My Motivation To Take Dentistry As A Prospective Career Path

Dentistry speaks to the very essence of who I am and there are two reasons for this. Firstly, from a young age through to high school, I have continually pursued a deeper understanding of science – underpinning dentistry is a complex and innovative science which I am eager to master and help further contribute to the field. Secondly, now more than ever, we live in a global world where contributing to society at large will determine how much further we advance, both as individuals and as a society – through mastery of dentistry, I will be able cement my life commitment to helping those in need.

I believe I have the desire, passion and wherewithal to overcome the challenging path I know dentistry is. My initial exposure to taking dentistry as a prospective career path was my participation in the ‘Oxford University Summer School Programme 2017 at Christ Church, Oxford’. The most insightful talk was on functionalized nano-sized graphene used for dental and orthopaedic implants. After learning about the unexpected ‘Scotch tape method’ in the discovery of graphene, not only did I gain an immense amount of respect for Andrew and Kostya, I was also inspired to do further research on the subject by joining the Hong Kong Science Competition and reading articles.

From the article of the Thematic Series "Advances in nanocarbon composite materials”, it states that the few-layer graphene material can be used to fabricate graphene dental-polymer composites. With only 0. 2% graphene in the composites lead to enhanced performance improvement in physio-mechanical properties – the mean compressive strength increased by 27% and the mean compressive modulus increased by 22%. In the innovative contest, I've designed a research poster on the topic of Graphene in the field of bioengineering, which gained the finalist position and was showcased in the Hong Kong Science Park. I am interested in the science behind dentistry and amazed by how scientific advancement aids dental development, improving the quality of life of many. Dentistry combines my passion for three things: My underlying intellectual curiosity, love of science and appreciation also for the arts in dance and drawings. Dentistry will help me make a long-term impact on society by a lifetime commitment to serving the community. Striving to make a positive impact on everyone, I always spend my free time serving others such as holding science workshops in the ‘Hong Kong society for the protection of children’. The time where my interest in the subject dentistry intensified was when I assisted the dental students in the Dental Health Fair Check-Up at a Sikh Temple.

The students educated ethnic minorities on the importance of oral health and home oral care, as well as providing treatment for problematic teeth. I've met different ethnic minorities such as Nepali, Pakistani and Indian, who rarely sought any kind of medical treatment. Seeing their wild smiles and tears of joy made me understand the pleasure of helping others. Since then, I've begun to see the dental profession as less of an occupation and more as a life commitment to serve the community. I am driven by my own humanitarian beliefs in giving back to society and helping others. Moreover, in joining the big sister scheme at my school, I've given one-to-one tutorials to lower form students every week and during holidays. I also treasured the time spent tutoring some children from grass-roots families.

During the summer of 2018, I spent three weeks shadowing a number of dentists and medical professions in surgeries and practices. My decision to study dentistry was strengthened by my work experience and reading different research papers. Observing the interactions of the orthodontist Dr Abby Wu and Dr C. Y Pang with their patients, I understood the impact of aesthetic dentistry on patients' psychological well-being. In response, the dentist introduced me to computer simulation technologies, which all aimed at improving the consumer experience and relieving the stress of anxious patients. In one paper, ‘Assessment of the psychological impact of dental aesthetic’, it is proven that dental aesthetics has a direct effect on all oral health-related quality of life scale values, with a greater social appearance concern in individuals with poor dental aesthetics. Eager to learn how aesthetics can affect the well-being of humans, I've also participated in some hands-on experience by assisting Dr Sky Wong, who is an aesthetic doctor. Furthermore, to gain a better understanding of the BDS programme, I've joined the Young Medical and Healthcare Professions Programme and was actively engaged in the PBL sessions, diagnosing and formulating treatment plans for patients suffering from a variety of oral diseases.

Moreover, in participating a two-week “Amazing Microbes” STEM programme held by a former HKU professor, Dr Fred Leung, I've had the opportunity to grow bacteria, found in our mouth cavities, on agar plates. By using gel electrophoresis, I am able to identify various types of bacteria in our mouth cavities. I have then applied the techniques I learnt in the programme during a summer placement in Bright Growth Biomedical laboratory. With the problem-based learning methods in these two programmes run by HKU professors, I have acquired the basic knowledge of sciences and strengthened my research skills, affirming my interest in studying Dentistry at HKU. Good dental care requires the collaboration between members of a dental team, where dentists are considered to be the leaders.

Therefore, I've always focused on developing my leadership skills. At school, I've become one of the members of my school's Prefects Board this year through election, class prefects and Zonta Z member for 4 years. As one of the elected 20 representatives, that assist the School Authority with the smooth running of the school. It also promotes leadership qualities and enhances social and civic responsibility in me, both within and outside the school. Outside of school, I am actively involved in upholding the ideas of equality and human rights, where I've represented Sri Lanka to attend a model united-nation conference and voiced out my opinions on ‘Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare’. Besides, I am also concerned about the community, especially for the underprivileged.

Attending Hong Kong Sign Language Learning courses from The Chinese University of Hong Kong and Centre of Sign Linguistics and Deaf Studies, I have learnt sign language for effective communication in everyday situations and explored the Hong Kong deaf culture by having an authentic experience with the deaf. This opportunity has helped me recognise the great satisfaction that comes with working in a healthcare profession and prepared me to serve the deaf and hard-of-hearing patients. Therefore, I will be able to bring a sense of eagerness and motivation to absorb more knowledge that there is to offer. I hope to contribute my input and perspectives to a richer and diverse body in the dentistry field. And I cannot wait for this exciting journey to come!