I know this is an awkward first post (although I swear I frequent the forum often) but I had an important question, although I'm not sure if it can be answered in this subsection. I spoke with a pre-dental advisor who gave me a somewhat mock dental school interview and my MS (Multiple Sclerosis) diagnosis was brought up. Just some background...I was diagnosed my second year in college and it wasn't exactly the easiest thing to go through but I am currently taking medication and experience very mild symptoms, nothing debilitating AT ALL. I still have great eye sight and great hand-eye coordination...or at least I have not experienced any loss in these functions (because I have to get them checked often so I know this for a fact 😉). The advisor asked if it was something I'd mention on my personal statement or in an interview and then advised me against it, fearful that someone might judge me as unfit to consider dentistry since there is a possibility that I may one day lose function of those things previously mentioned.
I'd never considered mentioning that I have MS would be a disadvantage to applying but I don't want to be judged as less deserving of a position versus someone who is healthy. I don't label myself as "unhealthy" or "disadvantaged" by any means but that doesn't mean admissions won't (or at least that's the thought my pre-dental advisor has put in my head). What do you all think? Does anyone have an intuition as to what a dental school might think of someone with MS?
I'd never considered mentioning that I have MS would be a disadvantage to applying but I don't want to be judged as less deserving of a position versus someone who is healthy. I don't label myself as "unhealthy" or "disadvantaged" by any means but that doesn't mean admissions won't (or at least that's the thought my pre-dental advisor has put in my head). What do you all think? Does anyone have an intuition as to what a dental school might think of someone with MS?