Dentistry degree personal statement example (1j)

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

A few years ago my brother suffered an accident where he injured both his front two teeth and they were then removed by dentists in hospital. It is this accident that first got me interested in dentistry and made me notice the significant role dentists played in the community. From helping patients to maintain good oral health to more dramatic surgical procedures, dentistry has an incredible impact on the whole population.

Reading the British Dental Journal on a regular basis has helped me to appreciate the numerous complex treatments that are carried out by dentists, such as "addressing the Periodontopathic bacterial population within the gingival sulcus." I was very surprised by the technical aspect of dentistry involved in this treatment. In addition, I think reading the British Dental Journal has helped keep me updated with the latest news in dentistry.

After having done some work experience in the field of dentistry, it has made me more motivated and given me a hunger to study more about dentistry. I believe that I possess all the qualities that are expected of a dentist. I am empathetic and have a calm nature as well as communicating very well with people. I wish to contribute this service to my community as I feel content by helping others and I have an aspiration to ensure a state of good oral hygiene to the people of my community.

How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?

Reading A-level sciences has anchored a strong foundation in my understanding of the physiology of the human body and A-level Mathematics has developed me to be a better analytical thinker.

To research dentistry more thoroughly, I opted to spend six weeks at a local dental surgery. Here, I was able to shadow dental practitioners and began to appreciate that good dental care can only be provided by a dental team, it cannot be achieved by the dentist alone. This made me realise that co-operation and respect between members of one dental team is integral in caring for patients. I have seen a range of treatments that the dentist practised which included root canal treatments, fillings, denture adjustments and taking impressions of teeth, and observed the dentist educating patients about oral hygiene in a consoling manner. Furthermore the dentist showed me the procedures involved in running the X-ray and explained the usefulness of the X-ray. Having filled out some administrative work at the reception of the surgery also revealed to me the different intricacies that are present within the dental team from a different perspective.

During a one-week work experience at a dental laboratory, I was able to see all the departments in action. I watched the building of crowns and bridges and even had the opportunity to build my own dental moulds made from alginate impressions of teeth and soft tissue. I then went on to make bleaching trays on these dental moulds using a vacuum former. All this work demanded a high degree of manual dexterity. At the CAD-CAM department of the dental lab, I was able to construct an anatomical wax crown for a tooth of the mandible.

I was also awarded a silver medal in the Senior Mathematics Challenge, held by the United Kingdom Mathematics Trust (UKMT).

What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?

I am currently volunteering at a 'St Luke's Hospice' charity shop in North Harrow. Volunteering here has given me the opportunity to give something back to society, which has made me feel rewarded. Working at the charity shop has made me grow into a team worker and given me good interpersonal skills.

In school, I have participated in a tutoring programme called 'Maths Link'. Here, I have taught Mathematics to a pupil of the lower year. The programme itself has motivated me to tutor GCSE Mathematics to students privately for the past 2 months. Tutoring has taught me patience and helped me improve my oral communication skills. These qualities that I have accumulated from my voluntary work are critical in a profession in dentistry.

Universities applied to:

• KCL
• BARTS
• PLYMOUTH
• LEEDS
• UCL(BIOCHEMISTRY)

Grades achieved:

• Subject (AS/A2) - Grade
• Subject (AS/A2) - Grade
• Subject (AS/A2) - Grade
• Subject (AS/A2) - Grade

How personal statements have changed?

The current personal statement format, with three 'scaffolding' questions, was introduced by Ucas in September 2025. This personal statement was submitted before then, using the old essay-style format. It has been carefully edited into the three-question format, with all of the original wording kept.

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