July 2013 Volume 4, Issue 1

National Dental Student Lobby Day

Message From Your District 11 Trustee

Meet Your New District 11 E-Board

Ayuda International in Patzicia, Guatemala

10 Things You Should Know About Applying to Residency Programs

Perspectives: Dental School as an International Student

Bridge Builders at Pacific

Loan Repayment 101

Congratulations Class of 2013!

Inside This Issue

Upcoming Events CDA Presents San Francisco, CA August 15-17, 2013

District 11 Meeting Los Angeles, CA October 12-13, 2013

ASDA National Leadership Conference Chicago, IL November 15-17, 2013

Students representing ASDA District 11 gather at Capitol Hill for ASDA National Dental Student Lobby Day.

National Dental Student Lobby Day

National Dental Student Lobby Day, in Washington D.C., brought together hundreds of dental students in an effort to lobby Congress about the issues affecting dentistry and dental education. The main purpose of Lobby Day 2013 was to speak openly to members of Congress about the Medical Device Tax and the ExCEL Act. The brief trip included a one day meeting about lobbying and culminated with another day on Capitol Hill to speak with Congress. One of the topics students lobbied for was repeal of the Medical Device Tax. This tax, currently in effect, imposes a 2.3% tax on any medical device. Nearly every item in a dental office potentially qualifies as a medical device, making this tax unnecessary and costly for dentists. ASDA strongly disagrees with the Medical Device Tax; however, it is already in effect and was difficult to lobby. The main issue students lobbied for was the ExCEL Act, also known as the Earnings Contingent Education Loans Act. The ExCEL Act, currently not in effect, would drastically improve and simplify the federal student loan system in three ways. First, it would lower the overall interest rates on student loans. Next, the loan payments would be more affordable to graduates. The payback would be only 15% of the graduates yearly income and there would be no penalty to pay more than 15%, if desired. The most distinguishing aspect of the ExCEL Act is that interest would not compound and the interest would be capped at 50% of the principle amount. For instance, if a student borrows $400,000 in student loans the subsequent interest would not exceed $200,000. If passed, the ExCEL Act would eliminate the current twenty year Loan Forgiveness Program. The ExCEL Act would potentially affect college and graduate students alike, but would be exceptionally beneficial for dental students. As for the event itself, Lobby Day was a two day conference that consisted of presentations on the first day and National Dental Student Lobby Day on the second day. The quick turn-around

By Michael Drake, Western 14

Editors Jared Kenney UCLA School of Dentistry 14 jaredkenney@gmail.com

Stephanie TingOstrow School of Dentistry of USC 16 stephajt@usc.edu

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ASDA BONDING AGENT DISTRICT 11

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National Dental Student Lobby Day, continued from p. 1

on the first day included discussions about the Medical Device Tax and the ExCEL Act, presentations about the fundamentals of Capitol Hill, updates from ADPAC, AGD and ADEA, and breakout sessions with District 11. The author of the ExCEL Act, Congressman Tom Petri of Wisconsin, concluded the day with a keynote address which excited the ASDA members to lobby. The first day of the conference was a successful preparation for all ASDA members to become a unified group in order to better address Congress.

On the morning of Lobby Day, excitement was palpable as students gathered at the Capitol Building before walking down Independence Avenue to meet with Congress. The congressional offices were inconveniently located in three different buildings equipped with airport like security and long lines. The WesternU Chapter split into two groups because it was apparent that the arduous lines would not allow the navigation of our ambitious schedule which consisted of ten congressional meetings. Each meeting was approximately 20 minutes long and included discussions about the political issues and the reasons congress

should be involved and in support of the dental profession. Most of the Congress members did not know that dental school is such a large financial investment and believed that student debt should not punish the students who strive for higher education. All in all, Lobby Day was a great success especially considering that most of the Congress members vowed to support the ExCEL Act and the dental profession.

Lobbying for the 20,000 dental students of the American Student Dental Association was a humbling and exciting experience. The fact that ASDA members have the opportunity to meet with Congress members and discuss political issues pertaining to dentistry is a privilege not many other organizations provide. Even if you do not follow politics, Lobby Day is an event worth attending. Lobby Day bridges the gap between dentistry and politics and participants are able to express their voices and become advocates for change in the dental profession.

Message from Your District 11 TrusteeHello District 11,

I would like to offer a warm welcome to District 11 and introduce myself as your District 11 ASDA Trustee. For those of you that I have not had a chance to meet, my name is Kris Mendoza and am going into my third year at the UCLA School of Dentistry. I am originally from Fresno, CA and received my Bach-elors of Science in Biology from the University of the Pacific. In my free time, I enjoy spending time relaxing in the mountains, water-skiing, and listening to music. Throughout dental school, ASDA evolved into a large part of my life as I realized the importance of organized den-tistry as a future dental professional. I am excited for what we can accomplish in the upcoming year and feel incredibly lucky to serve as your District 11 ASDA Trustee. As District Trustee, I am responsible for carrying out the resolutions put forth by the House of Delegates, as well as making day-to-day decisions on the direction of ASDA. I also serve as the liaison between the six California Dental Schools and National ASDA. In addition, I am fortunate enough to serve as an ADA Delegate for the upcoming year. I am honored to serve each and every one of you through-out the coming year and strive to be the best representative for our district.

District 11 has an awesome cabinet in place, featuring members from all six of our dental schools, in addition to many inspired chapter leaders that look to protect the interest and welfare of the dental students of District 11. Throughout the coming year, our district will increase our advocacy efforts on key legislative issues such as licensure, student debt, and access

to care. Our district hopes to increase student engagement in organized dentistry and increase the networking opportunities between our chapters.

There are many exciting community service and leadership development events we have in store for this year, including the District 11 Meeting from October 11-13, 2013 in Southern California. I hope that you take some time to explore the many opportunities associated with ASDA and organized dentistry as we look to face the problems of today to create a better tomorrow for the dental profession.

Please feel free to contact me if you are interested in getting more involved or have any questions. I look forward to working with each of you and I wish you the best throughout your dental careers.

Best Regards,

Kris Mendoza District 11 ASDA Trustee UCLA 15

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ASDA BONDING AGENT DISTRICT 11

Meet Your New District 11 E-Board

Name: Kris MendozaSchool: UCLA 15 Hometown: Fresno, CAEmail: doza04@ucla.eduMost memorable ASDA experience: hanging out with District 11 at Sneaky Petes in Minnesota at Annual Session in 2012... you would have had to be there. Song that best describes you: Swim by Jacks MannequinFavorite Dental Procedure: In my infant clinical career, I have enjoyed Class II composites! We will see if that remains throughout the coming year...

(See Message from Your District 11 Trustee on p. 2)

District 11 Trustee

District 11 SecretaryName: Yige Zhao School: University of the Pacific 15 Hometown: Temecula, CAEmail: y_zhao2@u.pacific.eduMost memorable ASDA experience: getting to meet a couple Congressmen on Lobby Day 2013 because it felt like we were truly making a difference!Song that best describes you: Sexy Back by Justin Timberlake Favorite Dental Procedure: crowns and veneers!

As district secretary, I oversee the Cabinet Chairs to make sure we are getting things done in a timely manner. I also act as a liaison between the cabinet and Kris, our trustee, to ensure that everyone is on the same page. I try my best to be a valuable resource for anyones questions and am always striving to find the best answers and point people in the right direction. My family lives in the wine country of Southern California in a town called Temecula. I have a 10-year old brother and my father is a practicing family dentist in the area. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my boyfriend, watching movies, exploring the city, and trying new restaurants. Im also a big fan of fine wine. This upcoming summer, I will be visiting Hawaii for the first time. Cant wait!

District 11 Legislative LiaisonName: Adrien Hamedi-SangsariSchool: UCLA 15 Hometown: Los Angeles, CAEmail: ahsangsari@ucla.eduMost memorable ASDA experience: Lobby Day 2012Song that best describes you: U Dont Know by Jay-Z Favorite Dental Procedure: post and core restorations

My name is Adrien and I am your District 11 Legislative Liaison. Organized dentistry is a huge passion of mine and I hope to bring that to this position. I want to leave a lasting impression on District 11 and help ASDA grow on the state and local levels. In order to have our voices heard as dental students, it is important to build a relationship with state and federal legislators. Just as dental organizations such as the CDA have built great relationships in Sacramento, I hope to provide the same for ASDA. It will take some time for our name to be recognized but I will try my best to start the process.

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ASDA BONDING AGENT DISTRICT 11

Ayuda International in Patzicia, Guatemala

By Michelle Zin and Erica Wu, USC 15

During spring break this past April, forty-one USC dental students traveled with Ayuda International to volunteer their time to serve the community of Patzicia, Guatemala. Ayuda, a non-profit dental outreach organization, has been providing dental care to underserved communities in Los Angeles and Orange County since 1991. Ayuda is partnered with the Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC, giving students from USC the opportunity to participate in monthly local clinics and yearly international clinics. In the past, students have traveled to Colombia, Belize, and Panama.

This year, we traveled to an elementary school in Patzicia, Guatemala to provide care for the children and families in the community. The clinic lasted for four productive days and over 300 patients were screened and received treatment. Additionally, many more were given oral hygiene instruction and fluoride treatments. The students were accompanied by fifteen doctors to provide guidance and supervision during diagnosis and treatment of the patients. During the course of the four days, the students came to love the people of the community and realized the impact they were making in their lives. Most of the people in the community have never seen a dentist in their life and do not know much about the importance of oral hygiene. They were appreciative of our efforts in relieving them of pain and giving them the dental care they needed.

Khine Htet, USC 14, was humbled by the trip and said, It was an amazing experience to be able to take the time to help those in need. One of the best apsects was having so many doctors who were able to take the time out of their busy schedules and to have the patients to teach us and share their knowledge with us.

Nitichai Wong, USC 15, reaffirmed what all of us thought - this awesome experience definitely helped reassure that I am in the right career path.

Overall treatment included 343 restorations, 290 extractions, 63 pulpotomies/SSC, and 49 root canal treatments. More importantly, the experience truly put into perspective the responsibilities we have as future doctors to continue helping communities in need.

Students and faculty from the Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC volunteered their spring break to serve the community in Patzicia, Guatemala.

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ASDA BONDING AGENT DISTRICT 11

10 Things You Should Know About Applying to Residency Programs By Jared Kenney, UCLA 14

Its summer! Along with the barbecues, baseball games, and beautiful weather, every third year dental student knows that this is application season. So before you engage in your favorite summer activity, make sure you have your application on track by reading the following ten pointers:

1. Unlike applying for dental school, applying for a residency is like applying for a job. Program directors are looking for applicants that can learn quickly, take initiative, apply knowledge, and work fairly independently. According to a Webinar on the PASS appli-cation, put on by ADEA, the top five character traits that Program Directors look for in applicants are one who, 1) is a team player, 2) assumes responsibility, 3) has integrity, 4) is reliable, and 5) has interpersonal skills. Saying that you have these traits means little to those who review your application. Showing you are this person, or at least giving anecdotes of how you exemplify these traits will help you get into that program you are aiming for.

2. Stay organized and dont procrastinate. Create a spreadsheet of all of the programs you are interested in and their specific requirements, and check off each item as you get it done. Dont procrastinate. Show that you care about the application process by giving every aspect of your application the proper detailed attention that it deserves.

3. The personal statement is that one piece of your application that is completely in your control. Program Directors read hundreds of these and easily tire of stock answers with no substance. Find an angle, or an original idea, but dont try too hard to be differ-ent that you appear weird or fake. And the worst thing you can do is lie about yourself in your Personal Statement. Write about what matters to you, and believe in it. You cannot rush it; give yourself plenty of time to write and rewrite it. If you dont love it by the time youre done with it, you know those who read it in your application wont either. Ask trusted advisors and mentors to help you fine-tune it. Remember, depth, not breadth, is your goal. The Personal Statement is a reflective piece that gives you an oppor-tunity to explain yourself, demonstrate your character traits, and highlight any aspect of your application that really sets you apart.

4. Personal Potential Index (PPI) evaluations should not be dis-missed as something nobody cares about. In fact, when asked about what is important in an applicant, more faculty site person-al qualities like resilience and communication skills than mastery of the discipline. PPIs attempt to measure six of these traits in a standardized fashionknowledge and creativity, communication skills, teamwork, resilience, planning and organization, and eth-ics and integrity. Evaluators give the applicant a rating on a five point scale and have an opportunity to input written comments as well. It means nothing to some Program Directors if an applicant has all fives on their PPI and no written comments, because it does not tell them anything. Besides selecting evaluators who actually know you in these areas and can rate you well, the best piece of advice for you is to ask those you evaluate you to write about you liberally in the Comments section.

5. Letters of recommendation are an extremely crucial part of your application. Ask people who actually know you. And if youre not sure if someone will write you a good letter or not, it is probably best not to ask them. Ask your potential letter-writers if they will write you a strong letter of recommendation, and give them plenty of time (at least a month) to get it done. A polite reminder

as you get closer to your deadline will assure your letter gets suf-ficient attention and avoids an unfavorable stressful situation at the deadline if your mentor forgets or procrastinates.

6. Externships can really set you apartfor good or for bad. For Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, its an unwritten rule that you have to do externships. But especially if you are applying to other specialties where externships arent the norm, externships can really set you apart. While visiting another program, be helpful but not in the way, polite but dont overdo it, smart but dont show off, positive and never negative, the first one to arrive and the last to leave, and only ask good questions. Good questions are ones that show that you care enough about the answer to have researched the issue beforehand, without it looking like youre showing off. If youre treating an attending like a walking encyclo-pedia, youre asking the wrong kind of questions.

7. With extracurricular involvement, you have really got to plan ahead. Even if you are not sure if you want to apply to a residen-cy program, get involved in some extracurricular activities. This will keep doors open in case you decide you want to apply later and will also enrich your time in dental school as well. Again, depth, not breadth, is the important factor here. Pursue activi-ties that you are passionate about and dive into them instead of skimming off the top of a plethora of programs. Strive to be well-rounded.

8. The interview is crucial. Know your application backwards and forwards. Know everything you can about the program and its key players. Anticipate and practice answering common interview questions, but dont be rote in your answers. Show your passion, smile, be personable, and ask good questions. Dale Carnegie, in his ageless book, How to Win Friends and Influence People, writes about how people enjoy talking about themselves, and if you can get someone to talk about themselves and whats impor-tant to them, you can get a lot further with these people than by telling them about yourself and whats important to you. This is a good general rule, and may or may not apply to your interview. When asked about yourself, demonstrate your capabilities with examples; your interview is the time to sell yourself as a great applicant, but do it in a way that isnt boastful.

9. Its a numbers game. Applying to programs is expensive. Think about the application costs, airfare, taxis, hotels, eating on the roadthese costs add up! But even more expensive is not get-ting into a program the first time you apply and waiting around for a year. To some degree, getting into a program is a numbers game. In many situations, the more programs you apply to, the more interviews you will get, and the more interviews you get, the higher likelihood you will get in somewhere. In the grand scheme of things, the cost to apply to a few extra programs is relatively low.

10. Lastly, accentuate the positive. The author Bryant Hinckley once said, Cynics do not contribute, skeptics do not create, [and] doubters do not achieve. The time between applying and Match Day is a grueling six months, but it is also a very rewarding time. Take time now to realize what youre doing. Your efforts now will pay off as you prepare for the next phase of your life, whether its a one-year GPR or six year OMFS program. Staying posi-tive through the application and interview process will show your best side and get you there, and youll enjoy this exciting time of dental school all the more.

PerspectivesDental School as an International Student

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ASDA BONDING AGENT DISTRICT 11

By Noha Nour, UCLA 14

Having earned my first Dental Degree from Cairo University in Egypt, and now working on attaining my second Dental Degree from UCLA School of Dentistry, I cannot help but make comparisons. The first thing that comes to my mind is patient flow. Egypt has a population of 80 million9 million of which live in the city of Cairo. Free dental care is provided at Cairo University where the student covers the expenses of the work to be done on the patient. Combine a large population along with free healthcare, and youll receive long lines of patients waiting from the break of dawn to be seen by dental students. Some patients will even travel from out of town to receive their free dental treatment. As for fees, the students have to provide their own material as well as cover lab expenses. Thankfully, the in-house lab is not expensive; to put things into perspective, the lab fee for a crown costs a student $20. With tha said, being in a class of 400 students, each with numerous patients, you suffer from lack of proper faculty coverage as well as faulty equipment and chairs.

As a second year PPID student (4th year dental student), I have had much to adjust to. In my current dental school, focusing on the medical condition of a patient and reviewing their medical status with faculty before even starting a procedure was foreign to me. Another thing Ive noticed here is that patients are more aware of their dental health and will make sure to voice their opinion. At Cairo University, the doctors recommendations were almost always accepted without question. This culture difference has its advantages and disadvantages since U.S. patients have more responsibility toward their health as opposed to Egyptian patients who leave the decision-making to the student dentist. The part that I am still trying to adjust to is documentation. The need to document every single topic discussed with

the patient seemed like such a waste of time, at first. But learning how the legal system works in the U.S. has made me understand its importance. At UCLA, aside from patient dental care, I was able to participate in many extracurricular activities. This year, I was elected ASDA District 11 International Student Liaison. It is a newly formed position that represents all International students in California who are in the two-year International Program. With this position, International dentists who are current pre-doctoral students are able to express their views and concerns. Issues such as immigration status and student debt are being discussed. These students can also be involved in various ASDA events, including leadership conferences, ASDA Annual Session and the ASDA National Student Lobby Day.

So, on behalf of ASDA, I would like to welcome the incoming international pre-doctoral students to an exciting, yet challenging two years. As an international pre-doctoral student myself, I understand how difficult it is to go through dental school again. However, try to make the best out of this experience. Learn as much as you can, participate in as many activities as you can, and enjoy every moment!

Noha Nour is a second year PPID student at UCLA. She originally obtained her dental degree from Cairo University in Egypt.

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Bridge Builders at Pacific

ASDA BONDING AGENT DISTRICT 11

By Maurissa Kiefer, Pacific 15

Every spring, the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni Family puts on an event called Bridge Builders. It is one of the most festive events of the year. The event started fifteen years ago by the Advance Standing International Dental Student in collaboration with Pacific ASDA as an international food event to celebrate the cultural diversity at the school. Over the past fifteen years, it has grown and become a Dugoni Tradition where students, faculty, and staff can come together to represent their cultures, backgrounds and ethnicities with everyone.

With representation from more that twenty-five cultures, the Dugoni Family was able to enjoy the different cuisines and experience many different unique cultural traditions. Participants generously donated their own funds and time to allow others the opportunity to experience their culture. From traditional Indian food to Jordanian beverages to performances of a cultural Filipino dance, this event allows students and staff to represent their cultures in so many different ways.

Bridge Builders is sponsored by Pacifics ASDA Chapter and is organized and hosted by the ASDA IDS Representative. Dr. Jinesh Parmar is the current ASDA IDS Representative, and did an amazing job exceeding the previous years participation and attendance.

I personally feel that this event creates a sense of belonging and respect among the members of the Dugoni Family. It epitomized our commitment to diversity and inclusion as well as our core value of humanism. It shows the respect and tolerance we have for each other and how we can maintain

unity in the diversity. This is a unique part of an amazing Dugoni experience.- Dr. Jinesh Parmar, IDS Class of 2014 ASDA Representative

Bridge Builders is an event that the entire Dugoni Family looks forward to attending every year. Students, faculty, and staff alike come together to celebrate their families heritage and celebrate what has ultimately brought us all at Pacific together as a family of our own.

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ASDA BONDING AGENT DISTRICT 11

Loan Repayment 101: Dental School is Tough - Understanding How to

Pay Your Loans Doesnt Have to Be By Allison Baylis, Western 14

Graduation is an exciting time. As the four years of dental school come to an end, we will receive diplomas and new titles. Many students will continue on to residencies to further hone their professional and clinical skill set. With all of the happiness that comes with celebrating the achievements of finally obtaining that D.M.D. or D.D.S., why is there a black cloud looming over the festivities? Oh yeah, its student debt.

For most of us, the appeal of dentistry includes the abil-ity to earn a professional degree, to have a rewarding career with the ability to serve others, and to be our own bosses. What most of us probably did not think about was that this goal would come at no small price. With student debt being the inevitable, what can we do to ensure that we stay in control of the repayment process?

Understand Your Repayment Options Standard loan repayment may work for students who borrowed for undergraduate degrees, but for much larger loans for professional school there are other options to allow you to manage hefty debt. Graduated repayment is an option for individuals who will make more money as they progress in their careers, i.e. new-ly graduated dentists. Payments start out smaller and increase during the payment period. Often the beginning payments are for interest only. Unfortunately, the maximum repayment term is ten years. Income-based repayment can also be an option for qualified graduates. The ability to utilize this repayment program is based on loan eligibility, family size, and adjusted gross in-come (which also reflects a spouse if you have one). You have to apply annually, but the repayment period can be extended longer than ten years, and if the balance is still unpaid after twenty-five years, there can be loan forgiveness. It is also important to cor-rectly file your tax returns to be eligible, and if married, consider the pros and cons or filing jointly or separately. Extended loan repayment allows the borrower to extend the standard repayment time of ten years to twenty-five. In order to qualify, you must have borrowed more than $30,000. Unfortu-nately, that wont be an issue for most dental students.

Consider Consolidation Carefully Paying one loan bill a month can be more convenient and less overwhelming, but it may not always be the best way to manage your debt. Combining all of your loans may lead to the loss of incentive programs like cancellation benefits and interest subsidies. It is also important to remember that even though the lower monthly payment may make it easier to make ends meet

each month, you still have to pay back the full amount so you may just be unnecessarily prolonging the time and interest you have to pay. Do your research carefully and be sure to weigh the pros and cons.

Set Realistic Goals and Plan For the Long Term It is important to think about some of your own financial goals when planning out your repayment. How soon do you want to be debt free? What kinds of things will you need to purchase after graduation? Where would you like to live and what kind of lifestyle do you plan to have? Understanding what you want will help you to determine how quickly you can realistically pay off your loans. It will also help you to determine how hard you will need to work and how much you will need to save to retire by the age you want. It may be helpful to work with an accountant or a financial consultant, but be sure to add those fees to your budget. The time right after graduation is critical for developing good financial habits; a professional opinion may be an invalu-able resource for ensuring you are on the right track.

NEVER, EVER Miss a Payment Even if you just miss one payment there will be conse-quences, and you will be considered delinquent on your loan. If you are having trouble paying your loans, you need to immedi-ately speak to your lender to help you. A delinquency of over 270 days will adversely affect your credit score and you may have trouble getting loans to purchase a practice or a mortgage in the future. Some of the other consequences include losing out on your tax refunds, increased interest rates, collection charges, and even loss of your professional license. If you cannot work, there is no way you will ever be able to pay back your loans. Budget wisely and stay organized so that you never have a problem making a payment on time.

We have four years of studying, exams, and learning to care for our patients. Graduation should be an accomplishment unmarred by the uncertainty and foreboding of student debt. The road to financial freedom from our loans may be long and at times difficult, but by following some simple steps, we can face our student debt head on and come out successful. And who knows? With the proper planning, you too may be able to own the sports car of your dreams. You are a dentist after all.

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Congratulations Class of 2013!

ASDA BONDING AGENT DISTRICT 11