The ASB Articulator Volume 9 Issue 1

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

SUBMISSIONS

Ronald Lee Chung

The ASB Articulator wel-comes contributions. Articles should include a title and the author’s full name. Photo-graphs are highly encour-aged and text is subject to editing for space and clarity. Submit articles to [email protected].

The Voice of the Student Body at the Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC

ARTICULATORThe ASB

ASDAGVBSADEAAYUDA2013 NBDE LHTSPDSACDA

IN THIS ISSUE

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CDA Dental Day CampAlexandria Grabowski, 2015

The California Dental Association recently teamed up with the Los An-geles Hispanic Dental Association and students from USC and UCLA to host an exciting introduction to dentistry for 100 local eighth grade students at the Ostrow School of Dentistry. The stu-dents were not only able to hear speak-

ers and ask questions about dentistry, but they were also able to experience dentistry first hand.

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A Glimpse of AYUDA inCartegena, ColumbiaPehrson Hawkley, 2013

In April of 2012, a total of sixty vol-unteers departed for the country of Colombia with a desire to make an im-pression on the community of Cartage-na. Plans were put in place to improve the oral health of children through both clinical as well as educational efforts, and while that was achieved, the most lasting impression at the end of this adventure was the one that the community of Cartagena left on us as AYUDA volunteers.

The group was composted of thirty-one dental and two hygiene students from the University of Southern Cali-fornia, two dental students from the University of British Colombia, eighteen licensed dentists, and seven volunteers. For many, this wasn’t their first AYUDA

International trip, but for some it was and we were all eager to experience a new country and culture, serve the people there, and to have the chance to spend time with each other growing closer as friends.

Arriving in Colombia, we were met by Dan and Berit Wick who both worked for an organization called Friends for Colombia. They were extremely helpful in the organization of this dental bri-gade. We were able to check into the Hotel Playa that evening for a little rest and relaxation before the weeks activi-ties. The following morning, we set out to the clinic location. Weaving in and out of traffic on bumpy buses with pot-hole filled roads for 35 minutes, we arr-

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ADEA

2012 American Dental Education Association Annual Session RecapChapin Densmore, 2014

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This past March, six Ostrow School of Dentistry students attended the 2012 ADEA Annual Session & Exhi-bition in Orlando, FL. Over 5 days of lectures, workshops, and dis-cussion groups, many topics were covered concerning dental educa-tion and the future of oral health care. Some of the topics included the advance admissions process, oral surgery residency entrance exams, and mid-level providers. A brief overview of these topics along with links to more information is included below.

Advance Admissions Process

As has been previously discussed in the Articulator, beginning with 2013 application cycle, the admissions process for postdoctoral programs is changing with the NBDE Part 1 Exam moving to a pass/fail system. The major change will be the addi-tion of the Personal Potential Index (PPI). The PPI is an online evalua-tion tool used to evaluate the per-sonal attributes of applicants. The six categories evaluated are:

• Knowledge and Creativity• Communication Skills

• Teamwork• Resilience• Planning and Organization• Ethics and Integrity

Students will have 3-5 different evaluators each complete an evalu-ation. For more information on the PPI and postdoctoral applications visit http://www.adea.org/dental_education_pathways/pass/Pages/default.aspx.

Oral Surgery Entrance Exam

Beginning with 2013-2014 residen-cies, the National Board of Medical Examiners® (NBME®) Compre-hensive Basic Science Examina-tion (CBSE) will be a requirement for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery residency positions. The purpose of the exam is to “provide OMS ap-plicants an opportunity to measure their understanding of the basic sciences and provide an enhanced mechanism for OMS training pro-grams to evaluate applicants.” The exam was created to supplement the NBDE Part 1 Exam switching to the pass/fail system. The NBME CBSE is open to all dental students

interested in applying to oral and maxillofacial surgery residency programs. After completion of the examination, applicants will receive an electronic score report within one week from NBME. A copy of the score report will also be provided to the AAOMS. CBSE scores will not be available to medical schools. Dental students with a numeric score on Part 1 of dental boards are not required to take the CBSE.

Mid-Level Provider

By now, many of you have prob-ably heard the terms “dental therapist” or “mid-level provider” being thrown around the dental community. At the ADEA Annual Conference, we were able to hear from students from the Univer-sity of Minnesota where their dental therapist (DT) program is now graduating mid-level provid-ers. Faculty, DT students and DDS students from the school were on hand to address some of the ques-tions/concerns that many of us have about these new members of the dental community. While we recognize that there is undoubt-edly a need for access to care in underserved and rural communi-ties, there are obvious concerns about the quality of care being given by a practitioner with con-siderably less schooling and clini-cal experience than one who has completed a DDS/DMD. There is also the concern and debate over

page 2 The ASB Articulator

whether these providers cut into the business of dentists, as there is no governance over where they decide to practice once the finish their schooling. While there is little track record to decisively answer these questions, these topics are not going to go away anytime soon. More and more states are consider-ing adding mid-level providers in hopes of improving access to care. Here are some basics on the posi-tion (as defined by ASDA).What is a midlevel provider?A midlevel provider as an individual who may perform irreversible pro-cedures on the public who is not a dentist with four years of post col-legiate education.

Due to barriers to care issues, mid-level provider pilot programs have begun to enter the mainstream world of dental health care.ASDA Policy on Midlevel ProvidersASDA’s policy on midlevel providers states that only a qualified dentist should perform the following func-tions, including but not limited to:

a. Examination, diagnosis and treatment planningb. Prescribing work authoriza-tionsc. Performing irreversible den-tal proceduresd. Prescribing drugs and/or other medications

For a list of the types of providers, what states they can practice in, and what they can do, go to http://www.agd.org/files/webuser/web-site/advocacy/definitionsmidlevel-providers.pdf.

If you have any questions concern-ing any of the topics discussed, or anything pertaining to dental edu-cation, please feel free to contact myself or any of the other ADEA reps at USC. These reps are Rob-ert Hann (c/o 2013), Austin Baruffi (’13), Chapin Densmore (’14), and Michelle Zin (’15).

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GVBS

An Introduction to the G.V. Black Society Joseph Park, 2014

The Green Vardiman Black Soci-ety was primarily established as a means to provide mentorship for incoming dental students through the personal and professional guid-ance from upperclassmen. Through the GV Black Society, we created a supportive, transitional phase for the 1st years. The club strives to promote, organize and support athletic, cultural, recreational and educational opportunities for its members. Core values the organi-zation fosters are integrity, profes-sionalism and service. When our advisor, Dr. Parminter

was a dental student here at USC, there was already a mentorship sys-tem in place for the entire school. Since then, a mentoring, structural organization seems to have dis-solved, but eventually we believe organizations like Lucy Hobbs and GV Black can bring that system back. We have paired up mentors with 1st year students honing in on their group practices that they are currently affiliated with. Not only would this increase their face-to-face time, but it would also help with future patient transfers and patients for sophomore perio block.

Our plans for the upcoming semes-ter would be to introduce ourselves to the new incoming class, lunch and learns with faculty from other disciplines, and implement a system where finding patients not only for comprehensive care but for SPB as well for the Class of 2015 can be a measureable success.

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AMERICAN STUDENT DENTAL ASSOCIATION

Edward Davis Jr. and Moiz Horani, 2015

The purpose of these two days spent in Washing-ton, D.C. was for dental students to learn how con-gress works, how legislation is created and how it becomes a law, and finally how to lobby. These two days teaches students in attendance how they can make a difference in the field of dentistry by making a collective voice heard loud and clear in unison.

This year, two bills were the focus of our lobbying efforts. The first is titled “Breaking Barriers to Oral Health Act of 2011” [H.R. 1666]. This bill intends to address the large portion of the population, which has little or no access to oral health due to certain barriers such as poverty, geography, lack of oral health education, language, culture, lack of insur-ance and others. The bill is designed to help oral health stakeholders at the state and local levels to form public-private partnerships to improve oral health education and decrease dental disease. For

example, funding partnerships between Ostrow school of Dentistry, and the city of Los Angeles provide programs to supply dental services to un-derserved communities in Los Angeles. In addition to these partnerships, the bill also offers to supply support by providing funding for local and state programs which are providing free dental programs and services to those who cannot or do not have ac-cess to oral health care service. The cost of the bill is $20 million, and was introduced by Congressmen Mike Simpson (R-ID) and Mike Ross (D-AR).

The second of the two bills, dealt with loan for-giveness for graduate students. The bill has been named, “Student Loan Forgiveness Act of 2012” [H.R. 4170]. Congressman Hansen Clark (D-MI) is the sponsor and creator of the bill. The cost of dental education should not be a prohibitive fac-tor for those wanting to practice in underserved

Ostrow School of Dentistry Represented in D.C. for National Dental Student

Lobby Day

Each year hundreds of dental students travel to the nation’s capital from dental schools around the nation to discuss issues important to dental students with members of the U.S. Congress and U.S. Senate. On April 16-17th dental students took to the congressional buildings to meet with their representatives from their respective states. We had the unique opportunity to meet with the office staff of several California congressional representatives from various districts throughout Southern California, including USC’s very own 33rd district representative, Con-gresswoman Karen Bass.


areas, pursue careers in teaching, research or public health. As a result, this bill intends to alleviate the financial burden of student loans in three specific areas. (1) Forgiving outstanding student loan debt for those who have made payments equal to 10% of their discretionary income for 10 years (“10 for 10 loan repayment plan”); (2) Capping interest rates on fed-eral loans at 3.4% (3) Allowing graduates who enter certain public service professions to have their loans forgiven in five years instead of ten years.

These bills can work synergistically by having one create programs for underserved areas and the other to allow graduating dentists to work in underserved communities without undertaking financial distress due to the graduate student loan debt burden. It is the hope of these bill to allow graduating students who want to work in underserved communities, the ability to do so while being able to payback graduate school students loans and sustaining a household.

Our purpose for meeting with members of congress

was to explain the bills to them, how they will benefit dental students and improve oral health care and ask if they will support the bill by becoming a cosponsor.

Congressional office’s we met with to discuss these bill with were: Senator Barbara Boxer, Karen Bass (CA-33rd District); Louis Capps (CA-23rd District); Judy Chu (CA-32nd District); David Drier (CA-26th District) and Hansen Clarke (MI-13th District). Each office we visited seemed very receptive of our message and is interested in either receiving more information about the bills and asked to follow up with their office. This was a great first step for gathering support for these issues.

Currently both of these bills have been introduced to the Congress and are currently being reviewed by committees before they are up for vote. Hopefully with the help of dental students around the country pushing for these measures with their congressional representatives, these two bills will not be too far from being put into action.


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-ived in a humble neighborhood with dirt roads and shanty homes on the outskirts of Cartagena.

The clinic location was actually a very nice building that had been constructed in the center of the neigh-borhood and was the location of the foundation that we were working with called “Granitos de Paz.”

The main goal of the foundation was to teach the neighborhoods inhabitants to become self-sustaining and to learn how to work hard to improve their qual-ity of life. AYUDA’s role in this process would be to educate the families on proper oral hygiene as well as prevent and eliminate any signs of active decay. We were there to give them a push start and a reason to be proud of their teeth.

The people of Cartagena were wonderful! They worked so well with us and were patient in waiting for the treatments they received. On the international trips, it can sometimes be difficult to gage whether or not the people are happy you are there. Part of it is the language barrier and also just simply being unfa-miliar with the care we are trying to provide. But in Cartagena, it was clear that they were very happy to

have us. Steven Kirby, USC class of 2014 and a current AYUDA student director said, “The people of Colombia were so grateful for the work that we did for them. There were several times that I can recall when the patients treatment was finished and they gave both the operator and the assistant a huge embrace to show their appreciation.”

“When a service is appreciated, it makes giving the

service that much more meaningful.”

After 4 long but amazing days working in the clinic filled with excitement, fear, and relief, we were all able to reflect back on what we had accomplished. We had treated 845 patients with varying treatments ranging from composite, amalgam, pulpotomies and stainless steel crowns, root canals, cleanings, extrac-tions and more for an estimated value of $208,000. These treatments and the education they received will hopefully give the children and adults a reason to care for and improve their oral hygiene. At our traditional


AYUDA

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AYUDA banquet at the end of the trip, it was men-tioned various times how special each one of the kids we treated were and that we truly helped them. One student went even farther to say that we were able to help them beyond the oral cavity. Tyler Whitehead, USC class of 2014 said, “the restorations we place may not last forever, but the memory of AYUDA coming all the way from North America to help them will never be forgotten.” It is our hope that even beyond the dental work we did, we were good examples to the children and that they can remember that example some day to inspire them to continue in school and go on to be-come good members of their community.

A special thanks goes out to all the dental students, hygienists, dentists, and volunteers. Together, we were able to make this trip one of the most memorable of all time!

Volunteers and generous sponsors make the services of AYUDA possible. As a private non-profit humanitarian dental and educational organization, AYUDA’s mission is to be actively engaged in and dedicated to improving and sustaining the oral health and social betterment of all underserved areas by providing assistance through treatment and training both within the United States and abroad. Today, teams of dentists, dental students,

and volunteers travel at their own expense to treat and educate a multitude of deserving people in Belize, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Mexico, Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Russia, Ukraine, Cambodia, and Kenya. To date, AYUDA clinics have treated over 213,000 patients. These projects which influence hundreds of thousands throughout the world are all supported by generous individuals and organizations, which make the services of AYUDA possible. To donate, please visit www.ayuda-dentaloutreach.org or email [email protected].


AYUDA

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Class of 2013: NBDE Part 1 Success!Cecilia Liu, 2013

During the summer of 2011, the Class of 2013 struck a deal with Dean Sadan… If 90% of the class could pass the NBDE Part I on the first attempt, a huge party would be thrown in celebration. How huge? Nobody knew, except for Dean Sadan. After months of study-ing and hard work, our class delivered with a 92% first-time passing rate.

On the night of March 6, 2012, the Class of 2013 celebrated with an exclusive event at the famous Edison lounge in downtown Los Angeles. Dean Sadan reserved the entire lounge just for our class and it was

definitely a night to remember. With a fully stocked open bar, delicious hors d’oeuvres, and transporta-tion to and from the event, our celebration couldn’t do anything but make those who couldn’t be there jealous.

We kept our end of the deal, but Dean Sadan defi-nitely delivered with an event that by far exceeded anyone’s expectations. Thank you once again, Dean Sadan, from the Class of 2013 for giving us an op-portunity to celebrate with our fellow classmates and administration!


LUCY HOBBS

Lucy Hobbs Taylor Society Walks To Fight Women’s CancersNicole Ranney, 2014

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On May 12th, members of the Lucy Hobbs Taylor Society, including faculty advisor, Dr. Michelle Ikoma, participated in the EIF Revlon Run/Walk for Women. The purpose of this walk, and the organization itself, is to raise funds that will help support the fight against women’s cancer. Their website states that the donations help to sup-port cutting-edge wom-en’s cancer research, help provide diagnostic treatment services for medically under-served women, and deliver psycho-social services and financial support to women with cancer and their respective fami-lies. Since 1994, these events have raised over $60 million dollars to benefit the fight against women’s cancers.

Although many of us woke up earlier than we normally would have on any given Saturday morning, we knew it was for a good cause- one that would save women’s lives. With over 40,000 people participating in this event, including

celebrities Halle Berry, Mario Lopez, and Stacy Keibler, the positivity and excitement was overwhelming. The 5K walking/running course spanned the USC campus and its surroundings, leading participants into the Coli-seum stadium, greated with refreshments and a live

band. This was not only a walk for a great cause, but as Lucy Hobbs Taylor society members we are able to say we made a dif-ference in the fight against women’s cancers.

The Lucy Hobbs Taylor So-ciety, also known as LHTS, is an organization named after the first female den-tist. The club works to pro-mote women in dentistry by creating a cohesive network of USC students who can offer support and friendship to one another. The society involves a big sister-little sister mentor-ing program concept, to link first year female dental

students with upper-class women for sharing advice and promoting camaraderie.

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PDSA

A Sneak Peek:Persian Dental Student AssociationNegar Sadeghein and Sara Hamed, 2014

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The Persian Dental Student Association of Ostrow School of Dentistry is a non-political voluntary student organization whose objective is to sponsor social and cultural activities as well as public health events. The Persian Dental Student Association (PDSA) was founded in 2009 and has been active since. We hold activities that promote an understanding of our culture. They also help foster friendships among our students and faculty, and provide a source of union and support for the community at USCSD. Our organization is an offi-cially recognized by the University of Southern Califor-nia.

The major goal of our organization is to unify the Ira-nian dental students regardless of their religious and political interests, and familiarize the USC community with Persian culture. We bring the growing community

of dental students closer together through exchange of knowledge, ideas, and forming new alliances with other Iranian-American dental student organizations across the nation. Some of our annual activities and events are career planning and networking events, lunch and learn topics in office management and busi-ness operation fundamentals, improving and strength-ening our organization, fundraising, cultural activities and shows, and volunteering. The last event we held was during the spring semester for our Persian New Year, Norouz. Norouz marks the first day of spring and the beginning of the year in Iranian calendar. It is celebrated on the day of the astronomical Northward equinox.During the event, which was held on March 19, 2012, we set a traditional haft-seen and served Persian food. We had a great turn out of students and faculty.


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CDA

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In the first activity, the students used high-speed hand pieces to prepare plastic teeth. They were then able to restore the teeth with composite. The students were inquisitive with each step of the process and loved to use the hand pieces.

Next, the students were guided through the process of carving a tooth out of wax. Their artistic skills were evi-dent. One student, an aspiring artist, was thrilled by the possibility of using her passion for art to pursue a career in dentistry.

After a tasty pizza lunch, the students were assembled in the dental hygiene clinic. An impression of each student’s maxillary arch was obtained and a cast was made for the students to take home. They loved to see how their own teeth appeared, but they were most impressed with how unique each cast was. They spent some time comparing their cast to their classmates’ casts.

Overall, the day was filled excitement and discovery. It was amazing to hear each student’s goals for the future and even more amazing to hear that some of them included dentistry.

The ASB Articulator

The ASB Articulator Volume 9 Issue 1

Documents

oral health

dental students

dean sadan

midlevel provider

southern california

womens cancers

level providers

ostrow school