Why I Want to Continue My Path in Dental Surgery

When I was in high school, I sought treatment at King Saud University-College of Dentistry, which was truly a transformative experience. The quality of care that I received, along with the gratitude I felt for my skilled and compassionate dentist, sparked my initial interest in a dental career. By following this path, I could help other people preserve their health by taking better care of their teeth and gums. With this in mind, I completed my Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree (B.D.S.) at King Saud University-College of Dentistry in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which is one of the highest ranked colleges in the Middle East.

I became interested in prosthodontics during my second year of school, when I began my pre-clinical prosthodontics course. By working in the lab, I learned how artistic this specialty can be; I was also fascinated by the final results. Afterwards, I pursued every opportunity to improve my skills by working with fixed and removable prosthodontics under my mentors’ supervision. During my fifth year, I was the first student to fulfill the clinical requirement for a course that was primarily based on prosthodontic cases. I worked on five interesting and challenging cases, including one that I presented to my faculty members. The patient was desperate to replace several missing and decayed teeth before his son’s wedding.

After several appointments, we completed his treatment plan successfully. The man’s joyous smile will always resonate in my mind. Since that moment, this specialty has been my greatest dream. By nature, prosthodontics combines the beauty of art and science by restoring a patient’s mastication, esthetics, phonetics, and confidence. I enjoyed learning about each prosthetic material and using that knowledge to develop a treatment plan that resolved the patient’s chief complaint. Moreover, prosthodontics presents many cases that are challenging on a practical and intellectual basis. In these situations, it is hard to reach a treatment plan that will suit both the patient and the physician.

During my internship at three hospitals in Saudi Arabia, my college introduced an innovative and motivational event that allowed the interns to present their research. I completed two projects, including a comparison of the marginal fitting of zirconia copings in different CAD/CAM systems and an evaluation of the thickness of CAD/CAM fabricated zirconia cores by digital microscope. Thankfully, I had the opportunity to work with an excellent supervisor in prosthodontic research, which allowed me to earn the highest mark for my presentation in my category. Later, I published my results in a peer-reviewed journal, which increased my interest in this specialty area. Through rigorous academic, clinical, and research experiences, I have developed the strengths I will need to excel in prosthodontics, including strong leadership skills, an unwavering work ethic, and the ability to work in a team environment.

Moreover, I have served my community by raising awareness about the importance of oral hygiene and supporting several volunteer projects that serve vulnerable populations, such as children, the elderly, and people with handicaps and disabilities. By continually challenging myself as a person and professional, I have gained the maturity and confidence that I will need to excel in my chosen field. Currently, I am broadening my skills by working at a private clinic in Riyadh that serves a diverse population. By doing so, I have gained additional experience performing procedures such as extractions, bleaching, restorations, crowns, and endodontic treatments for people of all ages. Moreover, by working as a general dental practitioner, I have gained additional exposure to various prosthodontic treatments.

At this stage of my career, I am eager to gain admission to a quality residency program that will prepare me for a challenging future as an American board certified prosthodontist. If accepted, I will share my experiences with other professionals who are passionate about this specialty and are committed to excellence in all aspects of dentistry. Afterwards, I will be better prepared to provide extraordinary care to my patients and become a mentor and role model for others. The path ahead will undoubtedly be challenging. However, I am confident that I have the academic and clinical training that I will need to truly excel. After coming so far, I welcome the opportunity to join your respected institution and find innovative ways to serve the patients who place their trust in me.