Imagine sitting in the waiting room of a dental office at your first associate interview. You’ve prepared all night and put on your best suit. You meet with your potential employer, and everything is going great — until he/she asks an inappropriate personal question.
State and federal law prohibits hiring based on age, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, marital/family status or disability. According to the Chicago-based law firm Arnstein & Lehr, any inquiry that “asks a candidate to reveal information about such topics without the question having a job-related basis” constitutes as a discriminatory hiring practice. While these questions are not illegal, employers violating these laws face discrimination lawsuits and strict penalties. Anyone on either end of a job interview should recognize these types of questions.
Interview questions should focus on your skills, experience and capability to perform the job. Oftentimes, an employer may not recognize a question as inappropriate. Some common examples include:
If these questions do arise, the next step is figuring out how to handle them. Read the rest of this article in the March issue of Contour to learn a few popular ways to handle these questions.
~Christy Tran, Midwestern-Arizona ’20, Chapter Lunch-and-Learn Coordinator
]]>Implants are quickly becoming a staple of modern dentistry. Did you know that you can take implant training courses as a student? It may seem like jumping the gun, but you can learn a lot, set yourself apart as a job applicant and save a lot of money by expanding your knowledge base now.
Julianne Doty, Las Vegas ’18, recently attended the Shatkin F.I.R.S.T. Mini Dental Implant Course. After graduation, she plans to stay in Las Vegas and work as a general dentist. Kristi Agari, Las Vegas ’18, attended the Sin City Laryngology and Sleep Medicine Conference, and she has her sights set on oral surgery in California once she graduates. Here are their suggestions for dental students to maximize their educational opportunities while in school.
Why did you decide to take an implant course?
Kristi: I will be matriculating into the oral and maxillofacial surgery program at University of Southern California and wanted to expand my knowledge in sleep surgery.
Julianne: I took the course after a recent UNLV graduate recommended it to me.
Did you pay out of pocket for your course?
Kristi: As a fourth-year dental student at the UNLV School of Dental Medicine, I received a special reduced fee to attend. One of the greatest advantages of attending a dental school in Las Vegas is the multitude of educational experiences and professional conferences held in the city. The sleep conference was at Planet Hollywood, so I was able to stay locally and commute.
Julianne: Students were not required to pay for this course; all fees were waived. However, the same course is offered in Buffalo, New York, where their lab is located, and I plan to attend this summer. I will have to pay for lodging and travel expenses associated with that course.
Were the courses beneficial to you? Would you recommend that students invest the time and money in CE courses during school?
Kristi: This meeting and other conferences like it serve as opportunities to expand your knowledge in specialized areas. We’ve heard so much that “dental school doesn’t make you a great dentist; dental school makes you a great student to learn dentistry.” Our dental school careers are just the beginning, and there is always more to learn to become better providers for our patients. Conferences such as these are invaluable, and they are definitely worth the reduced fee as a dental student. With my budget, the standard pricing might not have allowed me to attend.
Also, it’s probably better to attend these types of educational events as an upperclassman because they’re only valuable once you have a solid foundation and knowledge base.
Julianne: The first day was extremely useful. The doctor presented the science behind mini implants, the necessary criteria for success and contraindications. The second day focused mostly on marketing, which seemed irrelevant to me at this point in my dental career. Overall, I would still recommend this course, although I think some lectures could have been cut from the second day.
I would suggest that students take as many CE courses as possible while they are in school. They can open your eyes to new techniques and technologies in our field. And many of them are free for students.
Should all students take an implant course? Do you plan to take more in the future?
Kristi: Implants are becoming the standard of care. Even if a dentist chooses not to place implants in their practice, they must have sufficient knowledge to present the option to make sure their patient is well-informed. More specialized courses are beneficial, too. For example, dental professionals are often the first line of defense to recognize and respond to patients at risk for sleep apnea.
Julianne: Dentistry is constantly advancing, and it’s important to stay on top of new techniques and procedures to offer patients the best care. I had no idea how many ways mini implants could be incorporated into a general practice. The lecturers presented on new technology using mini implants to open the airway in sleep apnea patients, denture-supported implants (delivered in one 60-minute office visit) and full mouth fixed esthetic cases. Dr. Shatkin also reviewed sinus lift techniques and immediate cases. I plan to take the advanced mini implant course in Buffalo this summer to expand on what I’ve learned.
There are ample opportunities for continuing education as a student once you know what interests you. Many courses are free or discounted for students, and they are a great way to expand the knowledge you’ve acquired in school and market unique skills to future employers. We’d recommend taking advantage of as many of these opportunities as you can.
~ Kristi Agari and Julianne Doty, Las Vegas ‘18
]]>Now that we’ve provided you with some ways to get more out of the dental school then classes and lectures, it’s your turn to act. Push yourself and remember there’s a lot more to get out of school than perfect attendance and straight A’s!
~ Heartland Dental Team
]]>As an ADA Success program speaker, I am always honored to speak to dental students from across the country on topics such as practice management, leadership and ethics, and the state of the dental profession. No matter what topic I speak on, however, I am always questioned about something that I mention in my introduction: I am a general dentist who limits my practice of dentistry to treating pediatric patients.
Many students have approached me, expressing an interest in treating pediatric patients in their future general practice, but they’re unsure of how to get experience in ways that do not involve attending a pediatric residency. Dental schools offer varied training in pediatrics, so it is completely reasonable that you may feel like you need more experience to be comfortable treating children. This is a patient population that has unique needs, often different from your adult patients, and you owe it to them to have a great foundation before you start treating them in your practice. Every child deserves to be treated in a manner that is safe, comfortable and time-effective. Luckily, there is a lot you can start working on right now to gain the skills required to successfully treat pediatric patients as a general dentist.
Here are my five tips to set you up for success in treating pediatric patients in your future general practice:
Treating pediatric patients has been the most fun and rewarding part of my practice as a general dentist. Fortunately, the number of pediatric patients visiting the dentist has been on the rise for the last decade, so if you have an interest in treating this population, there is an opportunity and need for you to do so.
Best of luck to you, and feel free to comment with any questions or concerns. I am happy to be a resource to you on your journey to treating a pediatric patient population in your future general practice.
~Dr. Alexandra Barton Otto, Virginia ‘2013
]]>I enjoy snacking. Even though I know all about tooth decay, there are still some times when I crave a sweet, sugary snack. It is important to remember that while those treats are accessible, comforting and delicious, they don’t always leave us in our best condition. The right snack can make a long study session a little more tolerable or provide a much needed energy boost to get through an evening of lab work. It’s obvious that fruits, vegetables and whole grains are the healthy options we should be striving for, but when you have these snacks is also important. All nutrition information below is via healthline.com.
Feeling drowsy when studying early or late night? These foods keep you alert and aid in memory retention.
Hungry, but still have more work to do before dinnertime?
Tired? Try these treats when it’s time to relax and take a nap.
Many of these are touted as “super foods” and can be beneficial in many ways. For example, while water aids in reducing hunger, it also can make you feel more alert. I try to drink water, even if it’s only a few sips, before I eat anything in the morning.
Healthy snacking can elevate your study habits and help you meet each day feeling your best. This is important for any happy, healthy student and can make a big difference.
~ Precious Boston, East Carolina ’20
]]>Both medicine and dentistry are aimed at preventing deleterious health conditions, addressing and tackling health disparities, educating communities and patients about taking charge of their health, and diagnosing and treating malformations and diseases. Yet how often do doctors and dentists — better yet, medical students and dental students — work together? How can we learn from each other and, ultimately, work as a cohesive team?
It starts with what’s learned in the lecture hall. At my school, we’re taught one lecture on dental anatomy and one on oral cavity nerves. We’re not taught to ask patients about their dental history — at least not from the adult perspective. (With children, during their annual well-child exams, we ask how often they brush their teeth, the type of toothpaste they use and how often they see their dentist.) We’re not taught important differential diagnoses in relation to oral pathology. What’s more, when a hospital or clinic patient presents with new onset dental pain/pathology, we have no clue where to start. What questions am I supposed to ask the patient? How should I inspect the oral cavity, aside from shining my pen light and looking for ulcers, lesions and xerostomia? If I do see something, how do I describe it?
No matter how great the field of medicine is, there is a divide. There are doctors who are specialized in every organ of the human body, yet there aren’t many who have a working knowledge of oral anatomy and pathology. There is much medical students can learn from our peers at neighboring dental schools, and I believe dental students share the same sentiment.
For us to work together effectively, we must first get to know each other and find common ground. Why not have quarterly medical center-wide social gatherings that bring students from all schools together? Some schools are starting once-a-year interdisciplinary sessions where students from neighboring universities work together for a day to discuss two or three patient cases, covering topics such as formulating differential diagnoses, creating management plans and counseling patients.
There should be more than this one session, though. Why not have a series of lectures throughout the school year that covers topics that both medical and dental students learn about? For instance, hypertension, diabetes, heart and lung disease, and obesity are universal risk factors for most health problems; medical and dental students could learn about these in one space. What about oral anatomy and common pathology seen in both fields? What about insurance? Many don’t speak freely about PPOs, HMOs, Medicare and Medicaid, and how these impact patients.
There could also be standardized patient exams that require both a medical and dental student to see a patient together, create an assessment and plan, and meet with him or her to discuss findings and next steps. In addition, dental students should have the opportunity to rotate through hospitals and outpatient clinics and work alongside their medical school peers.
One of the biggest ways we can make an immediate impact is at health fairs. If someone visiting a health fair hears the same message from each health care provider, then the individual will be more likely to take positive action. This is our opportunity to take what we have learned in the classroom and share it with our community.
Much effort and planning need to take place in order for interdisciplinary learning to become a reality. We can keep the conversation going, though, by sharing our knowledge and ideas on how we all can be on the same team.
~Ton (T.J.) La Jr., Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Houston Law Center
]]>Over 40 million Americans hold $1.4 trillion in student loan debt, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. ASDA partner SoFi answers some commonly asked questions about student loan refinancing.
Who should refinance?
Refinancing is a great solution for working dentists who have high-interest, unsubsidized Direct Loans, Graduate PLUS loans and/or private loans. Federal loans do carry some special benefits, such as public service forgiveness and economic hardship programs, that may not be accessible to you after you refinance.
What is a Direct Consolidation Loan?
A Direct Consolidation Loan is a government program that allows you to combine multiple federal education loans into a single loan. The resulting interest rate is a weighted average of your prior loan rates.
What is the difference between consolidation and refinancing?
When you consolidate federal loans through the federal loan consolidation program, you’re combining multiple loans with a resulting interest rate that’s the weighted average of your original loans’ rates. When you refinance loans with a private lender, you’re also consolidating (i.e., combining) them, but the lender will use your financial information to give you a new, hopefully lower, interest rate.
Will applying for a student loan refinancing affect my credit?
Typically, a lender will conduct a soft credit pull to check the rates and terms you qualify for; this will not affect your credit score. However, if you choose a product and continue your application, the lender will request your full credit report from one or more consumer reporting agencies, which is considered a hard credit pull.
When is the best time to refinance?
You must have graduated and have a job offer to start within 90 days. The earlier you refinance to a lower loan rate, the more money you will save. Even if you are in your grace period, interest accrues for unsubsidized federal loans.
SoFi extends ASDA members the opportunity to save money on their student loan debt by refinancing through SoFi.com/ASDA. SoFi honors the first six months of any existing grace period of the loans you refinance with the company. Members and their families who refinance their student loans through SoFi.com/ASDA are eligible to receive a $300 welcome bonus1 upon refinancing.
Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health (ASDOH) was honored to have received the Dentistry in the Community Grant in 2017. When the applications rolled out for the national grants, we were having discussions with the organization Ability360 to provide an oral health event for them. We received the grant in early 2017, and we were on our way to change the world. Our program is known for its dedication to the community, and providing to the underserved areas of Phoenix is what we set out to do.
Ability360 is located in Phoenix and offers programs to people with disabilities so they may achieve or continue independent lifestyles within the community. We wanted to set up an event that would allow ASDOH students to provide dental screenings, oral cancer exams, fluoride varnish treatment and oral health education. This was a step up from our normal community service events, as we have not provided fluoride varnish treatment before.
We first volunteered at Ability360 by giving an oral health instruction presentation; we also attended a health fair they hosted and distributed dental supplies to the members. Jumping right into a dental screening event would have been a shot in the dark, and I’m glad we took our time to bring this type of service to them.
Yet two months after we received the grant, the event date still wasn’t set. There was a lot more work than initially expected, mostly because we were setting up a volunteer event that would provide a specific dental treatment for the first time. Making sure we had faculty present was essential, and that had to match up with times that we could reserve a room at Ability360. After multiple delays in our event, we finally set a date for Nov. 11, which is Veteran’s Day. We wanted to provide dental treatment to these members, specifically veterans who were a part of Ability360.
Our goal was to use our D1 and D2 class as the main volunteers and then have D3s serve as mentors during the dental screening process. We had a great number of volunteers: two D3s, four D2s and one D1. During the event, we saw that we weren’t only helping our patients but also these students. This was a great moment that ignited a love for community service within ASDA for some underclassmen.
Our event was a success, and we served the Ability360 community to the best of our abilities. In the future, we hope to bring more dental treatment to this population in Arizona. I believe that starting at a basic level and slowly progressing up is the way to bring care to underserved populations.
Our relationship has grown stronger with Ability360 because we received this Dentistry in the Community Grant from ASDA. It not only gave us the funds to buy our supplies, but it also provided support from national ASDA to serve our community.
~ Taylor Velasquez, Arizona ’19, chapter president
]]>This generation of dental students will be the first to use social media as a tool for marketing and engaging with patients and dental colleagues. From AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) to MySpace, then Facebook and now Instagram and Snapchat, we have grown along with the wave of social media platforms. Unfortunately, so has our digital footprint. As we continue to move forward in our careers, we must consider our professional image and the content we shared online before dental school.
Though intended for staff and volunteers, the ADA offers some guidelines that you can use on how to present yourself using social media. Here’s a snapshot of some of these rules.
Be professional: It is important that your social media posts convey a positive, engaging attitude.
Start honing your content now to be a great representation of you and your brand. This means you might want to reconsider sharing your pictures from your post-midterm celebrations. Clean up your social media pages, getting rid of posts or photos that don’t coincide with the brand you want to portray. Start thinking: “If one of my patients saw this, would they be comfortable letting me treat them?”
Be respectful: Always demonstrate respect for others’ points of view, even when they’re not offering the same in return.
Try to avoid getting involved in heated debates online. Also, dental school is rough, but you don’t need to complain about it on social media. Making comments about patients, professors or administration is unnecessary and unprofessional. It also appears ungrateful to those students who are trying to get accepted into dental school.
Keep your personal views separate: Always consider the professional ramifications of your comments on your personal social accounts.
If you think that Facebook has turned into your friends’ forum for political issues, you may be right. But be careful with how you engage with those posts. As our generation blurs the line between work life and home life, we need to remember that comments can be seen by anyone, including your patients and professional colleagues. If you choose to accept friend requests from patients, keep this in mind.
The internet is permanent: Once you’ve published something online, even if you delete it, it could still be accessible.
No matter how much you may try, there is always a chance that someone saw or even saved something you posted and then removed. And even if no one was looking then, the internet sleuths of tomorrow could find something from your past that you shared online. The consequences could inhibit you from reaching higher positions within your career.
These points can be boiled down to one rule: Think before you post. Always filter the content you share so it is portrayed in a professional manner. Start making smart choices online now so that you are protected in the future.
~Grace Eichler, South Carolina ’20
]]>“What should I be using at home?” It’s a common question that follows treatment plans, and patients may not always remember specific products when they’re staring down dozens of options in the dental aisle. You can help make their decisions easier by giving them a go-to they can trust.
The ADA Seal of Acceptance has created a 360° video experience for you to use as a hands-on teaching tool to educate patients about the Seal and how these proven products can be used to support the oral health recommendations you’ve made.
Your patients may already know that products with the ADA Seal are safe and effective. What they may not know is the seal spans the entire oral care category and more. In the last year alone, 29 new options hit shelves, including water flossers, white strips, power toothbrushes and toothpaste to help prevent enamel erosion from dietary acids.
Seal products also go beyond the bathroom, from water filters in the kitchen to mouthguards on the field. Seal-accepted products meet higher standards than what is required by law.
And the seal may be especially helpful for patients who are caring for family members, both younger and older. Sixty-nine percent of caregivers say they’re more likely to look for the ADA Seal and that it simplifies the decisions they have to make in the dental aisle.
Share the 90-second video above or give your patients a true 360° experience with virtual reality glasses (the cardboard kind work great) in the office. And when you’re personalizing home care guidance for your patients, visit ADA.org/ADASeal for a complete list of categories and products.
~ADA Seal of Acceptance
This content is sponsored and does not necessarily reflect the views of ASDA.
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Wax up proposal |