DISTRICT

W h a t ’ s I n s i d e :

NOVA Southeastern University University of Florida Louisiana State University University of Alabama at Birmingham University of Mississippi LECOM

University of Puerto Rico

Fall 2014 Edition

p2 District 5 Cabinet Members

p3 What is a Midlevel Provider?

p5 Access to Care: Still a Long Way to Go

p6 Chapter Updates

p 10 Non-profit Enriches Learning

p 11 Dental Student Debt on Rise

D i s t r i c t 5 C a b i n e t M e m b e r sJ e n n a P a s c o l iD i s t r i c t S e c r e t a r y

Jenna%studies%at%LECOM%%and%is%happily%married%to%husband%John%with%two%fur%babies,%Rascal%and%Cody.%In%her%spare%time%(when%not%running%an%ASDA%fever),%Jenna%likes%to%run,%lift%weights,%bake%and%make%arts%and%crafts.%She%is%also%a%huge%Auburn%Tiger%fan…WAR%EAGLE!%

J e n n i f e r Q u i s t D i s t r i c t M e e t i n g C h a i r

Jennifer%is%a%graduate%of%Colorado%State%University%with%a%degree%in%Biomedical%Science.%She%is%studying%at%LECOM%and%found%her%passion%for%dentistry%through%her%father's%oral%surgery%practice.%She%enjoys%skiing,%hiking,%and%has%come%to%enjoy%scuba%diving%since%moving%to%Florida.

S t e p h a n i e M a z a r i e g o sD i s t r i c t 5 T r u s t e e

O c t a v i o O l i v aD i s t r i c t M e e t i n g C o o r d i n a t o r

S a p n e i l P a r i k hD i s t r i c t M e e t i n g C o o r d i n a t o r

R a m z y L o f t iD i s t r i c t W e b s i t e C o - C h a i r

Ramzy%is%a%TexasSnative%studying%at%the%University%of%Florida.%He%enjoys%competitive%swimming%and%prior%to%dental%school%worked%as%a%Financial%Support%Specialist%for%the%American%Red%Cross.%Ramzy%also%served%as%a%CPR%Instructor%and%a%volunteer%on%their%Disaster%Team.%%%

Sapneil%graduated%from%UF%with%a%degree%in%Vinance%and%business%administration%and%went%on%to%earn%masters%degrees%in%Public%Health%and%Interdisciplinary%Studies.%He%is%studying%at%LECOM%and%is%involved%with%his%local%ASDA%Chapter%as%the%Dinner%&%Dentistry%Chair.

S a l v a t o r L a M a s t r aD i s t r i c t L e g i s l a t i v e C h a i r

Salvator%is%currently%studying%at%LECOM.%He%is%serving%as%the%Legislative%Coordinator%for%Districts%4%and%5.%Salvator%enjoys%playing%an%active%role%in%American%politics;%he%writes%for%The%Daily%Caller,%Investors%Business%Daily,%and%The%Blaze,%combining%his%love%of%politics%with%his%love%for%Dentistry.

Octavio(graduated(from(Florida(Interna4onal(University(and(completed(two(years(of(research(before(beginning(his(studies(at(the(University(of(Alabama(at(Birmingham.(Octavio’s(hobbies(include(reading(and(pain4ng(miniatures.(He(is(currently(serving(as(the(PreBDental(Rela4ons(Chair(at(UAB.

P a u l a C o h e n D i s t r i c t L e g i s l a t i v e C o o r d i n a t o r

Paula%is%in%her%second%year%at%the%University%of%Florida.%She%is%incredibly%passionate%about%legislation%and%advocacy%for%the%dental%profession,%particularly%the%growing%disparity%gap%in%oral%health%care.%Paula%enjoys%swing%dancing%and%running%with%her%puppy%dog.

A d a m S a l t z D i s t r i c t L e g i s l a t i v e C o o r d i n a t o r

N o t P i c t u r e d : E v a n B u s b y ( P r e - D e n t a l C h a i r ) , I a n L i e b e r m a n ( W e b s i t e C o - C h a i r ) , J o e Va u g h a n ( N e w s l e t t e r C o m m i t t e e )

D a n i e l B u r g i nD i s t r i c t N e w s l e t t e r E d i t o r

E r i n n e K e n n e d yD i s t r i c t N e w s l e t t e r C o m m i t t e e

Stephanie%Mazariegos%is%currently%studying%at%LECOM.%She%enjoys%spending%time%at%the%beach,%traveling%whenever%she%gets%a%chance,%and%might%have%a%slightly%unhealthy%addiction%to%Pintrest.%She%also%is%a%huge%Harry%Potter%fan%and%enjoys%having%an%annual%pass%to%Universal%Studios!

Adam%is%studying%at%NOVA%in%their%3+4%Dental%Medicine%Program.%He%speaks%English%and%French%and%lived%in%Paris.%He%has%traveled%through%most%of%Europe%and%the%Mediterranean%where%he%developed%interests%in%cooking,%music,%scuba%diving,%and%sports%(except%hockey).%Go%Bruins!

Erinne%is%currently%studying%at%NOVA%Southeastern.%Outside%school,%she%is%a%personal%trainer%and%enjoys%running,%yoga%and%weight%training.%She%is%also%currently%learning%how%to%play%tennis%and%practicing%her%golf%game%:)

Daniel%earned%a%degree%in%Physics%from%BirminghamSSouthern%College%and%is%a%third%year%at%the%University%of%Alabama%at%Birmingham.%He%is%a%Nashville%native%and%enjoys%distance%running,%wakeboarding,%snow%skiing,%and%travelling%whenever%possible.%

p2

E d w i n W i t c h e rD i s t r i c t L e g i s l a t i v e C o o r d i n a t o r

Edwin(earned(his(undergraduate(degree(from(the(University(of(Mississippi(in(Oxford,(MS,(and(is(a(thirdByear(at(the(University(of(Mississippi(School(of(Den4stry.(A(na4ve(of(the(Mississippi(Gulf(Coast,(Edwin(enjoys(Crossfit,(white(water(raNing,(deep(sea(fishing,(golfing,(and(traveling.

W h a t i s a M i d l e v e l P r o v i d e r ? ASDA%identiVies%a%midlevel%provider%as%an%

individual,%who%is%not$a$dentist%with%four%years%of%postScollegiate%education%(three%years%in%the%case%of%University%of%the%PaciVic%School%of%Dentistry),%who%may%perform%irreversible%procedures%on%the%public.%Midlevel%pilot%programs%have%been%established%in%an%effort%to%overcome%the%barriers%to%care.%The%intent%is%to%increase%access%to%care%to%predominantly%lowSincome,%uninsured,%and%underserved%population.%Although,%there%is%no%evidence%midlevel%providers%will%contain%costs.%%There%are%multiple%variations%of%midlevel%providers,%the%three%most%common%types%are:%the%Advanced%Dental%Hygiene%Practitioner%(ADHP),%Advanced%Dental%Therapist%(ADT),%and%the%Dental%Health%Aide%Therapist%(DHAT).%

These%midlevel%providers%are%responsible%for%providing%local%anesthesia,%radiographs,%“simple”%restorative%procedures,%pulpotomies,%“simple”%tooth%extractions,%and%determining%the%appropriate%referral%for%additional%dental%or%medical%treatment.%They%have%limited%prescription%authority%allowing%the%purchase,%use,%and%dispense%of%speciVically%designated%drugs%such%as%analgesics,%antiSinVlammatories,%and%antibiotics.%Some%of%these%dental%auxiliaries%are%able%to%perform%procedures%without%the%supervising%dentist%on%site.%

The%reason%for%starting%this%practice%was%to%better%care%for%underserved%areas.%%They%bridge%the%gap%between%geography,%demographics,%and%access%to%dental%healthcare.%%A%midlevel%provider%is%in%the%middle%of%both%academic%preparation%and%scope%of%practice.%%A%few%examples%of%midlevel%providers%in%medicine%are%nurse%practitioners,%physical%therapists,%and%nurse%anesthetists.%

An%Advanced%Dental%Hygiene%Practitioner%is%an%expanded%function%hygienist%that%will%be%capable%of%providing%diagnostic,%preventive,%restorative,%and%therapeutic%services%directly%to%the%public%in%rural%and%underserved%areas.%This%degree%requires%a%Master’s%Degree%in%addition%to%a%hygiene%certiVication.%

An%Advanced%Dental%Therapist%must%enter%into%a%collaborative%management%agreement%with%a%MinnesotaSLicensed%dentist.%The%dentist%can%have%no%more%than%Vive%dental%therapists%at%one%time.%The%level%of%supervision%is%determined%by%the%collaborating%dentist.%

The%Dental%Health%Aide%Therapist%program%was%created%to%augment%the%dental%team%by%the%Indian%Health%Care%Improvement%Act.%This%midlevel%provider%program%supports%the%health%care%delivery%for%rural%Alaskan%Natives.%They%partner%with%dentist%via%teledentistry,%which%includes%real%time%video%and%radiologic%oversight.%

Advocates%for%midlevel%provider%models%refer%to%the%procedures%to%be%undertaken%by%the%practice%as%“simple.”%However,%fully%trained%and%experienced%dentist%argue%that%the%providers’%training%cannot%adequately%distinguish%between%“simple%and%“complex”%cases.%

The%quality%of%care%must%also%be%addressed.%The%length%of%training%received%is%considerably%less%than%conventional%dentists.%Access%to%care%problems%generally%occurs%in%areas%that%have%the%most%compromised%patients%with%difVicult%cases.%%Therefore,%the%most%complicated%cases%could%potentially%be%treated%by%the%least%trained%practitioners.%The%primary%goal%should%be%to%resolve%public%health%and%access%to%care%issues%without%diminishing%the%quality%of%care%for%those%who%need%it%most.%According%to%an%article%titled%“Midlevel%Providers”%in%the%Journal%of%The%American%Dental%Association,%“There%is%no%evidence%midlevel%providers%will%contain%costs.%Low%reimbursement%is%only%part%of%the%problem.%A%burdensome%administrative%system%and%problematic%patients%are%systemic%to%Medicaid%and%will%not%change%with%the%advent%of%a%midlevel%provider.%Rather%than%advocating%a%public%relations%spin,%the%ADA%must%be%aggressive%in%pointing%out%the%deViciencies%of%the%existing%programs.%It%is%imperative%that%Congress%and%state%legislatures%be%told%the%truth:%solving%access%to%care%will%require%the%allocation%of%more%funding,%combined%with%a%willingness%to%reform%Medicaid%and%a%commitment%to%deal%with%irresponsible%beneViciaries.%Welfare%was%overhauled,%and%Medicaid%can%be,%too.”

By Edwin WitcherUniversity of Mississippi

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A c c e s s t o C a r e : S t i l l a L o n g Wa y t o G oFor%a%country%that%prides%itself%on%equal%

opportunity,%tens%of%millions%of%Americans%go%without%dental%care%each%year.%Whether%the%reasons%are%Vinancial,%as%with%lowSincome%families%and%ethnic%minorities,%or%geographical%barriers%and%isolation%that%limit%travel,%the%concern%for%the%lack%of%access%to%dental%care%is%great.%Untreated%oral%conditions%can%manifest%themselves%into%serious,%sometimes%lifeSthreatening%diseases%without%the%close%attention%and%care%of%a%dentist.%

Dental%services%that%address%accessStoScare%issues%are%regulated%at%the%state%level%through%the%federal%Medicaid%program.%This%allows%states%to%decide%what%amount%and%type%of%services%will%be%provided.%The%dentist%can%then%choose%whether%or%not%to%accept%Medicaid.%Studies%have%shown%that%Medicaid%patients,%or%more%generally,%those%from%poorer%demographics,%are%not%as%likely%to%improve%their%oral%hygiene%routine%after%treatment,%so%the%dentist’s%efforts%not%only%prove%futile%but%unproVitable.%Private%coverage%is%still%limited,%requiring%many%patients%to%pay%out%of%pocket%or%not%receive%treatment.%As%of%2012,%employer%and%private%health%insurance%coverage%covered%anywhere%from%49S64%%of%the%total%population%compared%to%Medicaid,%which%covered%a%measly%8S25%.%%

Florida,%unfortunately,%offers%a%very%limited%scope%of%Medicaid%coverage.%It%is%dependent%on%age%and%one’s%Vinancial%or%physical%status,%be%it%lowSincome%children%and%families%or%pregnant%women%below%133%%of%the%poverty%line.%More%importantly,%this%depends%on%what%is%considered%“medically%necessary”,%as%determined%by%the%Agency%for%Health%Care%Administration.%For%example,%for%those%under%21%that%qualify,%Early%and%Periodic%Screening,%Diagnosis,%and%Treatment%(EPSDT)%services%exist%to%diagnose%oral%and%systemic%illnesses%and%to%provide%dental%services%within%reason.%This%can%include%general,%emergency,%preventative,%and/or%therapeutic%types%of%care.%

Original%Medicare,%another%joint%federal%and%state%program,%is%independent%of%income%and%only%covers%those%who%are%65%or%older,%disabled,%or%have%endSstage%kidney%disease.%Medicare%Part%A%(Hospital%Insurance)%covers%hospital%stays%and%care%in%hospice%or%a%healthcareSbased%home,%while%Medicare%Part%B%(Medical%Insurance)%covers%doctors’%services,%needed%

medical%supplies,%and%some%preventative%care.%Medicare%Part%D%(Prescription%Drug%Insurance)%adds%additional%coverage%for%medications,%selected%medical%needs,%and%Vinances%to%Original%Medicare%through%approved%private%and%insurance%companies.%There%is%an%initial%$2,800%of%coverage,%and%thereafter,%drugs%must%be%paid%for%at%full%cost%until%the%yearly%out%of%pocket%spending%limit%of%$4,550%has%been%met,%creating%a%Vinancial%state%of%limbo%called%the%“donut%hole.”%Lastly,%there%is%also%a%Medicare%Part%C,%which%receives%beneVits%from%a%separate%Medicare%Advantage%Plan%entirely,%like%Health%Maintenance%Organizations%(HMO)%or%Preferred%Provider%Organizations%(PPO).

The%Affordable%Care%Act%(ACA),%more%commonly%known%as%“Obamacare”,%has%expanded%the%current%Medicare%system.%More%preventative%services%are%covered%for%less,%brandSname%drugs%can%be%discounted%as%much%as%50%%(unless%you%are%earning%more%than%$85,000%annually),%doctors%receive%additional%resources%to%better%coordinate%care,%and%coverage%has%been%extended%to%at%least%2029S%a%12Syear%extension!%As%of%2014,%a%new%Health%Insurance%Marketplace%works%to%Vind%the%needed%health%coverage%for%the%uninsured%through%a%simple%application%improving%access%to%care.%

Expanding%the%oral%healthcare%workforce%seems%like%another%obvious%solution,%but%that%brings%us%into%another%debate%entirely:%the%infamous%midSlevel%provider%(see%article%on%page%4).%Other%options%include%increasing%coverage%and%reimbursement%rates,%and%more%actively,%going%out%into%undeserved%communities%and%educating%them%on%the%importance%of%proper%oral%hygiene.%

In%making%dental%services%universally%accessible%both%Vinancially%and%geographically,%a%vaster%demographic%of%patients%must%be%treated,%and%any%recognizable%problems%must%be%immediately%addressed%and%further%prevented.%%%

By Adam SaltzNOVA Southeastern

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U n i v e r s i t y o f A l a b a m a a t B i r m i n g h a mAt%the%University%of%Alabama%at%Birmingham%School%of%

Dentistry,%ASDA%is%one%of%the%largest%and%most%active%student%organizations%on%campus.%The%year%got%off%to%a%great%start%with%the%10th%Annual%Miles%for%Smiles%5K%and%1%Mile%Fun%Run,%ASDA’s%

annual%philanthropy%event%to%raise%money%for%Cahaba%Valley%Health%Care.%This%year,%the%event%welcomed%over%150%participants%and%raised%$2,800%for%CVHC,%a%huge%success.

In%the%spring,%ASDA%hosted%a%Vendor%Day%that%brought%45%

different%dental%companies%to%UAB%to%introduce%their%products%to%the%student%body,%a%very%popular%event.%%The%spring%also%brought%events%like%the%annual%CrawVish%Boil%and%the%9th%Annual%ASDA%Wide%Open%Fundraising%Golf%Tournament.%Both%events%were%fun%ways%for%students%to%enjoy%nice%weather%and%have%some%fun%outside%the%School%of%Dentistry.%In%addition%to%local%activities,%UAB%ASDA%members%have%been%involved%in%

dentistry%on%a%district%and%national%level.%UAB%ASDA%was%well%represented%this%year%at%the%District%5%Meeting%,%National%Leadership%Conference,%ASDA%Annual%Session,%and%the%National%Dental%Student%Lobby%Day%in%D.C.%

It%has%been%a%great%year%for%UAB%ASDA!%We%have%many%great%events%in%the%works%and%are%very%excited%to%see%what%the%2014S2015%year%will%have%in%store!%

%%%

U n i v e r s i t y o f F l o r i d aWhen%it%comes%to%ASDA%in%the%Gator%Nation,%don’t%be%

surprised%if%there%is%a%little%more%splash%in%the%swamp.%This%year%our%team%has%revamped%its%leadership%by%expanding%to%over%30%

ofVicers%with%new%eventSspeciVic%positions%streamlined%to%meet%the%needs%of%our%largeSscale%initiatives.%In%addition%to%growing%our%communications%base%with%a%social%media%director,%this%year%there%will%be%a%big%focus%on%advocacy.%This%summer%to%build%strong%leadership%and%to%kickoff%the%year%%we%have%established%a%new%leadership%retreat%which%is%a%program%with%a%series%of%workshops%in%all%things%ASDA%while%simultaneously%serving%as%a%group%

bonding%experience.%Our%major%upcoming%events%for%the%fall%%%include:¥ Mighty%Molar%Fundraiser%at%Lake%Wauburg%on%September%27th,%a%friendly%competition%between%classes%and%faculty.%Proceeds%of%the%event%go%to%support%Smile%Train,%an%international%cleft%lip%and%palate%organization.

¥ October%Joint%Halloween%Bash%with%UF%American%Association%of%Women%Dentists%and%the%UF%Student%National%Dentist%

Association,%which%always%turn%out%to%be%a%real%scream!

¥ Freshmen%Loupes%Fair%in%November%,which%allows%our%incoming%dental%students%to%try%on%all%the%popular%brands%of%loupes%in%one%event!%

¥ Christmas%Holiday%Party%and%Ugly%Sweater%Contest%in%December%is%always%a%great%event%to%end%the%fall%semester%and%get%everyone%

in%the%holiday%spirit!%

Also%this%fall,%we%will%open%registration%for%our%Dental%Business%Symposium,%a%series%of%workshops%and%courses%geared%toward%teaching%dental%students%basic%business%management%and%Vinance%skills.%The%event%is%planned%for%January%24th%and%is%open%to%all%members%of%the%district!%

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L o u i s i a n a S t a t e U n i v e r s i t yThe%ASDA%chapter%at%LSU%is%proud%to%announce%that%

over%the%past%year,%we%have%seen%a%200%%growth%in%our%ASDA%representatives.%We%have%added%seven%new%positions%this%year,%bringing%the%total%number%of%representatives%to%12.%We%also%had%a%record%number%of%delegates%travel%to%Anaheim%this%year%for%the%ASDA%Annual%Session%and%look%forward%to%continuing%to%increase%our%representation%at%the%district%and%national%level.%

In%addition%to%adding%more%structure%to%our%council%and%cabinet,%we%also%instituted%an%ASDA%newsletter,%a%schoolSwide%legislative%update%following%Annual%Session,%and%created%a%new%annual%event%surrounding%the%New%Orleans%Susan%G.%Komen%Race%for%the%Cure.%Our%chapter%Villed%and%distributed%dental%"goodieSbags"%containing%oral%hygiene%

products%and%literature%to%survivors%and%participants%alike.%With%the%help%of%leaders%from%the%LDA,%we%also%held%the%Virst%annual%LSU%ASDA%"Scrubs%and%Stilettos"%event%to%encourage%female%participation%in%organized%dentistry.%It%has%been%a%wonderful%year%for%

ASDA%growth%at%LSU%and%we%have%high%hopes%and%goals%for%the%years%to%come!

L E C O M It%has%been%an%exciting%year%for%LECOM%ASDA%thus%

far!%At%Annual%Session,%past%president%Jenna%Weldon%Pascoli%received%the%National%Delegate%of%the%year%Award%and%Stephanie%Mazariegos%and%Salvator%La%Mastra%were%elected%as%national%ASDA%representatives%as%the%District%5%Trustee%

and%District%4%an%5%Legislative%Liason,%respectively.%This%spring,%we%held%our%Virst%Advocacy%Week%and%were%honored%to%have%Dr.%Terry%Buckenheimer,%past%FDA%

President,%and%JoAnn%Hart,%FDA%Lobbyist,%come%and%speak%about%legislative%issues%facing%dentistry.%We%also%held%our%Virst%Youth%Tooth%events%at%two%local%elementary%schools%to%educated%students%on%oral%hygiene%and%nutrition.%We%participated%in%the%YMCA’s%Healthy%Kids%Day%Event%at%the%Bradenton%Riverwalk,%and%held%our%Virst%Loupes%Vendor%Fair.%Further,%we%held%an%interdisciplinary%sports%competition%with%LECOM’s%medical%and%pharmacy%schools.%%We%are%happy%to%say%that%the%Dental%School%won!%

This%past%June,%delegates%attended%the%Florida%National%Dental%Convention%to%bring%back%legislative%updates%to%our%chapter.%%In%July,%held%recruitment%and%social%events%for%the%D1%class%who%started%school%on%July%11th.%%We%plan%to%

attend%two%Day%of%Hope%events%at%local%churches%to%provide%oral%screenings,%Vluoride%varnishes,%and%oral%hygiene%instruction%to%underserved%children%before%school%begins.%%We%are%planning%more%Youth%Tooth%projects%for%this%year’s%calendar%and%are%excited%to%have%our%Virst%Wisdom%Tooth%event%at%local%nursing%homes.%%In%the%fall,%we%will%participate%

in%a%Kids%Safety%Fair%and%will%host%a%PreSDental%Day%in%conjunction%with%our%school’s%Fall%Open%House.%%We%have%several%newly%formed%

committees%including%an%Ethics%committee,%which%is%busily%working%on%creating%an%ADPAC%week,%and%we%are%also%planning%for%our%fall%Vendor%Fair.%%Other%chapter%goals%include%having%more%panel%discussions%for%life%post%graduation%and%the%residency%application%process%for%our%monthly%Dinner%and%Dentistry’s,%and%we%have%been%working%hard%to%compile%and%print%our%Composite%Newsletter%at%least%4%times%a%year.%%We%are%looking%forward%to%having%more%attendees%at%the%District%5%Meeting%and%are%trying%to%send%more%student%leaders%to%NLC%in%Chicago%this%fall.%%With%a%new%class%at%the%school,%it’s%truly%an%exciting%time%to%be%a%member%of%LECOM%ASDA!

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U n i v e r s i t y o f M i s s i s s i p p iThe%ASDA%chapter%at%the%University%of%Mississippi%Medical%Center%School%of%Dentistry%is%currently%planning%our%16th%Annual%ASDA%Golf%Tournament%presented%by%Bancorp%South.%%We%are%SPICING%it%up%a%

little%bit%this%year%by%adding%a%Poker%Run%to%go%along%with%the%golf%tournament.%%Our%class%representatives%are%busy%collecting%amazing%door%prizes%and%sponsors%to%support%this%fundraising%event.%This%year’s%Golf%Tournament%&%Poker%Run%will%be%on%August%11,%2014%at%Lake%Caroline%Golf%Club.%%This%event%is%a%great%way%for%our%incoming%D1s%to%meet%current%dental%students%and%faculty.%%The%environment%is%meant%to%be%a%fun%and%relaxing%day%before%school%starts%back%the%next%morning.%If%any%of%

you%are%in%the%Jackson,%Mississippi%area%around%that%time,%we%would%love%to%have%you%come%out%to%play%golf,%eat%barbeque%or%just%to%say%hello!%%

Last%year,%this%event%was%a%huge%success!%%With%so%many%gracious%sponsors,%we%were%able%to%send%more%ASDA%members%than%usual%to%the%District%5%meeting%in%Sandestin%and%we%hope%to%do%the%same%this%year%at%the%District%meeting%in%Tampa!%

N O VA S o u t h e a s t e r nAt%Nova%Southeastern%University%we%have%been%working%diligently%to%improve%our%ASDA%chapter.%This%past%year%we%

sent%13%students%to%National%Leadership%conference,%10%students%to%ASDA%Annual%Session,%10%students%to%Dentist%Day%on%the%Hill%in%Tallahassee,%

FL%and%over%30%students%to%FNDC.%In%February,%ASDA%represented%the%college%of%dentistry%in%a%universitySwide%Ethics%Bowl.%We%tag%teamed%with%ADEA%to%host%our%annual%Wax%On,%Wax%Off%event,%an%opportunity%to%raise%money%for%missions%and%school%improvement.%This%year’s%winner%was%Dr.%Pugliese.%

At%the%local%level,%we%are%happy%to%announce%that%we%will%be%hosting%our%very%Virst%PreSDental%

Weekend%July%19th,%2014%where%we%will%offer%mock%interviews,%personal%statement%reviews,%impression%and%wax%demos.%Check%out%our%website%for%more%information!%This%fall%we%are%joining%forces%with%our%local%student%government%association%to%host%a%networking%event%with%Florida%delegates%from%each%district.%On%September%19th,%we%will%have%a%networking%happy%hour%where%students,%faculty%and%delegates%will%meet%and%mingle.%The%weekend%fun%will%continue%with%our%annual%Swinging%for%Smiles%charity%golf%event%held%on%the%morning%of%Saturday,%September%20th.%If%any%students%in%District%5%are%interested%in%participating,%please%visit%our%website!%Last%year%this%event%raised%over%$3000%for%both%GKAS%(Give%Kids%a%Smile)%and%the%NSU%Dental%Missions%and%we%hope%you%all%can%come%out%and%help%make%this%year’s%event%a%success!

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U n i v e r s i t y P u e r t o R i c oHas%ASDA%fever%become%contagious%in%Puerto%Rico?%

Absolutely!%This%year%ASDA%has%created%an%evolutionary%process%to%develop%a%new%interest%in%Puerto%Rico’s%dental%

students.%The%American%Student%Dental%Association%in%Puerto%Rico%has%organized%a%number%of%activities%to%spike%the%spirit%in%every%true%ASDA%member.%This%past%semester,%ASDA%held%a%big%annual%session%in%one%of%Puerto%Rico’s%most%luxurious%hotels%with%new%

and%upcoming%continuing%education%conferences%and%sponsors%from%every%part%of%the%country.%%Dental%students%in%Puerto%Rico%have%come%to%know%what%it%means%to%be%an%ASDA%leader%and%how%important%it%is%to%recognize%the%issues%that%are%affecting%our%profession.%We%are%working%to%develop%leaders%that%can%recognize%and%handle%challenges%faced%by%our%chapter%and%to%increase%our%

With%only%8%paid%employees,%Cahaba%Valley%Health%Care%

(CVHC)%is%a%small%nonSproVit%organization%making%a%big%impact%in%

the%lives%of%the%underserved%in%central%Alabama.%The%

organization%focuses%primarily%in%serving%the%Hispanic%

community,%but%all%patients%seeking%treatment%are%welcome.%

Since%its%inception,%CVHC%has%relied%on%Hispanic%churches%to%

reach%community%members%and%breach%language%and%trust%

barriers%that%have%traditionally%impaired%access%to%care.%This%

model%has%proven%effective%and%today%CVHC%provides%dental%

care%for%500%patients%each%year.%

Students%from%the%University%of%Alabama%at%Birmingham%

School%of%Dentistry%(AUB)%have%been%partners%of%CVHC%since%it%

started%to%provide%dental%services%in%2003.%Dental%students%

volunteer%during%the%screenings%held%biSmonthly,%providing%

more%volunteer%hours%than%any%other%organization%afViliated%

with%CVHC.%In%addition,%each%year%the%UAB%ASDA%chapter%

organizes%the%Miles%for%Smiles%charity%race,%whose%proceeds%

beneVit%CVHC.%Last%year%alone,%this%event%raised%more%than%

$2800%for%CVHC.%

UAB%dental%students%are%also%involved%in%an%

interprofessional%service%learning%project%aimed%at%increasing%

patient%Vlow%at%the%Cahaba%Valley%dental%pediatric%clinic.%As%part%

of%this%project,%secondS%and%thirdSyear%dental%students%

have%designed%a%more%effective%strategy%to%reach%

pediatric%patients%and%provide%care%to%them.%“Working%

with%CVHC%has%enriched%my%experience%as%a%dental%

student%by%expanding%my%understanding%of%health%

access%issues%within%the%Hispanic%community,”%remarked%Cassie%Wells,%a%secondSyear%student%

participating%in%the%project.%“Focusing%on%the%pediatric%

population%has%been%especially%beneVicial%because%I%

am%considering%a%career%in%pediatric%dentistry.”%

This%is%a%sentiment%echoed%by%many%students,%

who%Vind%involvement%with%this%organization%to%be%a%

unique%and%rewarding%service%opportunity.%“Utilizing%

these%opportunities%to%make%a%difference%while%we%are%

in%dental%school%allows%us%to%incorporate%a%service%

learning%component%into%our%education”%said%Dr.%Ross%

Isbell,%past%president%of%the%UAB%ASDA%chapter%and%a%

graduate%of%the%class%of%2014.

chapter%membership%and%our%participation%in%national%activities.%We%look%forward%to%putting%together%more%activities%to%interest%new%dental%students%in%joining%ASDA.%

For%now,%the%2014%ASDA%directive%is%working%hard%with%the%hope%every%day%

that%ASDA%will%grow%into%a%stronger%organization%on%campus.%We%deVinitely%have%great%ideas%coming%up%and%can’t%wait%to%see%them%put%into%action!%%

A l a b a m a N o n - P r o fi t E n r i c h e s S t u d e n t L e a r n i n g E x p e r i e n c e W h i l e S e r v i n g T h o s e i n N e e d

By Octavio OlivaUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham

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D e n t a l S t u d e n t D e b t o n t h e R i s eIt%is%no%secret%that%debt%amongst%dental%students%has%

been%rising%at%an%alarming%rate%for%the%past%20%years.%Last%

year,%ADEA%reported%that%there%has%been%a%192%%increase%

since%1990%in%average%debt%for%public%dental%schools%when%

adjusted%for%inVlation.%When%you%factor%in%all%dental%schools,%

there%was%a%whopping%$19,094%difference%in%the%average%

debt%just%between%2012%and%2013.%With%the%loss%of%

subsidized%graduate%student%loans%from%the%Budget%Control%

Act%of%2011,%we%also%face%the%question%of%how%much%more%

we’ll%end%up%paying%back%than%what%we%initially%borrowed.%

Despite%the%anxiety%many%students%feel%about%the%debt%

burden%they%will%inevitably%face%upon%graduation,%it%seems%

like%there%are%few%alternative%options%for%us.

In%2006,%there%was%a%fourSpart%study%published%in%the%

Journal%of%the%Canadian%Dental%Association%that%addressed%

dental%school%debt%on%a%global%level.%It%was%interesting%to%see%

that%despite%obvious%differences,%both%countries%are%facing%

the%same%rising%debt%issues.%The%study%concluded%that%a%

primary%driving%factor%behind%this%issue%was%a%lack%of%action%

and%support%from%our%respective%governments.%This%is%

further%supported%in%an%extensive%report%published%by%the%

Health%Resources%and%Services%Administration%on%the%

impacts%of%Vinancing%a%dental%education.%Even%the%University%

of%Florida’s%own%President,%Bernie%Machen,%recognized%the%

importance%of%government%subsidies%in%dental%education.%In%

the%May%1998%edition%of%the%Journal%of%Dental%Education,%Dr.%

Machen%published%a%report%on%the%implications%of%funding%

changes%by%the%government.%He%had%high%hopes%that%we%

would%“continue%to%get%a%signiVicant%amount%of%dollars%from%

the%government.”%Unfortunately%this%has%been%disproven%as%

the%average%state%subsidies%of%dental%education%have%

dropped%from%60%%in%1990%to%20%%in%2009.%%

The%consequence%of%increased%debt%does%not%just%

affect%the%student’s%either.%ADEA%has%compiled%years%of%data%

that%shows%that%recent%dental%graduates%are%less%inclined%to%

practice%in%public%health%clinics%or%accept%public%programs%

like%Medicaid%than%they%were%Vive%years%before.%This%suggests%

that%an%increased%debt%burden%can%translate%to%decreased%

access%to%healthcare%for%the%populations%most%in%need.%

There%are%two%primary%ways%that%legislation%has%

tried%to%ease%the%debt%burden%of%graduating%dental%students.%

First,%many%of%us%are%lobbying%for%the%option%to%reVinance%

federal%loans%through%the%government.%Currently,%if%your%

credit%score%has%improved%since%starting%school,%and%you%are%

willing%to%pay%a%private%loan%company,%you%can%reVinance%by%

effectively%taking%out%another%loan%through%that%company%at%

a%lower%interest%rate%than%your%initial%student%loans.%

However,%by%being%able%to%reVinance%through%the%federal%

government,%you’d%be%able%to%cut%out%this%middle%man.%There%

are%two%sister%bills%in%the%House%(H.R.4622)%and%Senate%(S.

1066)%that%would%allow%us%to%reVinance%at%4.0%.%This%could%

potentially%save%every%student%more%than%$10,000%over%the%

life%of%the%loan.%

There%are%also%lobbying%efforts%for%increased%tax%

deductions%for%student%loan%interest.%Presently,%the%

maximum%deduction%is%$2,500%for%individuals.%H.R.1527%

would%increase%this%to%$5,000%for%individuals%and%$10,000%

for%joint%returns.%It%would%also%repeal%the%adjusted%gross%

income%limitations%that%prevent%most%dentists%from%

qualifying%for%this%deduction%right%now.%In%addition%to%these%

longSstanding%platforms,%Representative%Thomas%Petri%(RS

WI)%has%also%introduced%an%innovative%loan%called%the%

Income%Dependent%Education%Assistance%Loan%program%

(IDEA).%If%enacted,%this%would%cap%our%interest%accrual%at%

50%%of%the%IDEA%principal,%and%allow%us%to%make%

repayments%via%wageSwithholding%that%is%set%based%on%our%

income,%with%the%option%to%pay%more.%

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!So!what!can!we!do?Partner'with'organized'dentistry.'Many%organizations%such%as%ASDA,%ADA,%AGD,%and%state%dental%

associations,%dedicate%a%lot%of%time%and%resources%toward%

lobbying%for%student%interests,%especially%debt%burden.%They%

have%events%dedicated%to%educating%governmental%

representatives%on%the%issues,%and%encourage%their%student%

members%to%participate.%By%partnering%with%an%organization,%

you%not%only%get%the%opportunity%to%have%your%voice%heard,%

but%you%have%the%support%of%wellSestablished%and%

respectable%dentists.

Write'to'your'representatives.'ASDA’s%Engage%website%allows%anyone%to%easily%Take%Action%by%submitting%

emails%to%their%representatives%with%just%a%few%clicks.%They%

include%preSwritten%templates%explaining%the%reason%for%

support%or%opposition%that%you%can%customize%or%use%as%is.%If%

you%have%more%time,%or%feel%very%passionately%about%a%

speciVic%piece%of%legislation,%you%can%also%contact%your%

representatives%directly.%

Stay'updated'and'educated.'We%all%know%our%schedules%can%be%hectic,%and%it%can%be%discouraging%when%

change%occurs%so%slowly,%but%by%committing%a%few%minutes%

every%month%to%stay%on%top%of%the%issues%that%you’re%

By Paula CohenUniveristy of Florida

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