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Personal Statement for Dentistry

A strong personal statement is important for a successful application.

Personal statement

Some dental schools will use your personal statement as the basis of your interview. Others put less emphasis on its importance. However, it is likely to be used to assess your suitability for the course at some stage.

In addition to your academic capability, it gives you the opportunity to reflect on what you’ve learned from work experience. It demonstrates you have the personal skills required for dentistry.

Focus on

  • your reasons for applying
  • how your work experience has prepared you for the course and career
  • supporting information, like extra-curricular activities.

You have a limit of 47 lines or 4,000 characters (including spaces). The form will cut off if you go over the limit. Leave room for breaks between paragraphs.

Common mistakes on a personal statement

Try to avoid these mistake commonly made on personal statements.

Being too descriptive

Say what you learned, not just what you saw or enjoyed. For example:

  • What did you learn about good patient care?
  • How did your experiences challenge your views of the profession?
  • What does this mean for you as a prospective dental professional?
Being too vague

Talk clearly about your experiences to highlight your enthusiasm.

Instead of saying ‘I have always longed to be a dentist’, say ‘I have wanted to be a dentist since I was 11, after my experience of....’

If you don’t know how to express why you want to be a dentist, ask yourself ‘Why not?’

Why do you want to be a dentist and not a doctor? What is the difference between the roles? What does the first role provide that the second doesn’t?

Being too general

Try to be as specific as you can.

In an example about shadowing, instead of saying 'the dentist’s empathy skills calmed the patient down', be more focused. What did the dentist do specifically? Was it their tone of voice? Or their body language?

Using romantic language

Highlight that you understand the realities of dentistry. Words like ‘enlightened’, ‘privileged’ and ‘longed’ are too romantic for a personal statement.

Having a lack of structure

Your statement should follow a logical structure. For example:

  • Firstly, explain why you want to pursue this career
  • Then, highlight how you have prepared with work experience
  • End by showcasing your other skills, hobbies and interests
Including name-dropping

You don’t need to give the names of specific practitioners, hospitals, practices or procedures. Instead focus on what you learned about the profession and quality patient care.

Give examples of this throughout your personal statement.

Get feedback on your personal statement

As a Newcastle University student or registered recent graduate, you can get feedback on your personal statement from the Careers Service. All our careers consultants have experience of personal statements for dentistry.

The Careers Service does not check grammar or proof read. Please see the Academic Skills Team for advice on using grammar and punctuation. They do not offer a proof reading service.

Book an online or in person guidance appointment via MyCareer, or use the Careers Service drop-in service to get statement feedback.

Further information

  • MedicPortal.com - advice on writing a personal statement for dentistry
  • Dental Schools Council - advice on making an application and personal statements
  • Prospects Dentist profile - includes information on the role and the skills needed to become a dentist. This is useful for when writing a personal statement
  • UCAS - guide on writing a personal statement
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