personal statement examples for dentistry

Dental School

10 Dental School Personal Statement Examples

Including key tips for a strong dental school personal statement.

Before you start crafting your own stellar dental school personal statement, you must review some dental school personal statement examples. Why? These sample essays can help you brainstorm and reflect on what you would like to include in your essay. This blog dives into some dental school personal statement examples from our own past successful students, and then our dental school advisors will go over our proven strategies to help you create your own from scratch! As you review these examples keep in mind that these are final works and the result of multiple rounds of reviews by our admissions experts as part of our application review programs. Writing fantastic statements for dental school requires patience and multiple rounds of revisions before a perfect statement can be written.

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Article Contents 15 min read

Dental school personal statement example #1.

In the final moments of a key game in a hockey tournament, I jumped over the boards and onto the ice without putting my mouth guard back in place. It was attached to my helmet, but I had a chance for the puck, and I took it. Moments later, an opponent’s stick caught me in the face, knocking out my front tooth. Play stopped, and my team found my tooth on the ice. I looked to the bleachers. My mom was already on the phone getting initial instructions from our dentist for saving the tooth. Within 15 minutes, we were outside the clinic as my dentist unlocked the door, despite it being a Saturday night. As I was treated within half an hour, my tooth could be saved by stabilizing it as it healed. Until that moment, I thought of my dentist as someone I only saw every six months; I hadn’t seen her as a critical part of my healthcare team.

I realized from this experience that time is a factor in dental care, and thus a career in dentistry. My tooth was saved because I lived in an urban centre and had immediate access to care, not to mention the continuity of care I’ve had since I was a child. My mother is employed and has good dental coverage, but this is not the case for many. Without timely check-ups, both oral and medical issues that could be detected and prevented can become more serious conditions.

With this awareness, I have for the last 6 years volunteered in two ways. In the time since my hockey accident, I’ve worked with my dentist on a safety awareness campaign for young hockey players and their families, teaching about the necessity of mouth guards, as well as how a quick response to such injuries may help in recovery. I’ve also worked alongside dentists for the Smiling Children Foundation in vulnerable neighborhoods, where dental neglect is not uncommon, and continuity of care is rare. Recently, we set up a mobile clinic in a school, where I record personal information and take a medical history for each child. A young boy, 10 years old, complained of constant headaches and pain in his body. Upon examination, the dentist noticed his gums were dark purple in places and bled easily. Our team alerted a community doctor of a potential immune disorder, and the young boy was diagnosed and treated, returning to good health within months. That day, I learned that oral healthcare is holistic healthcare, and that it is a privilege to support those who may not have time, resources, or access to oral healthcare.

I have had this privilege in what began as dental shadowing and is now part-time employment, where I liaise between patients and insurance companies, manage team schedules, and comfort anxious patients. This might be as simple as holding a hand while the dentist performs the procedure. Or, I might hold a baby while the father sees the hygienist. I’ve learned to read an X-ray accurately, prepare the instruments needed for a procedure, and balance the books. I have been mentored by both a medical and business professional, and I have borne witness to our patients’ high and low points. I have worked hard to understand what goes into growing and maintaining a successful dental practice and feel capable to meet the challenge of the multiple roles required in this dynamic vocation.

It bears mentioning why my first-year grades are not what I’d hoped they would be. I joined a good number of co-curricular clubs with the intention of participating in our campus community and developing my professional skills. By midterm, I realized I had oversubscribed myself. Unfortunately, willpower and desire were not enough. My grades suffered as I tried to manage my responsibilities. By attending time management seminars and learning to manage time rather than be managed by time, I was able retrieve my grades. From 2nd year forward, I’ve maintained a 4.0 GPA while moving up the ranks of student organizations and taking an active role in a research project. Resilience is like a muscle that needs time, exercise, and perseverance to build.

From a sports accident, to volunteer work in an underserved community, to employment in a dental office and an academic career that shows both mistakes and recovery, I have thought carefully about what dentistry is. A dentist is part of a larger healthcare team, and a dentist can often treat not only a single patient over decades, but provide intergenerational care to a family. I aspire to dentistry to accompany my patients through life, 6 months at a time, offering compassionate, whole-person healthcare. (4,497 characters, including spaces)

Inciting incident: the moment that influenced the student’s outlook on dentistry as a career is highlighted in spades. Seeing the structure here as almost like a story, you’re taking the reader on a journey from point A to point B. For the personal statement, your opening should hook in the reader. This writer does this well.
Addresses weaknesses: the student mentions how their first-year grades weren’t what they’d hoped for. They acknowledge their faults and briefly outline the circumstances without making excuses before getting into the most important part: what they did to improve or learn from their mistakes. If you’re in a position to use your personal statement as a way to address gaps or inconsistencies, then you can follow the same rule.
Major experiences are detailed: you need to show the admissions committee that dentistry is the right career for you. The best way to do this is to describe clinical experiences, ideally in a dental setting. The student who wrote this sample described their experiences shadowing, being a part-time employee, and volunteering at a foundation. If you have many experiences like these, don’t simply list them off, but select a few to describe in more depth.

Want some tips for writing a dental school personal statement? Check out this video:

"Ready, Set, Bake,” shouted the host of Bake-Off. I was 16 and a contestant of a televised baking show. Our 6th challenge gave us 3 hours to perfectly bake the most decadent and timing consuming dessert: the mille-feuille – layers of puff pastry, filled with whipped cream and custard, and glazed on top. Despite being the only teenager in a field of contestants ranging from 20-70 years of age, I’d made it through several days of cuts for one of the spots on the show. I wish I could say that my dessert was a masterpiece, but as the timer counted down and I plated it, the filling oozed, and the pastry crumbled. I’d made to the Top Six, but the mille-feuille defeated me and I was asked to hang up my apron. As I reflect on this experience, the solo and team challenges, the practice to get on the show, the mastery needed to gain a top spot, I realize that I’m grateful even for the defeat, because I learned valuable lessons that helped me develop key qualities and skills that are in-line with the core competencies necessary for dentistry, my chosen profession. Both dentistry and competitive baking require innovation and excellence, communication and accountability, and the necessity of precision, focus, and a steady hand.

Both of my parents are dentists. While the influence of their careers on my own access to knowledge cannot be underestimated, I have been deeply cognizant of making an autonomous career decision. That decision is my own, but my parents have admittedly opened unique conversations around ethics, technology, and patient care to me. My earliest memories include attending dental conferences with them and being encouraged to explore the Exhibits Floor, where I learned about the newest dental products and treatments and “test drove” the latest innovations in dentistry. I developed an aptitude for predicting which products and technologies were gimmicks and which would effectively support excellence in patient care. This knack has made me something of an informal consultant for my parents and their colleagues, who value my insights on innovation and efficacy of new treatments.

While technology is at the forefront of change, what remains consistent over time is the importance of communication and accountability to provide excellent patient care. I’ve had the privilege to shadow Dr. Ann Lee, an oral surgeon, over the past 3 years. Among many things, she showed me that inherent in communication is accountability. Many of her patients are children and teens having teeth extracted for orthodontic reasons. The son of a family who had been Dr. Lee’s patients for over a decade arrived for a complicated wisdom tooth extraction. Despite familiarity with the family, the doctor painstakingly reviewed the extraction process to prepare them effectively. The procedure went well in the office; however, on the way home, the boy began haemorrhaging. An artery had been compromised during the surgery. I watched as Dr. Lee packed bone wax around the artery to stem the bleeding. What struck me about this experience was the standard of accountability to which the surgeon held herself, as she communicated with the family by phone, made a house call later that evening on her way home, and remained on-call over the weekend to ensure the safety and healing of the child. The family maintained their trust in Dr. Lee because of her open communication and sense of accountability. I also learned just how fragile and technical dental work is, requiring both dexterity and precision.

Volunteering in a dental brigade in Haiti, Mirlande, 6, taught me about vulnerability and trust. Mirlande was scared and reluctant to open her mouth for her first dental exam. I took her aside and, as she watched, I carved a perfect tooth from soap using dental instruments. I carved slowly and precisely, and then presented her with the gift. She put the tooth in her pocket and then allowed me to clean her teeth. I was immediately struck by the vulnerability of not only soft tissue, but of hearts, as she leaned back and opened her mouth in trust. This moment solidified my decision to become a dentist.

Though the earlier comparison between baking and dentistry is merely an analogy, it is one that suggests I have developed key skills and am aware of the core competencies a dentist must hold to best serve their patients professionally and ethically. Dentistry is my vocation, baking a hobby, but both speak to my investment in excellence, precision, and doing for others. (4,500 characters, including spaces)

A dental school personal statement is your opportunity to show admissions committees who you are as a person and aspiring dental professional, aside from your CV, GPA, Dental Aptitude Test (DAT) score, and other quantitative data. As any personal statement essay, the dental school personal essay should be a narrative account that gives the admissions committee the opportunity to learn more about you than what can be conveyed in a dry document like a CV or transcript.

For dental school ADEA AADSAS applications, the American Dental Education Association requires an essay of no more than 4,500 characters (including spaces), which must demonstrate your key personal qualities, aspirations, and reasons for pursuing a career in dentistry to the schools to which you are applying. This process isn’t as standardized in Canadian programs, so you’ll need to check the application requirements for the programs and schools to which you are applying to see if a personal statement is required. In doing so, you can also learn whether there are any specific requirements regarding the length of the essay, whether there is a specific prompt to which you must respond in your dental school personal statement, and whether there are any other application requirements.

Want some more personal statement examples? Watch this video:

Writing a Strong Dental School Personal Statement

If you're applying to dental schools in Canada or the US, a personal statement, or similar essay, is often required as part of your application package, regardless of whether you're applying through AADSAS or TMDSAS . It’s important to craft a statement that draws from your experiences, such as your dental school extracurriculars. You can also refer to your dental school application experience examples , or even your dental school letter of recommendation for help. This blog will help you understand the key things you must do (and that you must avoid) in composing your essay, with dental school personal statement examples that demonstrate these strategies, so that you can draft the strongest, most compelling dental school personal statement possible.

1. Tell a story

Ideally, you will craft a story or detail a defining moment that helped you realize why this is the profession you want to pursue. Providing an anecdote or vignette – perhaps an experience you’ve had as a dental patient, an interaction you’ve witnessed as a volunteer or while shadowing a dental care professional, a story about someone you know, etc., – is often a useful way of giving the evaluators a window into your life and motivations.

2. Demonstrate why you’re a “good fit”

Your dental school personal statement should also express why you are a strong candidate and a "good fit" for the school and program, while stirring the interest of your reader. Review our blog, dental school acceptance rates to find out which schools are best suited for you. Admissions committees will review hundreds of these personal statements, so draw on the values of the profession and the mission of the institution to highlight your alignment with the vision and goals of this vocation, and do so in a way that is engaging and enjoyable to read. Again, narrative is a great way of doing this – people love stories and are often naturally drawn in by them. Bear this in mind as you begin drafting your essay.

Here are some more tips for writing a dental school personal statement:

3. Be authentic and readable

In your personal statement, you want to present your very best self, emphasizing your genuine passion for the field and your enthusiasm for working in a healthcare profession like dentistry. Don’t try to cram in complicated terminology or jargon, thinking it will make you sound smarter (it won’t – true experts know how to explain their ideas effectively to an audience of non-specialists), and don’t rely on clichés (e.g., “I want to help people” – this is a lovely desire, but it’s over-used and too generic). Use polished prose that represents your genuine voice and reasons for pursuing the profession, and write in a way that will be comprehensible even to those outside this particular specialization. This can take practice. You might go through multiple drafts of your essay before you’re confident in submitting it. If you’re having trouble getting to this point, consider dental school admissions consulting .

4. Express your desired contributions to the field

Quite simply, you need to explain why you will be a good dentist, in both practical terms and in terms of devoting yourself to patient care. You need to show that you know how to become a dentist in terms of skills and experience; there will be other opportunities to address other aspects of your candidacy through things like the dental school manual dexterity question or the multiple mini interview (MMI) collaboration station . For now, answer the following questions: what does it mean to you to dedicate yourself to the profession and to patients? What experiences have you had with the dental profession so far, and how have these impacted you? What are your priorities as an aspiring dentist? Thinking through these questions, while also pointing to concrete experiences or accomplishments that support your responses, will help the committee see not just who you are now, but who you are working to become as you pursue the goal of becoming a dental professional.

Need help with your dental school application? Learn what our students say about our services:

Things to Avoid in a Dental School Personal Statement

Here are some key “don’ts” in composing your dental school personal statement:

1. Don’t summarize your CV

Your personal statement shouldn’t simply repeat information available elsewhere in your application materials. Referring to experiences discussed in those materials, for the purpose of expanding on them or contextualizing them, is fine. Just ensure that you’re actually doing that work and demonstrating the significance of the experience(s) you describe. For example, if your CV indicates that you’ve done volunteer work at a dental clinic or with an organization, it’s totally fine to discuss this volunteer work in your personal statement; however, that discussion must go beyond what is offered in your other application materials. Your dental school personal statement shouldn't be a dry recitation of events in your CV. It should be a persuasive and engaging work that draws on just a few select experiences that epitomize your interests, priorities, and the work you've done so far in working toward becoming a dentist. For example, instead of giving names, dates, and general facts about your experience as a volunteer, you can tell a story of a particularly meaningful accomplishment or interaction, reflecting on how it helped solidify your desire to pursue this career.

2. Don’t dwell on negative experiences

If you’ve overcome challenges or if there are less-than-ideal aspects of your educational experience so far (such as a term where your GPA took a dip), it’s fine to address these in a personal statement essay. However, it is crucial that you reflect on this from a perspective of growth, resiliency, and capacity for improvement, rather than focusing on the negatives. If your grades took a hit one term because of extenuating circumstances, by all means, take some time to explain this, if you think it will be helpful (and it often is). However, the discussion around the circumstances should be minimal – just a set-up for a more substantial discussion of what you learned, how you grew, etc. – and you shouldn’t use this as an opportunity to make excuses. Rather, briefly describe the event, own up to your mistake or misstep (if applicable), and then spend the most time explaining how you addressed the issue, how you moved past it, and why you will be a better future professional for having gone through it.

Probably the biggest mistake students make is to not take the personal statement seriously enough, waiting until just a few days before it’s due to even begin. You must begin early – a strong personal statement essay can take months and numerous revisions to be the best it can possibly be. You need to put a lot of thought into this document, as it is a very important component of your application. This is your chance – and often your only chance – to address the evaluators on a human level, prior to answering dental school interview questions , including MMI questions . So, rather than thinking of this as a chore, think of it as an opportunity to demonstrate your best self to the admissions committee.

4. Don’t submit your dental school personal statement without getting expert feedback

The personal statement isn’t just about what you’ve done, it’s about who you are – what your values are, what your priorities are, what your reasons for pursuing this profession are, and how all of these things align with the discipline and school you are approaching with your application package. Getting expert feedback from those on the “other side” of such applications, those who have gone through the process successfully or those who have been part of admissions committees, will give you incredibly valuable insights into how to make your own personal experiences stand out and work for you most effectively. At this stage of your professional development, you face a wealth of “unknown-unknowns”; i.e., things that you don’t even know to look for or consider, because it's likely that you simply haven’t been exposed to the field or the process long enough or in an official capacity. This can be a considerable hindrance, so don’t try to take on this task alone. Seek out expert feedback, and do so early enough that you can review, revise, and implement any necessary changes to make your dental school personal statement the best it can possibly be.

8 Dental School Personal Statement Examples

Dental school personal statement example #3, dental school personal statement example #4, dental school personal statement example #5, dental school personal statement example #6, dental school personal statement example #7, dental school personal statement example #8, dental school personal statement example #9, dental school personal statement example #10.

Starting too late. Getting your personal statement right requires multiple edits and revisions. If you start working on your statement too late, you risk running out of time for proper revisions and edits, leaving a rushed, sub-par statement. Remember, your personal statement is a direct reflection of who you are as a person, and who you'll become as a dentist. It's not something that can be, nor should be rushed.
Showing instead of telling, for example, saying “I'm a great listener” instead of demonstrating that you're a great listener through real examples in your essay.
Focusing on too many experiences. In general, it's best to discuss 2-3 experiences in your personal statement. You should be able to discuss each experience in-depth, and reflect on what you learned from a particular experience. Too many experiences crammed in doesn't allow you to really expand on each experience and doesn't provide an in-depth analysis of how this experience was transformative on your path to becoming a dentist.
Listing information that's already found in your application materials. Your personal statement is not a list, instead, it should be a story of your journey to dentistry.
Jumping around in time. Your personal statement should be in chronological order, beginning with your initial interest in dentistry and evolving to your absolution that dentistry is the right career path for you. Jumping around in time makes for a disjointed essay that will come across as confusing to admissions committee members. In addition, you want to ensure that you utilize strong transitional sentences, as these tie together paragraphs and aid in the overall flow of your essay.
Spelling mistakes and grammatical errors. Mistakes and errors in your personal statement are harmful because they tell admissions committees that you're not detail-oriented, you rushed your statement and because of that, you don't really care about it, or their program. Ensure your statement is reviewed multiple times, ideally with a professional's help, to ensure your essay puts your best foot forward and is free from any spelling mistakes and grammatical errors.
Boasting. While you can certainly highlight a few key accomplishments in your statement, such as finishing at the top of your class or raising money for a good cause, it's important that you are tactful in how you phrase your accomplishments. You always want to be humble, and think about what an achievement means to you and why. Lastly, it's a good idea to reflect on what you learned from your achievements and how that can translate in your career as a dentist.

While the majority of your personal statement should be about you - your experiences and how they relate to your decision to pursue dentistry, you can certainly include information relating to another person. For example, you could mention a family member's struggle with a disease, a patient's story, or a conversation with a dentist. As long as you circle back to why this story is significant in your pursuit of dentistry, what you learned from the experience or even how an experience changed your point of view.

Your personal statement must adhere to the ADEA's character count of 4500 characters, including spaces. However, this doesn't mean that you must include this many characters. As long as your essay is below the count, it's most important that you focus on creating a powerful, in-depth essay that proves to the admissions committee why you want to be a dentist and why you would be suitable for a career in this field, then it's perfectly acceptable.

Your personal statement is one of the most important aspects of your entire dental school application. It will serve as your introduction to admissions committees – letting them know who you are a person, who you are as a candidate, and essentially, that you're suitable for a career in dentistry. A poorly crafted personal statement can result in rejection from dental school, so it's essential that your statement is both engaging and memorable to secure you an invitation to interview.

No, remember, this information will be included elsewhere in your application, so it's not suitable to include this in your personal statement.

Brainstorm ideas.
Create an outline.
Focus on body paragraphs first using a maximum of 3 experiences.
Ensure you SHOW what you learned (don’t tell) by using examples.
Write your conclusion.
Write your introduction last.
Attention-grabbing introduction: Not just a thesis statement, but something interesting to draw the reader in, like a quote or a story.
Transitions: These should lead from one paragraph to the next, creating flow. Use linking words such as however, additionally, also, next, etc.
Strong examples: This way you are showing, not telling.
Clear and direct language: Your language does not have to be fancy, what's most important is that it's easy to read and follow. For example, “utilize” is one of the most over-used words in academic essays and “use” works just as well.
Conclusion: This should summarize your main points, but also leave the reader with a compelling closing sentence that makes them want to find out more about you. For example, include a call back to your opening anecdote and highlight how far you have come.

Dental school personal statement editing, just like medical school personal statement editing , is very important. Begin by writing the BEST first draft you can and then begin your edit. Don’t write something of average quality, half-done, or way over the character limit. Trying to work from these copies will only create confusion and delays. Next, you should read your essay out loud to yourself sentence by sentence to ensure it flows well and to catch any grammatical errors. Each sentence should be contributing to the overall point. If you find yourself repeating your thoughts in multiple forms, think about paring your sentences down. Quality is more important than quantity.

Next, repeat this process 2-3 times. Resist the urge to keep tinkering over and over again. There are multiple strong ways to word sentences and express your thoughts. There are probably even multiple experiences you could highlight and have an equally strong personal statement. However, obsessing over each sentence and word once you have written a strong statement will just lead to changing too many things, delays, you feeling nervous, and sometimes even a weaker essay than you started with!

Yes, you can definitely mention experiences in your personal statement that are non-academic or not related to dentistry. A strong experience to mention should be one that taught you important skills and that influenced your decision to pursue dentistry. Personal experiences can also have a strong influence on which profession you pursue, so you can definitely mention non-academic experiences.

It’s certainly normal to want input from others when we are crafting personal statements. A strong reviewer is one who has experience and expertise with professional school applications and has helped other students before. For example, someone with an advanced degree like a practicing dentist or other professional. Even though you may feel tempted to ask friends and family, you may want to refrain from this, as they are often invested in your success and may find it hard to be objective.

Try to find someone who does not know you so well so they can give objective guidance. The other thing you want to avoid is having “too many chefs in the kitchen.” Too many different people reviewing your statement is only going to pull it in too many different directions, ultimately leading to confusion and even more delays. And again, some students might feel more comfortable using a dental school admissions consulting service for this aspect of their application.

Just like you would address this during an interview, your statement can address areas of concern by following these steps:

Take responsibility.
Explain mitigating factors.
Don't make excuses.
Share strategies for what you learned and how you would avoid a situation like this in the future.
Make sure you end on a positive or proactive note.

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Have a question ask our admissions experts below and we'll answer your questions.

Yutika Maharaj

Hi there Do you have any sample personal statements for a foreign trained dentist applying to ADEA PASS and ADEA CAAPID. Thanks

BeMo Academic Consulting

Hi Yutika! Thanks for your comment. As an international applicant, your personal statement should follow the same structure and contain pertinent info about yourself and your application. Use these samples to construct your own, unique narrative!

It is remarkable, very good information

Thanks, Code!

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Dentistry Personal Statement Examples

Last updated: 05/10/2022

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What Our "Plan B" Looked Like

Writing a dentistry personal statement that you’re proud of is hard.

Many students struggle to boil down their skills and experiences to just 4,000 characters and it is tricky to know where to focus.

Example statements are a great way to gain this insight.

In this article, we cover the following:

Strong and weak dentistry personal statements
A breakdown of other peoples’ successes and mistakes
Ideas for what to include in your own personal statement

Once you've read this, check out dental interview questions to build on what you've learnt.

For an overview of personal statement writing, read our Personal Statement Guide for Medical and Dental Schools . This is essential reading and goes further than just examples!

Strong personal statement example

“I first became interested in studying dentistry between the ages of 12 and 15, when I visited my local dentist frequently to get my braces checked and tightened.

I talked with her at length about the nature of her job and was struck by the huge impact she could have on the people she met daily.

She actively improved the quality of life of every patient she encountered, and had to astutely apply scientific principles in a social setting in order to make patients feel at ease and achieve the best results. I was truly inspired by this experience and decided to investigate dentistry as a career.

In order to deepen my insight into the profession I carried out a week’s work experience in a local dental hospital. I saw how dentists of every stage were keen to learn, constantly assessing their performance and striving to improve.

This drove home the importance of self-awareness and constant reflection, but also introduced me to the idea of lifelong learning which is something I find particularly attractive.

During this placement I also took my first look inside a patient’s mouth and observed dentists constructing bridges, veneers and crowns. This exposed me to the aesthetic side of dentistry - a dentist not only aims to alleviate pain but can engage with the more cosmetic aspect of healthcare, something that most medical specialties cannot match.

I organised a number of work experience placements in local dental surgeries, and throughout my shadowing was struck by the bonds dentists formed with their patients. They often had to utilise great communication skills and empathy to calm down or reassure anxious patients, and they worked hard to build up a rapport with everyone who entered the surgery. This encouraged patients to attend checkups more frequently and be more open about their worries, thereby improving the quality of care they received.

As a result of my reflection on these experiences, I took up weekly volunteering in a local care home and reading to children in the dental hospital. These opportunities helped me become a far better communicator, as many of the residents of the care home were elderly or suffered from dementia meaning I had to adopt different visual or verbal strategies to get my message across. Many of the young patients in the dental hospital felt lonely and nervous, and by empathising with them I was able to help them relax and focus on the positives.

Outside academia, I play water polo and run in my school’s athletic team. Both of these sports have helped me become a better team player and I’ve learned that you can always achieve the best results by working efficiently in a team rather than going it alone.

I am a particularly ambitious sportsperson and I’ve received the Most Valuable Player award in my waterpolo league for three years running, and have been a captain for four.

As a captain, I am a decisive leader; In the heat of a match it’s important for me to make snap decisions and for my teammates to trust me. However, out of the pool I take every view into account and try to make sure that everyone has been heard and feels involved.

I also try to identify the strengths and weaknesses of everyone in the team - myself included - so that we can play to our strengths in matches and work on our weaknesses in training.

I think that the ambition, teamwork and leadership I’ve demonstrated through my sports will serve me well as a dentist, allowing me to work efficiently with others while constantly striving to improve personally. My participation in these sports has also allowed me to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Becoming a dentist would allow me to have a truly positive effect on the people I work with, while also challenging me and ensuring I’m always learning and improving. I believe that my work experience, volunteering and extracurricular activities have provided me with the skills and insight necessary to become an empathetic and effective dentist.”

Strong personal statement analysis

This example displays many characteristics of a good personal statement.

Well structured.
The candidate comes across as well-rounded and motivated, without appearing arrogant.
There are some minor areas that could be improved, but overall we think that this personal statement would impress university assessors.

Introduction

The introduction uses an anecdote to illustrate the candidate’s interest in dentistry. This is a good way to show how your interest in dentistry might have started, but it wouldn’t be suitable to write that you decided to apply to dentistry simply because you liked seeing your dentist as a child. The candidate doesn’t fall into this trap, and makes sure to highlight that this experience only inspired them to do further investigation into the career.
The candidate goes on to describe how they deepened their insight in the main body paragraph, adding cohesiveness.
The candidate also demonstrates some good insight into dentistry by discussing the unique blend of social skills and scientific knowhow required by dentists.

Main body paragraphs

Variety - the candidate’s three main body paragraphs discuss some of their work experience placements, volunteering roles and extracurricular interests.
Quality over quantity - they focus far more on individual experiences while going into more detail, and avoiding lists (although they witnessed a huge number of things during a week of work experience, they choose to focus on a couple of key experiences).
Insight - the statement demonstrates insight into the profession on multiple occasions. They talk about the prominence of lifelong learning, the aesthetic/cosmetic side of dentistry, and how building a rapport with patients can lead to better outcomes.

Re-read the example, consider how the candidate:

Reflects on their experiences
Built on their experience
Demonstrates relevant skills
Demonstrates that they are ready for the challenges inherent in dentistry

Conclusion

Short, brief, and succinct. It doesn’t introduce any new information.
The candidate doesn’t really speak enough about why they chose to study dentistry over medicine. They mention the dual focus on health and cosmetics, but could mention some other factors as well - for example, the fact that dentistry is more specialised from the start of the degree than medicine.
They could show some more awareness of current news in the dental world.
The candidate could also speak a little more about the challenges dentists face in the workplace and how they would cope.
Discussion of paid employment would also have been beneficial.

Find more in-depth advice, tips and examples in our Personal Statement Course .

Weak personal statement example

“Dentistry has fascinated me from a very early age, as to me it seems like the perfect combination of practical and mental challenges. This has become even stronger since my brother found work as a dentist, having recently graduated from manchester University.

For the past 4 years, I’ve been looking after a local elderly lady who sometimes struggles to go shopping or carry out her daily tasks. This has helped me appreciate the satisfaction one can gain from helping others, and inspired me to pursue a career which will allow me to improve the lives of those around me - like dentistry!

As a result of my interest in medicine, I studied biology, physics and maths at A-Level.

I’ve also carried out a variety of work experience placements over the years. During my GCSEs, I spent a week volunteering in a local NHS surgery, which exposed me to some of the challenges dentists face; they were often overworked, and had to deal with frustrated and anxious patients on a daily basis.

I really enjoyed this experience, so I decided to take on another two week block at a dental hospital . While I was there, I shadowed receptionists, helping them to book appointments and organise the dentists’ timetables. I also managed to see dentists make diagnoses and watch a huge range of different dental procedures, from regular checkups to fillings and root canals. I spent time in the in-house dental laboratory, and was taken through the construction of veneers, crowns and bridges. I was also able to shadow dentists over a whole day in their life, seeing the admin and meetings they had to trudge through on top of the more exciting clinical work.

In my free time I enjoy playing the violin and listening to music. I am also a dedicated member of a number of sports teams, including basketball, tennis and hockey. I am proficient at both individual and team sports, showing that I can work well with others, but also self-motivate and set my own targets.

I also enjoy watching films and socialising with my friends. More recently, I’ve really enjoyed keeping up with current dental news by reading the Journal of Dental Research and my brother’s old copies of the British Dental Journal.

Looking to the future, my great ambition is to work within the dentistry profession, where I believe I could have a really positive impact on the lives of the patients I work with.

My work experience has set me up well to succeed, and I feel I have the desire and commitment to stick the course and become a successful yet empathetic dentist”

Weak personal statement example analysis

Likely not to score well
It isn’t nearly long enough (2520 characters)
It hasn’t been proofread and contains errors
Did the candidate genuinely want to study dentistry from a young age? If it is true, it implies that they made this important decision based on an emotional impulse as a child.
Being inspired to go into dentistry just because your sibling did is also not recommended. Just because it was right for them doesn’t make it right for you.
The mention of helping an elderly neighbour is good, but too brief. This is a great experience to reflect on and use to demonstrate both your motivations to study dentistry and your suitability for a caring role.
At no point in the statement does the candidate explain why another caring profession wouldn’t be just as suitable for them.
There’s no mention of anything particularly specific to dentistry.

Main body paragraphs

The first paragraph follows a list, with the candidate demonstrating that they have a real range of work experience placements (which is good) but without going into sufficient detail.
There is very little reflection throughout these paragraphs. The candidate clearly has a good breadth of experience but can’t really explain anything they learned from it.
They demonstrate very few relevant skills throughout the statement. They should talk more about how each experience they’ve had has improved them, either by helping them develop or demonstrate key skills that dentists need. Then, they should explain why dentists need these skills in the first place.
Describing the dentist’s admin and meetings as a ‘trudge’ and clinics as ‘exciting’ isn’t wise. This may be the case, but the reality is that dentists do spend a lot of their time writing notes, filling out paperwork and liaising with other healthcare professionals. If you find this particularly boring you either won’t be able to handle the job in the first place, or you’ll cut corners and thereby put patients at risk.
There’s no mention of the importance of a work-life balance when talking about how they relax.
It is crucial not to lie in your personal statement. It is possible that they do 'really enjoy' reading dental journals, but it is likely that your interviewers will latch onto this and quiz you repeatedly on it.

However, it is worth mentioning the things these main body paragraphs do well:

There is some reflection on the challenges faced by dentists, which will reassure the assessors that the candidate does have some insight and can reflect on their experiences.
The candidate discusses the skills they demonstrated through their sports which is exactly the right thing to do. The only thing they’re missing is a linking of this to dentistry.

The Ultimate Guide to Studying Dentistry in the UK

Remains brief and concise while summarising the rest of the statement and finishing with a strong, confident claim.
It is better to show “desire and commitment” to the profession earlier in the statement before introducing it in the conclusion.
Saying that work experience will set you up well for a career in dentistry is simply not true. Watching a couple of weeks’ worth of dental procedures will not make you a better dentist later in life. It is the reflection on those experiences that assessors are looking for.

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College of Dentistry

How to craft a winning personal statement for dental school application.

Have you put some thought into how you will write your personal statement for application? How will you stand out among the hundreds of other applicants?

With over 11,000 potential candidates applying annually to US dental schools, competition has never been stronger. Above average DAT scores and GPAs aren’t good enough anymore to truly stand out.

That's why Helen Yang, DMD, a Harvard Dental School graduate and current endodontics resident at UIC, has written a new book to help applicants become more successful.

In her new book, Your Essential Guide to Dental School Admissions: 30 Successful Application Essays and Collective Wisdom from Young Dentists , Dr. Yang and collaborators offer a holistic strategy for a winning dental school application. The second half of the book focuses on the personal statement and consists of 30 essays written by dental students across the country.

With a background serving on Harvard Dental School’s admissions committee and working in admissions counseling, Yang offers an invaluable and highly beneficial perspective.

“I looked at what kind of books were already out there. They tended to be written by a single person, so just featuring one person’s experience. Also, they focused a lot on the statistics of getting into dental school, Yang explained, as her inspiration for writing this book.

About half of the book is devoted to crafting a compelling personal statement, because “the personal statement of all the things in the application plays such a big role in making the applicant seem like a real human being.”

“I wanted it to have a strong emphasis on the human aspect of getting into dental school. How can I present myself as a more interesting applicant, and what are the admissions officers looking for?

"The book really focuses on how to make yourself seem more interesting, more human and more like a valuable member of the community. I think that’s what really makes people stand out.”

Four key components of getting into dental school.

Each of the four chapters covers a different key aspect of getting accepted into dental school. These aspects of the admissions process are explored in detail in Yang’s practical and inspiring guide for dental school admissions.

1. Assemble an Outstanding Application. Creating an application package that is so compelling that it can’t possibly be ignored. This means going beyond application prerequisites such as competitive GPA, required coursework, and dentist shadowing .

2. write a winning personal statement. retaining individuality and standing out from the deluge of applications with the personal statement. structuring it for success and individuality., 3. ace the interviews. successfully preparing for and dominating the dental school interview..

RELATED: How to Prepare for the Dental School Interview

4. Map Your Road to Dental School. Deciding on worthwhile extracurriculars and hobbies. Making a seamless and successful transition to dental school.

RELATED: Roadmap to Dental School

Succeeding with the Personal Statement

The personal statement is crucial in terms of presenting your individuality as part of the dental school application. It helps admissions representatives understand who you are, your unique experiences and why you chose to become a dentist. Despite it's importance, there is often great uncertainty regarding how it should be structured, what it should focus on, and how to make the best use of it to stand out.

From ADEA Go Dental: What is the personal statement for?

Your personal statement is a one-page essay (not to exceed 4,500 characters, including spaces, carriages, numbers, letters, etc.) that gives dental schools a clear picture of who you are and, most importantly, why you want to pursue a career in dentistry.

Available on Amazon Now

The book has received highly positive reviews since its recent release in 2018.

Your Essential Guide to Dental School Admissions is available in softcover for $14.99 and Kindle for $9.99 on Amazon .

Get ready for dental school, get the information you need to begin your journey into an outstanding career in dentistry today.

About ADEA GoDental
Our Mission

Why be a dentist?

Is dentistry right for you, need for diversity, preparing for dental school, the admissions process, application to dental school, 2024–25 application cycle updates, application instructions, refund policy, re-applicants, school-specific deadlines, dental school interview, new student video stories, customer service, cost of attendance, financing options, educational debt, applying for aid, international students, practice or residency, advanced dental education programs, practice options, advanced education in general dentistry, hear from practitioners, words from your peers, financial aid advice, advice from admissions officers, tips from current d.d.s./d.h. students, health professions advisor views, upcoming events, enrichment programs calendar, past events, writing a personal statement for your dental school application.

The personal statement is one of the most important parts of the ADEA AADSAS ® (ADEA Associated American Dental School Application Service) application. It gives a dental school’s admissions committee the opportunity to assess your motivations and decide if you will be extended an invitation to interview. Often, it takes a long time to write it, and individuals may feel lost on how to approach it. I will help guide you on the path to successfully writing an effective personal statement.

You should be very clear on the statement’s purpose. Apart from being clear on the dental or dental hygiene program and/or university’s mission focus, you should also be aware of and communicate what you want to achieve by becoming a health care provider. Ask yourself these questions:

What drives you to be a dentist or dental hygienist?
What will you achieve by becoming a dentist or dental hygienist?

These questions are important and should be answered within the personal statement. If you have clear answers, you will have a clear vision of the content of your personal statement’s purpose.

The next step is to define the content before you start writing the essay. It should revolve around your personal story, which could start from anywhere you like. For example, you could start when you chose to pursue this profession, or you can start from the present and explain how you’re investing time in and outside of school into building yourself into a better future dentist or dental hygienist. The beginning should be impactful , but do not sit on the beginning statement too long. Rereading and editing will help you get there. Sometimes, you might need to write the whole essay to identify a clear beginning statement.

After a decent beginning, focus on the rest of the story. Remember, it is a personal statement and it should be personal. Convey your story in an interesting manner. Project your personality. The admissions committee knows your GPA and have your CV/resume. What they want to know is who you really are. Add anecdotes from the journey that brought you to dentistry/dental hygiene. Add experiences from your personal life that highlight certain qualities essential to being a successful health care provider. If there were any dentists that you admired, shadowed or worked for who encouraged you to follow suit into dentistry, make sure you highlight the characteristics you admired in them.

Concluding statements are important, too. There should be a delightful epilogue to your essay summarizing the intent, while throwing light on the future and how completing the dental program will put you in a better position to help the community overall.

Use of Language

Judging the quality of your grammar is not the admissions committee’s goal when they read personal statements, but it serves to your advantage if you are meticulous with the words you choose. Certain avoidable grammatical or syntax errors may shift the focus of the reader from the message to the mistakes. It is important to reread and edit out such mistakes. Doing so also conveys your sincere efforts toward making a successful application.

Sentence structure is also important in making a script that flows well and keeps the reader’s attention. Small, interrupted sentences may not allow the reader to follow your thoughts through the punctuation marks, while long, complicated sentences may leave the reader stranded and confused with no closure. We often do not realize these mistakes as we write because the focus is not on sentence structure but on the content. Make sure you go back and read the essay thoroughly to make it easy for others to read. Follow up by using the most suitable conjunctions and transitional words and phrases.

Give yourself plenty of time for the writing process. Always try to start the personal statement early and do not leave it for last. Take a day off, sleep well, focus and write the first draft of the personal statement. At this point, do not think of the word limits and grammar—simply put your heart on paper and then, forget about it. Reread and edit it, afresh. Repeat the process three to four times and then seek help from an advisor or your friends and family. Let at least three to four trusted people read it and ask them to give their opinions and criticisms. Make sure they understand what you are trying to convey in the first place, then consider all their suggestions. Make edits per your liking and, at this stage of editing, lock down the major content of your essay. If your reviewers’ suggestions are contrasting and confusing, it is okay to make two separate drafts and elect to use the one that appeals to you the most. Edit and re-edit the draft you like the best and ask the reviewers to review the new version(s) again. You can always get new people to review it as well.

After you are happy with the content, focus on the language and presentation. Ask the reviewers to read it again and submit it after you feel confident about it. While taking suggestions from others, remember it is your personal statement, so stay true to yourself and do not sway from being yourself to impress others.

Good luck!

About Anirudha Agnihotry, B.D.S., D.D.S.:

Anirudha Agnihotry, B.D.S., D.D.S.

General Dentist/Clinical Researcher

Private Practice, California

Dr. Agnihotry graduated from Manipal College of Dental Sciences with a Bachelor's in Dental Surgery (B.D.S.) degree in 2012. After a one-year clinical internship, he joined the faculty in the Operative Dentistry and Endodontics Department in Mahatma Gandhi Dental College, where he also maintained a faculty practice. After that, he moved to Divya Jyoti College of Dental Sciences and Research in the Public Health Dentistry. There, Dr. Agnihotry worked setting up community outreach clinics and school oral health programs as well as training dental students. In 2014, Agnihotry moved to the United States and completed a post-graduate certificate training in Restorative Dentistry and following that, worked as a researcher in the same department at the University of California, Los Angeles. After that, he enrolled in an intense accelerated program to obtain his Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) degree in two years, graduating in 2018. He is currently practicing general dentistry in California.

Dr. Agnihotry has been in dentistry for 12 years, as a student and a teacher at times. He has published 12 international scientific research papers, presented in international conferences, is a referee for six international scientific journals and has also written a textbook chapter. His focus is patient-centered outcomes and secondary research with clinical outcomes in focus. Apart from dentistry, he enjoys swimming, playing squash, running, biking, barbecuing and takes a keen interest in all art forms.

Dental Hygiene
Community Health
Dental School
Post-doctoral Education
Summer 2022
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Winter 2020
Spring 2020
Summer 2018

DentalPersonalStatement.com by Dr. Robert Edinger Helping applicants to Dentistry since 1995 [email protected]

Dental School Personal Statement Samples, All Areas, Professional Writing and Editing

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Dental School Personal Statement Examples

A non-traditional applicant at 33, I am an excellent candidate for dental school because of my experience as an artist and computer consultant. I have been in the U.S. for 14 years, emigrating from our native Korea with my family. I have fully adjusted to full-time English and the American way and have matured significantly. I am a good listener and get along well with people from all levels of society.

I would like to be a dentist who is sufficiently successful in devoting a large part of my time and resources to providing dental care to the underserved, especially minorities and immigrant populations in the inner city. I am especially drawn to the plight of inner-city children, in particular. The idea of being able to help them to better appreciate and respect themselves and their community through dental care is my long-standing dream of service.

My grit, determination, and appreciation for the less fortunate were reinforced while I was in middle school in Korea and my father's business went bankrupt. We soon found ourselves living in only one tiny room in a rural area, all four of us. We slept next to each other every night, and I listened to my sister, trying not to sob. One night, I stretched my arm to see if I could reach her and my father and mother with my hand. I felt their hair and the reality of underprivileged life so acutely at that moment that I vowed that this would never happen to my children. I started delivering newspapers before dawn to support myself, paying my school expenses so as not to be a burden to my parents. At 5:00 in the morning, in freezing winter weather that numbed every part of my body, I began my struggle to succeed in life.

Even after immigrating to the US, my family struggled financially. I had to work full-time as a janitor for several years while taking courses at a nearby college. After I moved to a four-year university, I did the dishes in the dining hall. I worked as an administrator at a computing lab while maintaining heavy loads of academic responsibility. I was a computer science major; however, by the time I had fallen in love with the physical sciences as a senior at the University of XXXX it was too late to change my major. I discovered my greatest passion while working at the Genetic Programming Research Laboratory learning about biological metaphors and evolutionary biology. I made a vital contribution to my research team by creating a software tool for automated data analysis and experimental support that saved a lot of time. Of course, I am pleased to have advanced computer skills, and I am sure that they will also be helpful to my career in dentistry.

Upon graduation, I accepted a position at IBM as a consultant; constantly traveling and involved in numerous projects at major automotive companies, I had the opportunity to cultivate many qualities that will serve me well as a dentist: persistence, endurance, insight, sound judgment, and the ability to deal with all kinds of difficult situations. Although I thrived in my career, I resigned from my consulting position to finish preparing for a career in dentistry. A few years before I moved to New Jersey to enroll in the Pre-Dental Program at Rutgers, I started volunteering with a group of people at a nursing home in Dearborn, MI, helping organize events for the residents. Many, if not most of these elderly residents, had trouble eating correctly due to deteriorating dental conditions. There was a volunteer dentist who often came to the nursing home and checked their oral health. Sometimes, I could assist him with his work, and I was amazed by his dedication and passion. I enjoyed sharing the patients' joy upon emancipation from their suffering. For these reasons, my dedication to dentistry has become increasingly firm.

Finally, my keen sense of hand and visual dexterity fomented by playing classical guitar, model ship building, and graphic design helps make me a competitive candidate for dental school. I also believe that the montage of priceless life experiences that I have accumulated will help to make me a compassionate and highly responsible dentist and I look forward to dental school with keen anticipation. I want to thank you for considering my application.

PS Self-Study

Awesome ps resources., awesome resources + course.

Welcome to our collection of Dentistry Personal Statement Examples! We’ve searched far and wide to find personal statements from successful applicants all around the UK and asked them to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of their work for your own inspiration. Today’s subject is from Saif, who studies Dentistry at King’s College London.

Saif applied to study Dentistry back in 2021 at four amazing UK Dental Schools, including KCL, University of Bristol and University of Glasgow. He received offers from 3 out of his four choices of which he chose to study at KCL.

Let’s read the personal statement that got him a place at KCL, or skip straight to his feedback to learn what made his personal statement a success!

Please be aware that these examples are meant purely for the sake of inspiration, and should absolutely NOT be used as a model around which to base your own personal statement. UCAS have a rather strict system that detects plagiarism .

KCL Dentistry Personal Statement Example

Whole personal statement.

A smile is more than just a smile, it is a reflection of happiness, confidence and self-esteem. Dentistry is the engineering of a smile, focusing on patients’ health, comfort and wellbeing. The interaction with patients and colleagues is not only integral to the care provided, but also a very attractive aspect of this career. With constant advances in research, dentistry has been and always will be an evolving profession. This opportunity for lifelong learning excites me and has fuelled my desire to pursue this pathway.

I had the opportunity to join the dentists at my local practice where I observed check-ups; the fitting and moulding of dentures; and tooth extractions. The interaction between dentists of different specialist interests; along with the dental nurses, hygienists and supporting staff maintained the best care possible in a multidisciplinary team. It was amazing to see the wonderful impact that they had on so many patients. For example – helping a lady with periodontitis. Her gums had begun to recede causing many teeth to fall out and others to wobble. Everyday tasks we take for granted (such as talking and eating) led to constant pain and difficulty. I will never forget the look on her face once she was fitted with her personalised dentures. This inspired me to learn more about the working life of a dentist.

I came across Dr Manouchehri’s ‘Teeth and Tales” podcast which was informative and enjoyable. It was interesting to learn about the importance of dental health as an indicator for many diseases. For instance, mouth ulcers can indicate signs of some bowel diseases, and examination of the mouth can diagnosen early stages of oral cancer. This captivated me : dentistry does not only improve the quality of people’s lives; it has the potential to save it. The podcast includes a brief yet stimulating discussion about a dentist’s ‘typical work week’ – which is in fact not typical at all.

Each patient has their own needs, resulting in an immense variation of work that has intrigued me – sparking my interest in orthodontics. This focuses on unique tooth alignment in order to provide patient focused treatment, providing new, exciting challenges to overcome. A smile can be built that improves the appearance and functionality of someone’s mouth – building their confidence and protecting their teeth by correcting their bite.

Communication is the basis of the dentist-patient relationship that is built on trust and respect. I am an effective communicator – evident in my roles as Senior Prefect and Classroom Assistant. As part of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Bronze Award, I volunteered at my local Barnardo’s where I worked as part of a team which helped me improve my communication skills. It was a great pleasure to do something good for my community, supporting the less fortunate by gathering and sorting through donations to those in need.

Dentistry is a demanding and stressful career, so finding ways to relax is important. Music is my tool for relaxation. I am a keen piano player and have passed my grade 6 exam with distinction. Hard work and disciplined practice have greatly improved my manual dexterity and attention to detail – skills that are integral to dentistry. My commitment has allowed me to begin tutoring, where I tailor my teaching style according to a student’s age and skill level. I am able to communicate complex information in an understandable way; build relationships with otherwise shy children; and put them at ease when dealing with frustrations. By effectively managing my time, I balance my schoolwork and benefit from being part of the school choir as well as an U18’s football team within the top division of my region. Football involves communication with teammates, mirroring the teamwork required in the life of a dentist.

I recognise that dentistry is a demanding career, but it is also extremely rewarding. It would give me the opportunity to connect with and positively impact so many people. Nothing would fulfil me more.

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KCL Dentistry Personal Statement Example Analysis

Now, let’s go section by section and see what Saif has to say about what he wrote:

INTRODUCTION

Introduction

I feel that in the introduction of my personal statement I have been able to clearly demonstrate my passion for Dentistry. From my explanation, the intent behind my desire to study Dentistry really shines through.

I do feel that my introduction does come across as quite impersonal and I haven’t related it to myself until the final sentence. I could have expanded further on the research aspect of Dentistry as this is an area I am interested in and it would have been better to covey this to the admissions tutor to demonstrate my understanding of it.

Paragraph 1

I have not only discussed my work experience but also reflected on it, showing what I learnt and how it made me feel. This shows my passion and experience – and also that I understand the value of doing work experience.

I probably could have been more concise, which could have meant I would have had more characters available to me later on in my personal statement which I feel I ended up rushing through. As well, I would have liked to have spent more time discussing the life-saving aspect of Dentistry in more depth by talking about what a Max Fax surgeon is.

Paragraph 2

I have shown that I have been doing wider reading – even though it has not been in the traditional sense of the term but rather with a podcast. I have made sure to talk about what I have learnt from it, using mouth ulcers are a symptom for some bowel diseases as an example as I just found it so fascinating.

Again, I probably could have been more concise here. What the podcast talks about is not what is important but rather what I have grasped and learnt from it. I have probably embellished my language a bit too much, e.g., “…podcast which was informative and enjoyable,” when I could have cut out the latter part of the sentence and gone straight into why it was interesting.

Paragraph 3

Here I made the point of discussing a specialist branch of Dentistry, that being orthodontics. I have talked about what interests me in orthodontics. This also displays the knowledge I have gained through wider reading and understanding of the profession as a whole.

I should have gone into my depth about what sparked my interest in orthodontics. It would have been helpful to relate it back to what I saw during my work experience.

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When you sign up to 6med’s Personal Statement Bundle, you’ll be getting guidance from expert Medics, alongside a tonne of insightful resources to teach you everything you need to know about personal statement writing.

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Paragraph 4

I have used my personal experiences to relate to how I have developed and enhanced my communication skills – a skill which is vital to a career in Dentistry. Though I have only mentioned it from the sense of a dentist-patient relationship, it is also a necessary skill when working with other members of a dental team.

As briefly mentioned above it would have been better to relate my communication ability to a clinical setting and draw on what I saw and learnt during my work experience. As well, I mentioned being a Senior Prefect and Classroom Assistant but have not gone into detail of anything I actually done within these roles.

Paragraph 5

Here I have discussed the extracurricular activities that I undertook to show off more of my personality and interests outside of school and Dentistry. The idea behind this was to show the universities I was applying to what sort of person the would-be considering aside from my academics and to showcase myself as a well rounded individual.

I have mentioned elsewhere I could have been more concise at the start of my personal statement as I feel this section is really rushed as I ran out of characters which would have allowed me to go into more depth. Maybe if I had structured my personal statement differently, it would have allowed me to discuss my extracurriculars in more detail

My conclusion is clear, concise and straight to the point. I have acknowledged that a Dentistry degree and career will be challenging but I feel I am well suited to face this adversity and rise above it.

There is being concise, and then there is potentially being too short which I feel this is. Again, I used up valuable characters earlier on in my personal statement which would have been better used for my conclusion. As well, I could have related it back to what I said in my introduction to make it feel more cohesive.

Final Thoughts

I am pleased with my reflection of my work experience, I have not just listed what I done but mentioned the value I have gained from it by relating it to patients that I came across. Additionally, the section about my wider reading and my interest in the subject through Dr Manouchehri’s podcast, I feel, conveys my passion for Dentistry and my fascination with it.

The end is what really lets it down, I feel, I ran out of characters, and it shows. I easily could have shortened my introduction and gained characters back there. Reading it back through, it does come across as slightly rushed and that I had just crammed it all in. There are definitely some sections that could have been broken down into smaller paragraphs just for ease of reading.

So there you have it! This personal statement helped Saif get 3/4 offers in his application.

Everyone has different experiences and abilities, so you may not be able to relate to everything that was said in this personal statement. However, the information and advice provided by Saif is universal and will help any applicant write a better personal statement!

Be sure to check out more Medicine Personal Statement Analyses to see advice from all different kinds of applicants, including Ali Abdaal himself! Or if you want to get started on your own statement, check out 6med’s Personal Statement Bundle for all the support and resources you’ll ever need! If you want full support on every part of your application and a guaranteed place at med school, the Complete Bundle will be perfect for you.

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Sample Dental Personal Statement — AADSAS

Got accepted to penn, ucsf, nyu, nova, umich, maryland, uf.

A terrified girl with a swollen upper lip trudges into the endodontic clinic. She needs an emergency retreat of her root canal due to a poor previous obturation. As the needle pierces her gums, childhood memories of getting root canals without anesthesia flood her body with even greater pain and fear. Her student dentist wipes away her tears and holds her hand tighter. “The worst part is over,” remarks the soothing voice of the resident as she puts away the syringe. She is amazed by how fast the pain goes away. This girl was me three years ago, and it was this moment that I first envisioned dentistry as my career. [MZ1]

I was born and raised Uyghur, a Turkic ethnic minority in Central Asia. Growing up in a mixture of Turkish, Middle-Eastern, and Asian cultures helped me appreciate cultural diversity and collaborative environments later in life. Shortly after my high school graduation, I made the biggest decision of my life: to pursue an undergraduate degree in the United States, where I would be able to blossom in a free academic environment. I packed my ambitious heart and dreams into a suitcase and headed for the U.S.

Being away from home for the first time, I was thrilled to explore the world on my own. Determined to overcome the language barrier, I took every possible opportunity to practice my English skills while attending a language institute. Within six months, I passed the placement test and started taking college-level courses. Small victories like this strengthened my determination, and prepared me to overcome future obstacles that I faced while pursuing undergraduate studies and finding my career path.

[MZ2]

Dealing with frequent illnesses as a child led me to spend a lot of time in the care of others. Nurses, doctors, and dentists became my heroes, and I dreamed of being like them one day. In order to gain more experience in the healthcare field while pursuing my bachelor’s degree in Microbiology, I became a Certified Nursing Assistant and began working in an assisted-living facility caring for residents with Alzheimer’s disease. The bonds I built with these kind people and their families helped me realize how much I love caring for others and making positive impacts on their lives. [MZ3]

Around the same time, I became a patient at the University of Florida College of Dentistry team clinics. A long history of poor dental care led me to undergo an extensive amount of dental work at the clinic. This is where I first met Magda, my student dentist from the root canal story. As soon as I expressed my interest in the healthcare field, Magda enthusiastically began explaining dental procedures to me, teaching me to recognize dental instruments and even how to interpret x-rays. Her proficient skills, professionalism, and concerns for patients truly inspired me to further explore dentistry as my prospective profession.

I subsequently started shadowing at the team clinic, which enabled me to gain a closer look at dentistry. From various types of periodontal therapies, restorations, and extractions – every procedure I assisted with, pumped my body full of adrenaline. I fell in love with how much creativity is utilized in dentistry and relished every bit of patient interaction.

The knowledge from the team clinic further inspired me to pursue a community-based dental experience. I began to shadow Dr. XXXX, a general dentist at ABC Dental Clinic. ABC is a community for people with developmental disabilities. Volunteering at the clinic has been the most eye-opening and rewarding experience I have had in my limited exposure to dentistry. Most of the patients are not verbally responsive and are very challenging to work with. Despite these obstacles, Dr. Garvey’s patience and empathy makes everything possible. His unwavering commitment to serve the underserved population is inspiring me to become a dentist like him. From there, I started working at the UFCD Pediatric Dental Clinic as a dental assistant. [MZ4]

Luckily, I never had to return to the endodontic clinic again as a patient, but my unflinching determination in pursuing a dental career has only grown stronger since. Utilizing both creativity and discipline in caring for patients, serving the underserved, and relieving pain is what I have found I love doing the most. If that can become a lifelong career, then I am confident that dentistry is, absolutely, my future vocation. Even better, I will be the first Uyghur dentist in the U.S., now wouldn’t that be something? [MZ5]

Got accepted to Midwestern University (IL) (Re-applicant with a 2.9 GPA and 19 DAT; Got 5 interviews)

My grandfather made me fall in love with the quote: “Use your smile to change the world, don’t let the world change your smile.” I grew up without my parents, and faced adversity and bullying throughout my childhood. It took a toll on my confidence, made me shy, and discouraged me from smiling. Whenever I feel discouraged, my grandfather’s words always comfort me and push me toward my goals. Last year, I found it incredibly painful to deal with his passing after he battled nasal cavity cancer for eight years. He persevered through harsh medical treatments and never stopped smiling in front of me. Even after his dentures stopped fitting him, he would still smile. He gradually lost his appetite and without dentures, he became nutrient deficient since he could not consume the range of food that he needed. This was when I learned about the importance of dentures and their impact on a person’s health. Watching how strong he was, I yearned to make him a perfect set of dentures as a special gift one day. My ambition was to watch my grandfather enjoy a wide variety of food and to see his old smile again. Since then, I began to see the power behind my grandfather’s smile. His smile speaks for the positivity, courage, and strength that taught me to embrace obstacles and challenges because they will help me thrive as an independent and a mature adult. Although I lost my grandfather, the pain of losing him strengthened my character and pushed me to pursue my dream to become a successful dentist. [MZ6]

During my last quarter at UC San Diego, my grandfather’s condition worsened. I constantly worried about him, as he was the only close family I had. There were times when I struggled to balance family responsibilities with academics, and I had felt mentally and physically exhausted every day. Every time I went to see him in the hospital, he told me not to worry about him and to focus on my academics. My anxiety took a toll on my grades and I realized that it helped neither my dream nor his health. Gradually, I learned to manage my time and my stress, and improved my grades later on through more coursework in post-baccalaureate program . Luckily, my aunt is capable of taking care of my grandmother now, so I can further my studies and work as a dental assistant during my free time. [MZ7]

As a dental assistant, I channeled my desire of taking care of my grandfather into taking care of patients. [MZ8] During the preparation for an implant case, I noticed a patient was clenching her fists anxiously. I offered her with a cup of water and started a conversation to ease her worries. Later, she calmed down and was ready for the procedure. She was cooperative when I took a periapical x-ray on the difficult position of tooth #15. Fortunately, the picture turned out clear and the dentist was able to see the depth of the post and the distance between her sinus. When I greeted the patient during her next visit for abutment, she said “thank you” and gave me the most heartwarming hug that I could ever ask for. Her expression of gratitude kindled my desire to serve more patients as an aspiring dentist. [MZ9]

Knowing that my grandfather lacked oral health education and had limited dental care during his lifetime, I felt a sense of duty to help those who lack access to dental care [MZ10] . I helped serve the underprivileged by volunteering at the California Dental Association Free Clinic. In particular, I remember a forty-year old Hispanic immigrant named Julio, who was also a low-income immigrant and a father of four. Majority of his teeth was decayed and in need of urgent restoration. After talking to him, I learned that his condition was the result of a lack of access to quality dental care. Due to financial constraints, he could not afford to visit a dentist for a long time. He was grateful that the Free Clinic had given him this opportunity to restore his teeth. Talking to Julio was eye opening, as it inspired me to reach out to the disadvantaged population and educate them about oral health. One day, I wish to provide equitable access to dental care to all. [MZ11]

After my grandfather’s death, I wrote a letter to him that ended with this passage: “Thank you, Grandpa, for helping me find my passion and for making me realize the power that genuine smiles can bring. Although you are no longer with us, your wisdom continues to motivate me to spread beautiful smiles and to improve the lives of others. As a tribute to you, I am ready to dedicate myself to the career of dentistry.” [MZ12]

Got accepted to Penn, UCSF, NYU, Pitt, and Rutgers

‘ Shri Ramajeyam!’ chanted the village magician back in Bangladesh, as he tried to heal my grandmother’s toothache for 40 Taka (equivalent to $0.50 in the US). The cheap hocus pocus failed and ultimately, an oral screening at a local hospital diagnosed an oral lesion in her mouth. However, it remained untreated because of my family’s limited finances. [MZ13]

These financial challenges that have continually haunted my family have helped ingrain the value of patience within the very essence of my personality. Our patience in reapplying for the Diversity Visa Lottery over and over finally paid off the 9 th time, when we won. We thought our financial distress would improve, so we happily left for America. But, surprises ensued. Extreme poverty, accompanied by a sudden cut in Medicaid forced me to curtail my visits to the orthodontist, but I continued to wait, as I had always been, for a change in fortune. [MZ14]

That change came when my orthodontist halved my fee after sympathizing with my situation. This drew me to a dentist’s prerogative to demonstrate compassion. The importance of a good patient-doctor relationship stood out even more when I shadowed Dr. Pinto, an oral surgeon. During his interaction with a medically compromised patient, who was suffering from a prior iatrogenic procedure, I saw how dentists not just treat the local symptoms of pain, but also address it in a systemic way. This interactive process reminded me of my time leading mentoring program as an International Youth Scholar, in which I mentored a Somali refugee named Abdi. Being psychologically vulnerable as a result of having faced a civil war, initially, he appeared reserved. With my consisted efforts, I built rapport with him as he slowly opened up about his struggle in the refugee camp, his love for soccer, and his dream to study in the U.S. With my encouragement, he applied and received a scholarship at Syracuse University. I will never forget his smile when he gave me the news. It reaffirmed the holistic nature of a dentist’s influence on an individual’s systemic as well as psychological health. [MZ15]

In addition to treating individuals, I want to expand the influence of dental awareness on a community-wide scale and I began this by targeting my local Philadelphia community. I co-founded the Community Dental Disease Prevention Society aiming to reduce the prevalence of dental diseases. We conducted workshops at low-income schools in the city. Despite the initial lack of interest among students, gradually the number of workshop participants grew as they could relate the workshops to their real life experiences. Here Tagita, a first grader shared her story of waiting for a dental appointment due to her family’s financial incapacity, reiterating the inaccessibility of the dental care provision. Meanwhile, high school students expressed concerns about the increasing prevalence of dental malpractice. This made me extend our goals to educate dental providers of iatrogenic dentistry. Additionally, we also set about spreading scientifically based awareness in dispelling damaging propagandas such as those spread by the Fluoride Action Network about the harmful effects of water fluoridation. [MZ16]

Aside from my involvement with the community, I found personal gratification and further enhancement of my endurance while I was taking a sculpture course. After the caffeinated nights and clay-stained hands at the studio, looking at my first project – a clay bust of Abraham Lincoln, an unprecedented sense of pride flooded through me. Right then, I knew that in order to be fulfilled I would need manual involvement in my future profession. [MZ17]

The unique opportunity offered by dentistry to integrate my manual dexterity with my love for science further drew me in. My passion for science grew in a crowded lab-hood at my organic synthesis lab, where I endured repeated tedious phases of optimization of the reaction conditions. Ultimately, I experienced a deep sense of satisfaction as I produced newer molecules in high yield culminating in a co-authorship of a paper in Organic Letters. [MZ18]

Perseverance gained throughout my life and from my involvement in science, arts and community activism makes dentistry a perfect match for me. Be it campaigning against iatrogenic dentistry via CDDPS, or making someone like Abdi smile confidently, dentistry has allowed me to consolidate my ideals. As I continue to advocate for increased accessibility to dental care for financially disadvantaged patients, I understand that progress will be slow; for now, I vow to stay focused, stay patient. [MZ19]

[MZ1] Terrific hook. The story is engaging and vivid. She also amazingly ends the paragraph with her interest in dentistry. Perfect first paragraph.

[MZ2] Author provides sufficient background and talks about her personal journey to depict her personalities. She shows us a glimpse into her world and provides a subtle glimpse at her personalities

[MZ3] Explains what she has done during college. It falls under extra-curricular/leadership bucket. But definitely shows her career interest progression. This paragraph does not employ any vivid story, but at this point it’s not needed anymore because she already earned your trust and you’re reading this.

[MZ4] The last three paragraph provides the picture of how the author pursued her interest further. It’s a logical continuation of her journey.

[MZ5] Great concluding sentence! Super-catchy. Creates an unique identity for the author.

[MZ6] Absolutely great introduction. Author takes you into her world and tells you about her personal life. She provides a nice story to back up why she wants to be a dentist. Great introduction, although a bit too long.

The essay revolves around her grandfather and she continually ties back to this theme.

[MZ7] She explains her situation but reassures the reader that she will be able to handle the tough workload at dental school.

[MZ8] Great topic sentence brings back the theme of her grandfather.

[MZ9] Through telling us a story she provides a glimpse into her personality. From this story, we can make assumptions about what kind of dentist she will become – a compassionate, kind hearted one.

[MZ10] Again, tying back to the theme

[MZ11] This is called future pacing. She’s basically telling you her dream as a dentist.

[MZ12] Slightly unconventional ending, but worked really well for her.

[MZ13] Unique beginning, proven to be quite effective for the author. The story also hooks you right away. You feel a certain level of sympathy for the author’s family.

[MZ14] Author is using life story to focus our attention on his personality. It’s very subtle and crafty.

[MZ15] This paragraph is AMAZING because it talks not only about the things that author admires in his dentist, but he also demonstrate how he implemented those qualities into his extra-curricular activities. This is an advance concept and hard to implement, but if you can do it successfully, you have a great shot at getting into many dental schools (just like the author)

[MZ16] Tells us a STORY about his community service involvement.

[MZ17] Manual dexterity can be part of your personal statement but add it such that your essay does not lose flow. This is a strong example of how to talk about your manual dexterity.

[MZ18] Most people don’t have publication as an undergraduate; if you do, talk about it! It will 20X your chances at getting into a dental school. You should not shy away from talking about your accomplishments.

[MZ19] Great ending. Author used a catch phrase at the end. Quite cliché, but it is executed properly and makes you remember the author.

Dentistry Personal Statement Examples

The following examples of dentistry personal statements are provided as guidelines only. When applying to dentistry , tailor your personal statement to your profile for the course you are applying for. Please read our detailed guide on how to write a winning dentistry personal statement .

What is a Dentistry personal statement?

A dental school personal statement is a document submitted as part of a UCAS application to a dental school and university . It is an opportunity for the applicant to demonstrate their personal qualities, experiences, and motivations that make them strong candidates for dental school.

Here are 3 examples of dentistry personal statements.

Read guide:

How To Apply To Dentistry In The UK
The Best Dentistry Universities in the UK

Successful Dentistry Personal Statement Examples

As a dental assistant with three years of experience in the field, I have developed a passion for dentistry and am now seeking to further my education and training by pursuing a career as a dentist. I am excited about the opportunity to attend dental school and believe that I have the skills and dedication necessary to succeed in this challenging field.

One of the things that I love most about being a dental assistant is the opportunity to help people. I enjoy working with patients of all ages and helping them to feel comfortable and at ease during their dental visits. I am also skilled at providing practical assistance to dentists, such as preparing and sterilizing instruments and materials, taking X-rays, and assisting with various dental procedures.

In addition to my experience as a dental assistant, I have also completed coursework in biology and chemistry, which has given me a strong foundation in the scientific principles that are essential to dentistry. I am eager to continue my education and learn more about the latest techniques and technologies in the field.

I am confident that I have the dedication and determination necessary to succeed in dental school. I am a hardworking and motivated individual who is not afraid to put in the time and effort necessary to achieve my goals. I am also a team player and enjoy working with others to provide the best possible care for patients.

I believe that a career in dentistry is the perfect way for me to combine my passion for helping others with my interest in science and healthcare. I am excited about the opportunity to attend dental school and look forward to the challenges and rewards that come with a career in this rewarding field.

I have always been fascinated by the human body and how it functions. As a child, I loved learning about the different systems and organs, and I dreamed of becoming a doctor one day. However, it was not until I had my first experience with a dentist that I realised my true passion was in dentistry.

The dentist I visited was gentle, kind, and patient, and I was immediately drawn to the care and attention they gave to each of their patients. I watched in awe as they used their skills and knowledge to improve their patient’s oral health, and I knew that this was the career I wanted to pursue.

I am now excited to apply to dental school and begin my journey to becoming a dentist. I am confident that my passion for dentistry, combined with my strong work ethic and dedication to continued learning, make me a strong candidate for your program.

I am eager to learn from the best dental professors and to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to provide high-quality dental care to my future patients. Thank you for considering my application, and I look forward to the opportunity to further discuss my qualifications and goals with you.

As a child, I always had a fascination with the human mouth and how it functions. This curiosity led me to pursue a career in dentistry where I could use my skills to improve the oral health of individuals and help them achieve a confident and healthy smile.

My passion for dentistry grew stronger during my undergraduate studies in biology where I learned about the complex anatomy and physiology of the oral cavity. I also volunteered at local dental clinics, where I observed and assisted dentists in their daily tasks. These experiences solidified my desire to become a dentist and make a positive impact on the lives of my patients.

In addition to my academic and clinical experiences, I have also developed excellent communication and interpersonal skills. I understand the importance of creating a comfortable and welcoming environment for patients, as well as effectively educating them on their oral health and treatment options.

I am confident that my passion for dentistry, combined with my academic and clinical experiences, make me a strong candidate for your dental program. I am eager to continue my education and become a skilled and compassionate dentist.

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Of course, there is a crucial distinction between building a computer and providing dental care. While both fields allow me to employ my manual skills, only one has the significant interpersonal component that I seek in a career. While I am grateful to the computer technician who corrects glitches in my operating system, I have far more gratitude to the orthodontist who straightened my teeth as a child.

To glimpse the daily duties of a dentist, I spent this summer actively acquiring work experience in several branches of dentistry. For one month, I shadowed two dentists in general practice, both offering NHS and private treatment. I learnt to make dentures by working with my orthodontist for two weeks and spent several days observing activity at Orpington's Oral and Maxillofacial department. I also attended dental lectures in a Medisix course held at Nottingham University.

These experiences further convinced me that dentistry is the profession that correctly combines my mechanical aptitude with my desire for interpersonal interaction. Observing each dentist, I concluded that a common thread of skills united them all, regardless of their speciality: each dentist worked well on a team, exercised strong leadership skills and possessed the ability to communicate clearly and precisely.

Through my volunteer activities, I have learned to connect with people from a variety of ages and social backgrounds. Volunteering at a primary school, I used a soothing tone and simple vocabulary to put children at ease. While working at a home for disabled adults, I learned to gauge the emotional state of each resident and tailor my conversational style and content appropriately. For example, I discovered that thorough explanations often quelled the anxiety of those who appeared nervous about a medical or personal situation.

Having attained three gold certificates in the National Mathematics Challenge, I have the academic mettle to handle this demanding course. I also possess the flexible mind required to adapt to new advances in the field. Whether earning a bronze medal in a national competition as a brown belt in karate or playing cricket for my sports team, I have readily embraced and excelled at new challenges.

Discussions with undergraduate dental students have only reinforced my decision to pursue dentistry. I embrace the opportunity to put my communication, academic and mechanical skills to use as I work to maintain the oral health of my patients.

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Related Personal Statements

This is impressive. good luck.

Sun, 28/11/2004 - 00:00

this is impressive. good luck!

Thu, 10/02/2005 - 00:00

great PS gd luck!

Fri, 20/05/2005 - 00:00

How about "I learned" instead of "I learnt"

Fri, 08/07/2005 - 00:00

Fri, 29/07/2005 - 00:00

top personal statement! did u get in?

Fri, 26/08/2005 - 00:00

ur personal statement is pretty gd

this is an excellent personal

this is an excellent personal statement!

THis is amazing!!!!!!

Sun, 04/09/2005 - 00:00

i am currently trying to start my persaonl statement...it was a great help as i was unable to find any other examples on the net....it was very inspiring...im sure got in......all the best....

hey this is pretty gd stuff,

Sat, 01/10/2005 - 00:00

hey this is pretty gd stuff, well dne! hope u got in..

ok whoa! to tell the truth

Fri, 24/03/2006 - 00:00

ok whoa! to tell the truth you lost my attention in two sentences. Sorry but good luck.

Tue, 04/07/2006 - 00:00

Well this is really great stuff ent it i hope ur career as a dentist goes well

Interesting

Mon, 10/07/2006 - 00:00

I will be critical here:

It is a very interesting and original approach and some of your statements are very ammending. However, it appears as if you are more interested in a course of Computing (or combined with dentistry) than Dentristy itself. Your statement lacks further support for any medicine/biological/chemical sense except for the work experience.

pretty good... interesting...

Wed, 26/07/2006 - 00:00

However I think it is lacking in the more PERSONAL aspect. Most graduate schools don't want a narrative of your resume. They can read about all that in other parts of your application.

They want to know that you are sensitive, open-minded, enthusiatic, & sincere with a humanitarian perspective. They want to know that you appreciate diversity and culture, and that you view a patient's dental health as a right rather than a privilege.

What about the science bit? I

Sun, 06/08/2006 - 00:00

What about the science bit? I had the opinion that dentistry is very challanging and requires the acedemic skill and determinination to suceed. This statement just gives me the impression that you are a computer geek. good luck though

Problem with the statement

Sun, 20/08/2006 - 00:00

Just a tip but orthodontists do not make Dentures!!! Think the admission tutors may spot that mistake and realise you may not have done the work experiance you claim

this is very original. the

Thu, 31/08/2006 - 00:00

this is very original. the thing about computers at the start is a top idea

I hate to mention this to

Tue, 05/09/2006 - 00:00

I hate to mention this to "guest at 22:10:47 14/12/2005" but DENTISTS ARE NOT FAILED MEDICS. This personal statement will grab the readers attention which is exactly what applicants should aim for, well done writer. I am a 3rd year dental student and if I wanted to be a medic I would have applied to do medicine. The dental course is just as intense as Medicine, if not more so. There is a real shortage of dentists. When we graduate we are guaranteed a job, do the hours we want to do and don't suffer from depression as many medics do and earn one hell of a wage. "Guest at 22:10:47 14/12/2005" needs to get his feet back on the ground with his "AAA at A-level, a first-class arts degree, and a seriously prestigious academic prize" because with the attitude you won't get anywhere. To the writer of the personal statement: Good luck with a top career in Dentistry! Dentists RULE

Dentists Rule!

Thu, 07/09/2006 - 00:00

I agree completely with everything 'guest at 13:55:27 05/09/2006' sed. Dentists Rule!

Good statement

Sat, 09/09/2006 - 00:00

Pretty intense, but good. And yeah im fed up with people saying dentists are failed medics, i meet the requirements for both, but i want to be a DENTIST therefore i choose DENTISTRY, i could tell you a fun place to shove your 'prestigous academic award'

Maybe if you had gone/go to

Wed, 04/10/2006 - 22:02

Maybe if you had gone/go to university u wouldn't/won't have to work in Mcdonalds anymore. :)

There is far too much ego

Tue, 10/10/2006 - 19:39

There is far too much ego present in this statement--"I." Contrary to common belief, personal statements should limit the usage of "I." That is not to say that you shouldn't use it at all, but rather to present your personal statement in such a way that is more concrete--more factual, eventhough it may not be; the reader should already know that your personal statement is a reflection of the writer, so there is no need to keep telling "who." Secondly, "learnt" is the wrong form of the past tense of learn; it should actually be "learned."

I'm sorry but gues 22:10:47

Sun, 01/04/2007 - 16:43

I'm sorry but gues 22:10:47 14/12/2005

with three A's you should be guarenteed a place in medical school i dont believe you there isnt much else a medical school can ask for....experience and the grades and you have that. i mean if they are accepting people that do a foundation year or accepting nurses then you shouldnt have much of a problem...

How old are you?

Tue, 10/07/2007 - 07:05

Sat, 28/07/2007 - 22:44

I think this opens really well. I love the comparison thing, lateral thinking shows intelligence but I think it lacks information about you on a personal level.

great help, even though I am

Thu, 13/09/2007 - 10:40

great help, even though I am looking at medicine. Thanks

Good, but a little bull?

Mon, 08/10/2007 - 13:26

I really liked your statement. Having an orthodontist showing you how to make dentures seems a little odd though.

Thu, 11/10/2007 - 21:15

Ur PS is not that great but there are some good sentences which are impressive. Just wondering if U could get in ?

Ok, being honest... this is

Mon, 22/10/2007 - 18:26

Ok, being honest... this is some good, impressive original writing and you have certainly shown you have delicate hands for the job... but this isn't an imaginative writing task. It is your personal statement, and although it is crucial you interest the reader at the very start, it is important that you stay on track and consider more important things. For example, you spent such a long time at the start trying to qualify having delicate hands, but so do many people, and it is more than a pair of hands that shows a potential applicant's capability for dentistry. You really do need to qualify other parts that make for a good dentist such as health care, interst in biochemistry (because thats the main thing you will be studying). Also, there is no problem bringing computers into the statement but please don't make computers the whole statement, it makes it sound like you have chosen the wrong course. If you are really do have a passion for computers, and if you ask me, assembling computers is certainly an impressive skill, you should be considering software/hardware engineering, computer science etc. Anyways, some good stuff in the middle good luck.

the personal statment is very

Tue, 22/04/2008 - 10:11

the personal statment is very clinical. you need to add a bit of you and your interest in science. it also comes across as quite arrogant. i hope you get in!!!!!!! an dentists are NOT failed medics. that person isn't even a medic he hasn't got in to uni!!! so bog off!!!!

Liking the starter!

Wed, 09/07/2008 - 21:21

help needed

Sat, 30/08/2008 - 22:49

liked it alot!! well done was wonderin if ne1 cud help me with writing mine. every1 seems to have something amazing that happened in the past that made them reliz they wanid 2 b a dentist buh i got nothing, i jus knw i wana do it. hmmm need a good openin line, ne1 tips? xx

This is one of the brilliant

Sun, 07/09/2008 - 19:25

This is one of the brilliant prsonal statements I'v read so far!!

original opening but...

Sun, 10/05/2009 - 23:43

after the interesting link it got extremely boring and there was a severe lack of detail about the volunteer work and the language of the whole piece could have been seriously revamped to a better standard

I agree that this stement is

Mon, 27/07/2009 - 22:18

I agree that this stement is good but it lacks personality. ALSO YOU HAD THIS EDITED ON A WEBSITE!!! I MEAN FAIR ENOUGH HAVE A FREIND OR FAMILY MEMBER HAVE A LOOK AND MAKE SUGGESTION BUT PAYING FOR IT ON A WEBSITE?!?! I HOPE YOU DIDNT GET ACCEPTED WITH THIS STATEMENT!!!!

think again!

Wed, 02/12/2009 - 00:24

well, i've got to hand it to you -you gave me a laugh! i'd love to know if you ever did get into dental school - and who let you in with that! arse-y isnt a quality that works well for dentists- and the 'shock' factor is tacky...i assume thats what you were going for. i'd be pleasantly surprised if you didnt have a black eye from an irate patient by now. fear brings out the worst in them. that aside, its got hee-haw to do with computers- except to type up your notes... and i believe last time i checked it was prosthodontists who fabricate dentures! every applicant who considers applying is going to have the grades....the selection is based purely on interview and whether or not you seem committed enough to get your head around a full clearance in a grotty mouth at 9am on a monday morning -generally in a patient so uptight you have a moving target for the duration.. and you cant lose your temper. yes, we are handsomely rewarded for our efforts...but we spend 8hours a day in a tight space working back to front and upside down in a mirror 12mm across. Without losing it. you may have been better to mention an interest in buiding matchstick structures -at least the frustration element would have been comparable. that said i love the profession - qualified 6yrs ago with a distinction...did some postgrad stuff to keep it interesting, now train new graduates ,and know i better keep quiet about the lot of it... cos if you want to show off you'd be better joining the white coat brigade and giving yourself an easy ride in medicine (where the nurses pretty much do everything for you anyway). if you are thinking to apply for medicine on the form and putting dentistry as a 'backup' forget it- we wont entertain you. and it isnt a fallback- with fewer places its more competetive than medicine... and twice as well paid.happy drilling!

Tue, 02/02/2010 - 19:37

Sat, 28/08/2010 - 11:26

the ps is really good. i would like 2 knw if you really got in. it makes me wonder that only people with high grades n qualifications can make it to a dental school in US. i am a dental graduate from a foreign country who wishes to further my studies in US.my grades were average. will i get thru if i apply?

Thu, 15/09/2011 - 20:43

this p.s is so sad u should have become an IT teacher instead.....

Thu, 15/09/2011 - 20:47

this p.s is so sad u should have become an IT teacher instead..... i luv the comment 'think again' btw am a dentist and hate computers

This statement is for someone

Thu, 07/06/2012 - 04:42

This statement is for someone who doesn't really know what he is talking about. Learning how to make dentures from orthodontist ?! In two weeks! I'm a dentist and I lost all my interest in finishing the statement at this point.. Using this statement is just like you are asking for rejection letter.

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Dentistry Personal Statement

To me, dentistry is about working respectfully and diligently, being able to take charge as a leader but also work within a team, in paced environment . The profession is very appealing to me, as it not only combines my love of science paired with intricate manual dexterity, but you also have the chance to make a real improvement on the quality of life of your patients. After a total of 3 weeks at 5 dental practices, both private and NHS, I have learnt the importance of communication between patient and dentist and have gained a real appreciation for the hard-work and dedication required in such a demanding profession. I particularly enjoyed engaging with a wide range of people and I believe that my self-motivation and nurturing nature are a great foundation.

Last year, I spend 4 days at 2 private practices where I met an endodontist, prosthodontist and hygienist. I observed multiple root canals, learning how concentration and an eye for detail were essential for complex procedures. Whilst watching the prosthodontist, I observed veneer applications, composite fillings and crown preparations. I learnt about the need for adaptability and the importance of effective teamwork between dentist and dental nurse. I also was very intrigued by how the dental prostheses were made and arranged work experience in a dental laboratory, spending a day learning how porcelain crowns and veneers are made. This year, I arranged 2 weeks at 2 NHS practices, shadowing general dental practitioners and an oral surgeon. I observed amalgam fillings, denture fittings and wisdom tooth extractions, learning the importance of clear communication, being sensitive around nervous patients and fully explaining any treatments, as it means patients are more willing to be open and trusting towards you. I spent 2 days in another private practice, where a ‘CEREC Omnicam’ was used to take crown impressions. This taught me how new technologies are constantly being developed and how important it is to utilise them.

This Easter, I travelled to Botswana, spending 4 days volunteering at a local primary school. I taught English, maths, science and art lessons to a class of 40 children, who initially spoke little to no English, developing my planning, leadership, and communication skills. I also spent a day planting trees near the local care home, teaching locals basic IT skills and visited the ‘Smiles’ Dental Clinic. I raised £200 for the ‘Elephants without Borders’ charity by doing multiple bake sales, after attending a lecture on the preservation of elephants in Botswana. I volunteer at my local care home, building relationships with residents by acting in an approachable and friendly manner. Last year, I volunteered at a charity shop for a year, allowing me to interact with a wide range of people, improving my inter-personal skills and I also volunteer at my local animal sanctuary, walking dogs, as I enjoy using the time to relax after a busy week. I stay informed with latest dental news by reading dentistry.co.uk news articles and journals for my EPQ topic, about forensic odontology. Outside of school I am working towards my grade 6 Flute, which maintains my manual dexterity and is a source of relaxation. Having completed my silver Duke of Edinburgh, working towards Gold, I have learnt to be determined, adaptable and think on the spot. I ride horses and play tennis once a week to maintain a healthy lifestyle. All my extracurricular activities have allowed me to develop a wide range of skills, which will help shape me into a conscientious dentist.

I am a hard-working, enthusiastic and compassionate student with a huge desire to learn. I realise that a good dentist must be responsible, dedicated and ethical and believe that I am capable of that. Therefore, I will be able to fit into social and academic aspect of dental school.

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Successful Personal Statement For Dentistry At King’s College London

Last Updated: 8th April 2020

Author: Adi Sen

Getting started

Welcome to our popular Personal Statement series where we present a successful Personal Statement, and our Oxbridge Tutors provide their feedback on it.

Today, we are looking through a Dentistry applicant’s Personal Statement that helped secure a place at King’s College London, Birmingham and Aston University. The Dentistry Course at KCL combines the latest thinking in dental education with early clinical experience.

Read on to see how this candidate wrote a Personal Statement that demonstrates the qualities to work in a clinical environment.

Here’s a breakdown of the Personal Statement:

SUCCESSFUL?

The universities this candidate applied to were the following:

KING’S

Enrolling on our Dentistry comprehensive Programme will give you access to Personal Statement redrafts.

With our Dentistry Premium Programme, your tutor will give you regular actionable feedback with insider tips on how to improve and make your Personal Statement top-quality for the best chances of success.

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Dentistry Personal Statement

Everyone has the right to a good smile. A smile can have a major effect on a person’s self-esteem, confidence and happiness. It would give me great satisfaction being able to have a positive effect on a patient’s quality of life by being able to influence these and many more factors. Dentistry as a prospective career path has always been a very appealing profession because I am interested in caring for people and also enjoy the creativity involved with the profession.

My work experience has further fuelled my desire to study dentistry, because it has shown me how rapidly expanding the dental sector which allows continuous learning. I have worked at Smiledent Dental Practice where I shadowed the dentists and the dental nurses. This experience has highlighted the importance between the balance of leadership and teamwork required to achieve the best treatment for the patients and the efficient running of a dental practice. Furthermore, I witnessed the need to gain the trust of the patient and build a patient-dentist relationship, to allow for a smooth successful treatment.

Apart from a dental practice, I have also volunteered at Haselbury Junior School organising activities for young children at an afterschool club for three months. Working with young children taught me to adapt my communication skills, using simple vocabulary and body language. During this time, it also gave me a sense of care and responsibility towards the children. This motivated me to work with people at the opposite end of the age spectrum. I therefore volunteered at The Haven Day Centre which was a humbling yet valuable experience. I enjoyed being a pillar of support to the elderly trying to entertain them and it was a warming experience to witness their joy.

Moreover, I have regularly attended St John Ambulance Cadets for the past three years. I am now a senior member in the division teaching younger peers first aid thoroughly enjoying the additional responsibility involved in nurturing others.

In addition, I have a keen academic interest. The transmission of diseases, prevention and immunology in Biology, has emphasised to me the significance of hygiene and how rapidly diseases can spread which is vital in the field of dentistry. In Chemistry, I have particularly enjoyed learning about molecular bonding enabling me to understand why particular materials have properties that make them suitable for their job. I have thoroughly enjoyed and flourished in the practical aspects of both subjects. The experiments have allowed me to put into practice/apply the knowledge I have acquired in lessons. Studying mathematics has improved my problem-solving ability acquiring practice to reach answers with a methodical yet flexible approach. In years 9 and 12, I was invited to attend lectures at the London Metropolitan University and the Royal Institution of Mathematics over a series of weekends. As a result, I had the opportunity to study branches of mathematics outside the syllabus which thoroughly challenged me. Additionally, geography has helped develop a creative aspect of academic life. In the human sector, I enjoyed the topic about smoking because it taught me the history and origins of smoking and the widespread effect it has on the body including the gums and teeth.

As part of my research, I have expanded my dental knowledge using several websites to gain extra information. I have been fascinated by crowns and root canal treatments because I am fond of the creativity involved such as choosing tooth colours, shape and material to ensure practicality for the patient and simultaneously rectify tooth damage.

Finally, from my work experience in a dental practice and I believe would thrive in such an environment.

For more inspiration, take a look through our other successful Personal Statement a nalysis articles:

Successful Personal Statement For Natural Science (Physical) At Cambridge

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Good Points Of The Personal Statement

Clear structure and the student gives good insight into his/her motivation for the study of dentistry as well as providing evidence for his/her personal, professional, and academic development. It becomes very clear that the student is dedicated to the subject and disciplined in the pursuit of his/her goals. Having a good experience from work attachments is a further strong point, demonstrating the student’s enthusiasm for the subject. The student also shows a good range of other achievements and activities that contribute to the overall, very positive, impression of a dedicated and well-rounded individual.

Bad Points Of The Personal Statement

At times, the style of the statement is somewhat unclear. Particularly towards the end, one gets the impression that the student ran either out of space or out of ideas as the different aspects raised in the text are not discussed to their full effect, making them significantly less relevant for the overall quality of the statement. This is particularly a problem with the conclusion which makes little to no sense.

UniAdmissions Overall Score:

An average statement that demonstrates some good and relevant work experience and patient exposure. Unfortunately, the statement is let down by some stylistic weaknesses that reduce the overall strength of the content, at least in some parts.

And there we have it – a King’s College London Dentistry Personal Statement with feedback from our expert tutors.

Remember, at KCL, the Admissions Tutors are often the people who will be teaching you for the next few years, so you need to appeal directly to them.

Our Free Personal Statement Resources page is filled with even more successful personal statements and expert guides.

Our expert tutors are on hand to help you craft the perfect Personal Statement for your Dentistry application.

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Dentistry Personal Statement Advice
Show your caring attitude, a sense of social responsibility, courtesy, an interest in people and their welfare, or the ability to reassure people and put them at ease. Demonstrate effective communication and that you can explain complex information simply and coherently. Demonstrate logic, independent thought, goal-setting, problem-solving ...
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Dentistry Personal Statement Example 9. From a very early age, I have always wanted to be a healthcare professional because of my love of science and caring nature. I attended a medical school successfully completed my second year of study. I shared my accommodation with dentistry students and I began questioning whether I had made the right ...
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This personal statement is unrated. Dentistry is my passion. During a summer abroad, I had the chance to spend time with my uncle, a self-employed dentist, and this was the beginning of my commitment to study such a privileged degree with profound passion. Through this experience, I was able to perceive dentistry as a lifestyle that can enhance ...
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Welcome to our collection of Dentistry Personal Statement Examples! We've searched far and wide to find personal statements from successful applicants all around the UK and asked them to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of their work for your own inspiration. Today's subject is from Saif, who studies Dentistry at King's College London.
Sample Dental Personal Statement -- AADSAS
A terrified girl with a swollen upper lip trudges into the endodontic clinic. She needs an emergency retreat of her root canal due to a poor previous obturation. As the needle pierces her gums, childhood memories of getting root canals without anesthesia flood her body with even greater pain and fear. Her student dentist wipes away her tears ...
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Dentistry Personal Statement
Dentistry Personal Statement. To me, dentistry is about working respectfully and diligently, being able to take charge as a leader but also work within a team, in paced environment . The profession is very appealing to me, as it not only combines my love of science paired with intricate manual dexterity, but you also have the chance to make a ...
Successful Personal Statement For Dentistry At King's College London
Welcome to our popular Personal Statement series where we present a successful Personal Statement, and our Oxbridge Tutors provide their feedback on it. Today, we are looking through a Dentistry applicant's Personal Statement that helped secure a place at King's College London, Birmingham and Aston University.

10 Dental School Personal Statement Examples

Article Contents 15 min read

Writing a Strong Dental School Personal Statement

1. Tell a story

2. Demonstrate why you’re a “good fit”

3. Be authentic and readable

4. Express your desired contributions to the field

Things to Avoid in a Dental School Personal Statement

1. Don’t summarize your CV

2. Don’t dwell on negative experiences

4. Don’t submit your dental school personal statement without getting expert feedback

8 Dental School Personal Statement Examples

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College of Dentistry

"The book really focuses on how to make yourself seem more interesting, more human and more like a valuable member of the community. I think that’s what really makes people stand out.”

1. Assemble an Outstanding Application. Creating an application package that is so compelling that it can’t possibly be ignored. This means going beyond application prerequisites such as competitive GPA, required coursework, and dentist shadowing .

4. Map Your Road to Dental School. Deciding on worthwhile extracurriculars and hobbies. Making a seamless and successful transition to dental school.

Succeeding with the Personal Statement

From ADEA Go Dental: What is the personal statement for?

Available on Amazon Now

Your Essential Guide to Dental School Admissions is available in softcover for $14.99 and Kindle for $9.99 on Amazon .

Why be a dentist?

About Anirudha Agnihotry, B.D.S., D.D.S.:

DentalPersonalStatement.com by Dr. Robert Edinger Helping applicants to Dentistry since 1995 [email protected]

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KCL Dentistry Personal Statement Example

KCL Dentistry Personal Statement Example Analysis

INTRODUCTION

Final Thoughts

More Medicine Personal Statement Examples & Inspiration

Chloe Hewitt

Sample Dental Personal Statement — AADSAS

Got accepted to Midwestern University (IL) (Re-applicant with a 2.9 GPA and 19 DAT; Got 5 interviews)

Got accepted to Penn, UCSF, NYU, Pitt, and Rutgers

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Dentistry Personal Statement Examples

What is a Dentistry personal statement?

Successful Dentistry Personal Statement Examples

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Related Personal Statements

this is an excellent personal

hey this is pretty gd stuff,

ok whoa! to tell the truth

Interesting

What about the science bit? I

Problem with the statement

this is very original. the

I hate to mention this to

Dentists Rule!

Good statement

Maybe if you had gone/go to

There is far too much ego

I'm sorry but gues 22:10:47

great help, even though I am

Good, but a little bull?

Ok, being honest... this is

the personal statment is very

help needed

This is one of the brilliant

original opening but...