Welcome to our collection of Dentistry Personal Statement Examples! We’ve searched far and wide to find personal statements from successful applicants all around the UK and asked them to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of their work for your own inspiration. Today’s subject is from Eera, who studies Dentistry at Cardiff.
Eera applied to study Dentistry back in 2019 at four amazing UK Dental Schools, including Manchester and King’s College London. She received offers from three out of her four choices of which she chose to study at Cardiff.
| University | Cardiff | King’s College London | University of Manchester | University of Birmingham |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Offer? | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
Let’s read the personal statement that got her a place at Cardiff, or skip straight to her feedback to learn what made her personal statement a success!
Please be aware that these examples are meant purely for the sake of inspiration, and should absolutely NOT be used as a model around which to base your own personal statement. UCAS have a rather strict system that detects plagiarism.
Cardiff Dentistry Personal Statement Example
WHOLE PERSONAL STATEMENT
Teeth! When I think of dentistry, not just teeth come to mind but rather the blend of science, art and nurture, to improve overall oral health. Aged ten, my interest was ignited from seeing my dad’s relief from severe pain after his root canal treatment. Seeing the difference amazed me as to how dentistry could help and initiated my curiosity to know more.
By spending time in NHS and private clinics, hospitals and a summer school run by King’s College dental students, I gained a clearer perspective of dentistry. My favourite seminar was on tooth carving and filling, illustrating the creative side of dentistry. Over five weeks, I saw fillings at a practice in Brighton, orthodontics, salivary gland surgery and more. My most inspirational memory was at Guy’s Hospital – a patient had sadly lost all his teeth from oropharyngeal cancer. Part of his definitive treatment plan was placing implants in his upper and lower palate requiring specialist intricacy from the surgeon. Post-surgery, I observed the patient’s relief and overwhelming happiness. With a now intact dentition, the patient was able to smile, improve his speech and ease in eating. This showed me that a well prepared and executed treatment plan can tackle multiple difficulties that may arise during dental treatment to improve quality of life.
As both a Chemistry Prefect and President of the Dental Society at my School, I have developed
leadership, planning and commitment to engage other students. Seeing queues of students buying sugary drinks daily at my school, inspired me to write an article for my school newsletter, regarding their impact on caries and to raise awareness across the student body. As lead of DentSoc, I regularly give talks on various dental topics. My natural curiosity led to my participation in the Biology Olympiad and Cambridge Chemistry Challenge, which allowed me to apply my understanding to unfamiliar ideas. I completed my EPQ on the management of dental anxiety – (something I witnessed frequently during work experience) it saliently showed the importance of patient trust. Observing patient apprehension and how dentists dealt with this fascinated me.
Volunteering at the Links Centre for those with Downs Syndrome for two years has taught me
empathy and mindfulness of the vast requirements of different children. I learnt that patience and a calm tone best engages those with anxiety or complex learning needs. I enjoy helping the wider community though my involvement with several charities, including CRUK and feeding the homeless with SWAT, where I learnt the value of human compassion. Completing my Gold Duke of Edinburgh expedition enriched my collaboration, preparing me for dentistry where teamwork is paramount when working alongside nurses and technicians. It has heightened my determination to discover innovative solutions, but the major lesson learnt was to never give up! My experiences as a tutor at Explore Learning, mentor at school and piano teacher enhance my ability to communicate, which is key in dentistry. I am adaptable and can tailor techniques to suit each pupil’s needs, encouraging them to achieve the best outcomes. I have great enthusiasm for music – playing piano at Diploma level. Performing in front of audiences requires confidence and handling pressure whilst maintaining control of hand movements – valuable skills for dentistry. I enjoy Bhangra dancing and performing at cultural events. On vacation I like to scuba dive.
I believe dentistry is the ideal career combining theoretical skills and scientific study, alongside my interpersonal skills from extra-curricular activities. This places me in a strong position to study dentistry. I love how a dentist can cherish the relationship they build with a patient over a long period of time, often with the reward of seeing the impact of their work immediately. I believe it will be a very fulfilling career and I am excited to play a key part in the future development of the profession.
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Cardiff Dentistry Personal Statement Example Analysis
Now, let’s go section by section and see what Malikha has to say about what she wrote:
INTRODUCTION
Teeth! When I think of dentistry, not just teeth come to mind but rather the blend of science, art and nurture, to improve overall oral health. Aged ten, my interest was ignited from seeing my dad’s relief from severe pain after his root canal treatment. Seeing the difference amazed me as to how dentistry could help and initiated my curiosity to know more.
- THE GOOD
Introduction
I tried to be unique with my introduction. I think it is all about giving the reader something that they have not seen before. I though slipping in a personal experience with Dentistry would show that I have taken a keen interest since a young age having had my curiosity piqued.
- THE BAD
Introduction
It possibly could have been a bit more personal than what I was with my introduction. I could have gone into further detail as to what I did to develop this curiosity. As well, although I tried to be unique in my introduction looking back I possibly just played into cliché and countless of other applicants probably started their personal statements in the same way.
MAIN BODY
Paragraph 1
By spending time in NHS and private clinics, hospitals and a summer school run by King’s College dental students, I gained a clearer perspective of dentistry. My favourite seminar was on tooth carving and filling, illustrating the creative side of dentistry. Over five weeks, I saw fillings at a practice in Brighton, orthodontics, salivary gland surgery and more. My most inspirational memory was at Guy’s Hospital – a patient had sadly lost all his teeth from oropharyngeal cancer. Part of his definitive treatment plan was placing implants in his upper and lower palate requiring specialist intricacy from the surgeon. Post-surgery, I observed the patient’s relief and overwhelming happiness. With a now intact dentition, the patient was able to smile, improve his speech and ease in eating. This showed me that a well prepared and executed treatment plan can tackle multiple difficulties that may arise during dental treatment to improve quality of life.
- THE GOOD
Paragraph 1
Work experience is a major factor when applying for Dentistry, so I knew including that I had done some was essential to my personal statement. I tried to write it so that tone came across a story being narrated rather than just listing and stating things in a more boring manner.
- THE BAD
Paragraph 1
On reflection, I have mainly spoken about what I saw and memories I have when I should have mentioned the skills that I developed. It comes across like I am bragging about the experience and I have disregarded the value of doing work experience.
MAIN BODY
Paragraph 2
As both a Chemistry Prefect and President of the Dental Society at my School, I have developed
leadership, planning and commitment to engage other students. Seeing queues of students buying sugary drinks daily at my school, inspired me to write an article for my school newsletter, regarding their impact on caries and to raise awareness across the student body. As lead of DentSoc, I regularly give talks on various dental topics. My natural curiosity led to my participation in the Biology Olympiad and Cambridge Chemistry Challenge, which allowed me to apply my understanding to unfamiliar ideas. I completed my EPQ on the management of dental anxiety – (something I witnessed frequently during work experience) it saliently showed the importance of patient trust. Observing patient apprehension and how dentists dealt with this fascinated me.
- THE GOOD
Paragraph 2
This was my opportunity to show off to the universities of all the things I have done that would showcase me as a strong Dental applicant. By showing that I was the Chemistry Prefect – with Chemistry being a required A-Level subject by all Dental Schools – and President of the Dental Society shows that I have been taking an active interest in Dentistry and have been nurturing it during my schooling.
- THE BAD
Paragraph 2
Generally, I’m fairly happy with this paragraph as it gets the points that I’m wanting to make across effectively. If anything, I would say I could have changed some of the wording and grammar so that some of the sentences flowed better.
MAIN BODY
Paragraph 3
Volunteering at the Links Centre for those with Downs Syndrome for two years has taught me
empathy and mindfulness of the vast requirements of different children. I learnt that patience and a calm tone best engages those with anxiety or complex learning needs. I enjoy helping the wider community though my involvement with several charities, including CRUK and feeding the homeless with SWAT, where I learnt the value of human compassion. Completing my Gold Duke of Edinburgh expedition enriched my collaboration, preparing me for dentistry where teamwork is paramount when working alongside nurses and technicians. It has heightened my determination to discover innovative solutions, but the major lesson learnt was to never give up! My experiences as a tutor at Explore Learning, mentor at school and piano teacher enhance my ability to communicate, which is key in dentistry. I am adaptable and can tailor techniques to suit each pupil’s needs, encouraging them to achieve the best outcomes. I have great enthusiasm for music – playing piano at Diploma level. Performing in front of audiences requires confidence and handling pressure whilst maintaining control of hand movements – valuable skills for dentistry. I enjoy Bhangra dancing and performing at cultural events. On vacation I like to scuba dive.
- THE GOOD
Paragraph 3
I drew upon the volunteering and charity work I did to show my empathy skills – a skill essential to being a dentist! I also explained how it links to Dentistry to show that I understand this. I mentioned that I play the piano as manual dexterity skills are a must for being a dentist, and by playing piano, I have excellent hand control.
- THE BAD
Paragraph 3
I really should have made this paragraph shorter, or split into two with one discussing my charity and voluntary work and the other on my personal interests. I do feel it comes across as a bit clunky bit I struggled to cut it down. If I had spent more time on my personal statement I probably would have been able to achieve this.
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CONCLUSION
I believe dentistry is the ideal career combining theoretical skills and scientific study, alongside my interpersonal skills from extra-curricular activities. This places me in a strong position to study dentistry. I love how a dentist can cherish the relationship they build with a patient over a long period of time, often with the reward of seeing the impact of their work immediately. I believe it will be a very fulfilling career and I am excited to play a key part in the future development of the profession.
- THE GOOD
Conclusion
The summary of my skills is positive here. As well, I have mentioned CPD (continuous professional development) which is one of the incredible opportunities you have as a dentist just reinforces my passion and interest in the profession.
- THE BAD
Conclusion
My conclusion really comes across as informal. Perhaps making it more heartfelt would have been better, I could have done this by allowing my personality to show. I could have linked it back to my introduction and the story about my father would have been a better way to close it out.
Final Thoughts
- THE GOOD
Overall
Being able to talk about the work experience I have done and linking it to how it benefits a career in Dentistry is something I’m very proud of. I feel I can be quite proud of my personal statement overall, given that it helped me receive offers from King’s College London, the University of Birmingham and Cardiff (who I of course ultimately decided to study at) which is no easy feat given how competitive Dentistry is.
- THE BAD
Overall
I’m not really the biggest fan of my conclusion, as it just doesn’t feel personal enough. I reassure myself with the fact that despite getting three out of four offers, you will likely never be completely happy with your personal statement and feel that there was something you could’ve done differently.
So there you have it! This personal statement helped Eera get 3/4 offers in her application.
Everyone has different experiences and abilities, so you may not be able to relate to everything that was said in this personal statement. However, the information and advice provided by Eera is universal and will help any applicant write a better personal statement!
Be sure to check out more Medicine Personal Statement Analyses to see advice from all different kinds of applicants, including Ali Abdaal himself! Or if you want to get started on your own statement, check out 6med’s Personal Statement Bundle for all the support and resources you’ll ever need! If you want full support on every part of your application and a guaranteed place at med school, the Complete Bundle will be perfect for you.
More Medicine Personal Statement Examples & Inspiration
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