As a child, I had no illusion that Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny were real.  The tooth fairy, on the other hand, was a fantasy figure I never doubted.  The idea that someone wanted my baby teeth and would even pay for them thrilled me!  As a dental student now, I got the opportunity to be the tooth fairy on our rotation at Children’s Hospital Healthy Smiles Clinic.  It was interesting to see which kids believed in her and how much money they’d expect to receive.  The answers varied from child to child and their excitement for her visit did as well.

The tradition of rewards for baby teeth is believed to have originated in Europe during the Middle Ages.   Exfoliated baby teeth were buried, and when the child’s sixth tooth fell out, the parents would slip a gift or money from the tooth fairy.  In northern Europe, a tooth fee was paid when a child lost their first tooth. In England, children were often instructed to burn their baby teeth in order to save themselves from hardship in the Afterlife.  Finally, the Norse culture believed that children’s teeth brought good luck in battle.

The representation of the tooth fairy we know today didn’t develop until much later.   The earliest reference to the tooth fairy in modern times was in the Chicago Daily Tribune in 1908.  The Tribune suggested that many stubborn children may allow a loose tooth to be removed if they know about the tooth fairy.  In addition, mothers should visit the 5-cent counter at the local department store and leave those small gifts under their children’s pillows.  However, the idea of the Tooth Fairy herself didn’t become popular until the 1930’s.

The rewards left under a child’s pillow vary by country, their family’s economic status, and what the child’s peers receive.  The national average per tooth in 2013 was $3.70, according to a survey by Visa Inc.  Some parents tend to offer more money for larger teeth or the first and last tooth.  Dentists often tell children that the cleaner and healthier a tooth is, the bigger the reward.

Unlike Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy does not have a set appearance.  In popular culture, the Tooth Fairy takes on many different forms, from The Rock in “The Tooth Fairy” to “Rise of The Guardians.”   In addition, a 1984 study by Rosemary Wells claimed that only 74% of children believed the Tooth Fairy to be female.  Some children believed that the Tooth Fairy wasn’t a fairy at all but an animal such as a mouse or bird.  Which begs the question; what do you think the tooth fairy looks like?

The Tooth Fairy’s appearance, how much she pays, or even which teeth she prefers we might never know.  By becoming a dentist, I will be that much closer to finding out, and if you ask me, I think she looks just like me and prefers teeth with no cavities.

At some point, you might have heard the saying, “It’s not who you know, but what you know.”  This advice typically refers to networking with others in an effort to learn from professionals in your industry, exchange useful ideas, and perhaps find your dream job.  

Meeting new people is not only advantageous from a career standpoint; these new relationships may evolve into valuable, lasting friendships that enrich your life professionally and personally.  You might even lock eyes from across the room with a dashing young man (or woman) at a professional function and end up marrying them (well that happened to me, at least).

Despite the positive effects of networking, many people are apprehensive to do so.  Admittedly, the word “networking” may be a turnoff; it sparks various negative connotations of forced, awkward interactions at scheduled happy hours or meet & greets.  Instead of thinking about networking from this perspective, I suggest disposing of that notion altogether and focusing on making new lifelong relationships with people. Below are some tips to keep in mind to start forming meaningful and genuine connections with dentists, fellow students, and other professionals.

1. Start with the right mindset

To successfully form professional relationships with people, you must be in the right mindset and have the right intentions.   Be sincere with your interactions and get to know people, listening to their stories. I have witnessed too many people networking with the blatant intention of getting a “dream job” or some other self-serving purpose.  This superficial mindset is obvious to most people and is a huge turnoff. Instead, get to know other people for the sake of getting to know them.  This alone is worth the effort of networking.  If other professional opportunities arise from knowing these new people, then that is just icing on the cake!

2. Put yourself out there

In order to get to know people, especially in a significant way, you must break outside your comfort zone.  This means occasionally foregoing your normal routine to go to events where you might connect with new people.

Situations that might be conducive to meeting new people include organized dentistry events (e.g. CDA, MDDS, dental fraternity study clubs/networking events, etc.) or even striking up a conversation with an interesting guest speaker for a class.  Personally, I have made some great professional and personal connections at college alumni events, social gatherings, and even coffee shops.

Also, keep in mind that some of the best connections you may make are non-dentists!

3. Keep in Touch

After meeting new people, always keep in touch.  The method of keeping in touch depends on the person, their age, and their position.  For some people, a LinkedIn request may be enough.  However, to form a significant relationship with someone, as with any relationship, both parties must work to maintain the relationship.  This includes periodic emails, phone calls, or even coffee dates.  Just like anything in life, you will get more meaning out of any situation if you put a more sincere and genuine effort into it.

Again, this goes into changing your mindset about networking—you must truly appreciate the value of forming new, meaningful relationships for professional and personal reasons.  Then, you must develop the discipline and willingness to incorporate meeting new people and keeping in consistent contact with them throughout your career.

4. Pay it Forward

If you choose to embrace the concept of networking and putting yourself out there, never do it for selfish reasons.  The whole point of making a new connection is to develop a reciprocal, fulfilling relationship with another human being.  This is always true for any type of relationship.  With that said, always do your best to also help others along their professional and personal journey, and your efforts will surely be reciprocated in some way.

As you go through life, virtually every encounter you have is “networking”; try to keep an open mind with every encounter—you never know how it can enhance your life and how you may enhance the lives of others.

Like many other dental students, I’m from a state that doesn’t have its own dental school. Unfortunately, this leads to a very high lack of access to care for the residents of my home state, New Mexico. When speaking to several members of the NMDA about issues that are impacting our state, the words “mid level care providers” and “dental therapists” inevitably pop up. My basic assumption of these words (which are one in the same) at the time was “a non-dentist” that can perform “dentist” duties. Those are scary words to hear as a dental student, investing hundreds of thousands of dollars and four years of my life, only to have the same job done by somebody who has only received a bachelor’s degree. I decided to dive a little further into the subject about the pros, cons, regulations, and education requirements surrounding the dental therapist…so here we go!

The Basics….  

• Dental therapists operate under a dentist’s license in an office or satellite clinics. Their basic duties vary depending on each state’s rules.
  • Scope of practice includes fillings, seating crowns, performing extractions, adjusting dentures, diagnosing radiographs, making treatment plans
• Dental therapists are currently practicing in Minnesota, Maine, and Alaska. There are different names for the profession popping up in legislature all over the country (including Colorado)
• Two types:
  • Dental therapist-
    • Requires a bachelors’ degree in Dental Therapy with several licensure and competency exams in order to practice. May perform some services under “indirect supervision,” which means a dentist must be on-site to authorizes procedures, or under “general supervision,” which means the dentist is off-site and must still authorize procedures.
  • Advanced dental therapist-
    • Dental therapy degree along with a masters’ degree in Advanced Dental Therapy which requires 2,000 hours of clinical practice and a certification exam. They may do all that a dental therapist can do, and also perform oral evaluations, treatment plans, and non-surgical extractions of teeth.
    • Practices under the supervision of a dentist, but all procedures can be completed under “general supervision.”

The Case FOR Dental Therapists…

• Contrary to what many believe, there isn’t a lack of dentists in certain “at need” states, rather a lack of distribution. This can be alleviated by dental therapists working at satellite clinics in rural areas addressing basic needs of the community without patients being forced to travel to far-away dental offices.
• They only perform routine care, so it opens up the dentist’s schedule to perform more complex care like endodontics, prosthodontics, and implantology, while still addressing basic needs of the office’s patient pool. This is viewed as a way to expand a dentist’s practice and maximize profit.

The Case AGAINST Dental Therapists…  

• It is a common opinion within the dental community that if Medicaid and insurance reimbursements didn’t drive practitioners to lose money on certain procedures, many more would practice in areas where fee-for-service dentistry isn’t the norm. Many dentists believe that more changes to Medicaid and insurance reimbursements need to be made in order to drive practitioners to “low income” areas.
• States should address access to care issues by reimbursing dentists who work in rural areas. Dental therapists have the ability to work on simple cases, but comprehensive care is the only way to effectively provide dentistry that is at the standard of care.
• The ADA believes that the “one-size-fits-all” model provided by dental therapists is not the best way to reach populations that live in rural communities.
• Dentists do not want their profession’s quality to be in jeopardy with the addition of therapists who are less educated in dentistry.

In the end, it is up to YOU as a dental professional to decide what is best for you, and most importantly, the patients in your home state. Being involved in your local ASDA and ADA chapter will make a difference whether dental therapists become a reality where you live.

I grew up being interested in serving my country because both of my grandfathers had done so.  My only dilemma was how I could accomplish that. While applying to dental school, I realized that I could be a dentist, serve my country, and have my schooling paid for. All of my ducks were nicely lined up and I began my journey to become a dentist. Now let’s dive deeper into my decision to serve.

My life in dental school is much easier thanks to my military commitment. The full ride scholarship is welcomed, especially during a time when dental schools are charging 4 year tuitions that equate to a full mortgage. You graduate with a foundation but no house to show for it. My fellow militia and I also receive a monthly living allowance that can be fairly generous if you live within normal means. Oh, and cross your T’s and dot your I’s at the right time and you may qualify for a large signing bonus!

I know what you are thinking, “With all of these benefits, there must be a catch, right?”. Well yes there is…kind of. A military lifestyle is not for everyone. A 4-year scholarship requires a 4 year pay pack while living in about 2-3 different locations. As an officer, it is expected that you will move about every 2 years, and you might not have much say in where you will be going next. This nomadic lifestyle can be stressful on a family, and difficult for a spouse with their own career. If you do not like taking orders, clearly, the military is not for you. Many people choose dentistry for the autonomy. Autonomy does not mix with the military for obvious reasons.

Besides financial benefits, there are many other great reasons to choose the military route. Every day you are serving individuals who are sacrificing their lives for this country. This is an intangible gratification. You can travel and have the opportunity to live almost anywhere in the world. You have 4 years to focus on improving your dental skills. Another overseen aspect is that your patients are not limited by finances and are able to receive the best possible care. This will not apply to the civilian side, but will allow dentists to hone many new skills.

Now lets do some rough math. Out-of-state tuition is roughly $75k a year, roughly $300k at the end plus about $50k in interest at an average rate of 7%. For the military, you can add on an income of $25k a year while in dental school. That is a total scholarship value of $450k. Now the field evens out because the military salary will range from $80-95k. As compared to the average new dentist making $90-130k a year minus debt payments. I did a full break down but I will spare you the minutia. After paying off some of the debt, both parties make out pretty even after 4 years post graduation.

I view my scholarship as a tool to advance my career. I know that it will be hard on my future family and moving around will be cumbersome. There will be days when I envy my civilian counterparts as I float along on a ship in the middle of the ocean. There will be plenty of hardships and unfortunate circumstances. I like to live life with an open mind. I know that this experience will help my career and my family to grow. I will gain experience working with specialists of all kinds and have unique experiences that only a military dentist can have (helicopter rides, aircraft carriers, etc.)

I was given some advice years ago, “Do not choose the military scholarship for the money. Choose to serve your country and the finances are a perk.” I think this sums things up nicely. The money looks really nice in order to avoid the student loan debt, but there are many costs of every day life as a military dentist. I like to put it this way: You have to pay someone either way, it just depends on how you want to pay it. The traditional student is paying monetary debt. The military student is paying with their time. If you want to serve your country and do dentistry, the scholarship is a good choice for you.

The Rocky Mountain Dental Convention was in Denver at the Colorado Convention Center over the January 18^th-20^th weekend.  For students, this is a great event to see what the wide world of dentistry holds outside of the confines of school.  It’s also a healthy venture for our education because we can see ideas and materials outside of the normal scope taught at school.  At the vendor fair, I came across a new product that I was interested in learning more about.  I want to share some of the things I learned about the product, Activa, and about the importance of researching dental materials.

The Pulpdent station was one of the first booths at which I stopped.  The sales rep claimed their new product Activa is the first truly new restorative material to hit dentistry in 30 years.  Obviously, this claim piqued my interest.  Activa has been clinically available since 2012, and has been researched for 15 years, according to the product website.  Much of the research on Activa has been carried out at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston.

Activa is described as a bioactive, ionic resin restorative material.  On the handout I received, the listed components are a patented bioactive ionic resin, a patented rubberized resin, and a reactive ionomer glass. The strength profile is considered to be compared to composite restorations, but with the fluoride ionic release capabilities of glass ionomer.  In compressive and tensile strength tests, Activa equals the specifically mentioned Filtek composite system.  It is also a moisture-friendly restorative material, which is desirable since the mouth is a naturally moist environment.  Activa light cures and self cures, and is amenable to bulk fill as light can cure an increment up to 4mm thick!  It comes in shades A1, A2, A3, and A4 at the present time.  Lastly, it is radiopaque in radiographs.  This is desirable so dentists can find restorations in new patients or patients receiving treatment.  The radiopacitiy is comparable to 1.5 mm of aluminum.

The sales rep talked most about Activa being a bioactive restorative material.  In layman’s terms, Activa reproduces the natural chemistry of the tooth by allowing ion exchange.  Another reason this is important is that the bioactivity makes a solid interface between the restoration and the tooth surface.  The sales rep made it clear that there is no clinical margin when using Activa as a restoration.  This works by laying down apatite-like material using the oral cavity’s natural phosphate source in saliva.  This means the material has bonded to the tooth in an integrative fashion.

After hearing some of this information from the sales representative and doing some research on my own, I thought, “What is a second year dental student to do with this information?  Do I conclude that my practice will only use Activa once I’m in charge of stocking my shelves?”  The research to date is very appealing, but there’s not much long term data as the product has only been clinically available for 2 years.  The clinical results seem to be unique and exciting, but to me, it’s hard to describe a combination of resin and ionomer as a stand-alone, groundbreaking product.

I found that my trip to the RMDC Vendor Fair was an educating one.  It has introduced me to a part of dentistry that will be a profound part of my practice management once I am choosing my own products.  Innovation drives dentistry into the future, and Activa and similar products may have a strong hand in that future.  On the other hand, prudence and patience are paramount to patient safety.  Not to mention our bottom line can be shaken when patients come back into our office with our restoration in their hand.  I highly recommend that every student spend a little time researching new products.  Not only does it keep our research abilities sharp when not doing research of our own, but it allows us to be competent consumers.

Sometimes it’s hard to imagine the days before dental school- before the navy blue scrubs, the “conscious incompetence”, the juggling of patients and their demands [“I can only come every other Tuesday… and only in the mornings… oh, and can I come at 9:45 instead of 9?”].

In this sort of tunnel vision, I forget the days when I wanted nothing more than to know the direction my future was headed in Operation: Getting Into Dental School. Where would I live for the next four years? What would I do if I didn’t get in? What the HECK am I doing?

Untangling the confusing web of dental school requirements: prerequisite classes, letters of recommendation, writing a personal statement, studying for the DAT, interviewing…is enough to make my head spin, even to this day.

Although I didn’t decide I wanted to go to dental school until the semester before I graduated from college, the few resources that I took advantage of through my pre-health advisor and club were invaluable. I still have a copy of my mock interview on a DVD tucked away in a drawer in my desk [I’m not sure why I haven’t thoroughly disposed of it-few things are worse than watching yourself on camera].

Somehow I managed to finagle my way into a couple of dental school acceptances, and here I am today, three years later. During my first year, I began volunteering at the ASDA Pre-Dental Committee events and absolutely fell in love. There is no better motivation than to be surrounded by groups of eager pre-dental students dying to be in your shoes, picking your brain, and looking up to you as the All Knowing dental student. For the next two years I filled the role as the ASDA Pre-Dental Chair and continued planning events- wax nights, mock interviews, personal statement reviews, simulation clinic activities…anything and everything that could help these “baby dentists” grow and flourish in their quest to dental school admittance.

Seeing familiar faces in the incoming classes, getting email updates “I got in to dental school!!”, and following the paths of students that I have met during my own “Pre-dental” journey in dental school has been one of the most rewarding.

Bottom line:  You never know who you can inspire. Or who can inspire you.

So I got a cavity in dental school…

Yes... I got a cavity in dental school. The place where you learn all about what causes cavities, what can be done to prevent cavities, and what happens if cavities go uncontrolled. How ironic.

Believe me, I was just as surprised as you. I floss more than the average human being (granted, zero is a pretty easy number to beat), I have an electric toothbrush, and I have what most people would describe as a catastrophic amount of material regarding dental hygiene and the etiology of caries. I am fully aware of what is going on in the cesspool otherwise known as our oral cavity, yet somehow I still got a cavity.

At first I was a little in denial, like there’s no way. I floss… Just ask my sister. I floss A LOT. Like I’ve flossed an on-a-hot-bus-in-Costa-Rica level of flossing. I’ve flossed a finish-a-whole-pack-of-40-yards-of-floss level of flossing. And yet that doesn’t change the fact that I have a cavity.

Next came shame, as we all probably know all too well. How can I expect my patients, who don’t care about what exact bacterial configuration causes caries, to prevent cavities when apparently I cannot prevent them for myself? Also, bacteria. Gross.

Finally, I realized that it’s just a cavity. I’m not dying, and I’m not the 2007 version of Britney Spears. There are certainly worse things in the world than a little cavity, and after studying who knows how many semesters of pathology, I of all people should know that.

I know, you’re probably thinking, “Thanks for the dramatic portrayal of your afternoon but what’s your point?!” My point is that these kind of thoughts, or versions of thoughts, are rattling through our patient’s heads as we tell them our diagnosis. In our minds, we think, “Sweet I’ll finally get to do a molar crown prep!” In their minds they are thinking, “Shoot, how am I going to pay for this?  How did I let this happen?  Is it going to hurt?  When am I going to find the time? …And why is she smiling?”

Being the patient once in a while is not only good for your health but also good for your attitude. We need to remember what it feels like to receive not-so-great news and what information we need to hear to cope with it. Above all, it is humbling. We need to look past our Big Doctor heads full of incredible amounts of knowledge, and remember that we are humans treating humans. After all, that is why we got in this business in the first place.

The Rocky Mountain Dental Convention is the largest continuing education event in this region! But what does that mean for a dental student? You get one full Friday off of school -- yippee a ski day! Joking.  It’s “expected” that we attend the event, and to be honest, I firmly believe we should.  

RMDC provides, in my personal opinion, the ultimate learning experience. You have the opportunity to attend classes on topics that most suit your fancy. These topics can range anywhere from oral cancer to selling treatment plans to your patients. It’s a great way to start getting involved with dentistry on a different level and without a textbook. In addition to classes, the exhibition hall once again provides unique insight into our career.  There are many vendors eager to suck you into learning about their product, and why not? We all will be our own business owners someday and it’s important to be researched and educated about our purchases.  On a side note - there are tons of product samples, lots of free candy, and even an exhibitor selling full body massage chairs… at least sit down and check them out!

The RMDC also offers a myriad of social events, which is the best part if you ask me! Most of us went into the dental profession because we love being around people, and the social events at RMDC are a great way to network. Here we get free holdovers, drinks, and a place to mingle with other professionals in our field. This year, there was a twist implemented, in which you had to talk to certain people with tickets in order to get a free drink. Sure we couldn’t be as lazy as we originally intended, but it was a great way to branch out of our social clique and meet new people. Whether you’re outgoing or more on the shy side, having an opportunity like this gives us all a scapegoat to strike up new conversations. If we recognize a face, remember a name, or just want something to discuss, we now have something very distinct we can mention to allow us to approach that “stranger”.  Personally, I know that remembering names is not my strong suit, but now I have confidence and a topic I can use to approach someone and ask if they attended RMDC.  BOOM! Conversation initiated. Network opportunity engaged.

So, whether you’re a first or second year dental student eager to learn anything and everything about dentistry, a fourth year needing to network and plan your future hopes and dreams, or you’re a third year student who gets excited to see different colors of bite registration, The Rocky Mountain Dental Convention is a great experience for us all.