Volume IV, Issue 1

ASDOH

Midwestern AZ

October 1, 2014

OHSU

Roseman

UNLV

Utah

UW

In This Issue:
The History of ASDA.1
Lobby Day 2014.3
Building an ASDA Chapter....4
Technology in Dental School.5
ASDOH in the Community.6
Student Loan Platform7
Life After Dental School..8
ASDA Fever!9
Dive into Dentistry.10
Member Engagement.10
OHSUs New Facility..11
Community Service12
Utahs Membership Expansion..12

Upcoming Events:

A special thank you to our District 10 Meeting platinum

sponsors, Heartland Dental and Pacific Dental
Services!

ASDA: Humble Beginnings

National Leadership Conference

October 31 November 2, 2014
Chicago, IL
District 10 Meeting
January 9 11, 2015
Portland, OR
Annual Session
February 18 21, 2015
Boston, MA

Newsletter Editor-in-Chief
Britta Martinez
OHSU 17
martinbr@ohsu.edu

From%assassina*ons%to%public%protests%to%mass%changes%in%civil%
society,%the%1960s%was%a%remarkably%transforma*ve%decade%in%the%history%of%
the%United%States.%With%increased%social%awareness,%many%dental%schools%
experienced%a%ballooning%of%students%being%admiDed%to%their%programs.%
Unfortunately,%the%mentality%of%educa*on%at%the%*me%was%reminiscent%of%
oldEera%methods%of%instruc*on%delivery:%strict%dress%code%standards,%rigid%
behavioral%codes,%lack%of%due%process%in%student%representa*on%regarding%
code%of%conduct%viola*ons,%and%a%general%lack%of%diversity%in%the%admiDed%
pool.%There%were%many%issues%at%hand,%but%there%was%no%single%unifying%
student%associa*on%to%address%these%grievances.%%
Organizing%a%dental%associa*on%for%students%meant%the%need%to%
gather%funding.%In%1970,%the%United%States%government%had%issued%a%$1%
million%dollar%grant%to%the%Student%American%Medical%Associa*on%(SAMA),%
provided%they%coordinate%their%eorts%with%the%American%Indian%Health%
Program%and%the%Appalachia%Service%Project,%an%interdenomina*onal%
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Continued from page 1 (Humble Beginnings)

Chris*an%volunteer%organiza*on.%Another%statute%of%their%agreement%was%
the%required%coordina*on%with%pharmacy%and%dental%students,%which%
proved%to%be%dicult%considering%no%student%dental%associa*on%had%ever%
existed%up%to%that%point.%Weeks%later,%the%presidents%of%SAMA%and%the%
pharmacy%student%associa*ons%approached%their%fellow%schoolmate%Dennis%
Spain%at%the%University%of%California,%San%Francisco%about%the%need%to%
assemble%a%dental%organiza*on%aimed%at%represen*ng%the%voices%of%dental%
students.%In%response,%SADA%(Student%American%Dental%Associa*on)%was%
formed%and%quickly%came%across%its%rst%obstacle:%proper%funding.%
Recognizing%that%something%needed%to%be%done,%the%American%Dental%
Associa*on%hosted%a%%studentEcentered%conven*on%in%February%of%1971%
from%which%the%American%Dental%Student%Associa*on%was%born.%Many%of%
ASDAs%core%members%and%key%ocers%were%previous%SADA%members%with%
leadership%experience.%
ASDAs%early%eorts%included%minority%recruitment%and%the%
development%of%an%advocacy%program%to%respond%to%student%needs%and%
concerns.%A%core%element%of%the%ASDA%model%was%transparency,%so%ASDA%
established%regional%conferences%on%issues%pertaining%to%public%health%and%
published%weekly%newsleDers%addressing%U.S.%dental%student%injus*ces.%
Years%later%in%1986,%ASDA%established%its%own%Poli*cal%Educa*on%Network,%a%
lobbying%and%legisla*ve%organiza*on%commiDed%to%grassroots%poli*cal%
campaigning%through%intensive%voter%registra*on%drives%and%leDer%wri*ng%
campaigns.%In%2013,%the%name%of%the%network%was%changed%to%the%Council%
on%Advocacy,%but%maintained%its%commitments%to%student%loan%relief,%dental%
licensure%reform,%and%removing%barriers%to%oral%care.%
Decades%have%passed%since%its%forma*on%and%the%American%Student%
Dental%Associa*on%has%now%come%to%represent%the%vast%majority%of%
students%at%the%65%accredited%dental%schools%in%the%na*on.%Since%1999,%
ASDA%has%given%its%members%the%opportunity%to%ac*vely%lobby%on%behalf%of%
dental%students%on%issues%related%to%the%dental%profession%by%sending%
hundreds%of%students%yearly%to%the%halls%of%the%capitol%as%part%of%Na*onal%
Lobby%Day.%
With%nearly%19,000%members%represen*ng%over%88%%of%dental%
students,%ASDA%has%come%a%long%way%since%its%humble%beginnings.%No%
longer%are%dental%students%lee%in%the%dark%without%a%voice%to%express%their%
concerns.%Through%coopera*on%and%an%understanding%of%our%profession,%
the%American%Student%Dental%Associa*on%will%con*nue%to%have%a%bright%
future%in%poli*cal%advocacy%and%leadership.

Introducing...
the District 10 Cabinet

Emily Hobart
Trustee
Midwestern 15

Kedy Shen
Fundraising
Roseman 16

Eric Hu
Community
Outreach
Midwestern 15

Paridhie Patel
Communications

Roseman 17

Pejman Moghbeli
ASDOH

Sohaib Soliman
Legislative
UW 17

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Britta Martinez
Newsletter
OHSU 17

Mykel Anderson
Community
Outreach
ASDOH 17

Edmund Monsef
Delegate
ASDOH 16

Ben Haslam
Delegate
OHSU 16

Mahfuz Rahman
Delegate
UW 16

Devin Daniels
Delegate
Utah 17

Amber Clark
Delegate
Utah 17

Ryan Dahle
Delegate
Roseman 15

Desseree Lysne
Delegate
Midwestern 17

Patty Reyes
Delegate
UNLV 16

District 10 at ASDAs National Student

Lobby Day
April%7E8,%2014%was%ASDAs%Na*onal%Dental%Student%Lobby%Day%
event.%At%this%annual%event,%dental%students%from%across%the%
na*on%converge%on%Washington,%D.C.%to%talk%to%their%lawmakers%
about%current%issues%related%to%our%profession.%The%schedule%for%
this%years%twoEday%event%was%packed%with%guest%speakers%
(including%one%of%the%only%den*sts%on%the%Hill,%Congressman%Paul%
Gosar,%DDS),%presenta*on%of%the%issues%that%ASDA%is%suppor*ng,%
breakout%smallEgroup%sessions,%social%mixers,%and%mee*ngs%with%
our%na*ons%lawmakers.
This%year,%reducing%the%student%debt%load%was%the%main%objec*ve%
of%our%budding%student%lobbyists.%In%total,%more%than%375%ASDA%
members%aDended%Lobby%Day%2014,%with%our%very%own%District%
10%sending%17%dental%students%to%Washington,%D.C.%Our%districts%
students%worked%hard%and%represented%our%schools%well,%visi*ng%
over%40%lawmakers%oces%in%a%single%day!
Three%specic%bills%were%the%focus%of%this%years%event:
Senate%Bill%1066:%Federal%Student%Loan%Renancing%Act

ASDA%District%10%(most%of%us)%at%Na*onal%Dental%Student%Lobby%Day%2014

House%Bill%1527:%Student%Loan%Interest%Deduc*on%Act%of%
2013
Joint%Bill%S.%466/H.R.%963:%Coordina*on%of%Pro%Bono%
Medically%Recommended%Dental%Care%Act
Continued on page 4
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Continued from page 3 (Lobby Day)

As%of%the%wri*ng%of%this%ar*cle,%all%three%bills%are%s*ll%in%
commiDee%or%in%the%planning%stages.%Our%ASDA%students%were%
able%to%show%their%support%at%Lobby%Day%for%these%bills%as%they%
make%their%way%toward%the%oors%of%their%respec*ve%
legislatures.%
The%Senate%bill%proposes%to%allow%students%to%renance%their%
Direct%Unsubsidized%Staord%Loans%(and/or%Federal%Direct%
Consolida*on%Loans)%at%a%xed%rate%of%4.0%percent,%retroac*vely%
applying%to%all%loans%taken%out%since%July%1,%2006.
The%House%bill%aims%to%increase%the%deduc*on%allowed%for%
student%loan%interest%from%the%current%$2,500%to%$5,000%for%
individuals,%and%to%$10,000%for%a%joint%return.%The%bill%would%
also%make%this%deduc*on%available%to%everyone%with%student%
loans,%regardless%of%income.
The%joint%bill%will%create%a%grant%program%to%support%na*onal%
dental%aid%programs%that%provide%medicallyErecommended%
dental%care%for%low%income%individuals.%The%joint%bill%is%asking%
for%$2%million%to%fund%these%pro%bono,%volunteer%aid%programs%
and%the%bills%proponents%es*mate%that%this%legisla*on%will%save%
roughly%$13%million%by%providing%free%care%to%high%risk%pa*ents%
who%may%otherwise%seek%treatment%in%emergency%rooms%or%
urgent%care%facili*es.
As%dental%students%and%future%dental%professionals,%being%
poli*cally%involved%is%crucial%to%ensuring%our%longEterm%success.%
Thalia%Criddle,%a%DS4%at%Oregon%Health%and%Science%University%
had%this%to%say%about%her%experience%at%Lobby%Day%2014:
It's%obvious%that%the%congressmen%and%
congresswomen%are%very%busy.%Aeer%seeing%what%their%
oces%were%like,%it%made%it%really%clear%why%we%need%to%
be%involved.%There%are%so%many%voices%and%causes%
compe*ng%for%their%aDen*on.%If%we%don't%speak%up,%it's%
guaranteed%that%we%won't%be%heard.
Our%District%10%representa*ves%helped%make%this%years%Lobby%
Day%a%success,%but%Lobby%Day%is%just%the%beginning.%All%three%
bills%that%ASDA%is%suppor*ng%have%yet%to%be%voted%on,%and%they%
need%your%help.%You%can%make%a%personal%impact%on%the%
progress%of%these%bills%by%going%to%ASDAs%Engage%website%at%
hDp://cqrcengage.com/asda,%and%pe**oning%your%legislators%to%
support%these%bills.%Thalia%said%it%best,%It's%been%said%*me%and%
*me%again%that%students%make%the%biggest%dierence.%Aeer%
being%at%Lobby%Day,%I%totally%agree.%Use%your%voice!%Go%to%ASDA%
Engage%and%make%a%dierence%in%your%future.
Brenden&Sco*
OHSU&17

Building the Plane While Flying in It

Crea*ng%a%new%ASDA%chapter,%although%exci*ng,%brings%
several%challenges.%To%overcome%those%challenges%we%have%
found%solu*ons%to%help%build%and%strengthen%our%chapter%at%
the%University%of%Utah%School%of%Den*stry.%%%
Star%ng(from(scratch
Star*ng%a%brand%new%ASDA%chapter%was%like%being%
handed%a%fresh%plot%of%land%and%being%told%to%build%something%
beau*ful%on%it.%With%no%upperclassmen%to%ask%or%previous%
programs%to%walk%into,%the%world%was%our%oyster%and%it%was%up%
to%us%to%pick%which%pearls%we%would%bring%to%the%U.%That%being%
said,%seeing%the%poten*ally%limitless%possibili*es%was%both%
exci*ng%and%daun*ng.
Thankfully%we%were%not%alone%in%this%venture.%While%
networking%with%our%peers%at%the%ASDA%Annual%Session,%we%
found%a%great%deal%of%people%feeding%us%ideas%and%cheering%us%
on%E%and%that%support%has%been%priceless.%
In%our%short%*me%as%a%chapter%and%with%guidance%and%
help%from%the%ASDA%community,%we%have%gone%from%two%
original%ASDA%ocers%to%eeen,%organized%into%ve%
commiDees.%We%have%begun%a%mentoring%program%between%
our%two%classes%and%are%working%to%develop%a%preEdental%
simula*on%lab.%We%are%looking%forward%to%much%more%in%the%
future.
Encouraging(ac%ve(membership(involvement(
Being%the%rst%studentErun%organiza*on%at%a%new%
school%presents%both%pros%and%cons.%On%the%posi*ve%side,%we%
have%the%visibility%and%the%opportunity%to%take%ownership%and%
create%new%programs%and%events.%On%the%other%side,%it%is%
dicult%for%students%to%feel%the%ADSA%fever%and%the%
importance%of%organized%den*stry%when%we%are%not%fully%
established%and%are%s*ll%building%our%dierent%commiDees.%
With%the%signicant%increase%in%our%chapter%board%we%
have%found%that%although%a%student%may%not%be%interested%
ini*ally,%that%interest%can%grow%with%*me.%By%con*nuing%to%
build%our%chapter%and%hold%events%that%display%what%it%means%
to%be%an%ASDA%member,%we%an*cipate%further%par*cipa*on.%
Fundraising:(show(me(the(money
One%of%our%biggest%challenges%with%star*ng%fresh%has%
been%the%lack%of%the%green%stu%E%but%our%school%size%of%43%
students%makes%each%dollar%go%a%liDle%bit%further.
%
We%began%our%treasure%hunt%for%funding%at%the%
University%itself.%In%an%aDempt%to%educate%ourselves%beDer%at%
what%money%there%was%to%be%had,%we%each%put%on%an%
addi*onal%hat%by%running%for%student%oce,%becoming%the%
schools%representa*ves%in%the%University%Assembly%and%
Senate.%Funding%source%one,%check.
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Technology in Dental Schools

The%rapid%progression%of%technology%over%the%last%few%
decades%has%drama*cally%improved%the%quality%of%educa*on%
most%dental%students%receive.%With%more%innova*ve%
procedures,%simula*on,%and%equipment%we%are%looking%at%
developing%the%most%competent%and%technologically%
advanced%den*sts%the%profession%has%ever%seen.%Being%one%of%
the%most%technique%sensi*ve%of%all%the%medical%professions,%
dental%educa*on%is%dis*nctly%unique%in%the%manner%in%which%
it%is%taught.%Dental%students%require%heavy%visual%aid%and%
constant%cri*que%from%professional%faculty.%%As%a%result,%the%
technological%advances%that%benet%dental%students%are%not%
only%restricted%to%the%simula*on%lab%or%clinic,%but%the%
classroom%as%well.%As%a%manner%of%delving%into%some%of%the%
more%recent%advances%in%dental%educa*on,%we%can%analyze%
the%role%technology%plays%from%our%rst%day%in%dental%school%
to%our%last%day%in%the%clinic.%
%In%the%rst%year%of%dental%school%most%students%are%
limited%to%very%few%hours%in%the%simula*on%lab%and%instructed%
to%absorb%didac*cEpresented%informa*on%that%oeen%leaves%us%
scratching%our%heads%and%asking%ourselves;%will%I%ever%use%this%
stu%in%prac*ce?%Nonetheless,%we%endure%and%progress%
through%our%rst%year,%fortunately,%with%the%assistance%of%
some%of%the%most%innova*ve%technologies%in%recent%history.%
This%genera*on%of%dental%students%has%had%the%good%fortune%
of%learning%den*stry%in%the%most%advanced%and%innova*ve%
ways,%thanks%to%the%advent%of%the%smartphone,%tablet,%and%
portable%computers.%Advances%in%portability%have%allowed%
unlimited%access%to%informa*on,%and%whether%it%is%lectures,%
YouTube%videos,%or%online%journals,%we%have%the%luxury%of%
perfec*ng%our%crae%at%any%hour%of%the%day%or%in%any%situa*on.%
Although%technological%gadgets%have%made%it%signicantly%
easier%for%dental%students%to%absorb%informa*on,%I%would%
argue%that%it%is%not%the%greatest%impact%that%technology%has%
had%on%dental%educa*on.%I%believe%that%the%technology%that%
has%allowed%for%the%greatest%transference%of%knowledge%from%
professor%to%student%is%the%loupeEaDached%camera.%By%
recording%every%step%of%a%procedure,%faculty%can%describe%in%
detail%the%steps%and%reasoning%for%procedures.
As%a%second%year%student%myself,%I%can%aDest%to%the%
fact%that%the%focus%in%the%second%year%of%dental%school%shies%
dras*cally%towards%learning%proper%dental%techniques.%
Although%we%s*ll%have%our%tests%and%scien*c%courses%that%
require%iPhones,%iPads%and%laptops,%it%is%the%dental%
procedures%that%are%much%more%emphasized.%As%a%result%we%
will%take%a%look%at%the%impact%of%technology%on%dental%
educa*on%through%the%context%of%the%simula*on%lab.%With%
the%increased%innova*on%in%computer%technology,%dental%
students%can%now%prac*ce%on%the%most%lifeElike%simula*ons%
ever.%With%student%receiving%monitors%on%every%lab%sta*on,%
students%can%follow%along%with%professors%in%every%step%of%the%
procedure;%this%ensures%a%proper%understanding%of%
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October 1, 2014

Continued from page 4 (Building the Plane)

Funding%sources%x,%y,%and%z%came%through%taking%
advantage%of%any%oers%we%caught%wind%of.%We%are%trying%to%cash%
in%on%anything%we%can:%gepng%our%class%into%ASDAs%database%on%
*me,%having%our%class%sign%up%for%Dental%Town,%and%providing%our%
info%for%the%ADAs%health%insurance%policy.%The%smaller%class%size%
makes%each%of%these%things%much%easier%so%we%are%trying%to%take%
advantage%of%it%the%best%we%can.
Future%funding%is%the%pipe%dream,%so%we%are%
brainstorming%as%many%fundraising%ac*vi*es%as%we%can%in%order%to%
con*nue%to%par*cipate%in%ASDA%at%the%local,%district,%and%na*onal%
levels.
Working(within(university(policy:(the(red(tape
Aeer%learning%from%our%peers%at%Annual%Session,%we%were%
thrilled%to%start%lunch%and%learns%at%our%school.%However,%one%
giant%problem%lingered%over%our%heads%E%according%to%university%
policy,%we%were%not%allowed%to%have%vendors%on%campus.%
Fortunately,%we%found%an%o%campus%cafe%to%host%our%ve%L&Ls%
over%spring%and%summer%semester.%
When%we%came%back%for%fall%semester%and%pressed%the%
vendor%ques*on%to%our%administra*on%once%more,%we%received%
the%best%Christmas%present%ever.%The%news%was%that%we%were%
allowed%to%have%vendors%come%on%campus,%with%the%s*pula*on%
that%they%could%not%purchase%food%for%us.%With%the%convenience%
of%being%able%to%have%these%in%our%building,%we%have%had%three%
more%L&Ls%this%semester%with%excellent%par*cipa*on.
The%key%was%communica*on%and%speaking%to%the%right%
people.%We%had%been%turned%down%so%many%*mes%in%the%spring%
that%when%we%probed%the%ques*on%again%in%the%fall%we%were%not%
expec*ng%the%outcome%we%received.%Our%next%step%is%clarifying%
the%specics%and%obtaining%the%elusive%policies%to%understand%
what%we%can%or%cannot%do%for%a%future%vendor%fair.%
It%has%been%an%exci*ng%experience%to%build%our%chapter%
and%overcome%our%challenges.%By%the%*me%we%graduate,%we%hope%
to%see%signicant%growth%in%our%chapter%and%involvement%not%just%
on%the%local%level,%but%also%the%district%level.%
Amber&Clark&&&Devin&Daniels
Utah&17

Roseman University
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Continued from page 5 (Technology)

procedures%and%their%purposes.%Furthermore,%the%advent%of%
Bringing Fun to Dental Education
pressure%sensors%in%simula*on%mannequins%has%allowed%
students%to%adjust%the%force%placed%in%the%pa*ents%mouth,%
A%roar%of%excitement%lled%the%room%as%children%spoDed%
making%for%a%seamless%transi*on%from%simula*on%to%trea*ng%
sugar%bug%bandits%aDacking%the%teeth;%a%dynamic%rescue%by%Flossy%
live%pa*ents.%%This%is%just%to%name%a%few%of%the%advances%in%
the%Smile%City%Superhero%and%friends%saved%the%day%with%good%oral%
the%simula*on%lab%and%although%these%technological%
care.%
advancements%may%seem%small,%they%contribute%to%the%
overall%development%of%much%more%competent%students%as%
they%prepare%to%treat%live%pa*ents%in%the%coming%years.%
Finally%we%have%our%3rd%and%4th%year%students,%who%
in%most%schools%at%this%point%are%dealing%solely%with%pa*ents.%%
Although%your%phone,%tablet%or%computer%may%s*ll%be%a%vital%
resource%in%researching%techniques%and%maintaining%a%daily%
schedule,%these%are%no%longer%the%technological%
advancements%that%benet%you%the%most.%With%the%majority%
of%your%day%spent%outside%of%the%classroom,%the%technology%
that%is%most%important%now%is%that%which%allows%you%to%best%
treat%your%pa*ents.%Thus,%these%technological%advances%come%
in%dental%equipment,%in%the%form%of%improved%dental%
materials,%innova*ve%handpieces%and%radiographic%
Engaging%children%and%adolescents%in%the%importance%of%
equipment.%Anyone%who%has%aDended%a%vendor%fair%can%
good%oral%health%prac*ces%and%its%impact%on%ones%overall%well%
aDest%that%in%the%last%decade%there%have%been%too%many%
being%can%be%achieved%in%a%number%of%ways.%At%ASDOH,%we%chose%a%
recent%advancements%to%list%here.%Thus,%I%will%use%the%one%of% classic%approacha%puppet%show.%The%ASDOH%ASDA%Chapter%has%
had%the%pleasure%of%building%and%crea*ng%a%fun%adventure%for%the%
the%most%highly%discussed%pieces%of%equipment%today%to%
whole%family.%We%have%had%two%performances%at%the%Boys%&%Girls%
exemplify%these%advances%the%Chairside%Economical%
Club%in%Gilbert%and%Apache%Junc*on,%Arizona.
Restora*on%of%Esthe*c%Ceramics%or%beDer%known%as%the%
Children%and%adults%of%all%ages%and%backgrounds%were%
CEREC%machine.%The%CEREC%used%with%a%CAD/CAM%generates%
cap*vated%by%the%interac*ve%performance.%We%were%thrilled%to%
a%computerEbased%design%for%the%restora*on,%allowing%the%
hear%the%chaDer%of%children%and%their%families%on%their%way%home,%
den*st%to%construct%and%place%ceramic%restora*ons%at%the%
as%they%talked%about%the%puppet%show%and%the%lessons%they%
*me%of%treatment.%With%schools%across%the%na*on%picking%up%
learned.%The%crowd%was%elated!%We%could%not%answer%ques*ons%
on%these%technologies,%students%can%now%provide%their%
fast%enough%to%feed%their%ambi*ous%desire%to%learn;%it%was%a%
pa*ents%with%care%comparable%to%private%prac*ce%den*stry.% humbling%experience.%Thankful%parents%were%pleased%that%we%were%
As%a%result,%students%are%transi*oning%into%private,%corporate% able%to%generate%enthusiasm%in%their%children%about%something%
or%public%health%den*stry%with%the%condence%and%capability% that%oeen%feels%like%a%daun*ng%chore%to%them.%At%least%for%the%
to%eec*vely%and%eciently%treat%pa*ents%from%day%one.%
moment,%and%hopefully%for%some%*me%to%come,%the%children%we%
%The%fact%is%that%technology%has%revolu*onized%every% reached%will%remember%the%baDle%against%evil%in%a%ght%to%save%
their%teeth%from%harm.%
profession,%and%den*stry%is%certainly%no%excep*on.%Today,%
each%university%strives%to%provide%their%students%with%
I%want%to%be%like%that%superhero%said%Anthony,%and%you%are%a%
technology%to%help%them%reach%their%maximum%poten*al.%
Dental%schools%are%constantly%upgrading%and%renova*ng%their% superhero%everyday%by%baDling%against%the%bugs%in%your%mouth%
when%you%fuel%your%body%with%healthy%food%and%ght%cavi*es%in%
facili*es%because%they%understand%that%it%is%vital%that%
the%morning%and%night%with%your%toothbrush,%toothpaste,%and%
universi*es%remain%current%with%these%advances%to%provide%
oss.%Their%eagerness%to%become%procient%at%proper%brushing%
pa*ents%with%the%best%care%available.%%The%future%of%den*stry%
techniques%and%ossing%on%hand%puppets%and%tooth%models%was%
holds%many%opportuni*es%in%advancement%with%the%
truly%inspiring%and%a%great%learning%experience%for%us.%%
development%of%machines%such%as%the%3ED%printer%and%the%
introduc*on%of%new%dental%materials.%It%is%without%any%
As%a%reward%for%their%par*cipa*on,%we%handed%out%goodie%
hesita*on%that%I%say%our%genera*on%and%the%ones%to%follow% bags%with%toothbrushes,%toothpaste,%oss,%s*ckers%and%educa*onal%
will%push%the%profession%of%oral%healthcare%to%heights%never% packets%for%the%parents.%Beaming%from%earEtoEear%and%thanking%us,%
reached%before.%%It%is%now%the%students%responsibility%to%his/ the%children%dug%through%their%goodie%bags%with%tremendous%
happiness,%many%asking%if%they%could%take%some%home%for%their%
her%future%pa*ents%to%remain%current%with%the%newest%
siblings.%Unfortunately%not%every%child%has%access%to%the%nutri*on%
advances%in%den*stry%in%order%to%provide%them%with%the%
and%the%resources%they%need%to%help%prevent%dental%caries%and%
highest%quality%of%care.%
Mohammad Bawany
The Explorer

ASDA District 10

Roseman 17
October 1, 2014

Continued on page 7

6 of 13

Continued from page 6 (Bringing Fun)

gum%disease.%Some%of%the%children%men*oned%they%had%not%
received%a%new%toothbrush%since%the%last%community%outreach%
group%came%a%year%ago%and%many%had%not%seen%a%den*st%in%a%long%
*me.%
The%pain%and%discomfort%from%dental%problems%can%have%a%lifelong%
impact%on%a%childs%development.%It%can%result%in%a%loss%of%
concentra*on,%missed%school,%and%social%insecuri*es%related%to%
oral%disease,%as%well%as%nancial%burdens%on%families%and%their%
communi*es.%The%earlier%we%can%help%do%our%part%in%bringing%
knowledge%of%preven*on%and%providing%the%tools%to%accessing%care%
to%the%underserved,%the%beDer%their%dental%experience%will%
hopefully%be.%%%%
We%are%looking%forward%to%a%funElled%semester%with%our%current%
community%partners%and%the%new%ones%we%are%establishing.%Our%
goal%is%to%nd%new%and%exci*ng%ways%to%spread%the%importance%and%
knowledge%about%oral%health%to%our%community%in%a%ght%against%
caries%and%gum%disease.%
Celia&Sommer
ASDOH&

ASDOHs Oral Health Puppet Show.

Understanding ASDAs Student Loan Platform

In%2014%dental%school%seniors%graduated%with%an%average%
student%loan%debt%of%$241,097.%Since%2004,%dental%school%costs%
have%risen%68%%for%private%universi*es%and%104%%for%public%dental%
schools.%This%trend%cannot%be%sustained%for%an%innite%amount%of%
*me,%much%less%the%next%5E10%years.%With%access%to%care%issues%
constantly%being%baDled%in%state%legisla*on%across%the%country,%
the%risk%of%reduc*on%in%dental%provider%salaries%in%the%future%is%
something%that%should%not%be%ignored.%As%current%dental%
students,%it%is%our%responsibility%to%advocate%for%solu*ons%to%
student%loan%debt%issues,%not%only%for%our%own%benet,%but%for%
future%students%entering%into%dental%school.%
The%American%Student%Dental%Associa*on%has%a%student%
loan%plauorm%that%provides%several%solu*ons%for%how%we%can%go%
about%crea*ng%a%sustainable%resolu*on%to%our%student%debt%
issues.%As%a%chapter%president,%I%believe%it%is%my%responsibility%to%
educate%dental%students%on%my%campus%about%the%issues%currently%
facing%dental%students,%as%well%as%educate%students%on%the%
possible%solu*ons%for%which%our%organiza*on%has%been%diligently%
lobbying.%I%hope%to%give%you%some%key%points%on%ASDA's%student%
loan%plauorm,%which%you%will%be%able%to%share%with%the%students%
at%your%school's%ASDA%chapter.

The Explorer

ASDA District 10

October 1, 2014

According%to%asdanet.org,%ASDA(considers(the(growing(
student(debt(crisis(a(top(priority(and(advocates(for(
nancially(sustainable,(longDterm(solu%ons.(ASDA's(policy(
states((bold(type):
1" Expansion(of(the(tax(deduc%bility(of(interest(on(
educa%onal(debt,(student(scholarships(and(loan(
repayments.#In#2013,#bill#H.R.#1527#was#introduced#by#
our#ASDA#leaders#and#students#at#NaAonal#Dental#Lobby#
Day.#This#bill#asked#for#an#increase#in#the#amount#of#
student#loan#interest#that#can#be#deducted#on#taxes#
from#$2,500#to#$5,000.#Increasing#the#amount#that#can#
be#deducted#from#taxes#for#student#loan#interest#can#
help#relieve#the#burden#of#large#student#loan#payments#
for#recent#graduates.
2" #Improved(access(to(public(service(loan(forgiveness(
programs;(
3" #Loan(forgiveness(of(tui%on(for(dental(students(and(
residents(prac%cing(in(underserved(areas(aMer(
gradua%on;
4" Scholarship(opportuni%es(for(dental(students(and(
residents(prac%cing(in(underserved(areas(aMer(
gradua%on;
5D( Tax(deduc%bility(and(rebates(for(den%sts(prac%cing(in(((
underserved(areas;
Continued on page 8

7 of 13

Continued from page 7 (Student Loan Platform)

Policy%numbers%2E5%are%somewhat%interrelated%and%address%
two%big%issues%facing%dental%students.%The%rst%issue%being%
large%student%loan%debt%and%the%second%issue%being%access%to%
care%for%pa*ents.%Establishing%loan%forgiveness%programs%in%
the%public%service%sector%or%in%underserved%areas%will%increase%
the%amount%of%care%to%those%in%need.%Supporters%of%midElevel%
provider%programs%may%use%decreased%access%to%care%for%
pa*ents%as%a%reason%to%establish%midElevel%provider%programs;%
however,%if%dental%students%had%their%loans%forgiven%for%
working%in%the%public%health%sector%or%underserved%areas,%we%
would%make%a%signicant%posi*ve%impact%in%the%access%to%care%
issue.%
The(policy(also(includes:(
6D(Prohibi%ng(the(compounding(of(interest(during(loan(
repayment(and(the(capping(of(interest(rates(upon(gradua%on;
7D(Strengthening(regula%ons(for(the(protec%on(of(private(
student(loan(borrowers
Private#loan#interest#rates#are#variable,#similar#to#an#interest#
rate#you#may#have#on#a#credit#card.#It#is#important#that#
students#are#made#aware#that#federal#loan#opAons#are#
available#to#them#when#they#enter#school.#As#dental#students#
we#must#work#to#protect#those#students#who#have#private#
loans#from#drasAc#changes#that#may#occur#to#their#interest#
rates,#resulAng#in#excess#nancial#burden.#Student#loan#interest#
rates#are#set#by#the#government,#with#historical#data#showing#
that#these#changes#have#been#small#incremental#changes,#
compared#with#interest#rate#changes#that#may#occur#with#a#
private#loans.#

How ASDA Can Help You Post-Dental

School
The%American%Student%Dental%Associa*on%is%an%
organiza*on%dedicated%to%enhancing%students%dental%school%
experiences.%%It%comes%as%no%surprise%that%one%of%ASDAs%
objec*ves%is%to%help%students%long%aeer%dental%school%as%well.%%
During%my%*me%here%at%UNLV,%ASDA%has%given%me%the%opportunity%
to%be%a%leader,%and%this%posi*on%of%leadership%has%helped%develop%
my%skills%that%will%aid%me%in%my%future%career.%%To%name%a%few,%I%
have%polished%my%abili*es%in%networking%and%managing%an%
eec*ve%team.%%%
Networking%presents%itself%at%the%Las%Vegas%ASDA%chapter%
in%the%form%of%Lunch%and%Learns,%vendor%fairs,%and%mee*ng%
peers%at%several%district%and%na*onal%ASDA%conferences.%%Students%
at%our%local%ASDA%chapter%have%the%opportunity%to%meet%several%
vendors%that%will%aid%them%in%their%future%careers;%companies%that%
facilitate%the%establishment%of%dental%oces,%loupe%vendors,%and%
dental%instrument%distributors%aim%to%aid%new%den*sts%at%said%
vendor%fairs.%%Students%who%choose%to%aDend%conferences%have%
even%greater%exposure%to%vendors,%but%more%importantly,%future%
colleagues.%%It%is%important%to%establish%rela*onships%with%peers%
The Explorer

ASDA District 10

October 1, 2014

How%can%you%help?%Educa*ng%our%students%and%working%
together%as%a%unied%body%is%the%best%way%to%make%a%posi*ve%
impact%on%issues%like%these.%The%more%voices%we%have%raising%
awareness%about%the%student%debt%issue%with%our%state%
socie*es%and%lawmakers,%the%beDer.%Second,%aDend%your%
State's%Dental%Lobby%Day%and%House%of%Delegates%(HOD)%
mee*ngs.%These%events%happen%once%a%year,%and%oer%the%
opportunity%for%you%to%speak%with%den*sts%and%lawmakers%
that%are%changing%policy%locally%and/or%na*onally.%If%you%are%
unsure%when%your%state%lobby%day%or%HOD%mee*ng%will%be%
held,%contact%your%state%dental%associa*on%for%more%
informa*on.%%
Desseree&Lysne
Midwestern&17

across%the%na*on%as%we%are%the%future%of%den*stry.%%The%
rela*onships%we%build%earlier%in%our%career%serve%to%
strengthen%the%inuence%of%organized%den*stry,%aec*ng%our%
profession%for%the%beDer.%%Being%in%a%leadership%posi*on,%I%
have%had%the%privilege%to%witness%and%experience%networking%
at%the%na*onal%level.%%I%have%had%the%pleasure%of%mee*ng%
with%vendors%that%oer%their%services%selessly%and%students%
across%the%na*on%%who%have%shared%their%ideas%and%
enhanced%my%view%of%den*stry.%Most%importantly,%these%
connec*ons%have%served%to%establish%a%form%of%open%
communica*on%that%will%prove%useful%as%we%move%into%our%
careers.%
As%the%Las%Vegas%chapter%president,%I%have%the%
responsibility%of%guiding%a%team%of%leaders%to%beDer%the%
students%dental%school%experience.%%I%am%grateful%for%this%
posi*on%because%I%am%learning%how%to%communicate%and%
manage%a%team%eec*vely.%The%goals%that%I%want%my%chapter%
to%achieve%will%always%have%to%start%with%me,%but%I%am%never%
alone%%the%goals%I%have%set%for%my%chapter%cannot%be%
achieved%unless%my%leadership%team%and%I%work%toward%them%
together.%%I%have%learned%that%every%single%one%of%my%ac*ons%
aects%my%chapter%and%that%I%have%to%weigh%my%decisions%
carefully%to%ensure%a%posi*ve%experience%for%students,%
faculty,%and%dental%professionals.%%These%realiza*ons%and%
skills%will%prove%to%be%useful%once%I%have%a%dental%team%as%
well%as%an%oce%sta.%%ASDA%has%already%given%me%several%
skills%that%will%help%me%become%a%successful%den*st%in%the%
future.%%I%have%no%doubt%it%will%con*nue%to%do%so%for%future%
dental%students.%
Pa*y&Reyes
UNLV&16

8 of 13

ASDA Fever at Midwestern-Arizona

Photographs#of#MWU#ASDA#events#posted#on#Facebook#and#
Instagram#are#oTen#emblazoned#with#the#capAon,#ASDAfever.#If#you#
have#met#the#current#MWU#ASDA#President,#Desseree#Lysne,#then#you#
have#seen#rst"hand#how#pervasive#ASDA#fever#is#within#our#chapter!#
Desseree#deeply#exemplies#what#being#an#ASDA#leader#means,#which#
includes#inspiring#others#to#be#leaders#as#well.#To#me,#ASDA#fever#is#the#
desire#to#be#involved#in#something#amazing;#we#are#an#organizaAon#of#
leaders#working#together#to#achieve#something#be[er#for#each#other#
and#our#profession.#UAlizing#the#abundance#of#resources#and#benets#
ASDA#provides#for#its#members#can#lead#to#more#than#just#living#the#
dream,#as#one#of#our#professors,#Dr.#Rolf,#would#say.#ASDA#can#help#
shape#us#into#the#community#and#professional#leaders#that#we#have#the#
potenAal#to#become.#
Our#chapters#goal#this#year#is#to#have#100%#ASDA#enrollment#
of#our#rst#year#class.#The#team#plans#to#achieve#this#tremendous#feat#
by#spreading#our#own#ASDA#fever.#We#kick"started#our#eorts#by#puang#
on#an#informaAonal#social#gathering#complete#with#roundtable#
discussions.#These#conversaAons#between#ASDA#members#and#rst#
years#were#centered#around#the#dierent#commi[ees#within#ASDA,#and#
focused#on#what#ASDA#does#for#the#students#at#Midwestern"AZ.#
Incoming#students#bring#eagerness#and#excitement#to#the#orientaAon.#
To#heighten#their#excitement,#our#chapter#gave#ASDA#ID#badge#reels#to#
any#D1#who#parAcipated#in#a#group#discussion.#This#orientaAon#event#
marked#the#beginning#of#our#chapters#ASDA#week.
The#culminaAon#of#ASDA#week#at#Midwestern"AZ#involved#
water,#and#a#lot#of#it!#Our#annual#Plunge#into#ASDA#BBQ#brought#
students,#families,#and#faculty#members#together#for#an#unforge[able#

A"few"members"of"
the"ASDA"team"
who"helped"spread"
ASDA"Fever"at"the"
Plunge"into"ASDA"
BBQ!"#ASDAfever

evening#lled#with#a#giant#inatable#waterslide,#a#water#
balloon#toss,#and#best#of#all,#the#faculty#ALS#Ice#Bucket#Challenge!#
We#harnessed#Midwesterns#ASDA#fever,#and#enough#students#
parAcipated#in#our#chapters#ALS#challenge#that#our#Dean,#Dr.#
Gilpatrick,#and#several#other#faculty#members#were#nominated.#
SAll#dressed#in#their#business#suits#and#scrubs,#our#dean#and#faculty#
members#graciously#accepted#the#ice#bucket#dump#while#holding#
Midwesterns#brand#new#ASDA#banner!##The#waterslide#and#water#
balloon#toss#were#a#hit!#ParAcipants#of#all#ages#loved#the#slide,#kids#
and#adults#alike.#By#sponsoring#a#family#friendly#event,#ASDA#gave#
students#the#opportunity#to#enjoy#each#others#company#and#
engage#in#good#conversaAon.#This#encouraged#non"members#to#
take#the#plunge#to#become#members#of#ASDA.
We#all#know#how#hard#dental#school#is,#and#having#a#
network#of#peers#who#are#experiencing#this#with#me#inspires#me#to#
strive#to#be#be[er#and#give#more.#ASDA#fever#is#helping#me#
become#the#best#denAst#I#can#be,#and#spread#the#word#about#how#
this#incredible#organizaAon#can#mold#a#dental#professional#into#a#
professional#leader.!!
Lauren Johnson
Midwestern

The Explorer

ASDA District 10

October 1, 2014

9 of 13

UW Dive Into Dentistry Day

Roseman- Membership Recruitment

At%the%University%of%Washington%School%of%Den*stry%we%
have%had%a%long%history%of%mentorship%and%student%engagement.%
Not%only%do%we%strive%to%build%strong%networks%between%
prac*cing%den*sts%and%dental%students,%but%we%also%have%a%rm%
commitment%towards%engaging%preEdental%students%from%the%
region%and%empowering%them%with%the%tools%to%be%successful%in%
the%applica*on%process%and%in%dental%school.%One%of%the%many%
ways%we%engage%preEdental%students%is%through%our%annual%Dive%
Into%Den*stry%Day.%It%is%a%dayElong%preEdental%camp%held%at%our%
D1%labs,%where%students%can%experience%the%daily%life%of%a%dental%
student.%As%someone%who%personally%struggled%to%make%the%
right%connec*ons%during%undergrad%and%get%enough%exposure%to%
the%dental%eld,%I%really%value%the%impact%the%event%has%on%
prospec*ve%dental%students.%%Having%events%like%Dive%Into%
Den*stry%Day%gives%students%an%opportunity%to%learn%more%about%
den*stry,%experience%the%dental%eld%rst%hand,%gain%valuable%
interview%experience,%network%with%faculty%and%current%dental%
students,%and%become%a%stronger%applicant.%

Fundraising,%legisla*on,%social%events,%and%
membership%Roseman%ASDA%is%busy%all%year%round%making%
sure%students%stay%interested%and%each%member%graduates%
feeling%like%joining%ASDA%was%one%of%the%highlights%of%their%
*me%in%dental%school.%As%an%autoEenroll%school,%we%have%to%
work%hard%to%remind%our%members%why%it%is%worth%it%to%be%in%
ASDA%and%what%we%can%provide%them%with%throughout%the%
year.%It%can%be%a%challenge,%especially%for%the%D1s%and%D4s,%but%
our%board%collaborates%regularly%to%make%Roseman%ASDA%
unique%with%a%goal%of%piquing%interest%and%increasing%turnout.%

As%the%D1%class%comes%into%Roseman,%we%provide%
them%with%presenta*ons%and%a%WelcomeEtoERoseman%picnic%
for%them%to%see%what%ASDA%is%all%about,%and%how%they%can%get%
involved.%Our%fall%semester%is%jamEpacked%with%lunch%and%
learns,%community%outreach%events,%and%our%famous%holiday%
Porcelain%Ball,%so%there%is%plenty%to%do.%The%class%
representa*ves%have%to%be%in%charge%of%pouring%the%fuel%on%
the%re%that%is%ASDA%and%get%their%classes%pumped%to%aDend%
all%of%these%events.%We%have%to%show%everyone%right%o%the%
bat%that%it%is%worth%it%to%have%an%ASDA%membership%and%we%as%
As%with%any%large%event,%the%logis*cs%and%organiza*on%
leaders%are%doing%everything%we%can%to%create%a%unique%
are%a%tremendous%challenge%every%year.%This%years%event%had%64%
experience%for%them.%
preEdental%students%and%over%30%volunteers%and%faculty.%In%
designing%the%ac*vi*es%for%Dive%Into%Den*stry%Day,%we%tried%to%
Since%Roseman%is%a%rela*vely%new%school,%our%turning%
really%capture%the%essence%of%the%preEclinical%dental%curriculum.% point%was%in%August%2013%when%we%got%a%full%board%together,%
Our%ac*vi*es%included%waxing,%drilling%preps,%lling%preps%with%
put%on%a%slew%of%Roseman%ASDA%events,%and%had%higher%
composite,%taking%alginate%impressions,%pouring%and%trimming%
par*cipa*on%numbers.%Last%fall,%we%held%our%rst%annual%
casts,%and%suturing.%In%addi*on%to%this,%students%also%
Porcelain%Ball.%It%is%our%premier%holiday%social%event%and%it%
par*cipated%in%mock%interviews,%along%with%presenta*ons%about% garnered%more%interest%and%posi*ve%feedback%than%any%other.%
This%year,%we%an*cipate%a%bigger,%beDer%event%and%are%so%glad%
dental%anatomy,%dental%school%applica*ons,%and%student%
that%our%members%found%it%as%awesome%as%we%did.%We%also%
nances.%The%biggest%logis*cal%challenge%that%we%faced%was%
collec*ng,%sor*ng,%labeling,%and%properly%returning%all%borrowed% organized%our%rst%Oral%Cancer%Walk%in%Utah%in%April%2014.%
Roseman%ASDA%got%the%whole%community%involved%and%our%
instruments%from%volunteers.%The%key%to%the%success%of%the%
members%are%excited%to%take%part%again%this%upcoming%year.
event%was%organiza*on,%early%planning,%resourcefulness%and%
building%strategic%partnerships%with%other%people%at%the%school.%
By%working%with%faculty,%lab%coordinators%and%advisors,%we%were%
able%to%get%many%of%the%items%donated%such%as%alginate,%stone,%
dentaforms,%and%wax.%
Despite%the%challenges%we%had%a%very%successful%event,%
made%possible%by%the%collabora*on%of%organizers%and%volunteers.%
Students%had%nothing%but%posi*ve%things%to%say%about%their%
experience%and%many%students%reached%out%to%our%ocers%about%
gepng%involved%and%staying%connected%with%ASDA%in%the%future.%
In%fact,%one%of%the%students%in%my%mock%interview%group%ended%
up%eventually%gepng%involved%with%a%service%project%for%migrant%
Although%we%are%lucky%that%we%are%autoEenroll,%it%does%
farm%workers%in%Skagit%Valley%aeer%connec*ng%with%a%faculty%
not%mean%the%work%is%done.%There%is%a%lot%that%goes%into%
member.%It%is%enriching%experiences%like%this%that%we%hope%to%
genera*ng%interest%in%ASDA%and%maintaining%it%for%four%whole%
recreate%through%future%Dive%Into%Den*stry%Day%events.%
years.%Our%execu*ve%board%does%an%amazing%job%of%
dissemina*ng%informa*on%and%we%cannot%wait%to%see%what%
Mahfuz Rahman the%turnout%will%be%this%year!
Paridhie Patel
UW 16
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ASDA District 10

October 1, 2014

Roseman 17

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OHSUs New Collaborative Life

Sciences Building

Interprofessionalism.%This%is%the%word%my%class%was%
introduced%to%last%year%(our%rst%year),%when%OHSU%
implemented%a%new%course%in%the%curriculum%of%all%of%its%
schools:%Interprofessional%Educa*on.%The%idea%is%that%no%
health%professional%works%alone%and%no%health%profession%is%
an%en*ty%of%its%own.%We%are%all%working%towards%a%common%
goal,%even%though%our%approaches%are%dierent.%As%great%as%
this%sounds,%it%started%o%a%bit%rocky.%It%was%very%hard%to%feel%
like%a%part%of%this%interprofessional%community%while%
listening%to%lectures%about%teamwork,%usually%with%hospitalE
set%case%studies.%The%early%interprofessional%educa*on%
sessions%lee%dental%students%feeling%a%bit%excluded.%The%fact%
that%the%School%of%Den*stry%was%isolated%from%the%rest%of%
OHSU%did%not%exactly%help%either.%How%could%we%even%begin%
to%think%about%a%world%where%den*sts%worked%and%
collaborated%with%physicians%and%pharmacists,%when%we%
almost%never%saw%the%students%from%the%dierent%schools?%
For%me,%it%was%impossible.%Interprofessional%educa*on%is%
hopeless,%we%need%to%be%lectured%on%intraprofessional%
educa*on%instead,%I%thought.%One%year%later,%my%thoughts%
on%this%maDer%are%slowly%star*ng%to%change.%I,%and%other%
students%as%well,%can%begin%to%envision%a%community%with%all%
health%professionals%working%cohesively%as%a%part%of%a%larger%
team.%
August%11,%2014.%I%ride%the%streetcar%towards%a%new%
school,%and%a%new%beginning.%Looking%from%outside,%I%cannot%
believe%how%big,%beau*ful,%and%amazing%my%school%is%now.%I%
was%a%liDle%sad%to%leave%our%historic%building,%but%now%all%of%
those%thoughts%leave%my%mind.%I%walk%in,%and%see%all%kinds%of%
people%walking%about.%There%are%medical%students%
everywhere%(I%can%tell%because%they%are%the%only%ones%
dressed%up),%and%I%also%see%some%familiar%faces%and%recognize%
my%dental%school%buddies.%I%know%that%I%am%going%to%be%very%
happy%here,%and%that%I%will%make%great%memories%over%the%
next%three%years.%Efren%Almeida,%a%rst%year%dental%student,%
comments,%Im%enjoying%the%new%building.%The%layout%allows%
for%a%lot%of%interac*on%with%the%people%I%have%met%from%other%
professions,%and%I%have%even%studied%with%some%of%them%at%
the%Graduate%Resource%Center."%
It%has%been%ve%weeks%now,%and%I%am%loving%the%new%
place%more%with%each%passing%day!%Every%*me%I%walk%in,%I%am%
amazed%at%how%many%people%from%dierent%programs%are%
here.%It%is%a%bigger%community%with%students%working%
towards%a%common%goal.%When%you%walk%into%the%CLSB%
(Collabora*ve%Life%Sciences%Building),%you%can%feel%
something.%You%see%various%health%professionals%and%
students%walking%about,%and%the%environment%is%full%of%
energy.%One%can%truly%start%to%see%the%importance%and%reality%
of%interprofessionalism.%Bahar%Kasimi,%a%rst%year%medical%
student%says,%The%IPE%events%that%have%been%held%so%far%
have%done%an%eec*ve%job%relaying%the%importance%of%
teamwork%in%a%world%where%no%health%professional%can%
func*on%solely%anymore.%Exposing%us%to%this%at%an%early%point%
in%our%programs%is%helping%set%a%founda*on%for%solid%future#
The Explorer

ASDA District 10

October 1, 2014

teamwork.%Team%members%can%collaborate%and%
provide%the%best%possible%care%for%pa*ents.%IPE%is%one%example%
of%why%it%is%a%privilege%to%have%brought%quite%a%few%dierent%
programs%closer%together%in%the%new%Collabora*ve%Life%
Sciences%Building.
This%is%just%the%beginning%of%the%educa*onal%
possibili*es%that%can%be%present%because%of%the%CLSB.%My%
class%,%as%well%as%many%others,%is%able%to%enjoy%not%only%a%new%
facility,%but%also%the%connec*ons%and%rela*onships%that%we%
have%made,%and%will%con*nue%to%make,%with%those%around%us.%
The%sky%really%is%the%limit%when%it%comes%to%the%poten*al%for%
progress%and%shared%work%amongst%the%various%schools%and%
programs.%I%do%not%feel%so%as%dis*nct%and%separated%as%before.%
I%am%star*ng%to%feel%as%though%I%too,%am%part%of%the%bigger%
picture.
Sadaf Assadi
OHSU 17

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A Culture of Service
Mahatma%Gandhi%is%wellEknown%for%his%role%in%freeing%India%from%
Bri*sh%rule%in%the%rst%half%of%the%20th%century.%%He%also%is%credited%
for%keeping%the%peace%between%his%countrymen%during%troubling%
*mes.%%The%remarkable%thing%about%Gandhi%is%that%many%of%his%
accomplishments%were%brought%to%pass%by%means%of%seless%
ac*on.%%In%honor%of%his%145th%birthday%this%fall,%I%would%like%to%
relate%my%words%to%two%wellEknown%quotes%spoken%by%Gandhi:%
%1.%The%best%way%to%nd%yourself%is%to%lose%yourself%in%the%service%
of%others.%"
The%students%of%UNLV%School%of%Dental%Medicine%are%commiDed%
to%service.%%Many%school%sponsored%ac*vi*es%are%devoted%to%
reaching%out%to%the%community%by%visi*ng%area%schools,%
re*rement%homes,%community%events,%or%onEcampus%outreach/
educa*on%events.%%I%know%that%this%aptude%of%service%is%mirrored%
throughout%the%ASDA%membership%and%I%am%proud%to%be%a%part%of%
it.%%The%service%rendered%prepares%us%to%enter%our%professional%
career%in%mul*ple%ways.%%

I%am%honored%to%be%numbered%among%those%at%my%school%
and%throughout%the%country%striving%to%become%den*sts.%%
The%level%of%service%that%I%have%seen%come%out%of%students,%
faculty,%and%community%den*sts%is%astounding.%%It%is%the%
culture%of%the%profession%to%look%aeer%the%needs%of%
others.%%I%am%personally%grateful%for%the%good%examples%
that%are%consistently%set%before%me%of%service%and%
selessness%within%the%profession%and%am%condent%that%
Through%serving%others%we%oeen%nd%our%passion.%%UNLV%provides% this%culture%of%service%will%con*nue%throughout%my%*me%in%
students%with%the%opportunity%to%both%educate%children%by%going% den*stry.%%
out%to%elementary%schools%to%teach%about%oral%health%and%to%treat%
Brian&Sanders
dental%problems%of%children%during%a%Saturday%morning%childrens%
UNLV
clinic%that%is%held%each%month%on%campus.%%Not%everyone%who%
volunteers%at%these%events%develops%the%desire%to%work%in%
pediatric%den*stry,%but%through%service%at%these%outreach/
educa*on%events%one%could%develop%such%a%passion%for%the%eld.%% UUSODs ASDA Membership Doubles
If%we%will%put%ourselves%in%the%posi*on%to%experience%dierent%
as New Building Nears Completion
aspects%of%den*stry%through%personal%service,%we%may%be%blessed%
At
the
White Coat Ceremony on August 15, the
with%nding%ourselves%in%ways%we%had%not%considered.
University of Utah School of Dentistry (UUSOD)
welcomed 23 new students comprising the class of
2.%Be%the%change%you%want%to%see%in%the%world.
2018. The addition of these 23 bright and
There%is%plenty%of%cynicism%to%go%around%either%within%ourselves% accomplished individuals signals an exciting era of
or%emana*ng%from%those%around%us.%%It%is%easy%to%take%a%nega*ve% growth for the University of Utah ASDA chapter as it
more than doubles its membership to a total of 43.
view%of%situa*ons%and%events.%%If%there%is%something%about%our%
This increase enables the chapter to be a strong
career%or%about%the%world%at%large%that%we%would%like%to%see%
student voice for dentistry and gives its members,
change,%we%must%live%the%change%we%wish%to%see.%The%apathe*c%
along with their dental colleagues in the Roseman
social%medias%complaints%about%societal%issues%will%not%produce% ASDA chapter, an even larger responsibility to
change%unless%there%is%ac*on%taken.%%One%program%that%was%
promote oral health in the Utah community.
started%by%a%student%at%UNLV%in%response%to%a%dire%need%is%the%
Sergeant%Clint%Ferrin%Veterans%Clinic.%%Many%of%those%who%have%
Though much can be said about strength in
served%in%the%United%States%Military%have%become%unemployed,%
numbers, the inaugural class of 2017 at the U of U
disabled,%or%otherwise%unable%to%receive%adequate%dental%care.%%
has enjoyed the camaraderie of its small class of 20.
The%Veterans%Clinic%is%not%able%to%address%the%needs%of%all%
Reflecting on her first year, Kathryn Cameron (Class
veterans%with%this%plight,%but%it%does%provide%for%the%needs%of%as% of 2017) says, I started school last year with 19 new
classmates and finished the year with 19 good
many%as%the%volunteer%students%and%faculty%are%able%to%handle.%%
As%dental%professionals%we%have%a%responsibility%to%help%those%in% friends. We do everything together during school
and still try to find time to spend together outside of
need.%%If%we%wish%to%improve%the%lives%of%those%around%us,%
improve%the%image%of%the%profession,%or%improve%whatever%issue% school. That closeness allows us to excel together
as students. Dental school is not a competition for
concerns%us,%we%must%begin%by%living%that%improvement.%%
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Continued from page 12 (Membership Doubles)

us; we all seem to have a common goal to succeed as a

team. Ive never seen anyone in our class get turned
down for help when in need. We are all very fortunate that
way.
Being the inaugural class is a great privilege. Some of the
benefits include the high teacher-to-student ratios, brand
new equipment, and many opportunities to establish and
participate in student groups and clubs. This privilege,
however, is also a double-edged sword that comes with a
few challenges. Some of the issues encountered early on
were scheduling conflicts, no alumni or upperclassmen,
and a small and rapidly changing faculty. The UUSOD
administration has adeptly responded to these issues by
becoming more organized and efficient, assigning
community dentists to act as mentors, and hiring over 40
new faculty members - from both the research and clinical
sectors - to educate and support the students in the
coming years.
The dramatic increase in faculty members and
recruitment of community mentors are exciting and
necessary developments; however, the event that will
define this school year will certainly be the completion
and opening of the Ray and Tye Noorda Oral Health
Sciences Building, the new $36.4 million home of the
UUSOD. Among its features are 168 parking stalls, an
expansive student lounge, an upper-floor patio facing the
Wasatch Mountains, and 82 dental chairs (including eight
pediatric chairs and four oral surgery suites). The
structure will accommodate up to 200 students at one
Dean Dsouza explained to the new students that
time. Expressing his excitement for the new building,
figuratively, the three floors represent the stages of quality
James Bekker, DMD, president of the Utah Dental
education [they] will receive - referring to a foundation in
Association and Associate Dean for Patient Care and
the biomedical sciences, the mastery of clinical skills, and
Clinical Programs, explains that the building is right on
the money and is calm, open, and conducive to learning, eventually climb[ing] to the third floor confident to treat
both simple and complex cases in a caring and
teaching, and providing quality care.
compassionate manner. She further illustrated that floors
cannot be sustained without the presence of pillars and
During her speech at the White Coat Ceremony, the
highlighted five underlying components to the UUSODs
schools dean Rena DSouza, DDS, Ph.D. provided
updates and plans for the revolutionary building, which is philosophy: 1) lifelong learning and the advancement of
dental knowledge; 2) technical proficiency and clinical
scheduled to be finished November 2014 and open to
excellence; 3) interprofessionalism and collaboration; 4)
patients in January 2015. She explained, What will the
UUSOD building be like? In a word - stunning! A place of ethics and compassion; and 5) purpose - to be purposeful
learning, a place to receive quality care, a place to grow is to be persistent, courageous and resilient to devote
and develop into the best you can be. Entering this three- your life to something greater than who you are by creating
something that is valuable and meaningful for others.
story structure you will find a welcoming waiting area
with a breathtaking view of the mountains, [and] state-ofthe-art outpatient clinics and operatories equipped with
electronic database management systems The second
floor is designed with technological innovations including
mannequin simulation units and multi-media devices, all
for developing technical proficiency and skill sets. The
third floor will have faculty and staff offices, the doors of
which will be welcoming to all.
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ASDA District 10

October 1, 2014

With this understanding of purpose the members of the

UUSOD ASDA chapter welcome the new students and
challenge one another - and our District 10 colleagues - to
become exemplary, compassionate, and purposeful
members of the dental community.
Daniel Hoopes
Utah 17

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