Writing Skills For Dentistry
Good writing skills are key when it comes to applying for a job or residency, publishing research findings and securing funding. We offer books, online resources, workshops, and appointments with our Writing Specialist to help you organize your thoughts and put them down on paper in clear and engaging language.
Craft a Powerful Residency Statement or Cover Letter
The residency statement is a personal essay that must convey your enthusiasm for a specialty while demonstrating your qualifications and professional maturity. A cover letter is a shorter document that demonstrates how your qualifications match a job description.
In individual sessions, the OCPD Writing Specialist can help you draft or edit a letter that reflects your unique aspirations and skills, meets the residency directors' expectations and fits the recommended size limit. Make an appointment.
Brush Up on the Principles of Good Academic or Scientific Writing
- Our library and writing resources are good places to start reviewing the basics of good English or academic writing.
- You might also benefit from an appointment with the OCPD Writing Specialist, who can help with anything from outlines to paragraph structure and word choice.
- The OCPD also organizes writing workshops where participants can hone their writing skills through hands-on writing and peer-editing exercises.
Learn How to Get a Research Article Published
Publishing research articles requires a good understanding of the journals' requirements, the review process and the etiquette of interacting with editors.
- To familiarize you with these vital but often overlooked aspects of publishing, the OCPD organizes panel discussions on the review process, classes on the ethics of publishing, and meetings with journal editors.
Learn About Grant Writing and Funding Institutions
- To help you identify the right award for your needs and qualifications, understand the grant review process and organize a research proposal, the OCPD organizes a yearly workshop on the NIH granting process, as well as short presentations on other funding sources.
- Appointments with the OCPD Writing Specialist are also available to discuss various points of writing and explore funding avenues.
Prepare a Research Statement or Statement of Teaching Philosophy for Your Academic Job Search
With the number of applicants hovering in the hundreds for any one academic job opening, your research and teaching statements need to stand out.
- The OCPD sponsors the Preparing Future Faculty series, where experienced faculty members will explain what purpose these documents serve and how to craft them.
- You can also meet with the Writing Specialist or Academic Career/Teaching Specialist to help you improve your statements' content and flow.
Resumes, CVs, Cover Letters
OCPD counselors can help you format your resume or CV and write an appropriate cover letter.
- Visit the the Dentistry Job Search section to learn more.