professional personal statement dentist

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.

>> Want us to help you get accepted? Schedule a free initial consultation here <<

Listen to the blog!

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.

Want more free tips? Subscribe to our channels for more free and useful content!

Apple Podcasts

Like our blog? Write for us ! >>

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!

Get Started Now

Talk to one of our admissions experts

Our site uses cookies. By using our website, you agree with our cookie policy .

FREE Training Webinar:

How to make your dental school application stand out, (and avoid the top 5 mistakes that get most rejected).

Time Sensitive. Limited Spots Available:

We guarantee you'll get accepted to dental school or you don't pay.

Swipe up to see a great offer!

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.

Information for:

Application Prep
Personal statement

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.

Although there is no set of rules mandating what a strong personal statement should include, here are a few tips to help you successfully craft a winning personal statement:

Explain a defining moment that helped steer you toward a career in dentistry. Consider using that moment as the focal point of your essay.
Be colorful, positive, imaginative and personal when discussing why you’re a good candidate for dental school. Ask yourself—in a pile of 100 applications, would I enjoy reading my statement? Be sure to convey your passion for dentistry in your statement.
Be yourself. Don’t use jargon, clichés or big phrases that you would not use in daily conversation. Remember, dental schools want to know about the real you.
Be original and thoughtful: Discuss how you would contribute to the profession and patient care, all of which will help you stand out from other applicants.
Tell your story—make sure the essay is your story, not someone else’s.
Recruit a friend. Ask a friend, relative or faculty advisor to read your essay and provide constructive criticism. Ask them to think about whether the essay is a good representation of your character, and what they know of your ideals and aspirations.
Give yourself time to organize your thoughts, write well and edit as necessary. And don’t forget to proofread, proofread, proofread!

Here are a few things to avoid when writing your personal statement:

Writing what you think the admissions committee wants to hear.
Using a gimmicky style or format.
Summarizing your resume or repeating information directly from your transcripts or recommendation letters.
Emphasizing the negative.
Waiting until the last minute to get started on your statement.

Dentistry Personal Statement Examples

Last updated: 05/10/2022

Is Medicine Right for Me?
What do Doctors do?
The Daily Life of a Doctor
How to apply to medical school
Different Routes into Medicine
Factors to Consider
Medicine at Oxford and Cambridge
Your Fifth UCAS Choice
Getting Your Grades
Extra-curricular Activities
What is the UCAT?
Preparing for Your UCAT Test Day
After Your UCAT
BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT)
Work Experience and Dental Schools
NHS Work Experience
Personal Statement
Medicine PS Examples
Dentistry PS Examples
UCAS References
Medical and Dental School Interviews
Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs)
Medical School Interview Questions
Dental School Interview Questions
Graduate Entry Courses
Foundation and Access Courses
International students
Taking a Gap Year
Medicine in Australia and NZ
Medicine in Ireland Medicine in Eastern Europe
Other Roles in Healthcare
What Our "Plan B" Looked Like

The personal statement is changing to a series of free text questions for 2026 entry onwards, however it remains unchanged for 2025 entry. Keep an eye on our live updates page for guidance on these changes.

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.

Medify's Personal Statement Course

Looking for more dentistry personal statement examples? Our Personal Statement Course has over 100 personal statement examples, plus in-depth tutorials and guidance from admissions experts.

Lost for words?

Need a helping hand?

Create a ready-to-submit PS in 3 days

Find your voice with medify’s ps course.

Personal Statement Examples for Medicine

Admissions References

—Get into Medical School

online courses

Guides & information, useful links & resources.

AI Content Shield
AI KW Research
AI Assistant
SEO Optimizer
AI KW Clustering
Customer reviews
The NLO Revolution
Press Center
Help Center
Content Resources
Facebook Group

Writing Dental School Personal Statements That Inspires

Table of Contents

A well-written personal statement can be the cherry on top of your dental school application. It’s the perfect opportunity to tell the admissions committee more about you and why you’re worth a spot in their program.

If you need an extra dose of inspiration for your statement, we’ve got the perfect dental school personal statement samples just for you.

Aside from these winning samples, we’ll also be sharing some quick tips that will guide you in the writing process. Unlike your resume or profile, your personal statement goes deeper into who you are, your goals, and your interests. So don’t be afraid to get real!

Why Your Personal Statement Matters

A personal statement allows the admissions committee to get to know the applicant beyond their academic record. It can be used to highlight any unique experiences or qualifications that the applicant has .

Maybe you’re fluent in multiple languages or have experience working with underserved populations. These are all great details that can make your application stand out.

Your statement is also an opportunity to discuss why you’re interested in pursuing a career in dentistry and what led you to this field. Bring a good dentist is more than just good grades and standardized test scores. It’s also about your motivation and how you will serve others and make a significant difference in the lives of our patients.

A dentist talking to his patient while pointing to a dental x-ray.

Dental School Personal Statement Samples

I have always been interested in the field of dentistry and how it can improve people’s lives. I am fascinated by how dental work can restore someone’s smile and confidence. Aside from that, I also love working with my hands, and dentistry would be a perfect fit.

In high school, I was involved in several extracurricular activities, including theatre and robotics club. My experience with robotics has taught me how to take things apart and put them back together again. I think this will come in handy as a dentist!

I’ve always known that I wanted to be a dentist. When I was younger, my parents would take me to the dentist’s office for checkups. I loved playing in the waiting room and watching the doctors work on their patient’s teeth. It seemed like such an interesting and important job.

As I got older, I realized that being a dentist isn’t just about fixing teeth. It’s about helping people maintain their oral health so they can have healthy mouths for years to come. That’s why I want to be a dentist myself – to help others achieve good dental health and improve their overall quality of life.

I’m confident that with my passion for dentistry and strong academic record, makes me a good fit for this program. And once I am accepted into dental school, nothing will stand in my way of becoming a successful dentist!

In pursuing dentistry, I have recognized a unique opportunity to help others while also developing my skills. Dentistry has always interested me because it is both analytical and creative, requiring the effective application of scientific principles and an appreciation for aesthetics.

Growing up in a family of healthcare professionals, I was constantly exposed to the positive impact that medicine can have on people’s lives. My mother is a registered nurse, and my father is a pharmacist – both of whom inspired me with their dedication to helping others. Being someone who wants to make meaningful contributions in life, pursuing dentistry feels like the perfect choice.

In addition to my clinical interest in dentistry, I am passionate about research and education. During my undergraduate study at McGill University, I worked extensively on campus researching new methods for diagnosing dental caries and periodontal disease. In addition, I taught oral health promotion programs to junior high school students throughout Montreal. These experiences confirmed my desire to provide treatment and educate patients about how they can improve their oral health outcomes. This combination of clinical experience and educational outreach makes me ideally suited for a career in dentistry .

Quick Tips For Writing a Winning Personal Statement

Start with an attention-grabbing opening sentence.
Be specific and personal in your statements about why you want to pursue dentistry as a career.
Demonstrate that you have done your research on dental schools and the profession of dentistry overall.
Highlight any relevant experience or volunteer work you have done in the field of dentistry or healthcare, generally speaking.
Don’t forget to make sure your grammar, spelling, and punctuation are all correct. Nothing says sloppy than writing that’s full of errors!

Final Words

Your personal statement details your motivation for the field and your experiences that reflect your personal qualities. It can show a different side of you that they won’t be able to see in your application.

Hopefully, these winning dental school personal statement samples have given you the inspiration you need to make a stand-out statement. Good luck!

Writing Dental School Personal Statements That Inspires

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

Explore All Write Personal Statement Articles

How to draft meaningful length of law school personal statement.

Are you confused on how to write a law school personal statement? One of the essential elements of your application…

Write Personal Statement

Effective History and International Relations Personal Statement to Try

Are you considering studying history and international relations? Or you may be curious about what a degree in this field…

Guide to Quality Global Management Personal Statement

Are you applying for a global management program and want to stand out from the crowd? A well-written personal statement…

How to Draft Better Examples of Personal Statements for Residency

Achieving a residency can be a massive accomplishment for any aspiring medical professional. To secure your spot in one of…

Tips for Drafting a Free Example of Personal History Statement

A personal history statement can be crucial to many applications, from university admissions to job search processes. This blog will…

Writing Compelling Dietetic Internship Personal Statement

Applying for a dietetic internship is a rigorous process and requires submitting a personal statement, which is an essential part…

Writing a personal statement for dental schools

Is what I’m writing too personal or not personal enough? Should I be writing more about teeth? How do I shorten my personal statement without omitting important details? Am I even answering the prompt!?

Writing a personal statement can be an intimidating step in the application process for dental school. I remember reading dozens of example essays online trying to find the “perfect one” that would inspire me and guide my writing so that I would end up with a personal statement that could sum up my entire personality and life goals in just 4,500 characters. The reality is that trying to display who you are and the experiences that make you who you are in one page can be daunting and challenging. But is not impossible! Passion is something that can be detected through writing, so make sure to write about something that you are passionate about and it will be evident to the reader. A common misconception is that your dental school personal statement should be a list of dental experiences or how much you know about dentistry. Although you should be answering the question “why dentistry," the main objective is to paint a picture of who you are and what led you to pursue this career. So, where do you start?

Here are 3 tips on writing a personal statement that will make you stand out:

1. always keep the prompt in mind.

The personal statement prompt for dental admission usually doesn’t change and is posted on the ADEA website as the following:

“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.”

Make sure that every sentence- every word- you write serves the purpose of answering the question above. If you find yourself writing about something that you feel doesn’t answer the prompt in one way or another, then it doesn’t belong in your PS. The allotted characters are concise and don’t allow for fluff or fillers. Once you have understood the prompt and the message you want to get across to admissions, then picking your words and what you want to share is made easier.

2. It is okay to be vulnerable

If there is a life changing moment that you believe ties in to why you are pursuing dentistry, then don’t feel shy to write about it. We all have vulnerable moments, and you might be on the fence on whether to include those moments or not. My advice is to go for it! These moments give the reader a chance to get to know you outside of an academic context. In a pile of 1,000s of essays, you want the reader to connect with you, stories of vulnerability help make that connection.

3. If you talk about an adverse event, make sure to write an ending

Many applicants do a great job at setting the scene to their stories but forget to write the ending! Let’s say, for example, that I write about the time I worked at a bakery (I wish!) and had many complex orders that needed to be done by the end of the day. I write about how difficult the task was and how impossible it first seemed. Then, I write that I was able to finish everything up and felt good about it. There are many things missing that highlight the significance of why I am writing this story. If you write about a certain experience in a story format, it should answer some of these questions:

What have I learned from this experience and how can I implement it to answering the prompt?
What skills (leadership) traits did I gain from this experience?
In adverse times, what/ who do I find myself turning to? And why?
What did I learn about myself through this experience?

By adding dimension and reflection to your stories, the reader will have a better understanding of who you are and how you react to difficult situations. Remember, this point circles back to tip #1: always keep the prompt in mind. By showing growth through your experiences, you demonstrate the resilience that you have that is needed to get through dental school!

Hoda is a dental student at Harvard School of Dental Medicine. She previously earned a BS in Biological Sciences with minors in Chemistry and Psychology at the University of Illinois in Chicago, graduating summa cum laude.

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.

Dental School Personal Statements

The personal statement allows you to demonstrate the thinking, strengths and values that are the foundation of your choice of a dental career and make you a strong candidate. When someone finishes reading your statement, that person should sense that you have the potential to be a great clinician and want to talk to you more about your experiences and career plans.

ADEA limits the statement to 4,500 characters, including spaces.

Graduate & Professional School Advising at Career Services offers Personal Statement presentations in the spring to help you get started and go over the basics.

After completing a draft of your essay:

Read it one last time to proofread, check for word choice, and assess the tone.
Submit your draft into the documents section of your Handshake profile by clicking on your name.
Schedule a “ Pre-Health Personal Statement Review ” video appointment with your advisor (either Mia Carpiniello or Caroline Wilky) via the “Appointments” section of Handshake .

Important Notes:

At the time of your appoinment, please visit the BlueJean video conference room with the appropriate advisor: Mia Carpiniello: bluejeans.com/miacarp or Dr. Caroline Wilky: bluejeans.com/cwilky .
Select “JOIN WITH BROWSER” at the bottom of the page to open the meeting within your web browser. It is YOUR responsibility to initiate a call at the time of your appointment.
Each applicant is allowed a maximum of two reviews of their personal statement by a Pre-Health Advisor. These two reviews must be with the same Pre-Health Advisor.
The last day to submit your draft and schedule an appointment is May 22. These appointments will be available until the end of May.
If a draft is not received before you schedule an appointment, your personal statement review request will be declined.
These reviews cannot be rescheduled but if you need to cancel your appointment, the cancelled appointment will count as one review.
To maximize the quality of our feedback and your opportunity to write an effective essay, we will not “proofread” or “edit” your draft — we will provide you with a focused reader response to assist you with your revision process.

Your browser is unsupported

We recommend using the latest version of IE11, Edge, Chrome, Firefox or Safari.

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?

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.

Crafting Personal Statements

A personal statement provides an opportunity to share your unique story with a reader; it highlights your strengths, interests, and aspirations while supporting your statements with experiences from your personal, academic, and professional background. Your personal statement should:

Summarize your career goals: what brought you to this pursuit?
Use detailed examples to illustrate your points.
Share what you know about your program of interest and why you chose to apply: feel free to refer to the curriculum, faculty you hope to work with and learn from as well as research or para-professional opportunities the program provides.

Visit Boston University Dental Career Network (BUDCN) to access the most up-to-date guides and workshop materials.

Use your BU student email to login. Don’t remember your password? Email [email protected] for a new one.

Personal Statement Examples for Dentists: 5 INSPIRATIONS

The path to a career in dentistry is paved with numerous milestones, with the crafting of a personal statement for dental school applications being one of the most pivotal. This document is far more than a simple formality; it represents a unique opportunity for candidates to convey their passion, experiences, and aspirations in the field of dentistry. Through this narrative, aspiring dental professionals can differentiate themselves, showcasing not just their academic prowess but also their personal journey and commitment to the field.

A well-crafted personal statement does more than list achievements and qualifications; it weaves a story that resonates with the admissions committee. It highlights the candidate’s understanding of the profession’s challenges and rewards and reflects their readiness to embark on this demanding yet fulfilling career path. The statement should encapsulate the essence of why they aspire to be a dentist, integrating both personal experiences and professional aspirations.

In this context, we explore five key inspirations derived from standout personal statement examples. Each inspiration serves as a beacon, guiding prospective dental students in crafting narratives that are both authentic and compelling. These inspirations are not just themes but are reflective of real experiences and insights that have shaped individuals’ decisions to pursue dentistry. By delving into these inspirations, candidates can find the building blocks to construct a personal statement that not only meets the criteria of dental schools but also captures their unique voice and journey.

Inspiration 1: Overcoming Challenges

In the realm of dentistry, the journey of an aspiring professional is often marked by overcoming challenges, a theme that resonates deeply in many impactful personal statements. Resilience, a quality indispensable in the dental profession, is frequently highlighted through narratives of personal trials and triumphs.

An example that stands out in many personal statements is dealing with an unexpected setback, such as a sports injury, that leads to a profound realization about the importance of dental care. This type of story serves a dual purpose. Firstly, it demonstrates the candidate’s resilience and ability to bounce back from adversity. Secondly, it provides a unique perspective on the importance of dental health, potentially sparking a newfound passion for the field.

Such experiences underscore the significance of timely and effective dental care, an aspect that candidates often link to their decision to pursue dentistry. They narrate how these incidents not only shaped their understanding of the dental profession but also instilled a sense of purpose and dedication towards providing care.

Furthermore, overcoming challenges isn’t confined to personal experiences. Many candidates draw inspiration from observing the challenges faced by others, including societal issues related to dental healthcare. For instance, understanding the disparities in dental health access and the impact this has on communities can be a powerful motivator for pursuing a career in dentistry. It highlights a candidate’s awareness of broader issues in the field and their desire to contribute to positive change.

For additional insights into the complexities and nuances of the dental profession, candidates can explore resources like the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) , which provides a comprehensive guide on dental education. Delving into professional ethics, a crucial aspect of dental practice, can be further enriched by consulting the Dental Ethics Journal . Moreover, understanding the public health aspect of dentistry, including its challenges and opportunities, is crucial. Resources such as the National Health Service (NHS) Dentistry website offer valuable information in this regard.

In crafting their personal statements, candidates should aim to intertwine their personal experiences with a broader understanding of the field, demonstrating not just their resilience but also their comprehension of and commitment to the world of dentistry.

Inspiration 2: The Role of Family Influence and Autonomy

The influence of family in career choices, especially in professions like dentistry, is a prevalent theme in many personal statements. This aspect becomes particularly compelling when family members are already established in the dental field. The key to a successful narrative here lies in acknowledging this familial influence while emphasizing personal autonomy in the decision to pursue dentistry.

Many candidates recount stories of growing up in a household where dental practice was a part of everyday life. They speak of early exposure to dental clinics, discussions about patient care at dinner tables, and the firsthand witnessing of the joys and challenges of the profession. This background undoubtedly shapes their understanding and appreciation of the field.

However, a compelling statement doesn’t just end with acknowledging this influence. It goes a step further to assert the candidate’s own, independent decision to become a dentist. It’s about finding one’s own path in a landscape familiar yet uncharted. This narrative thread showcases a candidate’s maturity, their ability to assess their personal goals, and their commitment to the profession, not just as a family legacy but as a personal choice.

In these narratives, candidates often describe moments of epiphany or experiences that made them realize dentistry is not just a family tradition but their personal calling. This could be an encounter with a patient, a volunteer experience, or a moment of clarity during an academic pursuit. These experiences, distinct from their family’s influence, solidify their desire to pursue this path.

Inspiration 3: The Intersection of Passion and Profession

The intersection of personal passions with professional aspirations is a potent theme in many personal statements for dental school. Candidates often illustrate how their hobbies or interests outside of academia play a pivotal role in shaping their approach to dentistry.

For instance, a candidate with a passion for art or sculpture might draw parallels between the fine motor skills required in their hobby and those needed in dental procedures. They might talk about how their attention to detail, developed through hours of intricate artwork, translates seamlessly into the precision required in dentistry.

Similarly, those with a background in sports might relate the discipline, teamwork, and resilience required in athletics to the demands of a dental career. They might describe how being a team player in sports translates to effective collaboration in dental practices or how the perseverance needed to excel in sports is akin to the dedication required in long dental procedures or complex patient cases.

Some candidates find a connection between their love for science and the technical aspects of dentistry. They describe how their curiosity and passion for understanding biological processes fuel their enthusiasm for dental procedures and patient care.

In these narratives, the key is to demonstrate a genuine and natural convergence of personal interests with professional goals. This not only makes the statement more authentic but also provides a deeper insight into the candidate’s personality and potential as a future dentist. By articulating how their unique passions complement and enhance their dental aspirations, candidates can create a memorable and impactful statement that stands out in the competitive field of dental school admissions.

Diving Deeper into Personal Development and Ethics

Inspiration 4: community service and ethical considerations.

Community service plays a pivotal role in shaping the ethical compass of an aspiring dentist. These experiences often feature prominently in personal statements, highlighting a candidate’s commitment to social responsibility and ethical practice in dentistry.

Engaging in community service, especially in underserved areas, provides practical insights into the disparities in dental healthcare . This exposure is crucial in understanding the broader impact of dental health on overall well-being.
Many candidates recount their volunteer experiences, such as organizing free dental camps or participating in dental brigades in remote areas. These stories not only demonstrate their compassion and empathy but also their dedication to bringing dental care to those who need it most.

Ethical considerations in dentistry go beyond the clinical aspect and delve into the moral obligations towards patients and society. A profound understanding of these ethical dimensions is essential for any aspiring dentist.

Personal statements often reflect on ethical dilemmas encountered during community service, such as addressing the needs of a diverse patient population or making difficult decisions in resource-limited settings.
Candidates use these experiences to showcase their ability to navigate complex ethical scenarios, emphasizing their readiness for the multifaceted challenges of a dental career.

Inspiration 5: Professionalism and Practical Experience

Professionalism and practical experience are cornerstones of a successful dental career. In their personal statements, candidates often illustrate how their hands-on experiences have shaped their professional outlook and reinforced their commitment to the field.

Shadowing experiences in dental clinics provide a window into the daily life of a dentist. Candidates often share how these experiences have honed their interpersonal skills , clinical acumen , and understanding of patient care .
Working in dental labs, participating in research projects, or assisting in dental procedures are other common themes. These experiences underscore the candidate’s dedication to gaining practical skills and knowledge in dentistry.

A strong emphasis is also placed on the development of soft skills , such as communication, empathy, and teamwork, which are crucial for a successful dentist.

Candidates often discuss situations where they had to communicate effectively with patients, work collaboratively with dental teams, or demonstrate compassion in challenging circumstances.
These narratives not only showcase their clinical competencies but also their ability to connect with patients and colleagues, an essential trait in any healthcare profession.

Incorporating these elements into a personal statement paints a comprehensive picture of the candidate. It shows not just their aspiration to become a dentist but also their preparedness for the practical and ethical dimensions of the profession.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What should be included in a dentist’s personal statement.

A dentist’s personal statement should include:

Personal Experiences: Highlight experiences that inspired your choice to pursue dentistry.
Skills and Qualities: Emphasize skills like empathy, precision, and a strong work ethic.
Career Goals: Discuss your long-term goals and how they align with the field of dentistry.
Unique Aspects: Mention any unique aspects of your background or experiences that make you stand out.

How Can I Make My Dental School Application Stand Out?

To make your dental school application stand out:

Academic Excellence: Maintain a strong academic record, especially in science courses.
Dental Experience: Gain experience through shadowing, internships, or volunteering in dental settings.
Community Involvement: Show involvement in community service, highlighting any leadership roles.
Personal Narrative: Craft a compelling personal statement that reflects your passion for dentistry.

What Are Common Mistakes in Dental School Personal Statements?

Common mistakes in dental school personal statements include:

Clichés and Generalities: Avoid overused phrases and vague statements.
Lack of Focus: Keep your statement focused on why you want to pursue dentistry.
Neglecting Personal Touch: Ensure your statement reflects your personal journey and experiences.
Ignoring Structure: Organize your statement clearly with an introduction, body, and conclusion.

How Important Are Extracurricular Activities for Dental School?

Extracurricular activities are important for dental school as they:

Demonstrate Well-roundedness: Show that you have interests and skills beyond academics.
Reflect Character: Highlight your leadership, teamwork, and community involvement.
Offer Relevant Experience: Include activities related to healthcare or dentistry if possible.

Can I Mention Challenges I’ve Overcome in My Personal Statement?

Yes, mentioning challenges you’ve overcome in your personal statement is beneficial as it:

Shows Resilience: Demonstrates your ability to overcome obstacles and persist in your goals.
Adds Depth: Provides a deeper understanding of your character and motivation.
Relates to Dentistry: Challenges related to dentistry can underscore your commitment to the field.

Crafting a personal statement for dental school is a journey that requires introspection, honesty, and a deep understanding of one’s motivations and experiences. It’s an opportunity to showcase not just your academic achievements but also your unique story, your resilience, and your unwavering commitment to the field of dentistry. Your statement should be a reflection of your journey, highlighting the moments that have shaped your decision to pursue this noble profession.

In writing your personal statement, remember to weave a narrative that is both authentic and engaging. Share experiences that demonstrate your understanding of the field, your empathy for patients, and your readiness to take on the challenges and responsibilities of a dentist. Highlight your dedication through stories of community service, your ethical approach to patient care, and your hands-on experiences in the dental world.

Your statement should not only address your qualifications but also provide a glimpse into who you are as a person – your passions, your aspirations, and your vision for the future as a dental professional. It’s about striking a balance between professional achievements and personal growth, between academic excellence and human compassion.

In the end, your personal statement is your voice in the competitive arena of dental school admissions. It’s your chance to stand out, to be more than just grades and qualifications. Make it count by infusing it with your personality, your experiences, and your dreams. Let it be a testament to your dedication to a career in dentistry, a career that promises not just personal fulfillment but also the opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of others.

What is the Difference Between a Dentist and an Associate Dentist?

How Much Does a Dental Associate Make?

DentalPersonalStatement.com by Dr. Robert Edinger [email protected]

Personal Statement Enhancement for Admission to Dental School, International Dentists, Residency Positions, Recommendation Letters, Disadvantaged Status, Endodontics, Orthodontics, OMFS, Oral Hygiene, Pediatric Dentistry, Periodontics, Prosthodontics - Dental School Personal Statement Samples, Professional Writing and Editing

Service

Thanks for submitting!

Letter of Recommendation

CV/Resume Editing

Dental School Personal Statement Writing and Editing Service - 24 Hour Turnaround for Premium Clients

I invite you to fill out my Interview Form at this link. Even if you have a draft, the information on the interview form is often helpful and serves as the basis for me to make creative improvements to the statement. I spend more time with the statement for my premium service customers at US$299.00 ; this is especially true when it comes to making major contributions to creative ideas. My standard service at US$199.00 is for clients who already have a well-developed draft that they need to have tweaked. My premium service is for those clients who want my ultimate effort and further revision after making changes.

Apr 5, 2020

Periodontology Residency Personal Statement Examples

Updated: Jan 31

writing and editing for periodontists, professional service, examples

Being accepted to your distinguished Residency Program in Periodontology will inspire and enable me to become a leader in my chosen field in my country, Saudi Arabia. Twenty-seven years old, I am a Saudi woman dentist who could not be more passionate about Periodontology, and I look forward to teaching here in the KSA as well as practicing in this area for many decades to come, honoring my profession through constant labor and research to advance our level of patient care in my country.

I seek to practice on the forefront of my field and become a model for others to follow in the Middle East through my mastery of surgical procedures associated with all facets of Periodontology. Accepting and completing a Residency Program in Periodontology in the USA will provide me with the professional foundation I need to teach Periodontology in Saudi Arabia to interns and new residents in Dentistry. Together, we will be able to significantly improve Saudi oral healthcare structures and practices for many years to come.

I look forward to a long and productive future where I give my all as a widely recognized and highly respected consultant in Periodontics in the KSA - on the forefront of my field as a Periodontist certified by the American Board of Periodontology . In particular, I look forward to filling leadership roles in dentistry at the King Fahad Armed Forces Hospital, where I currently serve. I want to return upon completing your program.

A swift learner, I am also highly motivated and could not be more committed to my profession and patient service. An accomplished and practiced team player, I live to learn anything and everything related to dentistry, especially Periodontology.

I have worked as a general dentist for almost three years in the King Fahad Armed Forces Hospital, treating many challenging cases under the supervision of our great consultants. My patients include medically compromised patients in our dental department, coordinating their medical doctors.

I am very much enthralled by and engaged with esthetic considerations in periodontology. I hope to distinguish myself in Implant Dentistry. At the same time, I devote my professional life to Periodontal Surgery, continuing to thrive on the constant, rapid advances being made in these fields. I hope to earn a master's degree and become board certified in Implantology and Periodontology. I also spend a lot of time with emerging, innovative research in immunity.

As a volunteer ever since I was in high school, I have spent countless hours working for dozens of causes and non-profit organizations, including Orphan International Day, International World Health Day, World Without Tobacco, International Downs Syndrome Day, the Al-Jawhara AlIbrahim Center of Excellence in Hereditary Disorders, and at the Day Dental Examination and Treatment during visits of the mobile clinic. Before studying dentistry, I spent much of my vacation visiting hospitals and cheering up critically ill patients.

I feel strongly that I have the right combination of high energy and dedication to truly excel in Periodontics if allowed to prove myself in your competitive and rigorous program since I now have extensive experience as a general dentist working long hours under demanding circumstances, in addition to my internship year that introduced me to a broad diversity of hospital settings, patients, and challenging cases.

I thank you for considering my application to your program.

#personalstatement #editing #periodontology #periodontics #residency

Dental Residency Statement

Get Profile Help From Dental School Personal Statement Writing Service

Our guarantees for your dental personal statement

Putting the accent on quality is a step toward success.

Fill out a questionnaire to provide any specific instructions you want to add. We use this information to write new, unique dental school personal statement in accordance with your needs and the specific admission case.

We take school application standards and rules seriously, and our writers will always ensure your dental application personal statement fulfills all the committee's requirements, including formatting, content, structure, and more.

We understand that each program has unique characteristics and that highlighting them shows your commitment to joining. So, through research and expertise, we’ll tailor every doc to recognize each program’s unique features.

Stay in touch with your author 24 hours a day. Check the draft, brainstorm ideas, suggest changes, etc. Use Customer Area to communicate directly via private chat and work together to improve your personal statement.

Do you need to change something in your personal statement dental? You will have two weeks to do so for free! Make as many changes as needed to achieve superior quality and ensure your school application doc stands out.

We have a dependable money-back policy that protects your funds. We’ll return your money if there are any order problems we can’t fix. You’ll also receive a refund if you change your mind and do not download the personal statement.

Letter of Recommendation

Application Resume/CV

Waiver Request Letter

Statement of Purpose

Personal Statement

Admission Essay

Eliminate the burden by delegating the grueling process to us.

Meet our personal statement dental school authors

Rely on our proficient authors who specialize in admissions to various programs and directions.

Graham excels at personal statements for dental school of any complexity and for any program. He is passionate about writing, attentively works to include all the details, and does everything to help you enter the university. His exceptional writing skills allow you to be free from all hesitations and stop worrying about the quality of your essay.

Educational administration, coaching, business education, and plenty of other educative areas are not a problem for Robert. His skills would allow him to write scientific works, but he decided to work on personal statements instead. Every task that is assigned to this author turns into a true masterpiece of writing.

Jenny enjoys writing about virology, epidemiology, microbiology, and many other areas of biological and biomedical science. She carefully studies all the information to ensure the text contains only the most important facts and meets 100% of the given requirements. Getting your dental personal statement for school composed by her will definetely lead you to success.

Vanessa is a master of words who will produce a flawless personal statement and convey all the passion you have for the field and a particular school vividly. Be ready that she will get the job done on time or even ahead of schedule and that your expectations will be exceeded!

Customers about our help with a personal statement for dental school

I definitely have never been able to achieve such quality by myself. Impeccable work, very professional writer!

Nicely written statement. I'm sure I will succeed with this now.

I'm glad I chose your service to get my personal statement done. Thank you!

Good service, great pricing, excellent quality.

Thank you for your work!

That is a very good personal statement. I couldn't expect less.

This statement totally surpassed my expectations. Nice job.

Awesome personal statement. Nothing else to add.

How do we work on dental school personal statements

Place an order using a simple order form to share your instructions with us, and click on the payment button! If you want to receive a maximally customized personal statement for dental school, you need to provide us with as many details about your application as possible, e.g. your accomplishments, the chosen school, the admission committee’s requirements, etc. It is suggested that you consider our Questionnaire with special attention. Download it, fill it out, and add this file to the completed form. Please note that any data that clients submit is kept in strict privacy. Any personal information stays confidential and protected at any point.

When the payment process is finished, your expert will immediately get started with your personal statement dental school. Set your mind at rest because each transaction is highly secure. Moreover, each client receives a transaction confirmation by email.

As soon as we know your payment went through, we'll quickly send you the info you need to log into your Customer Area. You can change your password to make logging in easier. In your Customer Area, you can communicate anonymously with your writer and our support team. Plus, you can download the finished dental school personal statements there, ask for changes, or place new orders.

We'll keep you updated through email or messages. Once your document is finished, our Quality Department will check to ensure it meets all requirements. Then, you can download the final version from your Customer Area. We guarantee your dental school personal statement will be ready on time! If you need any changes made to your document, just let us know within 14 days, and our editors will quickly take care of it.

Select the most comfortable option of being notified about your current document status!

Get in touch with the expert, download essays, and request new documents effortlessly.

Turn to our support managers whenever you have any issues dealing with your application doc!

What is a Dental Residency Personal Statement in a Few Words

A dental residency personal statement is a written document prepared by an individual to apply to the chosen institution (in this case – dental school). Use this document to demonstrate enthusiasm and show what benefits you can give to the university is important. A properly written dental school application personal statement should convince institution officials to make an offer and let you join the preferred school. To make your writing clear and convincing, take the following steps:

Brainstorm your choice and how it fits your future ambitions.
Think about any of your related academic and professional experiences.
Identify why you are interested in the school and how it aligns with your goals.
Think about your potential contribution to the field in the chosen program particularly.
Find out your specialized skills, knowledge, and relevant backgrounds that may come in handy when composing your personal statement.

Be consistent and clear when preparing your personal statement dental school. Instead of chaotically moving from one block of information to another, be consistent and clear. There’s too little space to reflect on all your academic achievements. Focus on several main experiences and how the program can help in your future development.

How to Write a Personal Statement for Dental School

You succeed with your dental school application only if you present an outstanding doc that will make officials open the doors for you. Still, to make an excellent self-presentation and fill a blank sheet with all the needed information, you should know how to write a personal statement for dental school. Let’s move forward and highlight the major points that should be in your document.

The personal statement consists of three main parts, each part should provide the necessary information to the readers.

An introduction gives a memorable opening and reveals unique facts about you.

Committee members read dozens of dental school personal statements during the application cycle, and most stories are built in the same manner. You should give something unusual. Tell a story that motivated you to choose a path of becoming a dentist. This will draw attention and make you stand out from the rest of the candidates, making officials follow your story.

The body part is aimed to illustrate your path in dentistry, mentioning unique experiences, accomplishments, and even challenges and setbacks.

It won’t be wrong to mention your failures in a personal statement dental school. Each failure taught you a unique lesson that will help you become a better dental specialist. If you were able to overcome tough challenges, discuss this. Officials will see that you are ready to face challenges and overcome difficulties to achieve goals. However, don’t focus on negatives and explanations of red flags only.

The conclusion reminds readers about your passion for dentistry and reinforces your personal story.

Make a reference to one of your experiences. By building a personal statement conclusion this way, you can show that you are going to make an impact in dentistry in the future. The final paragraph is brief, and it should be accurate.

It may be difficult to build a dental school application document following all the requirements correctly, and sometimes, they may need help to make everything appropriate. Using a dental school personal statement writing service is a great option for finishing the task on time and submitting a standout application to the chosen school.

What Makes Good Dental School Personal Statement

Besides following basic points, it’s good to know about some extras that may help you compose a good dental school personal statement. Below, we’ve prepared several helpful tips to bring fresh touches to your writing.

Use specific examples instead of cliches and generic phrases. Provide more personal details supported by specific examples instead of just listing interests.
For inspiration, explore as many dental school personal statement examples relevant to your program as possible.
Avoid repetition in the personal statement conclusion, but expand on one of your thoughts started elsewhere in your text above.
Don’t include too much information. Consider the word limit and focus only on the most meaningful facts and experiences.

All personal statements for dental school are made with one purpose: to make the admissions committee interested in your candidacy enough to make them accept your application. Aim to make application docs creative and engaging. The more you reveal about your personality, the more valuable your writing will be.

Dental School Personal Statement Editing Tips

Once you finish writing, it’s time to edit. Raw text may not be perfect, especially if you hurry up. Dental school personal statement editing should upgrade your text, remove unnecessary information, and make writing error-free. Let’s see how to make this process more effective.

Stick to your outline. Keep working on the personal statement, sticking to your original intentions.
Double-check the requirements. Ensure you meet the guidelines set by the school you apply to. Focus on the text’s length and formatting guidelines, and ensure you answer the dental school personal statement prompt.
Receive feedback. Having another perspective on the written document is a good way to improve it. When someone else reads your personal statement, it’s a chance to eliminate mistakes you may miss.
Get expert proofreading help. Turn to a specialist who can polish dental school personal statements to perfection. Professional editing is not just about eliminating grammatical errors but hard work on general content improvement, refining argumentation, strengthening sentences, etc.

Get Assisted With Dental School Application Personal Statement

Seeking help may be the best decision, especially regarding dental school applications. These are probably the most important documents in your life the moment you write them, so it’s better to avoid mistakes and get your dental school personal statement written the best way. Professional writers with tremendous experience have numerous completed orders and know how to find the right approach and convince the committee to accept your application. Trust your writing piece to one of the best specialists and receive an accurately written personal statement that matches all the requirements and showcases you in the best light.

Contact our dental personal statement writing service today, and let our experts boost your application!

IMAGES

General Dentist Resume Samples
Dentist Resume Samples
Do you need help or looking for an expert who positively boost you to
Improve your dentistry nursing personal statement by following this
77+ Personal Statement Examples
Dentist Resume

VIDEO

Working For the local Dentist 👀this is his personal 🏡 Dentist Seem to do ok financially 👍
Write an Incredible Personal Statement: 3 Steps with Examples
The Personal Statement That Got Me Into Dental School!
Motivational Interviewing: 4 Simple Techniques for Hygienists
FASTEST "Professional" ASMR?? 😳 Dentist, Hair Salon, Tattoo shop, Eye Exam Roleplay
Dentist Reveals What REAL Professional Veneers Look Like! 😁🦷

COMMENTS

Dental School Personal Statement: The Ultimate Guide (Examples Included
Part 2: How to write a dental school personal statement. According to the ADEA, "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.". That doesn't quite convey the real goal of your ...
10 Dental School Personal Statement Examples
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 ...
Personal statement
Personal statement. 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. Although there is no set of rules mandating what a strong personal ...
Dental School Personal Statements Explained (With Examples)
Here are some examples of personal statements for dental school: Related: 15 Examples of Great Professional Statements Example of dental school personal statement for general dentistry The following example might be submitted with an application for a program in general dentistry: My mother has worked as a dentist for my entire life, and ...
PDF Subin Choi University Writing Program, University of California, Davis
Dental school personal statements can be found online and there can be many templates to help students when writing. However, these templates are also seen by admissions officers and can be seen as unoriginal. Therefore, an important part of writing the personal statement is to not plagiarize or steal from other people's work.
Dentistry Personal Statements: Examples & Analysis
The personal statement is changing to a series of free text questions for 2026 entry onwards, however it remains unchanged for 2025 entry. Keep an eye on our live updates page for guidance on these changes.. 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 ...
PDF Writing Your Personal Statement
Your personal statement is the first chance to communicate your true self. Below are some suggestions on how to approach this task and what kinds of topics to address in you statements. Begin by sitting down in a comfortable place and writing; don't worry about fitting it on just one page, just write. Write about who you are, your family ...
Writing a Winning Dental School Personal Statement
A polished and professional personal statement can make a big difference in the eyes of the admissions committee. Understanding Your Purpose. The purpose of your personal statement is to demonstrate to the admissions committee that you have the qualities and experiences necessary to succeed in dental school and in a career as a dentist.
Writing Dental School Personal Statements
Highlight relevant experiences: Identify experiences from your academic, professional, and personal life that have direct or indirect connections to dentistry. These could include clinicals, shadowing, internships, volunteer work, research projects, or leadership roles. Draw parallels: Find connections between your experiences and the skills, values, or principles that are important in medicine.
Writing Dental School Personal Statements That Inspires
Quick Tips For Writing a Winning Personal Statement. Start with an attention-grabbing opening sentence. Be specific and personal in your statements about why you want to pursue dentistry as a career. Demonstrate that you have done your research on dental schools and the profession of dentistry overall. Highlight any relevant experience or ...
CC
Here are 3 tips on writing a personal statement that will make you stand out: 1. Always keep the prompt in mind. The personal statement prompt for dental admission usually doesn't change and is posted on the ADEA website as the following: "Your personal statement is a one-page essay (not to exceed 4,500 characters, including spaces ...
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 ...
Dental School Personal Statements
ADEA limits the statement to 4,500 characters, including spaces. Graduate & Professional School Advising at Career Services offers Personal Statement presentations in the spring to help you get started and go over the basics. After completing a draft of your essay: Read it one last time to proofread, check for word choice, and assess the tone.
How to Craft a Winning Personal Statement for Dental School Application
Above average DAT scores and GPA aren't good enough anymore. That's why the personal statement is crucial to making your dental school application stand out from the rest. In her new book, Dr. Helen Yang (currently an endodontics resident at UIC) and collaborators offer a holistic strategy for a winning dental school application. The second half of the book focuses on crafting a truly unique ...
Crafting Personal Statements
Crafting Personal Statements. A personal statement provides an opportunity to share your unique story with a reader; it highlights your strengths, interests, and aspirations while supporting your statements with experiences from your personal, academic, and professional background. Your personal statement should: Evaluate your unique ...
Personal Statements for Residency Applications (Dentistry)
The personal statement is a portrait that leaves an image of you in the mind of the reader/reviewer... Positive, serious professional (in action) Examples/details need to be concrete and specific. Vivid and clear, but not flowery language. Reflection on experiences should show ability to learn and grow, as well as professional maturity.
How to Write a Compelling Personal Statement for the Harvard School of
Your personal statement should make it clear why you're passionate about dentistry and why you specifically want to attend the Harvard School of Dental Medicine. This could include describing your experiences working in a dental clinic, your desire to help underserved communities, or your fascination with the art and science of dentistry.
Personal Statement Examples for Dentists: 5 INSPIRATIONS
Contents hide. 1 Personal Statement Examples for Dentists: 5 INSPIRATIONS. 1.1 Inspiration 1: Overcoming Challenges. 1.2 Inspiration 2: The Role of Family Influence and Autonomy. 1.3 Inspiration 3: The Intersection of Passion and Profession. 2 Diving Deeper into Personal Development and Ethics. 2.1 Inspiration 4: Community Service and Ethical ...
Writing Resources: Personal Statements, Fellowships, Scholarships and
Writing a personal statement, letter of recommendation, scholarship or fellowship statement is a reflective process. ... The Office of Career and Professional Development does not review personal, fellowship or scholarship statements. ... Dentistry Personal Statement Resources: Writing Your Personal Statement. Read Tips for Writing Residency ...
PDF The Dentistry Residency Statement, Dissected.
Below we have dissected a strong statement. It is strong because it is: 1. Personal (using detailed examples from the writer's experience) 2. Well-organized (with clear themes explored in a logical fashion) 3. Centered around the three points mentioned above (definition of the qualities of an excellent dentist, strength of the
Compelling Dental School Personal Statement Examples
Discover inspiring Dental School Personal Statement Examples from a non-traditional candidate, showcasing grit, compassion, and a unique journey to dentistry. ... Dental School Personal Statement Samples, All Areas, Professional Writing and Editing. Standard. Service. US$199.00. Premium. Service. US$299.00. Subscribe. Thanks for submitting ...
Periodontology Residency Personal Statement Examples
Dental School Personal Statement Writing and Editing Service - 24 Hour Turnaround for Premium Clients. I invite you to fill out my Interview Form at this link. Even if you have a draft, the information on the interview form is often helpful and serves as the basis for me to make creative improvements to the statement.
Dental Personal Statement Writing Service for Profile Help
Keep working on the personal statement, sticking to your original intentions. Double-check the requirements. Ensure you meet the guidelines set by the school you apply to. Focus on the text's length and formatting guidelines, and ensure you answer the dental school personal statement prompt. Receive feedback.
Dentistry
The State Board of Dentistry regulates the practice and licensure of dentists, dental hygienists, and the certification of expanded function dental assistants in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. ... Before sharing sensitive or personal information, make sure you're on an official state website. ... The Board develops standards of professional ...

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

Want more free tips? Subscribe to our channels for more free and useful content!

Like our blog? Write for us ! >>

Get Started Now

FREE Training Webinar:

Why be a dentist?

Application to Dental School

Information for:

You might be interested in...

Dentistry Personal Statement Examples

Strong personal statement example

Strong personal statement analysis

Introduction

Main body paragraphs

Conclusion

Weak personal statement example

Weak personal statement example analysis

Main body paragraphs

Medify's Personal Statement Course

Create a ready-to-submit PS in 3 days

online courses

Writing Dental School Personal Statements That Inspires

Why Your Personal Statement Matters

Dental School Personal Statement Samples

Quick Tips For Writing a Winning Personal Statement

Final Words

Abir Ghenaiet

Explore All Write Personal Statement Articles

Effective History and International Relations Personal Statement to Try

Guide to Quality Global Management Personal Statement

How to Draft Better Examples of Personal Statements for Residency

Tips for Drafting a Free Example of Personal History Statement

Writing Compelling Dietetic Internship Personal Statement

Writing a personal statement for dental schools

Here are 3 tips on writing a personal statement that will make you stand out:

2. It is okay to be vulnerable

3. If you talk about an adverse event, make sure to write an ending

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

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Dental School Personal Statements

After completing a draft of your essay:

Important Notes:

Your browser is unsupported

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 .

Crafting Personal Statements

Personal Statement Examples for Dentists: 5 INSPIRATIONS

Inspiration 1: Overcoming Challenges

Inspiration 2: The Role of Family Influence and Autonomy

Inspiration 3: The Intersection of Passion and Profession

Diving Deeper into Personal Development and Ethics

Inspiration 5: Professionalism and Practical Experience

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How Can I Make My Dental School Application Stand Out?

What Are Common Mistakes in Dental School Personal Statements?

How Important Are Extracurricular Activities for Dental School?

Can I Mention Challenges I’ve Overcome in My Personal Statement?

Related Posts

What is the Difference Between a Dentist and an Associate Dentist?

How Much Does a Dental Associate Make?

Recent Posts