More Than a Smile: Empowering Change Through Dentistry by Madison

More Than a Smile: Empowering Change Through Dentistry by Madison - May 2025 Scholarship Essay

As a 20-year-old biology major and Alabama A&M University cheerleader, I've come to realize that education is about more than just finishing courses and getting degrees; it's also about learning how to apply what we've learned to better people's lives and bring about significant change. I witnessed the severe disparities in healthcare and education while growing up in a single-parent home in Memphis, Tennessee, particularly in underprivileged areas. My mother paid for my college degree out of pocket while raising her three children alone. Every day, her perseverance and hard work motivate me to use my journey to be a light for others as well as for my own personal achievement.

If I had unlimited time and money, I would use my biology degree and upcoming dental training to change how oral healthcare is accessed, seen, and provided globally, particularly in underprivileged and marginalized communities like the one I'm from. My goal would be to establish a global network of community-based dental healthcare organizations that offer free, excellent dental treatment in addition to serving as centers for empowerment and education.

I know that oral health is a vital part of general health according to what I've learned so far in school. Infections, diabetes, and heart disease are among the major health problems that can result from poor dental care. Millions of individuals, yet, lack access to basic dental care. In the developing world, rural areas, and communities of color, where dental treatment is either unavailable or too expensive, these problems are especially evident. This is a social justice issue as well as a health crisis.

If I had limitless funds, I would begin by constructing an iconic dental wellness facility in Memphis, where I was born. There would be more to this facility than just a dentist office. Free examinations, cleanings, fillings, and emergency dental care would be offered. However, it would also provide instruction, including lectures for kids considering careers in healthcare, workshops for parents, nutritional guidance, and brushing and flossing sessions. In order to create jobs and build confidence, I would recruit and train local professionals.

I studied how cultural differences impact healthcare access in school. With this knowledge, I intend to advocate for legislative changes that would increase everyone's access to and affordability of dental care. In order to promote healthcare reform, I would provide funding for research projects that examine the consequences of untreated oral disease. If I had limitless funds, I would also establish full-ride and scholarship programs for first-generation college students who wish to study dentistry or public health like me, particularly those from single-parent households.

Finally, I will see that that the movement thrives. In addition to teaching dental science, I would establish a leadership academy that would train young people from all around the world in public health advocacy, leadership, and entrepreneurship. The intention would be to plant seeds of understanding and empathy everywhere, causing positive change to spread.

My drive to succeed ultimately stems from what I've always believed: that everyone has the right to a healthy, fair life, despite their background. I have the resources, the desire, and the will to realize that dream thanks to my education at Alabama A&M University and the teachings I've gained from my family. I already have a fire inside of me, and having limitless time and money would only feed it.