|
6 simple ways... to get involved in your state dental association
|
|
ASDA members are encouraged to become involved in their state dental association early in their career. Many associations offer free or reduced membership fees, volunteer/leadership opportunities and funded activities for students. Here are a few ways you can get involved:
- Become a member. Find your state dental association's website and get familiar with their mission and priorities. After you've done your research, contact their staff to ask any questions you might have about membership. Once you're ready, sign up.
- Participate in House of Delegates. During ASDA's Annual Session, two students from each chapter serve as delegates in the House of Delegates meetings to set policy and elect officers for the association. Similarly, state dental associations that allow voting student delegates will usually have an ASDA chapter president serve as the student delegate. The ASDA chapter vice president or president-elect can serve as the alternate delegate.
- Submit a resolution. Students are encouraged to submit resolutions, most often changes to policy or recommendations for initiative, to their state dental association if the opportunity is available. ASDA members should adhere to ASDA's Current Statements of Position or Policy found at ASDAnet.org/statementsonpolicy.aspx.
- Attend State Lobby Days. State lobby days often feature meetings with state legislature to discuss issues affecting dentistry. It is likely that several student members will one day practice in the state which they attend dental school. This early participation will help orient students to their state association, as well as their specific state's legislative issues. Students can communicate their future plans to practice in the state in which they lobby proving to the state association their commitment to the community.
- Seek a volunteer role with a state or local dental association. A great place to start is by requesting to serve on a council, committee, task force or state political action committee (PAC).
- Attend local events. Many associations offer free or reduced registration fees for students. Networking with local member dentists may open doors to meeting new mentors or future employers.
Download ASDA's how-to guide for building the idea relationship between ASDA chapters and state dental associations for more suggestions. You can also watch this video about state dental associations featuring Dr. Alex Barton, Virginia '13, 2012-13 vice president.
|
 |
|
Member and faculty spotlight
|
Meet this month's student and faculty member to learn their unique hobbies, reasons for pursuing dentistry and more. For their full profiles, click here. Michele Jaclyn Equinda 
New York '15
Unique hobby:
The ability to write backwards in perfect cursive
|
Carol A Lefebvre, DDS, M.S.
Georgia Regents University College of Dental Medicine
What made you pursue a career in dentistry? I switched from pre-med to pre-dent after working for a dentist one summer in undergrad. He took me under his wing and encouraged me to pursue a career in dentistry. I worked for him throughout dental school and he was a wonderful role model.
|
NBDE Part I & II reprints for sale
|
 Students studying for the National Board Dental Examinations can get help from ASDA. Reprints of actual past examinations are available for Part I and Part II, in addition to a pilot exam featuring a comprehensive format and multiple-choice items in the traditional Part I discipline.
ASDA members can purchase reprints at a substantial discount online. If you have difficulty placing your order, call 800-621-8099, ext. 2795.
|
"Preparing for the Dental Admissions Test (DAT)" Webinar
|
 ASDA and the Student Doctor Network are teaming up to present a free webinar for predentals on Tuesday, May 20 from 9 p.m. - 10 p.m. EST. ASDA members Adrien Lewis, Houston '16, and Kayla Roe, Virginia '18, will discuss the following DAT prep tips during the webinar:
- Scheduling the DAT (when, where and how)
- Overview of the four DAT sections
- Study tips from two dental students who recently went through the process of applying to dental school
- DAT study materials and resources
- Tips for test day
Register for this free webinar by May 20. For more resources on preparing for the DAT, visit ASDAnet.org/predental/dat-prep.aspx. Please share this opportunity with predentals you may know!
|
|
Participate in ADEA's Predental Virtual Fair
|
The American Dental Education Association (ADEA) invites predental students to attend the dental school virtual fair. This free event held on April 29-30 from noon-6 p.m. EST allows predental students and pre-health advisors the opportunity to chat live with dental school admissions representatives, view presentations and network in chat rooms. During the virtual fair, you can exchange virtual business cards with representatives, chat in one-on-one sessions, and pick up brochures on admissions and curriculum. ASDA will have a booth at this fair and we encourage you to stop by to ask questions of our dental student leaders. Register now for this free event on April 29-30.
|
Legislative awards presented at National Dental Student Lobby Day
|
 Congratulations to David Lane, Boston '16, for receiving the Legislative Liaison of the Year Award. The award honors an outstanding legislative liaison in motivating and organizing his/her chapter in the legislative arena and getting the chapter involved in advocacy efforts and events.
Marquette ASDA received the Ideal LGN Chapter Award. This award honors outs  tanding achievements by an ASDA chapter in serving the association on a local and national level. The winning chapter is selected based on involvement in activities such as ADPAC drives, participation in national and state lobby days, legislative lunch & learns, legislative articles written, among others.
|
HDAF scholarship applications due May 1
|
The Hispanic Dental Association Foundation is accepting applications for scholarships on behalf of corporate partners and individual donors Colgate-Palmolive, Procter & Gamble, A-Dec, Dr. Juan Villarreal and HDA members. Apply today.
|
Looking for a book to help your personal development?
|
|
Check out the recommended books featured on ASDA's "Developing Your Leadership Skills" webpage, including:
|
CPS resource for understanding contracts
|
Benefit of the month: BankAmericard Cash Rewards™ credit card
|
The BankAmericard Cash Rewards™ credit card for American Student Dental Association. Get more cash back for the things you buy most. Plus a $100 cash rewards bonus offer. Carry the only card that helps support American Student Dental Association
- $100 cash rewards bonus if you make
- at least $500 in purchases in the first 90 days*
- 1% cash back on purchases, everywhere, anytime
- 2% cash back at grocery stores
- 3% cash back on gas
To apply for a credit card visit newcardonline.com and enter Priority Code VABZKU.
*Grocery store and gas bonus rewards apply to the first $1,500 in combined purchases in these categories each quarter.
|
|
|
"For me, I am driven by two main philosophies: know more today about the world than I knew yesterday and lessen the suffering of others. You'd be surprised how far that gets you."
- Neil deGrasse Tyson
|
|
|
.png "Youtube"){kind=small}
