Application Essay: A Career As A Dentist

Improved Essays
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

Related Documents

  • Superior Essays

    Teeth are the first thing that I look at in a person when I meet them so I figured that teeth would be interesting to work with because I mean who wouldn’t want great teeth. With great teeth are people that work in the dental field that help everyone get that perfect smile that they dream for. One group of people that are in the dental field are called dental assistants. As a dental assistant there are many tasks that dental assistants do like prepare patients for teeth treatments, cleanings, and sterilizing instruments.…

    • 1671 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Decent Essays

    Azcom Case Study

    • 450 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Question 1 Why do you believe AZCOM (Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine) would provide you with the type of osteopathic medical education you are seeking? Growing up I have had the opportunity to witness AZCOM transform my three brothers into successful osteopathic physicians. Their journey through Midwestern University, has affirmed this institution’s outstanding qualities in clinical exposure, student-centered faculty, and excellent didactics.…

    • 450 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    What initially stimulated my interest in the field of dental hygiene was doing a research project on the occupation of a dental hygienist while I was in high school. From doing the project, I learned the tasks, years of education, hours, and salary of a dental hygienist which further intrigued my interest in the field. When I was younger, I had braces and learned that I would need jaw surgery, which made me more curious about the dental field. The more research and experiences I encountered in this field, the more I knew I wanted to be a dental hygienist. My desire to be a dental hygienist has increased as I’ve participated with professionals and observed a broad range of procedures.…

    • 1915 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Currently, I am satisfied with my decision to change from a general dentist to a dental hygienist. I have learned so much about oral care and hygiene and I am now aware that we are a big part in making a difference in our patients. A dental hygienist is able to sit and talk more with the patient and build trust and a relationship. From there many patients are influenced by us as they learn how their oral cavity and the rest of their body can be linked and negatively affected if proper care is not taken. The career has many different…

    • 827 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    When and why did decide you become to a dental hygienist? I have been interested in dentistry for as long as I can remember. I began my journey as a pre-dental student at Western Washington University. During my first quarter, I got the chance to speak with a team from one of the local dental clinics for almost 4 hours. After learning about what being a dentist included and chatting with the dental hygienist at the clinic for about half of my time spent in their clinic, I realized that dental hygiene was perfect for me.…

    • 861 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    As I entered into my sophomore year of high school, my future aspirations all began with one simple choice that unexpectedly turned into one of the most drastic decisions I had made yet. After my freshman year, I started attending a career academy, Carl Wunsche Sr. High School, where I chose Dental Hygiene as my career pathway. After making this choice, I had no idea how much of the spectrum of dental hygiene I would be experiencing for the next couple years of my life. I performed hands-on practicals, as well as volunteering at a continuing education course for Dental Hygienists. Progressively, I took part as a participant of a regional and state Dental spelling bee.…

    • 842 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Dental Hygienist: The Tooth Fairy “ Blessed are they who hold lively conversations with the helplessly mute, for they shall be called dentists.” - Ann Landers. While i was laying in a dental chair my dental hygienist kept asking me questions, obviously i couldn’t reply due to a drill that kept me from speaking. Anyone can be a dental hygienist, and by examining these topics there will be a clearer image of what it’s like to be a dental hygienist.…

    • 598 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Dental Hygienist Essay

    • 748 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The career I am researching is a dental hygienist. Although my NCC career interest results did not suggest this career for me, it is still something I am passionate about and want to pursue for the rest of my life. Dental hygiene is located in the Health Science field under the Nebraska Career Connections diagram, and is specifically identified as a “Therapeutic Service.” Dental hygiene has been around since the late 1800s, and is still evolving today, due to new technological advancements. Dental hygiene work began in the 1880s, when women given the title “dental nurses” were hired by a man named Alfred C. Fones, and began treating people's’ teeth in an attempt to prevent disease.…

    • 748 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    Thinking back on my elementary school years, I have vivid memories experiencing curiosity for my own, as well as my classmates’ “wiggly teeth.” Ever since then, my interest in dentistry has grown exponentially. It is clear to me that dental health is the career path I want to pursue in the hopes of ultimately becoming a dentist. I want to be a dental hygienist with the academic background to apply to dental school in my future. Last summer I was able to job shadow a dental hygienist.…

    • 244 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    So, by the time I graduate college with an associate degree I will be able to find a job pretty soon. Starting this summer, I’m planning to shadow at a dental office to get an idea of what I’ll be doing. This also helps me decide whether I really want to be a dental…

    • 424 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    I hope to further my career within the dental care sector and with my dedication and compassion I believe…

    • 575 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Working in a dental office for 5 years and experiencing first hand the life of a dental hygienist, has expanded my dreams to pursue this career. I am so intrigued and excited about dentistry, as well as the experience of helping others by relieving their pain as well as fixing their dental problems. Another great aspect of being apart of this field is to help others achicive confidence in their smiles. Making a difference in peoples lives is what drives me in life. On a daily basis, I see people come in and out of the office with complete transformation in there happiness.…

    • 594 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    What is the secret to being a successful and effective dental assistant? Being a successful dental assistant is very important because the dentist and the patient counts on the dental assistant to do his or her best to do what they are supposed to do and excel at it. The way the assistant performs is a key factor in the dental office. If a dental assistant doesn’t perform successfully and effective, the patient may not like the assistant and may choose a different dental office or ask for a different dental assistant. Also if the dental assistant doesn’t perform successfully and effective, the procedures that are done during the patients visit can be compromised.…

    • 605 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Decent Essays

    I am a knowledgeable and empathetic person and I have always been interested in working in the healthcare field. I am passionate about helping others and particularly enjoy the immediate and rewarding results that dentistry provides. I am determined to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences here at UW Parkside and go on to untimely earn my doctoral degree in dentistry with a goal of working within my community to serve others. Throughout the last 6 years I have been consistently working in the dental field as a dental assistant with many demanding responsibilities.…

    • 328 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Orthodontist Career Essay

    • 1143 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Everyone in life has thought about what they want to do to survive for the rest of their life. Sometimes things don’t go as planned or people just simply think that wanting to be a lawyer from Harvard is just simple impossible. That is a dream that can almost satisfy anyone, I recently took a personality test that shows what type of person I am and what career would be best for me. The careers that I would like to pursue would to be an Orthodontist, Lawyer and a teacher, all great careers that were recommended for me. Where I really can actually see myself excelling at occupation wise, is at being an orthodontist I was so ecstatic when I found out that the personality test had recommended that for me.…

    • 1143 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays