It gives me a sense of pride to reflect back and write about my adventure, where working hard and staying focused has made me the person I am today. Until now I have seized every opportunity I could to increase my knowledge, think critically about my field, to be a better student, a responsible professional and a humble citizen. I entered dentistry when I was not really sure what I wanted to do in life. All that I was sure about was to be best in what I chose to do. Entering the dental school not only made my family proud of seeing their daughter be the first member in the extended family to be a healthcare professional but also put a big responsibility on my shoulder, which at first seemed daunting. When the sound of congratulations faded, …show more content…
With ups and downs in my career and my personal life, I have become stronger, more modest and grateful for all the chances that life offered. I have always been one of the top 10 students in class. But, I wasn’t able to perform my best in my third and final years of dentistry due to some distractions at home. But my mother always encouraged me with the thought that a failure is life’s way to make you better at something, for which you must keep trying. Holding on to that thought, I worked even harder and not only proved my merit in my second attempt, but got a better conceptual understanding about the subjects than most students around …show more content…
This directed me towards taking one of the most important decisions of my life of coming to the United States to pursue Masters of Public Health (MPH) and learn from the pioneers who have successfully integrated it in the society with positive results. I wanted to apply my knowledge beyond the borders of dental hygiene education and learn sophisticated methods to address the co-morbidities and healthcare access inequalities, as I have seen in a lot of my patients. My interest in mathematics compelled me to choose Epidemiology major and learn statistical software to study disease burden, distribution and trends. I volunteered in George Washington University (GWU) ISCOPES- Adult health literacy team, where we attended Emory transitional house and educated people about various health topics including oral health. During my MPH, I did my practicum at Washington DC, Department of Health on “Analysis of utilization of dental home linkage and preventive dental services among DC Medicaid children less than 3years of age for calendar year 2014” using Statistical Analysis System software (SAS). This project gave me an insight about the Current Dental Terminology codes and the trends in service utilization in a subset of the U.S. population. I was graciously honored with Practicum Research Fellowship Award by my school for my
When I read the prompt for this reflection essay about learning experience, a lot of topics came up to my mind. I can recall many experiences, but only one experience stands out more than the others. In 2015, I was very fortunate to be accepted in one of the school programs that I consider that it is hard to get into, Dental Hygiene Program. I thought I passed through the greatest challenge of my life by being accepted to the program, but I was wrong. My journey getting into dental hygiene school was rough, but my journey getting out of school was even tougher.
Milder had terminal cancer. I was immediately distraught, wondering how Dr. Milder could operate his practice despite knowing his diagnosis. I gradually realized that it was Dr. Milder's commitment to the practice of dentistry that empowered him to serve others in the face of overwhelming personal adversity. Inspired by Dr. Milder’s optimism and persistence, I started participating in the San Diego County Dental Society initiatives he introduced me to, where I discovered how dentists came together to treat homeless veterans, raise funds for educational programs, and deliver oral hygiene supplies to underserved neighborhoods. I now aspire to follow in these proactive dentists’ footsteps and extend my reach beyond private practice by caring for individuals without adequate resources, promoting public knowledge of oral health, and mentoring future dentists. Although Dr. Milder will not watch my career develop, furthering his chain of compassion as a leader in the dental community will honor his legacy and produce a lifetime of fulfillment and
Dentistry as a profession over the years has evolved rapidly in light of new scientific evidence. Rapidly evolving science and technology have implemented changes within dentistry as evidenced by new standards and guidelines being produced by nationally recognised associations including National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), Faculty of General Dental Practice (FGDP) and Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) in Scotland, in provision of new scientific evidence. The latest standards and guidelines produced, endorse everyday clinical practice through evidence based dentistry (REF). All dental professionals as part of continued professional development are expected to keep to date on relevant guidelines and knowledge related to their practice (REF). This is supported by the General Dental Council who state all clinicians must maintain their professional knowledge and competence throughout their working career (REF).
For as long as I can remember I have set high goals for myself regarding my future, my friendships, and my education. Entering college with these standards I knew that I wouldn’t settle for less than my best, and I would strive to amaze myself at my success. One thing I never fit into my planned path of achievement was any type of struggle, or obstacle that could alter the way I have thought for so long. The first month of college I fell upon an obstacle I never could have imagined. I suffered a knee injury and missed continuous classes following the accident as well as surgery that was necessary to my recovery. These things tested my strength as a person, but also as a student. It made everything a little more complicated, even the little things like getting out of bed in the morning. I pushed myself to see the end of the tunnel I felt seemed impossible to crawl out of. Many things helped me along the way, and just as I hadn’t imagined my accident, I couldn’t have imagined the support I found everywhere around me. I know that I can overcome obstacles in the future now because of my determination for success and the use of helpful resources all around me.
Flaer, Paul J., et al. “A Psychosocial Approach To Dentistry For The Underserved: Incorporating Theory Into Prectice.” Journal Of Health Care Finance 37.1 (2010): 101-108. Business Source Premier. Web. 20 February 2014.
During my high school days, I had an opportunity to visit the dental office frequently accompanying my mother. Her appreciation for the dentist and impressive outcomes inadvertently augmented my interest in dentistry, resulting in the decision to pursue
One of the most challenging experiences I had to go through to date was my failure to gain acceptance into medical school for the 2017-2018 academic year. The denial of the opportunity to fulfill my aspiration of becoming a physician immersed me in a myriad of emotions. I felt depressed, embarrassed, and lonely for an extended period of time after the denial letters. In fact, this time in my life made me question whether medicine was even the correct career for me. In the midst of this of this challenging period of my life, the words of Carol Burnett, “Only I can change my life. No one can do it for me” kept me encouraged. I arose from this situation and found myself more inspired and determined than ever before to prove myself worthy of the opportunity to matriculate and graduate from medical school. Although this time in my life was confusing and my faith was tested, I learned many things about myself and developed many mechanisms to deal with this obstacle.
For a year and half after my graduation in December 2014, I have taken the time to strengthen my application. I worked as a dental assistant at Dr. Veroncia Chang’s office and Berkeley Orinda Oral Surgery to gain hands-on experience and better understanding of the profession. While working part-time, I took 21 units of upper division biology courses at UC Berkeley Extension to raise my undergraduate GPA and to equip myself better with broader biological knowledge. Furthermore, I retook my DAT and improved on both of the academic average and total science scores (AA 23, TS 25). Volunteer opportunities at the Lawrence Hall of Science and YWCA were both very rewarding times to stay connected to the local community.
In school I never pushed myself to accomplish more than pass. Various times in my life when I knew failure was likely, I wouldn’t give any effort at all. I believed with this cushion of “I didn’t try” it would be better than trying my hardest and failing. I was very wrong. This episode happened toward the end of my junior year, I now comprehend the significance of effort. I take pride in everything I do and tend to go the extra mile when not fully necessary. I used to dread failure. I considered it to be a type of shortcoming, yet it's most certainly not. It's shown me a lot about myself and what I need to do. I would rather succeed than fall, yet failing shows you quite a lot more. It allows you to improve yourself, and succeed the second time. Thinking back on it, this wasn’t a very insane moment, most people would just shrug it off and say they’ll do better the next time. It’s mind boggling that this incident had such a giant impact on my day to day life. It showed me that I just required some additional push to do as well as I could be expected to
Cosmetic dentistry will improve the esthetic nature of your smile. Thanks to our highly trained team of Leawood, KS cosmetic dentists, you can improve the color, shape, size, and position of your teeth, as well as correct issues with your bite.
Dentistry is a career that is a largely growing field in America. Between the years of 2012-2022, dentistry is expected to grow at a rate of sixteen percent, which is higher than the national average for all jobs (Occupational Outlook Handbook: Dentists). Dentists are responsible for diagnosing and treating oral problems. Oral problems can consist of any problems in the teeth, gums, lips, or other parts of the mouth (Occupational Outlook Handbook: Dentists). Some of the most common problems that patients see the dentist about are sores in the mouth, such as canker sores, the appearance of their teeth, including whitening and braces, and oral pains that can come from cavities or things of that nature (Oral Health Center). Dentists also
Throughout my academic career, I encountered obstacles that affected my educational experience. These troubles shaped my positive, steadfast attitude that allows me to help others. I didn’t come by this attitude easily; I earned it after overcoming my barriers. I have been humbled from these experiences and now have the opportunity to share them with others.
Pursuing a career in the dental public health field was a decision influenced by many factors starting by my passion for research. One of the main reasons for applying for my dental public health residency at Columbia University is the fact that it has a great research program, which is ranked among the top research facilities in the world. Columbia university’s dental public health residency department possess ample opportunities for research for those motivated to take advantage enough to r...
Are your teeth crooked, discolored, or chipped? Maybe your mouth is healthy but you are unhappy about the appearance of your teeth. It’s time to stop wishing that you had someone else’s smile. At Holly Dental Care, we can turn your dream smile into a reality. Our dentists offer cosmetic dentistry procedures that brighten your teeth, correct imperfections, and give you back the confidence you want.
You must have noticed some people show reluctance when it comes appearing in photos. Ever wondered the reason behind this? Often, dental issues can be the cause of undlying self-esteem issues. Undoubtedly, a beautiful smile not only enhances the quality of your face, but also boosts your confidence to a great extent. If you have discoloured teeth or a chipped teeth, you can restore or replace them easily.