Dentistry Personal Statement Examples (With Annotations of What Works and What Doesn’t)

Dec 8

Understanding the New UCAS Personal Statement Format (2026 Entry)

If you’re applying for 2026 entry, be aware that UCAS has changed the personal statement format. Instead of writing one long essay, you now have to answer three specific questions, each designed to cover key areas of your application. The overall character limit is still 4,000 characters (including spaces), with a minimum of 350 characters for each answer. In other words, you’ll essentially write three mini-essays that together form your personal statement. The new structure helps you cover what universities want to see without leaving anything out. The questions are:

Why do you want to study this course (dentistry)? – This is your chance to show your passion and motivation for dentistry. Explain what attracts you to the field and what has sustained your interest over time (for example, a particular experience or inspiration).
How have your qualifications and studies prepared you for dentistry? – Highlight relevant skills or knowledge you gained from your academic work (A-levels, college courses, projects). Show that you understand how your subjects (e.g. Biology or Chemistry) or achievements have equipped you for a rigorous dental degree.
What have you done outside of education to prepare, and why are these experiences useful? – Describe any work experience, volunteering, or extracurricular activities that demonstrate your commitment and suitability for dentistry. Reflect on what you learned and why those experiences are valuable for a future dentist.

These three answers together make up your personal statement, and admissions tutors will read them as a whole. There’s no need to worry about writing all answers the exact same length – you can distribute the 4,000 characters as needed (as long as each is above 350 characters). Just ensure you cover all three areas without repeating yourself. The new format might feel a bit strange if you were expecting to write a single essay, but it’s actually helpful: it “scaffolds” your statement so you include exactly what universities want. In the next sections, we’ll look at what content dental schools expect in each of these areas, and then we’ll dive into some example excerpts with annotations of what works well (and what doesn’t).

What Do Dental Schools Look for in a Personal Statement?

Dental schools in the UK are looking for a few key things in your personal statement. Remember, dentistry is a competitive field, and your statement is an opportunity to stand out and nab that interview. In fact, not all dental schools formally score your personal statement for interview selection, but most will refer to it during your interview – so it needs to be strong, sincere, and something you’re prepared to discuss. Below are the main qualities and evidence admissions tutors want to see:

Motivation and Commitment to Dentistry: You must show that you really want to be a dentist and understand what a career in dentistry involves. Why have you chosen dentistry over other healthcare professions? Perhaps you’ve been inspired by a role model, a specific experience, or even a TV documentary. Be honest and specific about what fuels your ambition. The Dental Schools Council advises that applicants should demonstrate they are making an “informed choice” to study dentistry through thorough career exploration. In practice, this means mentioning things like any dental-related books or articles you’ve read (e.g. the British Dental Journal), dental podcasts or documentaries you found enlightening, and work experience or shadowing you undertook – and, crucially, what you learned from them. For example, one applicant mentioned how watching BBC’s “Operation Ouch!” as a child first piqued their interest, which was later confirmed by volunteering at a local dental clinic (showing a sustained interest). Demonstrating that you have researched the profession is vital. The University of Sheffield, for instance, expects applicants to show they’ve looked into career opportunities in dentistry and even compared them to other healthcare careers. You might note how dentistry uniquely combines restoring health with improving confidence (through aesthetic work), which is something that appealed to you more than, say, general medicine.
Understanding of the Dental Profession (Insight and Experience): Admissions tutors want evidence that you know what being a dentist really entails day-to-day. Nearly all dental schools expect you to have done work experience or observation in a dental setting. This could be a week spent shadowing a dentist, volunteering at a clinic, or even an online work experience programme. Reflect on what insights you gained: for example, seeing a multi-disciplinary dental team in action, or observing how a dentist communicates with nervous patients. Write about how these experiences confirmed your desire to study dentistry or taught you something new. Always connect back to what it means for you as a future dentist (e.g. “Observing a patient with severe gum disease regain their smile after treatment showed me the profound impact dentists can have on patients’ quality of life, strengthening my resolve to join this profession”). Also mention any steps you took when dental work experience was hard to get – for instance, some students completed virtual work experiences or explored other caring roles. (King’s College London notes that if you couldn’t shadow a dentist due to circumstances, you should at least reflect on experience in a caring or public-facing role that gave you relevant people skills.) Keep in mind that some schools have particular expectations: the University of Sheffield prefers in-person experience in a general dental practice, Liverpool suggests experience in a practice or hospital (ideally more than one), and Bristol likes to see that you’ve explored various fields of dentistry (general practice, hospital, community, lab work, etc.). No matter what your experience, focus on what you learned about the profession – such as understanding the importance of empathy, communication, teamwork, and manual dexterity in dentistry – rather than just listing what you did.
Relevant Skills and Qualities: Being a good dentist isn’t just about academic ability; it’s about having the right personal attributes. Admissions tutors will be looking for indications of qualities like communication skills, teamwork, leadership, manual dexterity, attention to detail, empathy, and resilience. You should provide evidence of these skills from your life. This can come from anywhere – your subjects at school, extracurricular activities, part-time jobs, or volunteering. For example, perhaps running a science club at school improved your communication and leadership skills, or playing in a football team taught you teamwork and discipline. Maybe you play a musical instrument or do arts and crafts, which helped hone your manual dexterity and patience – crucial for a dentist. (In fact, showing you have good hand-eye coordination and dexterity through hobbies like model-making, painting, or playing piano can really strengthen your statement.) If you’ve done an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) or a science project, mention how it developed your research skills or ability to explain complex information clearly – a great skill for educating patients. Academic resilience is another important quality: dentistry is a tough course, so schools like King’s want to see that you have a “realistic appreciation of the academic, physical, and emotional demands” of the degree and career. You might demonstrate this by highlighting how you balanced A-level study with other commitments, or how you persevered through a challenging subject. Essentially, show that you have the work ethic and coping strategies to handle a rigorous course.
Academic Ability and Preparation: Your grades will appear elsewhere in the UCAS application, but in your statement you can still underscore your academic preparedness. For example, mention particular topics or coursework in Biology or Chemistry (or another relevant subject) that you found fascinating and which relate to dentistry. Perhaps studying human biology gave you an appreciation of oral anatomy, or a chemistry experiment taught you about dental materials. If you’ve taken relevant courses or certifications outside school – say a first-aid course, a MOOC in medical science, or even a dental-related online course – you can note these too as evidence of going above and beyond. The personal statement is also a place to show that you are a well-rounded student, not just narrowly focused on academics. Dental schools appreciate applicants who can manage their time and stress. Queen Mary University of London, for example, looks for students who have “participated as fully as possible in school or college life, and also contributed in some way to the outside community”. So don’t shy away from mentioning significant involvement like being a prefect, part of a sports team, orchestra, volunteer group, or any achievement you’re proud of (Duke of Edinburgh Awards, charity fundraising, etc.). These activities can show qualities like commitment, responsibility, and the ability to balance work and life – all important for a healthy approach to studying dentistry. Just remember to tie everything back to how it makes you a better candidate for dentistry.

In summary, a great dentistry personal statement will cover your motivations, demonstrate your understanding of dentistry through experience, and highlight the skills and attributes that make you suited to be a dentist. One UK dental school (Cardiff University) sums up their expectations like this: a personal statement should provide “evidence of commitment to a career in Dentistry; evidence of the qualities and skills required for dental healthcare; and evidence of work experience or knowledge of the nature of Dentistry.” Keep that triad in mind as you write. In the next section, we’ll look at some example personal statement snippets and discuss what makes them effective or how they could be improved. These examples are illustrative (a mix of real successful statements and hypothetical scenarios) – your own story will be unique, of course, but use these to spark ideas on how to present your experiences.

Dentistry Personal Statement Examples (With Annotations)

Let’s examine a few sample excerpts from dentistry personal statements. For each example, we’ll point out 👍 what works well and 👎 what could be better. These annotations will help you understand the dos and don’ts when writing your own statement. (For brevity, we’re focusing on specific sections rather than an entire 4,000-character statement! And remember, these are just examples – never copy them; UCAS uses plagiarism detection software on all personal statements.)

Example 1: Opening Paragraph – Showing Motivation and Insight

“Ever since I was young, I’ve been fascinated by the power of a smile. I remember watching my aunt (a dentist) restore a patient’s confidence by fixing a front tooth, and realising the profound impact dentistry can have on a person’s life. My subsequent volunteering at a local dental clinic confirmed for me that dentistry is not just about treating teeth, but about caring for people – from relieving someone’s pain to improving their quality of life. This blend of science, hands-on skill, and human service is why I am determined to study dentistry.”

👍 What works: This introduction clearly conveys passion for dentistry and gives a personal reason for it. The writer starts with a specific, heartfelt anecdote (watching their aunt help a patient) rather than a generic statement like "I have always wanted to be a dentist." It shows the applicant understands the impact of dentistry on patients’ lives, which demonstrates informed motivation (not just “I like science” but why dentistry matters). The mention of volunteering at a clinic is great because it provides evidence supporting their interest, aligning with the Dental Schools Council’s advice to show an informed choice through real experiences. They also touch on the appealing mix of science, manual work, and caring for people – which hits key points admissions tutors love to see (i.e. they appreciate the holistic nature of dentistry). Overall, the enthusiasm feels genuine and specific to dentistry.
👎 What doesn’t: The opening could be improved by adding a bit more about the applicant themselves. While the focus on patients is excellent, we don’t learn much about what qualities or actions the student has demonstrated. For instance, they mention volunteering – it might strengthen the intro to include a quick detail of what they did or learned there (to show reflection). Also, the first sentence about “power of a smile” is a nice hook, but it’s a tad cliché if used alone. It works here because they immediately follow with a real example, but applicants should be careful not to start with overly general poetic statements without substance. Finally, they could name a specific aspect of dentistry that intrigues them (e.g. “the blend of science and artistry in dentistry” or a particular branch like orthodontics or oral surgery) to show extra insight – though this can also come later in the statement.

Example 2: Describing Work Experience – Reflection is Key

“During a week of work experience at a busy city dental practice, I observed not only routine check-ups and fillings, but also the importance of teamwork and empathy in dentistry. I was struck by how the dentist and dental nurse communicated seamlessly to put anxious patients at ease. One patient, who had been in chronic pain, broke down in tears of relief after treatment. Seeing the dentist console her and patiently explain post-treatment care illustrated for me that being a dentist requires excellent interpersonal skills alongside clinical expertise. This experience taught me the value of listening and empathy in dental care – lessons I have since applied when volunteering at a care home, where I help residents with daily tasks and lend a friendly ear.”

👍 What works: This paragraph does a fantastic job of reflecting on work experience rather than just listing it. The student doesn’t just say “I did a week of work experience and saw X, Y, Z.” They specifically mention what they observed (teamwork, patient anxiety) and, importantly, what they learned from it. Admissions tutors love to see applicants who can reflect on experiences. The example about the relieved patient shows the applicant understands the emotional side of dentistry and the need for empathy. They explicitly connect the experience to the skill set required of a dentist (interpersonal skills + clinical skills), which is very savvy. Mentioning that they applied these lessons while volunteering at a care home shows continuity – it demonstrates personal growth and commitment to caring roles. It’s also a clever way to get extra experience in: if you’ve done something like volunteering outside dentistry, you can draw parallels to dentistry (like communication, patience, caring for others). Overall, this excerpt signals to the reader that the applicant has a realistic understanding of a dentist’s role and has the soft skills to match – exactly what many universities will ask about in interviews as well.
👎 What doesn’t: One thing to watch is the level of detail. While the anecdote about the patient is powerful, the student should be careful not to use up too many words on describing scenarios at the expense of their own thoughts or actions. In a 4,000-character statement, every sentence counts. Here, they probably could tighten the description (for instance, we might not need to label it a “busy city practice” unless that’s contrasted with something, and we could summarize the scenario more concisely). The key is to focus on insights gained rather than storytelling for its own sake. Additionally, they mention teamwork and empathy as observed skills; it could improve the paragraph if they also briefly mention their role during the placement (even if it was just observing or assisting with small tasks) to show active engagement. Lastly, name-dropping specific treatments or technical terms (like types of fillings or procedures) isn’t necessary – they wisely didn’t overload on jargon, which is good. The focus should remain on what qualities and understanding the experience gave them.

Example 3: Showcasing Skills and Hobbies – Connecting to Dentistry

“Outside the classroom, I have pursued activities that I believe have prepared me for dentistry. For example, I am an avid artist 🎨; oil painting has sharpened my attention to detail and patience, traits crucial for precise work like restorative dentistry. Similarly, playing the piano (achieving Grade 6) has significantly improved my manual dexterity, as well as taught me discipline through regular practice. In school, as a Senior Prefect, I honed my communication skills by mentoring younger students – learning to explain complex ideas in simple terms, much like a dentist educating patients about treatments. Balancing these commitments with my studies has improved my time management and resilience. I know that dental school will be challenging, but I have developed strategies to manage a busy schedule and stress, and I’m ready to bring that dedication to my training.”

👍 What works: This excerpt does a great job highlighting relevant skills gained from hobbies and roles, and most importantly, it ties them back to dentistry. The student isn’t just saying “I like painting and music” randomly – they explicitly connect painting to attention to detail and piano to manual dexterity, making it clear why these hobbies matter for a future dentist. Admissions tutors appreciate when you can extract meaningful skills from your extracurriculars. The mention of being a Senior Prefect and mentoring shows communication and leadership skills, and the student wisely compares explaining things to peers with explaining to patients – a very relevant analogy. They also demonstrate they’re a well-rounded person who can manage time (which subtly addresses the concern, “Can this student handle a tough course and still cope?”). Importantly, they acknowledge that dental school is tough but provide an example of how they’ve developed resilience and coping strategies. This directly addresses what King’s and other schools look for – evidence of a realistic appreciation of the demands and proof that the student can meet them. The tone comes across as confident but not boastful: they are showing skills through examples rather than just proclaiming “I have great manual dexterity,” which would be unconvincing without evidence. Using a little 🎨 emoji or a touch of personality (if allowed) can also make the writing more engaging, though one should use such flair sparingly and professionally. Overall, this is a strong way to cover the often-asked question, “What makes you suitable for this course?” with concrete examples.
👎 What doesn’t: While this section is strong, one possible pitfall is trying to mention too many activities. The student listed art, music, and prefect role, which is fine here, but you wouldn’t want the personal statement to become just a catalogue of every hobby. Each activity should earn its place by illustrating a relevant point. If space were tight, they might choose the two most relevant examples rather than three. Also, the student says they have strategies to manage a busy schedule; they could have briefly given a specific example (e.g. “such as keeping a strict study planner during exam periods”) to make it more concrete – show, don’t just tell. Lastly, the first sentence could be more direct; instead of saying “activities I believe have prepared me,” simply stating “activities that have helped prepare me” would sound more confident. These are minor tweaks – generally the content here is on point.

Example 4: Conclusion – Reiterating Commitment and Looking Ahead

“Dentistry is a demanding path, but it is also immensely rewarding – offering the chance to combine science, skill, and compassion to impact people’s lives. My experiences have given me a realistic insight into the challenges of the profession, from the precision it requires to the emotional resilience needed. I am more certain than ever that I have the dedication, aptitude, and empathy required to thrive in dental school and beyond. I look forward to the opportunity to prove myself as a capable dental student and, ultimately, to serve my community as a caring dentist.”

👍 What works: This conclusion effectively sums up the applicant’s commitment and readiness. They acknowledge that dentistry is challenging (which shows humility and awareness – admissions tutors like to see that you’re not naive about the course). At the same time, they end on a positive, confident note about having the dedication and desire to meet those challenges. Phrases like “combine science, skill, and compassion” nicely encapsulate the key themes of the statement. The applicant also ties it back to the idea of impacting lives and serving the community, reinforcing altruistic motivation. Ending with an eye to the future (“ultimately, to serve my community as a caring dentist”) is strong, as it shows they are thinking beyond just getting into school – they have genuine, long-term passion for the field. The tone is formal yet enthusiastic, which is appropriate. It’s also concise; a conclusion need not be long – it’s better to be punchy and clear about your stance, as done here.
👎 What doesn’t: There’s not much to fault in this conclusion, but one caution is to avoid clichés in your closing lines. Many applicants end with sentences like “I hope to fulfill my dream of becoming a dentist” or “Dentistry has always been my dream.” These don’t add much value. The example above is careful to be specific instead of generic. If anything, one could argue the phrase “prove myself as a capable dental student” is a bit bland; the student could replace “prove myself” with something more self-assured, like “apply myself fully” or “grow and contribute”. Additionally, some might say the conclusion is somewhat expected in content – another way to stand out could be to refer back to something from the introduction in a clever way (creating a full-circle moment), though this isn’t necessary. The key is that the conclusion reinforces your enthusiasm and suitability one last time. Make sure your final sentence is positive and forward-looking, leaving the reader with a strong impression of your commitment.

As you craft your own personal statement, use these examples as a guide for how to integrate experiences and reflection. Notice how the good examples always link back to dentistry and what it means to be a dentist, while the weaker points are usually when the writing is either too generic or trying to cover too much without depth. Next, we’ll summarize some general dos and don’ts to keep in mind.

Final Tips: Dos and Don’ts 📋

Writing a personal statement can be challenging, but here are some essential tips to ensure yours is effective and polished:

✅ Do tailor it to dentistry: Keep everything relevant to the course. Draw clear connections between your experiences/skills and why they make you a good candidate for dentistry. As the UCAS guide advises, always relate your examples back to the subject.
✅ Do show insight and reflection: For each experience or achievement you include, reflect on what you learned or how it developed you. Admissions tutors value quality over quantity – one week of work experience with thoughtful insights can trump three weeks of just “doing” without reflection. If you shadowed a dentist or read a dental article, discuss how it influenced you or confirmed your ambitions. As one successful applicant noted, it’s what you grasped and learned from an experience that matters, not just the experience itself.
✅ Do highlight key qualities: Think about the core attributes of a good dentist (communication, empathy, teamwork, manual dexterity, problem-solving, etc.) and make sure your statement provides evidence for several of them. It could be through school projects, hobbies, jobs, or personal challenges you’ve overcome. For example, mention how being captain of a team taught you leadership, or how fixing your bike every week gave you practical skills and perseverance – just tie it back to dentistry.
✅ Do be personal and authentic: It’s called a personal statement for a reason. Use your own voice(professional but genuine) and share your story. If a particular family experience or a moment at the dentist sparked your interest, you can mention it. The readers want to get a sense of who you are beyond grades. By the end, the admissions tutor should feel your enthusiasm and understand your journey to choosing dentistry.
✅ Do check each school’s requirements: While your statement goes to all your UCAS choices, it’s smart to ensure you’ve covered basics that all your chosen dental schools expect. Earlier, we saw examples: if one school heavily values community service (like QMUL) and another emphasizes academic resilience (like King’s), try to include something that addresses both. Usually there’s a lot of overlap in what they want, but a quick look at each university’s admissions page or the Dental Schools Council guidance can confirm if there’s anything extra to mention.
❌ Don’t just list experiences or qualities: Avoid writing a dry list of “I did this, then I did that, I have this skill, that skill.” Always provide context or reflection. For instance, instead of saying “I am a good team player, I play football and I volunteer at a charity shop,” draw a short example: “Volunteering at a charity shop taught me how to work efficiently in a team – for example, coordinating with others to organize stock during busy periods.” Don’t make the admissions tutor do the work of figuring out why something is relevant – spell it out for them (briefly).
❌ Don’t be generic or use empty clichés: Phrases like “I have wanted to be a dentist since I was born” or “Dentistry is a challenging and rewarding career” are overused and tell the reader nothing new. Show your passion through your experiences and reflections, not through clichés or overly flowery statements. Similarly, avoid quotes (like “Nelson Mandela once said…”); the statement needs to be about you, in your own words.
❌ Don’t exaggerate or fabricate: It might be tempting to make your experience sound grander than it was, but integrity matters. Admissions tutors can often sense when things don’t ring true. More importantly, if you get to the interview, you could be asked about anything you wrote. You don’t want to be caught unable to discuss a book you claimed to have read or a procedure you said you observed. Be honest about your experiences and focus on what you took from them. (Also, do NOT copy someone else’s personal statement – UCAS uses stringent plagiarism detection software, and plagiarism can automatically disqualify your application.)
❌ Don’t rely on AI or others to write it for you: It’s fine to get feedback and do lots of drafts – in fact, you should – but the ideas and voice should be yours. Using tools like ChatGPT for brainstorming is one thing; submitting AI-written content is another (and would violate UCAS rules). Admissions officers want to hear your perspective. Plus, you’ll need to back up your statement at interview, so make sure it’s written in a way you feel comfortable speaking about.
❌ Don’t neglect the basics: This might sound obvious, but make sure your spelling, grammar, and punctuation are correct. Little errors or a sloppy structure can distract from great content. Use a spell-checker and perhaps ask a teacher or mentor to proofread for you. Also, don’t wait until the last minute to write your statement. Give yourself time to revise it over several drafts. It’s a short piece of text, but it’s very important – polishing it is worth the effort!

By following these dos and don’ts, you’ll avoid common pitfalls and ensure your personal statement reflects the best version of you. Remember, the goal is to provide a compelling answer to “Why dentistry and why you?” in a way that is genuine, well-evidenced, and tailored to what dental schools seek in their future students.

Conclusion: Put Your Best Self Forward

Writing a dentistry personal statement might seem challenging, but it’s also a valuable opportunity to reflect on your journey and showcase your passion for the field. Take the time to brainstorm your experiences and what you’ve learned from them. Use the new UCAS format to your advantage by structuring your thoughts into the why, the how (academics), and the what else (experiences) – covering all the bases that selectors want to see. As we’ve discussed, UK dental schools value commitment, insight, relevant skills, and honesty in your writing. If you convey those, you’ll already be ahead of the pack.

Finally, remember the link between your personal statement and your interview. Many schools will use your personal statement as a springboard for interview questions. So if you wrote about a particular book or a work experience scenario, be prepared to talk about it in more detail. The effort you put into a thoughtful personal statement will pay off – not just in securing interviews, but in giving you confidence to discuss your motivation and experiences with interviewers.

Good luck with your dental school applications! Stay true to yourself, back up every claim with evidence or reflection, and let your genuine excitement for dentistry shine through. With a well-crafted personal statement, you can make a lasting impression and take a big step toward your dream of becoming a dentist. 😄🦷

References (UK Dentistry Admissions Guidance)

UCAS – How to write your personal statement: 2026 entryucas.com ucas.com
UCAS – Dentistry 2026 personal statement guide (expert tips from the Dental Schools Council and universities)ucas.com ucas.com ucas.com
Dental Schools Council – Entry requirements for UK Dental Schools (2026 entry)dentalschoolscouncil.ac.uk
6med – KCL Dentistry Personal Statement Example & Analysis (student’s reflections on strengths and weaknesses)6med.co.uk

Imran Khan