News for members of the American Student Dental Association

October 2014

6 simple ways... to get involved with ASDA

Write for ASDA News, Mouth or Mouthing Off. You don't need a topic, just a passion for story telling. Fill out this interest form and an editor will be in touch.

Volunteer at your chapter. Chapter leaders are always looking for extra hands.

Apply for a national leadership role. More than 40 positions are available that range in time commitments and responsibilities. Want to enhance your dental school experience? Meet new people? Build your leadership skills? This is your chance. Apply by Jan. 5, 2015 (district trustee applications are due Feb. 4, 2015). Applications open soon.

Attend an ASDA event. Go to your chapter's vendor fairs and local networking events. If you want to take your involvement further, register for a national ASDA event. You'll meet people from across the country and learn about topics not taught in dental school.

Offer your talents. If you've got an eye for layout or know how to code a website from scratch, let your chapter leaders know! You might be able to help them launch or maintain a Gold Crown-worthy website or e-newsletter.

Read ASDA publications. You can be involved in ASDA just by staying informed. ASDA News and Mouth are your resources for current news and issues effecting dental students. For more frequent updates, subscribe to ASDA's blog, Mouthing Off. If you read an article or blog post that's particularly interesting, be sure to share it with your classmates and ASDA chapter leaders.

Member and faculty spotlight

Meet this month's student and faculty member to learn their unique hobbies, reasons for pursuing dentistry and more. Click here for their full profiles.

Linda Sheng

Indiana '16, membership chair

Favorite ASDA benefit: ASDA unites dental students across the country, allowing the exchange of ideas, formation of new friendships and mutual encouragement and motivation. This helps make the most out of our education, careers and continues to advance the dental profession together.

David W. Paquette, DMD, MPH, DMSc
Professor, Associate Dean for Education,
Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine

Why did you pursue a career in dentistry?
I've always been attracted to a "healing" profession. Dentistry fit the bill in terms of caring for patients plus the science and art. I've also had some strong role models over the years who ignited and sustained my enthusiasm for dentistry. For me, the relationships with patients, students and colleagues via dentistry have been most gratifying.

National leadership applications available

Want to enhance your dental school experience? Meet new people? Build your leadership skills? Consider applying for an ASDA national leadership role. The 40+ applications for the 2015-16 year will be available next month at ASDAnet.org/Leadership. New in 2015: we're looking for a video editor to film and edit videos at the national level.

2014-15 National Leaders

Submit your research to ASDA's Student Research Poster Session

Predoctoral ASDA members are invited to submit an abstract for the 2015 Student Research Poster Session taking place at Annual Session on Feb. 19 at the Westin Boston Waterfront Hotel in Boston, Mass.

If you are currently doing research or have done research in the past, you are encouraged to participate. You'll be able to practice public speaking in a low-pressure setting, receive feedback and add your accomplishment to your CV or resume!

Review the criteria and guidelines, and submit your abstract by Dec. 5 for consideration. Research does not have to be novel to submit. Contact Meetings Coordinator Natalie Hinman at [email protected] or 312-440-2845 with questions.

2015 Dr. Ray Bowen Student Research Award applications due Dec. 5

The ADA Foundation, in cooperation with the Academy of Operative Dentistry, is accepting applications for the 2015 Dr. Ray Bowen Student Research Award. The awardee receives $6,000 to perform research on contemporary operative dentistry with an additional $1,000 to fund the dental student to present a table clinic at the Academy of Operative Dentistry's scientific session based on the research proposal. Additional opportunities can be found through the ADA Foundation.

David E. Rogers Student Fellowship Program opens Oct. 1

The David E. Rogers Student Fellowship Program supports a 10-12 week mentored summer project between the 1st and 2nd years of dental school. The projects serve the needs of underserved and disadvantaged populations. Apply for one of up to five grants of approximately $4,000.

UCLA ASDA wins national award for newsletter, Diastema

The American Association of Dental Editors and Journalists (AADEJ) have selected UCLA ASDA's newsletter, the Diastema, as the recipient of the 2014 Meskin Journalism Award for Excellence in Dental Student Publications. This honor is presented annually to one United States or Canadian dental student publication in recognition of overall excellence in publishing, including editorial content and design.

ASDA extends congratulations to UCLA and the student leaders who make the Diastema possible.

October ASDA News: "How holistic dentistry can and will play a part of your future career"

When seeking dental care, patients exercise autonomy and are increasingly involved in their own treatment planning. The terms "holistic" and "alternative" invoke a variety of responses from health care professionals and patients. ASDA Contributing Editor Gregory Sabino, Ph.D., dives into holistic dentistry and how natural remedies can be effective when paired with clinical research. Click here to read the digital edition.

Mouthing Off blog post: "Alcohol & networking: mix with caution"

Today's dental students face alcohol-fueled culture at mainstream professional events. Social receptions tend to come well stocked with spirits. You're probably familiar with basic strategies for cocktail parties. Don't drink too fast. Don't drink too much. Water, water, water.

Former ASDA President Dr. Colleen Greene offers tips for avoiding disaster while mixing alcohol and networking. Keep reading on Mouthing Off.

Medical Protective - dental malpractice insurance

As an ASDA member, you receive exclusive discounts with Medical Protective, the nation's leader in dental malpractice insurance.

What we offer:

Occurrence and claims-made coverage as low as $50 (ASDA member benefit)
Pure consent to settle: no claim will be settled without the dentist's consent
Unmatched financial strength and stability from a company defending dentists since 1899

Make sure to follow @MedProDental on Twitter!

Contact the MedPro dental team with any questions:

800-463-3776 x 3536
[email protected]
www.medpro.com/asda-resources