take a leave of absence from school, a compassionate professor reached out to me and told me, “Hang in there. Whatever you decide to do, we will figure it out together.” His simple words gave me the courage to persevere through the challenges ahead.
The following weeks I focused on recovering, attending doctor appointments, and studying for my courses as much as I physically could. Despite being the most difficult experience of my life, it was through the accommodations of professors who provided me with virtual lectures, support of classmates who carried my backpack and shared lecture notes, and devoted family members who provided care that I could endure and complete the semester with good grades and a high GPA.
The following months were still challenging as I balanced my education with complications in the healing of my clavicle, nevertheless, I managed to graduate and maintain my grades. This experience pushed me in ways I never knew were possible. I learned that I could overcome any difficulties, including those encountered in dental school, through perseverance and the support of people around me. My brush with death redefined my view of life as short and unpredictable. Since tomorrow is not guaranteed, I have a duty to myself to continue pursuing my dreams regardless of the obstacles I may encounter. [2,581 characters]
Do you consider yourself a non-traditional applicant? (i.e., took time off after college before applying or taking a gap year after college, etc). Why? [1,000 characters with spaces]
After graduating from college, I decided that I wanted to expand my experience within the dental field, so I continued working as a Registered Dental Assistant with Dr. Norman Chu and volunteering at Shifa Synott Dental Clinic. I learned many valuable skills in my gap year such as how to base, groom, and equilibrate dental models, create occlusal splints, and assist in procedures for gold onlays and inlays.
During the pandemic, I developed an interest in public health and safety as I observed the impact covid-19 had on dental offices. My interest led to me obtaining a Master of Public Health with a concentration in Occupational Safety and Health, where I gained valuable insights into workplace hazards and how to prevent injuries and illnesses in clinical settings. My non-traditional path to dental school has provided me with unique insights and a holistic approach to dentistry, shaped by diverse experiences and a commitment to public health and safety. [966 characters]
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