personal statement qna Flashcards
research on DSPC’s
- research poster including key findings, conclusions, references
ON: ten mongrel dogs in institute of animal sci in theran with healthy periodontal tissue
AIM: restoration of damage pulp by regenerating new vessels fibre and tissue
FIND: that dpsc’s combined with scaffolding increased periodontal tissue regrowth in canine models
(autologous)
- rejection
- can it be under nhs? how expensive stem cell treatments would be when available to the public?
You mentioned that you enjoy problem-solving, creativity, and biological sciences—how do you think these skills apply to dentistry?
problem solving - i witnessed during work experience a patient that had diabetes and was also experiencing several caries - balancing aesthetics, function price, adapting during mishaps or challenges during a procedure, using an amalgamation of patient history, xrays symptoms to find cause
creativity - aesthetics play a key part in dentistry - Designing natural-looking veneers, crowns, and composite fillings that match a patient’s facial structure and preferences
biological sciences - requires an understanding of human anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and biochemistry - microbiology = role of bacteria in oral health - biochem = salivary function, neuroscience = anaesthesia - developed analytical skills
What did you learn from your online “Dental Medicine” course, and how has it influenced your understanding of dentistry?
- diabetes don’t just affect one part of the body—they often leave telltale signs in the oral cavity
-oral thrush - a favorable environment for the Candida fungus to thrive - dry mouth - dehydration by causing increased urination
- not just about treating a symptom or lesion but understanding the underlying factors contributing to the disease - comprehensive patient assesment
- biopsychosocial model taught me that mental health, lifestyle, and social determinants are integral to how diseases manifest and progress
- challenges and responsibilities dentists face regarding access to care, affordability, and cultural competence - broader social determinants of health
- increasing role of digital imaging, CAD/CAM technology, and even tele-dentistry
How did your Virtual Work Experience shape your view on patient care and communication in dentistry?
angry client - good complaints procedure - gdc standards - remained calm and listened - engaged in reflective meetings to prevent further issues
What challenges did you observe during your aesthetic clinic work experience, and how would you handle similar situations in a dental practice?
S: patient at an aesthetic clinic who believed one side of their face was uneven - frequently touched and scrutinized the area - multiple treatments
T: recognise when a patient’s concerns might stem from psychological issues
A: reassures facial asymmetries are common - natural or caused by habit - focusing on overall harmony rather than perfect symmetry - thorough assessment and suggested mental health
R: validated and reassured - decided to halt treatment and considered further help
DENTISTRY:
- perceived irregularities in teeth alignment or gum health
- Encouraging patients to express their concerns
- clear explanations
- collaborate with mental health professionals
GDC (RAISE CONCERN & PATIENT FIRST) - looking at the entire clinical rep of a patient - patient centered approach
You mentioned that aesthetics impact patient confidence—how do you think cosmetic dentistry fits into general dental care?
- seen as elective, but it plays an important role in overall dental care
- Aesthetics and function go hand in hand
- improve bite, alignment, speech and tongue issues
- easier to clean - reshaping teeth
- psychological impact, boosting their confidence
A time you saw good communication skills
patient centred approach
distressed - oral cancer - radiotherapy - effective communication across departments - limited range of movement - plaque build up - tell show do
How has your research on the biopsychosocial model changed your perspective on patient care?
dental medicine = book
- different areas of the body affect the oral cavity and VV
- oral cavity = indicates disease
mucosal lesions = hiv/aids
erosion of enamel = acid reflux/ eating disorder
OBESITY = inflammation so inflammation of gums
- Obese people create less adiponectin and leptin = higher insulin = diabetes
- understanding these connections has highlighted why modern dentistry is shifting toward prevention rather than just treatment
- more holistic approach = identifying pre-cursors to disease - innovative ways to cure issues
You’re taking a gap year to gain hands-on experience—what practical skills do you hope to develop during your dental shadowing?
decision-making - assess a patient’s needs, weigh treatment options, and adapt when complications- how they adapt mid-procedure when unexpected challenges arise - flexibility
patient management - from highly anxious patients to those who may be resistant to care - crucial for delivering high-quality patient outcomes
strong leadership and business acumen - manage their practice - optimising work flow - efficiency - relationships with the team
You researched regenerative dentistry—how do you think dental pulp stem cells could transform future treatments?
- regenerate bone lost due to periodontal disease
- regenerate the dental pulp of damaged teeth - preventing root canal treatments
- repair smaller cavities
Can you explain how your chemistry summer school experience might relate to dentistry?
NEWCASTLE RESEARCH
- spectroscopy used in analysing dental materials and also the effectiveness of whitening agents
- data analysis - analysing aldehyde structure led to blah blah = dentists analyze data from X-rays, intraoral scans, and spectral analysis tools to diagnose issues like cavities, gum disease, and even oral cancer
- attention to detail - small errors in measurement affect the accuracy - dentistry / crucial in diagnosis, treatment, and material selection
why did you partake in work experience?
to make an informed decision
hands on learner and visual learner
