Dental school is packed full of amazing experiences and opportunities. There are many experiences I could choose from but here are my top 5:

Learning about anatomy and dissections

During our first year of university, we had the opportunity to do dissections while learning about human anatomy. Alongside other topics anatomy is important for dentists to know and it is one of the few courses where we are able to do dissections. While most of first year is lecture based, anatomy was one of my favourite topics to learn due to its practical nature.

First patient contact

Seeing a patient for the first time may seem daunting. Everything you’ve learnt from the start of first year and throughout the first part of second year seems like it has built up to that moment when you greet your first patient. One of the best aspects of dentistry is that you start seeing your own patients quite early on in the course and while you start with simple treatment, as you progress through the years you are able to provide more complex treatments to patients according to your developing skill set. Although I was nervous when I saw my first patient, looking back at it now it was a great feeling to actually start helping people with the new skills we are learning as dental students.

Placements

While progressing through dental school, an important aspect in our training is going to outreach clinics. These clinics are outside of our normal university hospital where we initially start treating patients. At Cardiff we are able to travel to hospitals all around Wales and reach the wider community to treat patients with varying needs. It has been amazing to meet new people including the incredible dentists and nurses who are there every step of the way to help us care for the new patients we see on the clinics. It has also provided a flavour of what to expect when we start working out in practice which is a exciting prospect.

Completing treatment

As I am now in my final year at Cardiff, I am also getting to the end of treatment for some of the patients whom I have been seeing since 2nd and 3rd year. The amazing thing about this is that we are able to deliver care from start to finish and see the difference it can make to someone! It provides the great chance to build a strong relationship with patients and it also gives an insight into what it may be like treating your own patients when you go into practice, some of which you will be seeing for many years.

Dental balls

One of my favourite things about dental school is that there is a real sense of community within the course. As there are only around 70 of us in each year we really get to know everyone in our year and also the older and younger years – this makes social events even more fun! The highlight of the dental social calendar is definitely the annual ball where everyone ditches scrubs for ball gowns and suits. It’s always a great night and it’s something I will really miss when I leave dental school so I definitely couldn’t leave it out of my top 5 experiences!

 

By Nitignya Navadgi

A unique, captivating introduction

The introduction could arguably be the hardest part of your personal statement to write. If you’re struggling to write your introduction, we recommend leaving it initially and focusing on the other sections to avoid being bogged down. The best introductions are the ones that are unique, personal and grab the reader’s attention from the beginning with relevant motivations to study medicine. Good ways of doing this are by including personal anecdotes or life experiences combined with demonstration of scientific aptitude.

Points to avoid in your introduction:

• You’re motivated to study medicine because you want to ‘help’ people – we can’t stress enough to avoid this; so many careers help people. It also shows you don’t have a realistic view of a career in medicine by stating this

• You want to study medicine to be respected – as a doctor you’re expected to always provide the highest quality of patient care regardless of whether you’re respected by patients

• Avoid cliché/abstract motivations to study medicine

Reflect, elaborate & expand

The most important aspect of your personal statement that medical schools are looking for is your own unique reflection of your experiences. They’re not going to be impressed if you list all the hospitals you might have visited or volunteering activities. What’s more important is to explain what you learnt from these experiences and what it makes you realise about a career in medicine. When it comes to talking about your extra-curricular achievements, its crucial you discuss the attributes you developed that shows you’re a suitable candidate to study medicine rather than listing all of your extra-curricular activities.

Use Specific Examples

We often notice in personal statements that students make vague, generic points with no evidence backing their claims. Using specific examples from your work experience, volunteering or extracurricular activities helps make the point you write more personal and impactful. It also demonstrates to the admissions panel, you actually understand the point you’re trying to articulate.

When possible try to utilize the PEE (point, evidence, explain) approach when writing the main body of your personal statement. (P) you make a point or observation, (E) back this point with a specific example you saw during your work experience, volunteering or extra-curricular activities (E) reflect on what this experience has taught you or made you realise.

Make it Flow

Your personal statement should flow seamlessly from paragraph to paragraph. Not doing so can make your personal statement jump abruptly from point to point and less professional. To improve the flow of your personal statement, try use connective phrases such as: to explore, to develop, in addition, consequently, furthermore, this made me realise.

Finish Strong

The final paragraph/conclusion should neatly summarise why you think you’d be suitable candidate to study medicine with your attributes and understanding of life as a doctor. The conclusion should not be used to mention any new experiences, rather a concise summary of what’s previously been written.
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