During the month of February thousands of dental practices and clinics across the country take part in the annual Give Kids a Smile Day, an event to provide dental services to underserved children.

On Saturday, February 2, 2013, the UCSF School of Dentistry will be hosting Give Kids a Smile Day, during which students and faculty will offer children ages 4 through 17 free cleanings, dental sealants, fluoride treatments, and screenings that satisfy the Kindergarten/1st Grade Oral Health Assessment Bill requirements.

Along with free services and oral hygiene education in a fun atmosphere (this year’s theme will be “Under the Sea”), each child will receive a free toothbrush, toothpaste and floss, and health education conducted by UCSF Dentistry’s Schweitzer Fellows will be available for parents. Appointments are not necessary.

Hear from prominent speakers within dentistry addressing topics like student debt and licensure. Sit in on the House of Delegates meeting where association policy is set. Celebrate the achievements of ASDA chapters and members at the Gold Crown Awards ceremony and witness the elections of national leaders.

Plus, there’s the student research poster session!

Visit www.ASDAnet.org/AnnualSession for details.

By J. Eduardo Molina, DDS Candidate 2015

This past November 2^nd-4^th, six of our UCSF ASDA members were fortunate enough to attend the first-ever ASDA National Leadership Conference held in Chicago, IL. Nearly 400 students from all over the nation flew out to the windy city to gain invaluable skills, which often cannot be taught in a classroom or clinical setting. While the main focus was on developing “life skills” through leadership training, this conference also offered training in specific areas of dentistry such as dental ethics, business management, and policies affecting the profession.

The National Leadership Convention was comprised of more than 35 breakout sessions, allowing students of all levels to choose which sessions best met their needs. Second year dental student Naomi Kong said, “ One of the greatest things I learned from this weekend was that leadership is not about us as individuals, but rather, it is about our responsibility to do something with the gifts we have.” Niloo Farahani, another second year dental student stated, “ my favorite session was the Tips from the Podium: Public Speaking & Presenting because as I am getting ready to transition from the lecture hall and simulation laboratory onto clinic, I believe that it is essential to learn how to communicate effectively with my patients and become comfortable with my own style of presenting.”

“ASDA has truly done a great job organizing this event into tracks that tailor to the attendees interests and I have learned a lot of practical tips that will help me lead my chapter during this academic year,” said third year Shahab Parsa. Next years National Leadership Conference is anticipated to be an even greater success. If you are interested in getting involved with ASDA, contact any of our ASDA at UCSF representatives and ask for more information.

UCSF’s ASDA Goes International

By Jonathan Hurng, DDS Candidate, 2015

“Relieved, grateful, well-fed!” These were the words expressed as 54 international dentists parted after attending the UCSF American Student Dental Association (ASDA)’s 2^nd International Pre-dental Interview Day held on Sunday October 14^th, 2012.

ASDA’s International Pre-dental day is an event primarily aimed to prepare international dentists for upcoming Fall interviews and to provide additional information regarding the application process to international professionals looking to further their dental education. Highlights of the program included presentations conducted by current International Dental Program (IDP) students Stalinjeet Gill and Wint Wint Tun (ID3) on interview day overview, interview etiquette, and tips to achieve a successful interview. Subsequent student Q&A panels, mock interviews, and dinner social were provided by the current students of the International Dental Program. It offered an invaluable opportunity for the interviewees to interact with the student body and receive constructive feedback.

Although a program dedicated to the international dentist, this event aims to achieve further collaboration between the international and domestic dental students. Due to discrepancies in curriculum, students find little opportunity to interact. “It’s wonderful that we can all find the time and dedication to create a program that positively influences the community and exemplifies UCSF. It’s encouraging to assist students of different backgrounds, as we all have experienced the process of preparing for UCSF interviews” (Tiffany Hsu D2).  “My advice for all dental professionals in training is be confident about your education, be confident about yourself, and it will guarantee your success,” concluded Noha Oushy (ID3)

Michael Hong (D2), current chair of the ASDA Pre-dental Committee added “We feel that many outreach programs currently offered are primarily aimed to equip domestic Pre-dental students for the dental school applications and the interview process. Unfortunately, there seems to be a dearth of such opportunities for the international dentists.  ASDA aims to support all dental students, domestic and international alike.”   For further information on this event please contact Michael Hong (Michael.hong@ucsf.edu)

As the Blue Angels roared over the San Francisco skies, dental student leaders from the American Dental Student Association (ASDA) and California Dental Association (CDA) convened at the annual ASDA District 11 meeting to hear presentations, engage in breakout sessions, and learn about the current state of access to dental care in California. The District 11 meeting was held at the University of the Pacific Dugoni School of Dentistry during the weekend of Oct. 5-7.

ASDA’s District 11 is comprised of California’s six dental schools: Loma Linda, USC, UCLA, UCSF, UOP, and Western. Among the nearly 100 students in attendance, UCSF made a strong presence, bringing 20 ASDA and 7 CDA representatives.

Highlights of the meeting included an impressive list of guest speakers, engaging discussion on bill SB 694 (State Senator Alex Padilla, D-CA), and a vendor fair with exciting raffle giveaways.

As District 11’s first joint ASDA/CDA meeting, there could have been no better time to discuss Senator Padilla’s dental care bill, SB 694, strongly advocated by the CDA. Daniel Davidson, DMD, President of CDA stated in his presentation that barriers to dental care are complex and multifaceted. An estimated 11 million Californians lack dental insurance, and over 200 dental shortage areas have been identified. SB 694 endeavors to improve access to dental care for children with two components: the creation of an Office of Oral Health/ Dental Director and a workforce study of training registered dental hygienists and advanced registered dental assistants to perform seven procedures outlined in the bill, such as drilling on teeth for fillings, extracting primary teeth, placing stainless steel crowns, and performing therapeutic pulpotomy. With ASDA listed on the bill’s Oppose list, attendees of the meeting sought to clarify the specific parameters and implications of the study. In August, the bill failed passage in the State Senate because of fiscal concerns. However, according to President Davidson, Sen. Padilla plans to resurrect the bill in the future.

ASDA is a national student-run organization that protects and advances the rights, interests, and welfare of dental students. ASDA represents 88% of the dental students in California and over 75% of dental students in the country. For more information, visit http://www.asdanet.org.

Pictured

UCSF Dentistry representation at ASDA District 11 meeting