Multiple Sclerosis, will mentioning it hurt my chances?

[Stina]

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?

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[arlmay]

I understand that it technically possibile that an adcom might have negative views of a condition such as MS but I would consider it highly unlikely, furthermore it is against the law for them to have prejudice against you for it. I would include everything you want to share about it in your personal statement and what it has taken to overcome the stress/uncertainty you may have experienced as a result. Best of luck to you in applying and don't be afraid to present the real you to the schools you're applying to

 

[justin7w2011]

If you don't mind that I ask what kind of MS were you diagnosed with? My dad had MS and I am applying this cycle so I have a little experience with both.

 

[tooth knockn]

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?

Why mention it?

It is not interfering with your everyday routine.

But look into the long term side effects of MS.

If they will interfere with you being a dentist and working with patients, then......


All depends what you are going after....

 

[Stina]

I understand that it technically possibile that an adcom might have negative views of a condition such as MS but I would consider it highly unlikely, furthermore it is against the law for them to have prejudice against you for it. I would include everything you want to share about it in your personal statement and what it has taken to overcome the stress/uncertainty you may have experienced as a result. Best of luck to you in applying and don't be afraid to present the real you to the schools you're applying to

Thank you for your kind words. I hope that if a negative bias towards MS exists with anyone reviewing my app/interviewing me...that they do feel legally responsible to not hold the prejudice against me.

If you don't mind that I ask what kind of MS were you diagnosed with? My dad had MS and I am applying this cycle so I have a little experience with both.

I don't mind! I have relapsing-remitting MS. My first two and only attacks were before I was on medication. How about your father?

Why mention it?

It is not interfering with your everyday routine.

But look into the long term side effects of MS.

If they will interfere with you being a dentist and working with patients, then......


All depends what you are going after....

It's not that I WANT to mention it but it has been one of the most significant turning points in my life. I can't even remember how it came up with my pre-dental advisor, I didn't go out of my way to bring it up yet it somehow it made its way into the conversation. It defined my whole second year of college, really.

You seem to have the very thoughts I'm scared someone on adcom might. Small detail to miss but I said that it is POSSIBLE it could progress to something that may interfere, but no guarantee. Some experience complete loss of function of their legs...some go to their death bed having experienced very few symptoms. Plus, if that day were to come where I did experience loss of function, I'm sure I could still find use as a DDS outside of an office...teaching comes to mind or even forensic dentistry.

 

[dentalWorks]

Doesn't MS interfere with fine motor skills? This could very well be the first thing an adcom might think about, they'll consider your long term prognosis with this field, will you be able to perform dentistry in 5? 10? 15? 20+? years?

 

[Stina]

Also...side note, I am not applying till june 2015. I have not started my personal statement yet, it was just a question I needed to ask since it has been eating at me lately.

 

[tooth knockn]

Don't mention it.

For some reason I probably would not mention it.

I know I want to be a dentist and there is nothing else I would rather pursue as a life long occupation.

Idk the facts about MS, but, maybe and sad to say, maybe some admission persons, might worry about liabilities and risks.

But always follow your dreams to the end.

If the anatomy of teeth attract you, if working with your hands is what you like, if educating all types of people on how to care for their mouths is important to you, then so be this dentist.

 

[Stina]

Don't mention it.

For some reason I probably would not mention it.

I know I want to be a dentist and there is nothing else I would rather pursue as a life long occupation.

Idk the facts about MS, but, maybe and sad to say, maybe some admission persons, might worry about liabilities and risks.

But always follow your dreams to the end.

If the anatomy of teeth attract you, if working with your hands is what you like, if educating all types of people on how to care for their mouths is important to you, then so be this dentist.

I appreciate your honest reply. Not that you're particularly concerned but it has been my dream since high school and everything else up to this point has been working towards that goal....that's why I just haven't ever re-considered dentistry especially after meeting so many people who are living with MS and are doing great. I am leaning towards not mentioning it, thank you for your input.

 

[tooth knockn]

I appreciate your honest reply. Not that you're particularly concerned but it has been my dream since high school and everything else up to this point has been working towards that goal....that's why I just haven't ever re-considered dentistry especially after meeting so many people who are living with MS and are doing great. I am leaning towards not mentioning it, thank you for your input.

Dreams are important.

Teeth are important.

I wish you the best.

Don't let anybody stop you.

 

[kimothy_777]

I lean towards those who feel you shouldn't mention it. MS is a progressive disease, so even if you have a great story of overcoming the adversity, and currently are medically stable, there is always the chance that you will not be able to practice long term. I can easily see this being the deciding factor between a few applications that are 'maybes'. At the same time, you can still draw from your experiences to answer questions about challenge, adversity etc. Just find ways to answer without specifically mentioning the diagnosis. I often have done this with my experience in battling an eating disorder. It's not always appropriate to mention exactly what health challenges I faced, but like you said, this experience has shaped who I am as a person, and life lessons learned are a direct result of overcoming it.

 

[dentalWorks]

I appreciate your honest reply. Not that you're particularly concerned but it has been my dream since high school and everything else up to this point has been working towards that goal....that's why I just haven't ever re-considered dentistry especially after meeting so many people who are living with MS and are doing great. I am leaning towards not mentioning it, thank you for your input.

But, isn't there a place in ADDSAS that asks for special medical conditions?

 

[free99]

I'd like to be blunt with you, I wouldn't make this decision based solely on the advice here. Speak to your doctors, practicing dentists, and maybe even some schools before moving forward with applying/attending school. Most of us, me included, don't know the details behind your particular diagnosis of MS or how effectively it can be managed with medication, and therefore can't give you much advice in regards to your ability to practice in the future. Given that MS can severely impact your fine motor function and the nature of a dentist's work, this diagnosis unfortunately seems very pertinent.

Assuming you are admitted, with the debt load that dental students take on today, you'll want to be absolutely certain you can sustain a healthy ability to practice and service that debt. The last thing you need is to have your condition worsen after school, be unable to practice, swimming in an ocean of debt, with medical bills mounting. Obviously that's a worst case scenario, but I think it's worth considering. Another possible hurdle may be obtaining disability insurance with your preexisting condition. I don't know much about that, but you may run into a situation where your preexisting conditions are not covered by your policy - this is something a practicing dentist could probably tell you more about.

I don't mean to be a bearer of bad news, or to dissuade you entirely from pursuing your dreams; I admire your drive and desire to succeed despite the MS. That said, I would urge you to have this conversation with people who are more qualified than predents to advise you, and to possibly consider other careers that don't rely so heavily on your ability to perform precise motor movements on a daily basis.

 

[Stina]

I appreciate everyone's response but my question was not IF I should move forward with dentistry. I not only have made up my mind about moving forward but I've been encouraged to do so. Unfortunately, the only thing people seem to remember about MS are those the hardest affected and they are not the standard. There is more than one type of MS, and mine is the most mild and may even allow me to be in remission for decades. I have met many people in their 50s who experience nothing more than the occasional tingling feeling in their legs (not exactly debilitating).

For some reason I think a few might have the assumption that I'm in la-la land about my diagnosis...I'm not. I certainly have had MANY, MANY discussions about a whole range of topics dealing with my future and how I will proceed forward with it IF something debilitating were to affect me. Spoken to plenty of doctors and experts on my condition...my pre-dental advisor has given me amazing advice on how to proceed with my DDS degree if I could no longer practice and I have an extremely supportive family who will stand by me through it all. For the most part, I've gotten my ORIGINAL question answered and I hope I don't offend anyone by saying I truly don't want to receive another response about anyone else's doubt or suggestions on changing my career path. I've already been through all that.

I also encourage people to change the dialogue of their conversation when approached by anyone admitting to some type of disease or diagnosis. They don't really need someone to be blunt with them about that topic, I'm sure they have their fair share of people to bear the bad news. (But do continue to chance everyone with the highest degree of bluntness...when I come back here with my DAT score & GPA feel free to rip me to shreds if necessary 😉)

 

[free99]

Fair enough, meant no offense by my comments, I apologize if they were interpreted that way. As far as I remember, there are no questions on AADSAS that specifically ask about health history, so it'll be up to you whether you mention it there or not. In order to matriculate to the school I'll be attending, we were required to meet certain minimum standards, one of which was a complete health history form. I don't know if MS would preclude one's eligibility, but it's just another consideration. I truly wish you the best of luck moving forward.

 

[Stina]

Fair enough, meant no offense by my comments, I apologize if they were interpreted that way. As far as I remember, there are no questions on AADSAS that specifically ask about health history, so it'll be up to you whether you mention it there or not. In order to matriculate to my school, however, we were required to meet certain minimum standards, one of which was a complete health history form. I don't know if MS would preclude one's eligibility, but it's just another consideration. I truly wish you the best of luck moving forward.

Thank you for that information and bringing to it my attention. I will look into that form and what schools require it as well as what this might mean in terms of acceptance. I guess my original question wasn't so cut and dry and there's clearly some possible obstacles I might need to look into. I sincerely appreciate your well wishes best of luck to you in everything you do as well.

 

[Dr. Dai Phan]

Dear OP,

The school should not use your MS against you as it is a form of discrimination if so. A person can be a dentist still who does not have to do clinical dentistry. You can teach, do research or be involved in specialties that clinical dentistry is at the miminal such as public health, pathology or radiology. With today's advances in medicine, your MS may not be even a factor after all. DP

 

[irunblue]

Stina you are AWESOME! I'm so happy that you are pursuing your dreams no matter what you are going through! I love that!

My mother had MS and was a huge part in me wanting to go into the dental field. 🙂