Application Essay: A Career As A Dentist

Looking back at my time as a dental student, I remember feeling excited to attend classes, labs, and clinics. I loved learning the variety of disciplines; I was certain that the broad scope of practice would be one of the main reasons I would enjoy a career as a general dentist. Several of my classmates felt the exact opposite and were determined to continue on and pursue a dental specialty. I was one of the students who felt it was unnecessary to pursue further education in order to obtain job satisfaction. While this held true for the first few years of my career, I soon realized that I prefer to focus on and perfect a single discipline; and that I possess a set of skills and passions that ensure a career as an Oral and Maxillofacial …show more content…
I was able to maintain my GPA while taking on additional extracurricular responsibilities as class secretary, head of the yearbook and graduation committees, and as a laboratory mentor to junior students. My professors took note of my hard work and dedication, recognizing my potential for a successful career in teaching and research. While in third year, I was approached by the head of the Fixed Prosthodontics Department to consider applying for graduate school and invited to return to the faculty to pursue a career in academics. In addition to this offer, the head of the Pediatric Department also offered an academic position and strongly encouraged me to pursue a career in Pediatric Dentistry. I was the recipient of numerous awards in various areas of the program including overall Clinical Dentistry for the third year of the program. My strength in all aspects of dentistry and my ability to mentor and get along well with my peers and professors was evident. I hope to honour these qualities and pursue an academic career in the field of Oral Radiology in the …show more content…
I was fortunate enough to work at a large group office who could afford the purchase of state of the art equipment and materials. Our office was one of the first in the city Winnipeg to offer digital radiography. In addition, the office purchased a CAD/CAM system for the fabrication of fixed prosthodontics and a cone-beam computed tomography scanner. One particular patient and CBCT scan played a pivotal role. The conventional radiograph was inconclusive and unable to help confirm a definitive diagnosis. However, the image obtained from the CBCT confirmed the root fracture and hopeless prognosis. This was a turning point; I knew where my future career in dentistry was heading. After recognizing this and following my curiosity, I am currently employed at an Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology office. I often loose track of time as I get caught up in the enjoyment of the job. The Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology program at the University of California, Los Angeles would give me the knowledge and skills to continue on the path that feels natural and where I am motivated to learn more and to advance in the