On the very day of my graduation, I was not able to spell my feeling. Apart from excitement, I was overjoyed because, finally, there was a graduate in the family. Due to financial restraint, my father and mother were not able to fulfill their dream. However, they were able to rear us, their children, and helped us achieve our dreams. I was very proud to have graduate in Dentistry despite my extra obligations as the eldest in the family. I admit to have a narrow goal in life. However, after joining the Dental school, I finally realized the importance and purpose of my life.
Before, I was only focused in earning good grades but, eventually, the passion of curing people has led to profound change in the approach of learning. I also learned a lot from my conversations with professors, seniors, colleagues, nurses and patients as I did through reading the subject books. Through continuous learning, my passion and determination to put a smile to my patients have deepened. Notably, exposure in the community has opened my mind about the need to reach out for the less privileged. During my final year in college, I volunteered in several community works in providing free care.
After graduation, I also volunteered in a Government Dental Hospital in Chennai, India. My four months stay at the hospital has honed my skills in root canal treatment and third molars extraction. For three years, I also served at Dr. Kumar’s Dental Practice in Sacramento, California. He introduced me to various dental techniques and allowed me to interact with his patients. He also allowed me to pour dental impressions and sterilize instruments. Sometimes, I was also allowed to take X-Rays as I had X-Ray Certification.
My stay at Dr. Kumar’s clinic has indeed enabled me to be familiarized with dentistry in US. My experiences and education have made me realize that oral disease can easily and effectively be prevented through basic hygiene and proper screening at regular intervals. I usually share this basic idea to my patients rather than resorting to expensive treatments and in an aggravated state. Apart from that, I found fulfillment in providing oral care because of happy faces that I see from my patients after being cured. My exposures have also given me an opportunity to work with a diverse population.
Through which, I have learned well how to deal with my patients and my skill in handling different temperaments has been honed. Moreover, my experiences have made me realize the importance of making a quick decision and using the best resources available. Above all, I earned confidence and determination to serve in the field of dentistry because of the tremendous trust that my patients have shown to me. These are more than enough inspiration that made me decide to dedicate my life in providing oral care to my patients.
In the fulfillment of my dream, I have chosen to pursue in DDS program for the international students in order to widen my knowledge and be familiarized more with the dentistry in the country. Aside from that, I believe that through the program, I can be more effective in my chosen career. I have always wanted to specialize in orthodontics and be known as an effective and compassionate dentist and put a smile to every patient I attend to. For these reasons, I hope that I will be given an opportunity to prove my capability and to serve my countrymen in the best way I can.