and disliked the idea that my dentist didn't feel the need to communicate with me ... I have an open mind and am always
Florence Nightingale Match #00000
You know that feeling you get in the pit of your stomach when you rise to meet a challenge? The feeling of your heart beating faster as you gear up to pass the tests life has placed before you? I live for those moments. I felt it as an undergraduate preparing for my future and when I left to pursue the dental career I dreamed of at UCSF. I get that feeling when I learn new things and when I can use my experiences to educate and help others. During the six weeks of my pediatric rotation, I felt it deeper and more strongly than ever before. My most vivid memory of pediatric dentistry was actually not a pleasant one: I was about five years old and was told to quiet down while my head was forcefully moved in unnatural directions. I remember feeling uncomfortable and disliked the idea that my dentist didn't feel the need to communicate with me simply because I was a child. While transitioning to becoming a provider in the clinic, I kept that incident in mind, especially while interacting with pediatric patients; and I was careful to be respectful of each and every one of my patients. Throughout my third year, my experiences with pediatric dentistry have solidified my passion to pursue this path for several reasons: I like that pediatric dentists are at the forefront of preventing dental disease, fully encompassing the role of practitioner and educator. I enjoy having the opportunity to apply what I have learned, something I pursued in an elective this spring when I presented a lecture on the preventive benefits of flouride. Teaching children about oral hygiene has been one of the most empowering experiences of my training. One of my most memorable experiences occurred while volunteering at a private office: a ten- year old boy came to me because his classmates were teasing him about his teeth. When I demonstrated proper hygiene technique and showed him how simple it was, his entire persona lit up. The transformation in his outlook really energized me. I also like that pediatric dentists forge lifelong relationships with their patients. Building any relationship takes trust and patience, but with a child, it is especially important, as they truly take everything at face value. I learned this lesson very quickly, and developing my skills with my niece and nephews has been particularly satisfying. My goal is to draw upon these experiences to meet the needs of my patients and my practice. In particular, I would greatly enjoy employing my skills by treating children with disabilities. While observing a clinic at Boston University, I saw how a child with a disability could be fine one minute and then inattentive and restless the next. I appreciated the challenge it was to find the right balance of patience, skill, and understanding. Living and working in San Francisco these past few years, I have experienced an extremely diverse patient population. Growing up as a first-generation American citizen, I have developed an inherent respect for differences, and been inspired to pursue a variety of outside interests. I enjoy experiencing new foods and cultures, especially through travel, exploring different cities and the way people live. At Boston University, I took the opportunity to study Art History in Greece for a summer and took it even further by backpacking alone through France and Italy. I traveled to England recently for the first time as an adult where I was able to make a connection between the people my parents are today and the lives they had before coming to America. Music also plays an essential role in my life and my adventurous nature leads me to all varieties. If my MP3 player could speak, I am sure it would beg me for a much needed break. From participating in a Tango event at Mt Holyoke, to chatting about the latest pop-stars with children, I have found music to be a powerful means of connecting with people of all ages. I have been lucky in that life has granted me many diverse opportunities. I have an open mind and am always willing to hear new perspectives; no matter where I find myself, I strive to engage with the people and the world around me. After residency I plan to pursue a career in private practice while maintaining ties with dental schools by possibly teaching on the clinic floor on a weekly basis. After the breadth of experiences I have had, I am confident that I possess the traits and skills necessary to be a successful pediatric dentist. I am energetic, focused, and understanding. My background in psychology and counseling as a Student Health Advocate has refined my communication and interpersonal skills, which facilitates my work with children as well as their parents. Given this background, I am searching for a residency program that emphasizes teamwork, offers a varied clinical experience, and cares for a diverse patient population. I am certain that such a program will help me to continue being excited and motivated about joining the ranks of today’s pediatric dentists.
Lady of the Lamp Avenue . San Francisco, CA 90000 Phone (333)111.2222. E-mail
[email protected]
Florence Nightingale EDUCATION 00/00-00/00
University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA Doctor of Dental Surgery
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Mount Holyoke College, MA Bachelor of Science in Physics
PEDIATRIC EXPERIENCE 00/00-00/00
Externship – La Clinica De La Raza, San Francisco, CA Provided treatment for six to eight patients, 1/4 to 1/3 pediatric, per day for scaling, restorative, and oral surgery.
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Pediatric Rotation – UCSF School of Dentistry Provided treatment including exams, prophys, restorative, oral hygiene instructions, and extractions for pediatric patients.
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Externship – UCSD School of Dentistry Observed residents in the pediatric clinic – exams, prophys, restorative, and special needs patients.
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Pediatric Observation – UCSF School of Dentistry Observed treatment in an operating room of a child under general anesthesia. Assisted and observed pediatric residents in restorative treatment and behavioral management.
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Elective – Current Issues in Pediatric Dentistry – UCSF School of Dentistry Presented to classmates on the benefits of flouride. Discussed other topics relevant to pediatric dentistry such as sealants and crowns.
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CE Course Online – First 5 Oral Health Learned about the need for prevention and how a first visit to the dentist should proceed.
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Dental Screenings – various San Francisco schools, Bay Point Boys & Girls Club Spoke with children from pre-school to high school about oral hygiene and nutrition. Completed brief dental screenings to determine urgency of dental care needed.
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Give Kids A Smile – Dr. Clara Barton, Oakland, CA Provided exams, prophys, and sealants to children at no charge. Taught children about oral health and how to maintain proper hygiene.
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Teenage Parent Day – Dr. Clara Barton, Oakland, CA Provided exams, prophys, scaling/root planning to young mothers. Educated mothers on baby-bottle tooth decay. Observed knee-to-knee exams.
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Orthodontic Journal Club – UCSF School of Dentistry Mock treatment planned orthodontic cases.
LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE 00/00-00/00
Second-year Class Treasurer – UCSF School of Dentistry Organized and collected class dues, managed bank account.
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General Dentistry Association - Student Coordinator – UCSF School of Dentistry Worked with a group of designated leaders to organize group events, recruit new members, and contribute to an AGD newsletter.
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President – Mount Holyoke Pre-Dental Society Organized and arranged club meetings, oversaw first-ever Student-Faculty evening incorporating pre-dental students, dental students and dental faculty in an informal setting. President-Elect – Mount Holyoke Pre-Dental Society Planned club events with other board members, assisted current President.
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Alumni Relations - Student Health Advocate – Mount Holyoke Student Housing Helped students with any health needs including dispensing medications, referrals, and one-on-one counseling. In 2000, established groundwork for a new alumni relations program to maintain contacts and relationships. Volunteered at student health fairs.
RESEARCH, UNIVERSITY ACTIVITIES 00/00-00/00
Education Abroad Program – Athens, Greece Studied Art History at the University of Athens.
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Naples Dental Clinical Trials – Boston University, MA Made casts and whitening trays, observed bacterial studies working with a halimeter, and judged tooth shade in clinical trials of teeth whitening systems and studies on halitosis.
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Research Assistant – Boston University Department of Psychology Coded experiment tapes for interactions between children and parents in a study on generalized anxiety disorder in children.
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Mount Holyoke Latina Student Union – Member and Culture Show Participant
COMMUNITY SERVICE 00/00
Volunteer - UCSF Kid’s Day Talked to young girls about dentistry, helped them take impressions of their fingers and scale off of typodonts.
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Community Dental Clinic – Provider Provided free dental treatment to underserved San Francisco population at UCSF clinic.
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Volunteer - ADEA/ASDA Tutorials – Helped first and second-year dental students in the pre-clinical lab by giving tips and answering questions on lab work. Alumni Scholars Club – Mount Holyoke “I’m Going to College” – Gave tours of Mt Holyoke to elementary school children and took them to a sports game to encourage education. “Experience 2000” – Act as a representative of Mt Holyoke and answer questions for a group of newly admitted, minority Mt Holyoke students “Guardian Angel” – Be a friend and mentor for several incoming freshmen.
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Volunteer Boston University Dental School Observed and worked with dental students in the chartroom, billing, patient intake, teaching labs, sterilization and clinic. 80 hours completed.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Academy of General Dentistry American Student Dental Association
HONORS 00/00-00/00 00/00-00/00 00/00 00/00 00/00 00/00
Psi Psi Honor Society (Physicss) Mount Holyoke Foundation Outstanding Student Scholarship Provost’s Honors, Mount Holyoke College ADEA Women in Dentistry Award Google.com Diversity Leadership Weekend Winner Mount Holyoke Pre-Dental Society Outstanding Member Award Florence Nightingale, Resume Page #2
