Dentistry Case

The smell alone used to make me nauseous. I could barely get through the front door before I would feel the hair at the base of my neck stand on end. I would sit uncomfortably in the waiting room chairs praying that my mom would have a change of heart to take me back home.

This was the scene each and every time I had a dental appointment. Needless to say, I feared the dentist. My memories of the dentist are not highlighted with visits to the treasure box or the joy of picking out a new toothbrush. By the time I reached this part of the dental visit, I wanted nothing to do with anything that would keep me in the office even a second more.

My first exposure to dentistry, out of the chair, came when I began babysitting for a dentist. He worked on the weekends, and his daughter and I would tag along. Initially I stayed as far away from the dentist chair as possible, but later, I became curious, and gradually observant. By the time I reached high school, I was intrigued by every aspect of dentistry. The procedures quickly turned from one of torment into something more familiar. Coming from a family of engineers and contractors, I recognized the doctor's instruments because they were similar to tools I had grown up watching my father use. I began to think of dentistry as performing small scale construction in a small hole. Performing such intricate procedures while simultaneously utilizing my mind and hands both excited me and complimented my detail attentive personality.

Since my interest first peaked, I have continued towards my goal to become a dentist, not only through high academic achievement, but with life experience. I obtained my dental radiography license and worked as a dental assistant during high school and was provided with the opportunity to observe a variety of dental procedures. I also gained exposure to the additional responsibilities of a dental professional ranging from the billing process to dealing with insurance companies. I got a glimpse of the organizational skills necessary to run a small business. I continued gaining experiences upon entering college by volunteering at a dental clinic that provides free services to the homeless. My service at this clinic has strengthened my desire to become a dentist.

Volunteering at the homeless dental clinic has taught me the importance of dental hygiene and how it can affect every aspect of a person's life. Most of the homeless patients have neglected their teeth for years, and realize that they need help. It is an amazing experience to watch the transformation in a person as their teeth are fixed. For most patients, it is a long process, and their self esteem visibly increases with each visit. By the end of the treatment, some finally have the confidence to get a job, and may return to let us know of their new found success. The personal contact incorporated with dentistry is appealing as it provides the opportunity