From Fear to Compassion: Redefining the Dental Experience by Rhythm

From Fear to Compassion: Redefining the Dental Experience by Rhythm - January 2025 Scholarship Essay

Vivid memories of my mother, a paragon of composure, finding creative ways to keep my sister and I entertained as young children have remained with me. Activities ranged from karaoke nights to painting on the bathtub walls. She effortlessly managed everything from planning our surprise birthday parties to balancing work and motherhood. Yet, the thought of a dental visit gave my strong-willed mother terrible anxiety. As a child, she grew up hearing “don’t fix what isn’t broken,” and avoided dentists until her move to the United States at 24. Unfortunately, her initial experiences here were far from reassuring. On her first visit, she endured excruciating pain as a procedure continued due to inadequate anesthesia.
During another distressing visit, she suffered the loss of a tooth due to an unsuccessful root canal treatment. Throughout my childhood, I observed my mother’s reluctance to seek dental care out of fear, resorting to it only when intense pain left no other choice. Her history at the dentist sparked my curiosity about how her experiences could have been different.

In contrast to my mother’s experiences, my interactions with our family dentist, Dr. Amit Patel, have always been uplifting and supportive. Dr. Patel’s approach to patient care, his ability to recall personal details, and his equanimity in all circumstances exemplified the immense influence a compassionate dentist can have on a patient’s life. I was motivated by his benevolence to join a profession that embodies a comparable philosophy of care.

This conviction stayed with me throughout my undergraduate career, guiding me to intern at Southpoint Pediatric Dentistry. During my time, I gained insight into the crucial role doctors play, not only for patients but also for their families. I distinctly remember an encounter I had with the mother of a non-verbal child with autism. Witnessing the extent of her dental anxiety was an eye-opening experience for me, where I realized the necessity for patience in dentistry. Her visible tears and fear touched me deeply as we discussed surgical options for her child. I took a moment to acknowledge her deep worry for her daughter who could not express her own pain and ensured her of our team’s unwavering commitment to excellent treatment. As a future dental professional, I aim to provide a comforting experience to my patients and all family involved. I will clearly educate patients on the process and importance of different treatments to provide reassurance and eliminate all fears.

I have always been driven by a commitment to serving communities in need. During COVID-19, I started Antiracelet, a handmade jewelry business that supports Black Lives Matter. I successfully raised a significant amount for the cause, plus the business drew on my fine motor coordination, honing my ability to precisely manipulate gold wires similar to handling the millimeter precision needed to fill a tooth. During my time at UNC, I sought to continue to make an impact for marginalized communities while combining my passion to alleviate dental anxiety. By volunteering at the CAARE clinic, which offers free dental services to the underserved of Orange County, I interacted with patients who have an inconsistent relationship with their dentist. Seeing dental students talk through each step of treatment and observing the patients’ dental awareness grow was incredibly rewarding and is an impact I’m excited to make in the future. Earning a degree in psychology, I carry the skill to empathize and connect with patients, keeping them in a relaxed state of mind while grasping the importance of routine preventative care.

My path to dentistry has been shaped by many. In this journey, I have learned the power of educating patients, the importance of compassion, and the impact of assisting the underserved while perfecting my fine motor skills, thus laying a strong foundation for dental school. Our community needs more Dr. Patels who can alleviate dental visits by prioritizing preventive education. Dentistry will give me the unique opportunity to interact with individuals from all walks of life, while challenging me to continually adapt to provide personalized care. Through a comprehensive education, preventative measures, and compassionate care, I strive to protect others from experiencing the hardships that my mother faced. My goal is to be an approachable dentist who is trusted by patients for exceptional and empathetic care.