What Is A Dentistry Personal Statement?
UCAS describes the personal Statement as an “opportunity to sell yourself to your prospective school, college or training provider”, which in this case would be the Dental Schools you are applying to. You need to show that you have the key qualities to study Dentistry and that you have knowledge of the career.
Your personal statement can be up to 4,000 characters, which is around 500 words or 47 lines of size 12 script. As the length is highly restricted you need to be precise and use key unique selling points to get ahead of the competition.
In a Dentistry personal statement, you can typically discuss your motivation for pursuing a career in Dentistry, detailing the factors that have influenced your decision. You may want to share personal anecdotes or experiences that have sparked your interest in the field.
It is important to convey a genuine passion for Dentistry and a clear understanding of the profession’s challenges and rewards.
What Should My Dentistry Personal Statement Include?
Your personal statement should cover three main areas:
- Motivation – Why do you want to study Dentistry?
- Exploration – What have you done to learn about Dentistry?
- Suitability – What skills do you have that make you a good fit for Dentistry?
How Should I Structure My Dentistry Personal Statement?
Dentistry personal statements don’t need to follow a strict structure. However, you need to make sure that your personal statement flows and follows a logical framework.
We would suggest using the structure below as a starting point to ensure all the key points are covered.
How To Write A Dentistry Personal Statement?
To craft a strong personal statement for Dentistry, follow the next few steps:
- Keep a reflective diary during work experience to make sure you remember key moments and learning points to use in your personal statement.
- Plan your personal statement structure clearly. The suggested structure above can be used, but you might want to make alterations. Just ensure that it is clear and follows a logical progression.
- Start drafting. Make notes for each of the sections in your structure. It doesn’t matter if your personal statement is too long initially, because it can always be edited later on.
- Edit and refine. Begin to fine-tune your draft and make sure that it fits the required writing style and word count for UCAS.
- Get advice. Once you are happy with your Dentistry personal statement, get other people to give you feedback. This is so you can make further improvements. It’s always worth asking friends, family and teachers who can look at it objectively!
- Get a professional review. Send your personal statement to The Medic Portal for professional feedback. Take this feedback on board and make the required edits.
- Upload and submit on UCAS.
Example Of A Dentistry Personal Statement
Introduction: “From a young age, I have been fascinated by the intricate workings of the human body and the importance of oral health. This fascination, coupled with my passion for helping others, has led me to pursue a career in dentistry.
I am excited to combine my scientific aptitude, interpersonal skills, and dedication to patient care in order to make a positive impact on people’s lives.”
Body: “In my academic journey, I have consistently excelled in science and healthcare-related subjects, which have solidified my understanding of the foundational knowledge required for dentistry.
Through my work experience at a local dental clinic, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of dentistry in improving patients’ oral health and overall well-being. This experience has further fueled my desire to pursue a career in dentistry and has given me valuable insights into the daily responsibilities of a dentist.”
“I have actively sought opportunities to expand my knowledge and skills in dentistry. I have volunteered at oral health promotion events, educating children and adults about the importance of oral hygiene and preventive care. These experiences have honed my communication skills and reinforced my belief in the significance of patient education in maintaining good oral health.”
“I have also had the privilege of shadowing experienced dentists, observing various dental procedures and witnessing the compassionate care they provide to their patients. These experiences have solidified my understanding of the importance of empathy, patience, and effective communication in building trust and rapport with patients.”
Conclusion: “In conclusion, my passion for dentistry, coupled with my academic achievements, work experience, and commitment to patient care, make me a strong candidate for dental school.
I am eager to embark on this journey of lifelong learning, where I can further develop my clinical skills, expand my knowledge in specialized areas of dentistry, and contribute to the oral health and well-being of individuals and communities.
I am confident that my dedication, empathy, and strong work ethic will enable me to excel in dental school and make a meaningful impact in the field of dentistry.”
Note: This example gives specific justifications for a student’s aspirations in dentistry. It is evidence-based and cites why they would be a good dentist based on their skills and experiences, as well as highlighting their passion and interests to develop their knowledge further. It also shows their understanding of dentistry as a career and dental practices.
