There are millions of reasons behind why someone smiles, and through my future profession as a dentist, I hope to be one of those reasons. A person's smile plays a major role in their self-esteem, it is one of the few expressions that can capture the entirety of what we are feeling. Our smiles indicate what makes us happy in life, and at a very young age, I became aware of exactly what made me happy- dentistry.
At an early age, I had the privilege of accompanying my father on several different procedures.
Watching him work as an orthopedic doctor in Juarez, Mexico. I was …show more content…
I knew I wanted to be a dentist but through this experience, I was able to broaden my interest into public health. As a dental assistant, I gained hands-on experience and was able to interact with patients beyond my previous experiences. Seeing patients with tears streaming down their face, while hugging and thanking the dentist, served as a large motivator for me to continue on the path of dentistry. Hearing a patient say, "I can finally get a job" because of the work that was done by the dentist is a moment that I would like to recreate through my work in the …show more content…
I had the privilege of shadowing a dental resident that was treating a young patient with a mental disability. Seeing him smile at the end of the procedure and witnessing as his level of confidence drastically improved put a smile on everyone's face. This was the moment I knew I wanted to become involved in working with the special needs community. Therefore, I joined the Miracle League, a non-profit organization for children who live with a mental or physical disability and are given the opportunity to play baseball and interact with other kids facing similar challenges. Watching as children's personalities and confidence blossom is what makes working with this program so rewarding.
This summer I got the opportunity to participate in the Summer Pre-Dental Enrichment Program
Collegiate II (SPEP) at Texas A&M College of Dentistry. This program consisted of six weeks that were not only challenging but served as one of the greatest learning experience. This program not only tested me mentally; but showed me what I am capable of doing. I was able to get a glimpse of what dental school would be like and the rigorous amount of work I would have. This experience not only excited me as I prepare to continue with this degree but allowed me to encompass my passion for something that few are capable