Though I come from a small-town of India with minimal resources, my passion for dentistry has taken me too far reaching places, serving people of many backgrounds. Throughout my dental career, I have been fortunate to have a variety of experiences. First, I worked as a practitioner in private and public health practice, along with research work. After moving to the United States, I continued shadowing and volunteer work in the dental field. I define myself as a hard worker, careful planner and self-motivated individual with a goal of continuing long-term practice and research work. I wanted to be a dentist since I was in 8th grade because this was the year my sister had her first visit to the dentist. She had severe crowding and was always self-conscious about her teeth, so she rarely smiled or laughed. This all changed with her visits to the dentist. After accompanying her on her first visit, I observed the dentist using his fine tools, as I did in my art classes. Being art as my hobby, made me curious about dentistry and I never missed an appointment. It surprised me the perfect smile my sister had at the end of the treatment. She left no opportunity to laugh and smile. The dentist (the artist) gave her the gift of self-esteem. At this moment, I decided I wanted to be that artist and told my father about it. My father, a tailor with a grade three education, and my mother who was a primary school teacher, strongly believed in the power of education and supported my