Answers to the Applicant Questionnaire

1) Please explain why you selected dentistry as a profession Answer- I chose dentistry as a profession because I have always wanted to pursue a career in the healthcare field. Belonging to a family with many doctors, I have always been motivated to serve people. Watching a teenager, Rajesh from my native place Kutch, suffer from oral cancer was a reinforcing factor for my choice of profession. The prevalence of oral cancer in my native village is 1 per 50 villagers. Although I am not proud about the facts and figures but I definitely wish to contribute to change the present scenario. I realized 7 years ago that I can make a difference only if I become a dental professional. Healing pain and watching my patients walk out with a smile and self confidence is something that I have always looked forward to do in my professional life. Also through the medium of dentistry I have a desire to control my working life, to gain the satisfaction of treating patients and manage my career with my personal life. For me, dentistry is a dynamic and rewarding profession. As a dentist I get the satisfaction of being a healer, of being independent and also do community service. 2) If you were employed while obtaining your dental degree, how many hours a week did you work, and what was the nature of your employment? Answer-I have been employed while obtaining my dental degree. 1. Dr Rohit Savlas Clinic-I have done my internship during the summer vacations of my dental school for 2 years (2008-2009) since my third year B.D.S at Dr. Savlas clinic in the rural region of Kutch, Gujarat, India. Hours per week- 30 hours per week. Duties- I have assisted Dr. Savla in many dental procedures, preparing patient chart and maintaining records and performing oral prophylactic procedures. 2. Dr .J.M. Nagdas clinic-I have been a dental assistant at Dr. Nagdas clinic, Mumbai. Duration-February2010-September2010. Hours per week-30 hours per week. Duties- Assisting many implant procedures, prosthetic work and oral surgical treatments. I was responsible for preparing the patient chart, doing the preliminary dental check-up and maintaining patient records.

3) Please describe your experience in dentistry. Answer- My experience in Dentistry has been magnificent in the past 7 years. The whole journey from carving the anatomy of teeth on wax to performing dental extractions was spectacular. By doing rural service I have become more compassionate towards the poor and less fortunate. Being a part of the 'No-Tobacco campaigns and Child Health Care programs' conducted in the rural areas of Gujarat, I have had the opportunity to experience dentistry at grass-root level. I have evolved as an outspoken clinician by interacting with people belonging to different economics groups, races, religions and languages. Therefore dentistry has not only groomed me to be a better dental professional but it also has made me a better person. The Child Health Care program year 2012, conducted by Dr.Girish Shah, a professor at New York University was the most satisfying dental experience for me because we provided complete restorative and preventive care to at least 5000 children in 10days.I was fortunate to be a part of a program rendering this kind of dental care which is difficult to find in India. The best part about dentistry is that it is an endless ocean of knowledge. Every time there is some new research and discovery which prevents this profession from being monotonous. With each passing year my passion and drive for dentistry has increased by leaps and bounds.

4) Awards for outstanding academic achievements: 1. Certificate for receiving 3rd rank in third year of dentistry. 2. Certificate for rural dental service by Shree Bidada Sarvodaya trust in year 2008. 3. Certificate for rural dental service by Shree Bidada Sarvodaya trust in year 2009. 4. Certificate for rural dental service by Shree Bidada Sarvodaya trust in year 2010. 5. Certificate of honor by the Chairman of Shree Bidada Sarvodaya trust for humanitarian work in year 2011. 6. Year2012-Certificate for Professional Voluntary Services for Noble Humanitarian Cause
in the Dental Outreach camp conducted by Dr. Girish Shah, MPh, Specialized in Orofacial pain and TMJ disorders, Professor at New York University, USA.

Question number 5-I havent had the opportunity to be an author of any publications for research projects.

6) Are you proficient (written or conversational) in language(s) other than English? Please list them Answer- Yes I am proficient in language other than English. I know how to read, write and speak well in the following languages: 1. Hindi 2. Marathi 3. Gujarati 4. Kutchi (Dialect)

7) If you observed a classmate cheating, what if any action would you take and why? Answer- If I observed a classmate cheating I would bring it to the notice of the supervisor immediately as I believe that cheating often deprives success to the students who genuinely deserve it. Cheating for me is like malpractice. Moreover, when few students cheat they disturb the decorum and prevent other students from focusing in their examination. There is purely no short cut to success. Therefore I will bring the malpractice to the notice of the supervisor.

8) After receiving your DDS, how and where do you envision your skills being employed? Answer- After receiving my DDS degree I will be better qualified to serve people. The superior hands-on skills obtained while doing my DDS will definitely help my future dental practice. In future I see myself practicing part time in a public hospital where I can serve people at nominal rates and part time manage my private practice. Since I have been involved with rural dental programs I can incorporate my clinical and theoretical skills better for these programs in future. I also look forward to improve the dental awareness among the under-privilege population as I believe dental ignorance is the root cause for all oral maladies. The preventive dental care like fluoride application and sealant placement are very well practiced in the United States. After doing DDS I will have enhanced knowledge in this field as well. In summary after DDS I envision my skills being employed in providing a better quality of dental care to my patients in my private practice, at public hospitals and rural dental practice as well.

9) Please state briefly why you should be selected for admission to the UCSF IDP over other applicants with similar qualifications. Answer- The reason why I should be selected for admission to the UCSF IDP over other applicants with similar qualifications is that I am highly passionate about dentistry. I am very dedicated, devoted and determined for achieving my future goals. One of the reasons why I could be an excellent addition to your program is that I have the grit and determination to do community service which is reflected by the fact that I have conducted dental camps in rural areas of Kutch, India since the past 4 years. Dentistry for me is not only the medium for becoming independent but it is also a medium for serving people. I have learnt to be more grounded as a person, selfless and compassionate towards the less fortunate. I have persistently tried to improve my clinical skills by doing continuing education courses after my graduation simply because I believe in being at par with the recent technologies in the field of dentistry. Apart from dentistry I have also been active in a number of extra-curricular activities like art, theatre, gymnastics and classical dancing. Being an Art Director for the Student Council of my college I have been associated with organizing intra-college and inter-collegiate events from year2009-2010.Being a member of the No-Tobacco campaign for Shree Bidada
Sarvodaya Trust required me to learn a dialect called 'Kutchi' spoken by the villagers in order to communicate effectively. It is the reflection of the fact that I can go to any extent for making a difference. It also required me to work with a group of 20 people from different states of India as well as United States to collect the statistical data and cross reference the old records with new records. Around 50 families have successfully quit tobacco addiction which is a good example to demonstrate my ability to work with people of different backgrounds and cultures. I have not only set goals for myself but I have also started working towards them. In summary my history of providing service to the unfortunate, updating my knowledge with new technologies, my leadership qualities and my ability to work as a team should be the reasons for UCSF IDP to choose me over other applicants.