Attending ASDA's National Leadership Conference for the second time, I knew what to expect - a great learning experience, a chance to make new friendships & connections, and most importantly, renewing my excitement about dentistry. In dental school, we're often thrown into books and typodont work, making it challenging to see the future as a dentist. The speakers at the conference presented many topics that allowed us to connect the dots between our studies and the seemingly far away future. One topic, presented by Dr. Mike Meru, was marketing a dental practice successfully on a budget. Learning the details of marketing kept me excited about how dentistry functions in a dynamic environment, yet taught me that additional effort is required in order to stand out.

According to Dr. Meru, in order to begin marketing you must create a brand - the symbol, title, or image that will embody your work.  He also claimed that you can start working on your brand TODAY!  The key is creating a logo that is recognizable and distinct, which can be both easy and inexpensive. If choosing this route, however, it is important to note that you get what you pay for – that the quality of a service is often correlated with the amount of money paid for it. In essence, shop around – and keep in mind that many companies such as 99 designs, crowdSPRING, DesignCrowd, and logomyway.com offer a superior product at a conservative price that can compete with the quality of expensive graphic designers.

Now, armed with a great brand and logo, you can move on and present your practice to the public. According to Dr. Meru, when starting a new practice it is worth investing in search engine optimization, so that your business appears on different searches, becoming visible to the masses. From there, begin advertising in local publications, at community gathering sites, and on social media to see how your business grows. However, be sure to keep in mind that social trends are constantly evolving (i.e. Facebook vs. Instagram), and use this to your advantage – these resources are typically free and a great way to spread awareness of your practice. Using hashtags, QR codes, and giving away merchandise are other ways of advertising on a budget.

All of this thinking about adverting got me in the mindset of private practice, and how close I actually am to becoming a dentist. Since returning from my trip, I’ve been able to put more energy into my lab work and focus on my books, as my interest in dentistry has been reignited. I know that in just two years I will be combining my work with my interaction in the community – and I can do all of this through the benefits of marketing.

~Natalie Lesinski, Class of 2017, Colorado ASDA 2nd Legislative Liaison  

There is one question that will, undoubtedly, be asked at least once by every dental student in Colorado: “What is ASDA?”

The quickest and most unsatisfying answer will most certainly follow: “ASDA is whatever you want it to be.”

While visiting Chicago for ASDA’s National Leadership Conference I stumbled upon the same realization. ASDA is an extraordinarily powerful group of dental students, and by that token, ASDA is a great place to get things done.

ASDA provides opportunities to make connections with other dental students who have a similar passion, the great part is using that drive to follow through on important initiatives. Some ASDA members are driven by advocacy and lobbying efforts, some are driven by community outreach or social activities, and still, many others have a wide range of other interests. ASDA is an organization that can help you achieve what is most important to you. Here in Colorado, we describe ASDA with four words: Activities, Service, Dentistry, and Advocacy.

The key to making ASDA an effective tool is in making connections with other dental students and alumni. One of the presentations in Chicago dealt with this very topic, “How to Make the Right Connections” by Dr. Richard Bauer. This presentation gave a few useful guidelines regarding networking events. Dr. Bauer presented five ways to network effectively.

1 - Look presentable

This is fairly basic for most people, some outfits were meant for professional engagements and some outfits were meant for the club... remember how to differentiate between the two.

2 - Force yourself to get a few points across to your audience, ensure you control the conversation enough to be remembered.

This is incredibly important to remember. Try to craft words that carry value and impact. Your passion will differentiate you from the mob. Develop your 30-second elevator speech: speak in a way that will promote others to define you as unique. Take interest in the people you meet, allowing them to relay their own interests, share control of the conversation, but do not let the conversation spiral entirely out of your control.

3 - Don't try to work the room. It is not the quantity but the quality.

Sometimes we define an effective person as someone, who has a lot of connections, we may want to reconsider that definition as someone who has the right connections. Hurrying around a room acting as a business card collector may not get us any closer to our goal, and may actually backfire. Attempting to meet too many people in one night may serve to create an impression that is arrogant, disingenuous, and worst of all, forgettable. Choosing one or two of the right people, and developing a meaningful conversation, will likely lead to valued relationships and opportunities in the future.

4. Don't limit yourself to networking events.

Create opportunities to ask questions and learn about other people. This can happen on any given day in class or clinic, you may be surprised by what you find.

5. Prepare to stay in touch. Follow up. Make a point of contacting people whom you met within a day or two either by phone or email.

This is the final and critical step in the process, and the easiest step to drop the ball. Use social media as your tool rather than simply your entertainment. Connect with people and send them a note on Facebook or email, and for the times you wish to make a more genuine impact, call them and engage in a short conversation or send an actual note in the mail.

So, how is ASDA “whatever you want it to be”? ASDA connects people, and connection with others is truly the first step to following your passion. Having the right people in your corner will mean increased success. Whether your goal is service, advocacy, specialization, or other professional development, ASDA can help get you there.

Too access Dr. Bauer's full presentation as well as many other great presentation from 2014 NLC just click here.

~Benjamin Toliver Matthews, Class of 2018, Colorado ASDA Member

I had the opportunity to attend ASDA's National Leadership Conference over Halloween weekend and I found the experience so rewarding. Through the course of my dental school career I lost sight of the ultimate goal. I was constantly focusing on always getting great grades and I struggled through every dental class. This conference reminded me that no matter how draining dental school is, I believe that I am going to be a great dentist in the future. During the conference, I met a variety of dental students from across the country and I received advice from them that I will forever be grateful for. For instance, I have almost no confidence when I see a patient for a simple cleaning. I also happen to be a very emotional person and the first patient I ever saw was a complete disaster. Kevin, a third year at Midwestern in Arizona, shared the experiences that he has had with his patients. It turns out that I am not the only one who has had the same trouble communicating with patients. While in school I am so focused with learning how to make a denture that I forget about the future that is ahead once I graduate. I attended lectures that included training on how to lead a dental team in a private practice setting and on how to manage inevitable financial debt. During the conference I learned how to be a better leader. I gathered with students from other ASDA chapters and we shared ideas on how to improve chapter activities and fundraising. I walked into the conference with a limited sense of what ASDA actually is and I learned that ASDA is the voice of the student dental community. I left the conference with ASDA fever to say the least and I can't wait to become even more involved.

~Lauren Llorente, Class of 2017, Orientation Coordinator for Colorado ASDA

When you hear the word "law" what first comes to mind?  A statue of justice blind and holding scales?  That time you went to court to serve on a jury? Marathoning Law and Order SVU with your favorite crime busting cop team?  Have you ever thought about how law might affect dentistry?  On November 5th Colorado ASDA learned just how the law and dentistry intersect and what we need to be aware of as dentists and dental students moving forward.

Troy Rackman Esq. (that means he's a lawyer for all you lay-people) visited Colorado ASDA to give a presentation about Dental law and new bills and laws recently passed on the state and local levels that impact dentists.

Troy first discussed how dental laws are monitored and instituted.  Having political representation is one of the most important things dentists can do to have the right laws retained and implemented.  The department of regulatory agencies, DORA, is responsible for licensing and regulating dentists as well as monitoring them to insure the safety and fair treatment of all patients.  You can visit the Colorado state dental board page here, and to see a list of all state dental boards click here.

The first thing to recognize is where dentistry and the law actually intersect.  Unfortunately the first topic that comes to mind is dentists being sued for malpractice.  While this is a very visible way in which dental practice meets with law, it is not the only way.  Law is not there to punish and restrict dentists.  Law is also involved in dentistry to protect patients, standardize care, and provide a means to enact change in the dental laws.

In terms of malpractice and fearing the law many dental students were given hope and a positive outlook.  Dentists are unique in their profession in that only dentists can be dentists.  Meaning, according to the law, no person can simply decide they want to be a dentist and compete.  An accountant or carpenter cannot open shop claiming to fix teeth without first going through dental school and a rigorous dental licensing procedure.  See Colorado ASDA's (and ASDA editor in chief) Christian Piers' article on dental licensure for more information.

Dental students also don't have to be as concerned about being sued and found guilty of malpractice as they may be. The facts are that dentists win 9 out of 10 malpractice suits brought against them.  Not only that but individual dentists are better protected than corporations.  It is very unlikely that a jury of our peers will convict an individual dentist who did his best and tried to follow the rules.  What is more likely is that a dental corporation would be found guilty or be penalized. Juries typically do not view corporations fondly in any situation and dentistry is no different.  Similar to how many people like their congressman but hate Congress, most people like or at least respect their individual dentist, the person, but hate the corporation.

The law is also in place to help the dentists that make up the profession make modifications and changes to their profession that benefit both the patient and the professional. Recently in Colorado, a Sunset review of the dental Board was passed to allow certain modifications to the current dental practice.  The Bill addressed topics from expanded duty assistants to anesthesia and continuing education.  Because the CDA was legislatively involved and proactive with the legal system Colorado dentists were able to effectually and efficiently alter the laws surrounding their practice to better the profession.  These changes provide better care for patients, better education for providers, and protection/ security for the profession moving forward.

It was evident through the discussion of dentistry and the law that being represented politically is a very important, yet sometimes overlooked in dentistry.  Malpractice is urgent but representation and legal knowledge is paramount to the success of dentistry.  Dentists are well represented both nationally and locally and ADPAC plays a major role in that.  Troy made it clear that having a political action committee to represent the dentist is vital.  The actions of ADPAC have protected dentists and will continue to moving forward because dentists are represented.  There have been many cases where legislative action was moving in a negative direction for dentists and political action was taken in time to prevent damage to the practice of dentistry.

The Sunset review of the Dental Board provides a tangible real world example where the legal system and dentistry collide.  Check out the Sunset review in more detail here. Because dentists are educated and invested in their profession, they are involved legislatively to protect dentistry for the future moving forward.  Having a "run in with the law" does not have to be a bad thing, in fact it can mean the difference between an informed provider and an oblivious "driller and filler".  Staying up-to-date on current political events and legislative reform is vital for the modern dentist.  Know how the law and the legislative process are impacting you and your future. Involve yourself with ADPAC, align yourself with your local dental association, and stay informed for the sake of the dental profession.

~Chris Klekamp, Class of 2016, Colorado ASDA Legislative Liaison

 

If you want to practice dentistry, you need to have a license. And if you want to have a license, you should read this post.

You need to complete three requirements (educational, written, and clinical) to get a dental license. You can fulfill the educational component by graduating from a dental school accredited by CODA (the Commission on Dental Accreditation), and complete the written requirement by passing NBDE Parts I and II as administered by JCNDE (the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations). The clinical component is where things get tricky.

There are five regional testing agencies that administer these clinical exams:

Council of Interstate Testing Agencies (CITA)

Central Regional Dental Testing Services (CRDTS)

North East Regional Board of Dental Examiners (NERB)

Southern Regional Testing Agency (SRTA)

Western Regional Examining Board (WREB)

Each of these agencies gives a separate, subtly different examination, and those exams are all accepted by different sets of states. In other words, no one exam is accepted by all 50 states. So you need to figure out where you want to practice. Once you’ve done that (no big deal), go to the ADA list of state dental boards and click on the relevant state dental board’s website. There you can figure out which clinical licensure exams are accepted by your dream state.

But is this the way it has to be?   ASDA doesn’t think so. The association’s formal position on licensure is outlined in ASDA’s L1 policy, which you can read at http://asdanet.org/licensure/.   (If you’d prefer a more audiovisual experience, check out this video of Colleen Greene, 2012-13 national ASDA president.)

Here’s the big highlight: ASDA doesn’t support the use of live patients in clinical licensure exams.   Instead, the second half of its L1 policy presents these alternatives:

• “Initial licensure without an independent clinical licensing examination. Graduates of a U.S. CODA-accredited dental school should be eligible for initial licensure without taking any additional clinical examination.
• A portfolio-type clinical examination based on cases compiled during the final year of dental school. Such an examination should require a standardized catalog of required clinical procedures and the portfolio should be evaluated by an examiner independent of the dental school. (Currently under development in California.)
• A non-traditional patient based clinical licensure examination. Although ASDA does not support the use of live patients in traditional clinical licensing examinations, the association recognizes the potential for creation of an ethical, patient-based examination.
• An Objective Structured Clinical Examination designed to evaluate a candidate’s diagnostic and treatment planning skills. (Currently accepted in Minnesota.)
• Completion of a one-year postgraduate residency program. Completion of a U.S. CODA-accredited postgraduate program that has a minimum duration of one year should be sufficient to substitute for the clinical licensure examination requirement in any jurisdiction.” (Currently mandated in New York; accepted in Washington, Minnesota, California and Connecticut.)

This desire for alternatives springs from concerns about the ethics and accuracy of the current exams. To outline those facts, ASDA is drafting a licensure “white paper,” which is a document intended to help readers understand an issue, solve a problem, or make a decision. It’s also working to eliminate live-patient licensure examinations at the state level through work with state dental associations, state dental boards, state legislators, and national dental organizations.

The American Dental Education Association (ADEA) has also formed a task force to report back to its 2015 House of Delegates with recommendations about how to help dental schools transition from patient-based clinical examinations to an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). We’re excited to hear those recommendations in March 2015.

In the meantime, the licensure reform process is moving forward, and the state-by-state requirements for licensure continue to evolve-- so make sure to check back with your state dental board's website as your exam date approaches!  Does all that make sense?  Don't worry if it doesn't!  It’s easy to get lost in the forest of jargon and acronyms surrounding licensure, so make sure to post your questions in the comments section below!

~Christian Piers, Class of 2016, Colorado ASDA President

Many components have an effect on the profession and the day-to-day life of dentists, including changing technology and educational requirements, among others.  An often under-looked component regarding the dental profession, that may affect dentists and future dentists substantially, is the changing landscape of state and federal laws that impact the dental profession.

In most respects, state laws and policies have the most direct impact on dentists; the state regulates dentists who practice within it.  In Colorado, the State Board of Dental Examiners, a regulatory board under the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), bears the authority for dental regulation.  The State Board of Dental Examiners is subject to the “Sunset Process”, meaning that the Board’s existence terminates if the state legislature does not act to continue the board by a certain date, usually after an extensive review of and often with modifications to how they operate.

The Colorado legislature completed its sunset review of the State Board of Dental Examiners earlier this year and voted to continue the Board through September 1, 2014 (Colorado House Bill 14-1227).  It also made changes to the Dental Practice Law of Colorado, many of them administrative or technical, but it also included changes which have a tangible impact on dentists.  For example, one change addresses discipline for certain, unauthorized anesthesia usage on patients; another change mandates 30 hours of continuing education, every 2 years, for dentists and dental hygienists.

The Colorado legislature implemented the changes, largely based on recommendations from DORA itself and other interested parties, such as the Colorado Dental Association.  One recommendation that the legislature did not address in its completed sunset review, however, was a recommendation from DORA to address potential alternatives for the clinical component of dental licensure testing.  In its recommendation to the legislature, DORA specifically requested the legislature to “Revise the clinical examination requirement to allow the Board to accept other methods of evaluating clinical competency….” In its recommendation, DORA noted that “[t]he notion that a clinical examination can be something other than a one-time, high-stakes examination performed on a real patient is gaining broader acceptance…the General Assembly should expand the law to allow the Board, at its discretion, to accept alternate methods of evaluating clinical competency…” (The entire DORA recommendation is available HERE.)

Despite DORA’s recommendation, the Colorado legislature failed to address changing certain clinical examination requirements.  The Colorado legislature may address this in a future piece of legislation; however, it is also possible that the legislature will not address this until the next sunset review deadline, around 2023.  If the Colorado legislature addressed this recommendation by DORA, the proposed changes to the clinical examination process would surely be in students’ best interest, as it could expand the opportunities for licensure applicants to demonstrate their clinical acumen.

This recent sunset review of the Colorado Board of Dental Examiners demonstrates how the law and legislature may have a large impact on our careers.

~Becky Bye, JD, Class of 2018, Colorado ASDA Alternate Delegate

Like most students in the 21^st century, you probably use the internet as your primary source of information. The downside is the abundance of information. Some good, some bad, and some that may not be applicable to your situation. A great solution to this problem is the American Student Dental Association (ASDA). ASDA memberships go far beyond getting the information that you need. They also offer helpful tips for bettering your chances of being accepted into dental school. You’ll also get their publications for free. The experiences, networking opportunities, and member discounts that are available are worth the membership fee itself.

If your experience online was anything like mine, you’ve probably spent hours reading information from various sources. Needless to say, some of these sources may have made you feel like you had no chance of getting into dental school. After joining ASDA, I realized that my chances of getting accepted were greater than I had first thought. All of their information gets right to the point. I learned that the road to dental school is not as confined as some websites would lead you to believe. They have advice on which schools may be best for you, how to write those pesky personal statements, DAT preparation, and the requirements for applying. Are you interested in the field of dentistry, but not certain about the investment? ASDA can definitely help, giving information on life before, during, and after dental school by dentist and dental students.

 As an ASDA member you’re never alone, with chapters all over the nation. Depending on your location some chapters offer great pre-dental programs that allow you to talk with current dental students and other dental professionals. These events are a gold mine of information and guidance. You get to meet directly with current dental students who have been where you are currently. I attended an event that met every Saturday, over eight weeks that was about two hours away from where I live. The drive was long, but definitely worth it with mock-interviews, DAT strategies, and prize giveaways. My favorite part was working with a hand piece to fill cavities on model teeth. The best part was the welcoming and helpful environment the dental students provided. Most even gave their contact information for any questions or personal statement reviews.

Being a part of ASDA can greatly increase your odds of getting into a dental school too. This is a nationally recognized association of dental students. So imagine how good it would look to put “ASDA Member” under the Professional Experience section, of your AADSAS application. You can also build your resume by being active within the association. For example, if you’re a writer, you can apply to write for their many national publications which includes Mouth, ASDA News, and the Mouthing Off blog.

In addition to all of this, ASDA offers discounts and their publications for free. The publications are very beneficial to pre-dental students.  As a member, you’re offered discounts on auto insurance and DAT preparation material. Trust me, if you’re not looking for insurance, the discounts on the test prep material are worth the membership fee itself. You also get Mouth sent to you quarterly and ASDA News monthly for free. As a pre-dental member, you will also receive Getting into Dental School: ASDA’s Guide for Predental Students. This guide gives you information about every dental school, career options as a dentist, and details about the loans and scholarships that are available

You already know that just the application process for dental school is a big investment. Out of all the resources available to you, why not use the one that will be the most beneficial? There are a ton of places where you can learn about dentistry. But, you’ll have to take time out of your already busy schedule to find what will actually help you. With an ASDA membership you’ll have what you need to succeed. Don’t make the process harder than it has to be. Join ASDA now to help you with your journey into dentistry.

~Reggie Perdue, Pre-Dental ASDA Member

We know it has been a couple of weeks, but we just wanted to say a HUGE thank you everyone who participated in our first ever Thrush Week! For those of you who weren't able to participate, here is what happened:

Monday: Meet and Greet

We had an awesome turnout at our first Thrush Week event: the Team Meet and Greet. Participants were placed into teams and were able to come up with a team name. From there it was just chillin' with some great food, great fun, and great ASDA.

Tuesday: Dental School Selfie Competition

Tuesday we got some awesome submissions for the Dental School Selfie Competition. The Molar Mashers and Top Gunnerz were declared the winners for their creativity!

Wednesday: Lunchtime Sports

Wednesday we got some sports equipment set up for everybody to relieve some stress during lunch.

Thursday: Dental Joke Contest

Thursday's Dental Joke Contest brought a ton of laughs and earned The Ross Conners and Team Awesome some extra diamonds for their team.

Friday: Initiaion Lunch and Learn

We had a HUGE turn out for the ASDA Initiation Lunch and Learn. The Class of 2018 chowed down on Papa John's pizza while they were properly introduced to Colorado ASDA and the possibilities that can come from membership.

Saturday: The Amalgames

Thrush Week ended with a bang as teams gathered together to compete in the Amalgames. Team Whale Squid came out victorious and was awarded the Cup of Carabelli and named the Crowned Knight Guards of Anschutz.

All in all it was a great week. Thanks again for everyone that participated. We'll see you all next year for another amazing Thrush Week! And once again, Welcome Class of 2018!

~Kyle Luis Larsen, Class of 2017, Colorado ASDA President-Elect