Canadian Dental Education: An Inspiring Journey of Dr. Paz Kobilov.
Dr. Paz Kobilov, a general dentist practicing in Kingston, Canada, shares his inspiring journey of becoming a dentist in Canada after starting his career in Uzbekistan and then moving to the United States.
Dr. Kobilov graduated from the Tashkent Medical Institute in 1988 and also did research at the same institute. With a dream of coming to America, he studied for two years, taking English language courses in Tashkent. Afterward, he worked as an oral surgeon at the Tashkent Medical Institute until 1996.
During his time in Uzbekistan, Dr. Kobilov applied to different agencies in the United States that helped graduates from Central Asian republics study in U.S. universities. He was accepted as a visiting scholar at the University of Illinois in Chicago in 1996, where he spent a couple of years doing research and learning about dental schools and education in the United States.
Dr. Kobilov’s love for the United States led him to stay there until 2003. He came to the U.S. with very limited funds, only $40 in his pocket, and had to borrow money and stay overnight in Istanbul on his flight to Chicago. Despite the challenges, Dr. Kobilov persevered and made a new start in the U.S., working in a call center while studying for dental exams and applying to dental schools.
Dr. Kobilov eventually decided to move to Canada in 2003, attracted by the country’s government-sponsored healthcare system and more affordable dental schools compared to the United States. Starting his career again from scratch, he worked in a call center temporarily while studying for dental exams and applying to dental schools in Canada.
Entering dental schools in Canada is highly competitive, with a small number of spots and numerous applicants. For example, the University of Western Ontario’s program for internationally trained dentists accepted only 15 applicants per year out of 500 to 600 applicants at the time that Dr. Kobilov was applying, making it challenging to get accepted. Similarly, the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Dentistry accepted 25 applicants out of thousands of applicants at the time Dr. Kobilov was applying, making the process extremely competitive.
Dr. Kobilov made two attempts to get admitted into dental school, facing challenging interviews along with test score and English language requirements. Finally, he was accepted into the University of Toronto and completed the academic requirements to become a dentist.
Dr. Kobilov’s journey from Uzbekistan to the United States and then to Canada is truly inspiring, showcasing his determination and resilience in pursuing his dream of becoming a dentist. Today, he is a successful general dentist practicing in Kingston, Canada, and his story serves as an inspiration to aspiring dentists and immigrants pursuing their dreams in a foreign land.