I was born and raised in Bangkok, Thailand, where I now live and work. I hold the degrees of Doctor of Dental Surgery and a Master’s degree in Periodontics. I speak Thai and English. My goal in applying for admission to the program is to maximize my knowledge of Implant Dentistry to help patients in my country who desperately need this treatment and to share the knowledge and skills gained with others.
Dental health is generally neglected in much of Asia, including Thailand, and primary education in dental care is often lacking or ignored. There also exists a general shortage of dentists, especially those with specialist skills and knowledge. As a consequence, there is a great deal of work to be done. As a student, I was involved in a project to provide free simple dental treatment to the poor living in remote areas, which exposed to me the extent of the problems. I intend to use my time and talents to provide free treatment to poor people throughout my career. If I am allowed to participate in the program, I plan to become involved in the Thai Royal Implant Project to assist the poor. I hope to be a significant part of my country's solution to dental health problems.
After graduation, I treated patients who had lost all or many teeth and wore dentures or bridges. Many of these patients complained of discomfort, difficulty in retention, and esthetic concerns. My graduate work in Periodontics involved training in using implants, and I began to appreciate the tremendous potential value they offered to patients. For instance, one patient who had lost an anterior tooth ten years previously told me his implant had changed his life. The patient was able to bite and smile confidently and was a much happier person. The fear of smiling is a terrible social disability in any society, but especially among the Thai people, and I hope to give many others the confidence to do so.
As well as my coursework on this topic, I sought additional knowledge about Implant Dentistry; I read widely on the subject, attended symposia and journal analysis conferences, and was involved in ‘interesting case’ and ‘problem case’ discussions. Participating in the 2010 General Session and Exhibition of The International Association of Dental Research made me aware that implant surgery was more complex than I had appreciated. Following my Master’s graduation, I worked in a private clinic treating patients with complex problems but sometimes lacked the prosthodontic knowledge necessary to prepare an effective treatment plan. Consequently, I enrolled in a Mini-Residency Prosthodontic Program to enhance my knowledge. However, it was clear that the level of expertise I sought and current implant technology are both lacking in Thailand. I realized that to become an expert in this specialism, it would be necessary to seek advanced knowledge and skills in the United States.
My research into available programs led me to your own. I am highly impressed by the level of expertise of faculty members, the availability of current technology, the breadth of the curriculum, and an appreciation of the importance of a spiritual element in work and study, which I fully share.
I have spent three months in the United States and a summer in New Zealand to study English; I have also traveled as a tourist in Japan and Spain. I enjoy meeting and working with people from different cultural and social backgrounds and sharing an understanding of my own culture and society.
Since I graduated from the Master’s program, I have provided training to dental students and consider myself an able teacher. I intend to share the knowledge and skills gained in the program as widely as possible. My participation in the program will enable the future training of many others through me. I also intend to undertake research into Implant Dentistry technology on my return to Thailand.
I feel sure that the excellent results I have obtained throughout my academic career will assure my work ethic and diligence and, therefore, my tremendous potential as a student in the program. In addition, I offer a genuine passion for Implant Dentistry and an assurance that I shall apply myself fully and enthusiastically to the program. I also look forward to contributing to the academic community by sharing insights gained in my career.
I know the program will attract many well-qualified applicants, but I consider myself an excellent candidate for the reasons provided. I thank you for considering my application.
