For the past 12 years, my oral medicine personal statement has been gathering digital dust in my archives. So, I decided to put it to use by publishing it. Not that I think it's the best personal statement since sliced bread was invented (no, it's not!). But I figured it might help a student or dentist interested in a career in oral medicine.
I titled my personal statement "Journey to My Vision," reflecting my path to my chosen career.
Although my journey is still in progress, I am incredibly grateful for how far I have come. If you would like to learn more about my career journey and where I am now, click HERE for my about me page.
Now, to the personal statement, which I wrote when I applied to oral medicine residency programs. And in case you are wondering, I completed my oral medicine residency and a Master of Science in Oral Biology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine from 2012-2015.
Journey to My Vision: My Oral Medicine Personal Statement
My dental education thus far has been an immense learning experience. From my initial oral medicine rotation, it has stood out as my greatest passion, and over time, I have found it very stimulating. Indeed, the wide variety of disorders affecting the oral and maxillofacial region and the opportunity to treat dental diseases in medically complex patients offers me both the challenges and the potential for fulfillment I seek in a career.
The intellectual and technical aspects of practicing oral medicine inspire me. I enjoy assimilating data from a patient’s initial presentation, analyzing information, and then arriving at a diagnosis. The subsequent process of actively intervening to manage patients is truly rewarding and fulfilling. This intellectual approach, coupled with practical application, motivates me to enter a career in oral medicine.
My extensive training at New York University College of Dentistry and my further clinical training as a General Practice Resident make me an excellent choice for your program. During dental school, I was able to combine the rigors of dental school and my pursuit of academic excellence. This involved acceptance into the Oral Medicine Honors Program, where I was directly exposed to patients with a wide array of oral mucosal lesions, including oral cancers, vesiculobullous lesions, and salivary gland disorders. Managing these patients required constant dynamic thought processes, which I found challenging. As I continue to develop as a clinician, I look forward to an oral medicine residency where I will also have the opportunity to participate in clinical research, notably that focusing on oral cancer.
Training as a General Practice Resident at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey exposed me to a wide variety of both systemic and local diseases. This training was complemented by hospital-based rotations in Medicine and Anesthesia. My work on the hospital floors and the outpatient clinics helped familiarize me with the dental management of medically complex patients. I routinely took care of various categories of patients, including those being evaluated for transplant, on radiotherapy/chemotherapy, HIV patients, and patients with end-stage renal disease, amongst others. I was particularly struck by the complex oral problems such patients could present with, and treating these patients contributed significantly to my growing interest in oral medicine.
My drive is to be an outstanding oral medicine specialist. I believe that your program will give me the best chance to achieve this goal. I know your program can offer me excellent training and guide me to improve clinically. I will be able to hone the abilities I already have, as well as assist me in networking in the future. I bring intensity, intelligence, and compassion to my work. I am very comfortable working independently and immensely capable of working in diverse teams in an environment of varied viewpoints. I know I can be an asset to the program. My long-term goals include an academic career involving clinical research, clinical practice, and developing oral medicine in third-world countries, such as Sub-Saharan Africa.
I look forward to joining your oral medicine residency program knowing the challenges, the satisfaction, and the eventual self-actualization to come. I hope my journey brings me to your program so that I can fulfill my vision.
© 2023. Journey to My Vision: My Oral Medicine Personal Statement. Dr. Chizobam Idahosa. All Rights Reserved.
Follow me to my Christian website to read my article titled "Raison d’être: The Reason for your Existence" by clicking HERE.