D E NTI STRY, S T U DENTS , AN D A S DA
3rd Edition Fall 2016
Intramurals • Expand Your Palate CDM Spotlights • Pre-Dental Day Leadership Conference • Practicing Ethics
2
NovaCaine News
NovaCaine News • Issue 3
NovaCaine News
Fall 2016
from student debt to dentist to partner. Check out our website at: Http://www.nsuasda.org/ Click on the buttons below to like us on facebook or follow us on instagram!
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS! ASDA INFORMATION No matter where you are in your dental career, the path to partner is clear at Great Expressions. Here, you can work and earn from day one as a clinical leader in your office, where the patient’s disease dictates the treatment, and a trained staff handles HR, IT, insurance, payroll and other administrative duties.
discover the best way to start your career
Contact Ross at ross.shoemaker@greatexpressions.com Call (855) 559-6888 to shadow a Coast Dental 678-836-2226
dentist and discover the benefits of working for a thriving group practice.* • • • • • •
Associate and ownership opportunities $215,000 general dentist average annual earnings Continuing education & training Health benefits & 401(k) plan Free group professional liability insurance 125 offices in Florida and Georgia
AMERICAN STUDENT DENTAL ASSOCIATION NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF DENTAL MEDICINE 3301 COLLEGE AVENUE DAVIE, FLORIDA 33314
EDITORIAL STAFF
EDITOR IN CHIEF EDITOR WRITERS
- Kathryn Champion (‘18) - Rachel Dorfner (‘18) - Libby Finer (‘18), Rachel Dorfner (‘18), Kathryn Champion (‘18), Enrique Leytividal, Navid Lajevardi (‘18), Jusemmy Arse (‘18), Greg Quattlebaum (‘19), Lily De La Noval (Barry University)
Special thanks to the assistants and Dr. Garber for their participation. Thank you to Jusemmy Arse for allowing ASDA to use the photos in this edition of the newsletter.
3
The Practice of Ethics By: Kathryn Champion, Class of 2018 Autonomy, Nonmaleficence, Beneficence, Justice, and Veracity - these are the tenets of our profession. Though we may not have them memorized, surely we operate around, and uphold these principles in our daily interactions as dental students – or so we hope. The ambiguity comes in the form of practice, meaning the ways in which we evaluate, diagnose, treat, and prevent various situations both academically and clinically. What does it mean, then, to practice dentistry — and ethically at that? Practice itself is a nuanced word. It is the idea that we are consistently attempting to master our craft through the repetition of proven techniques, yet also searching for innovative solutions to longstanding problems. As dental students, we are constantly looking for new ways to help our patients achieve health, through education, execution of treatment, and research, but if we can never fully “master” our profession, are we falling short ethically, or are we simply adapting our ethics to fit our practice model? The practice of dentistry begins with foundational knowledge, learned through countless classes and in clinic, but these areas aren’t free from ethical quandaries. Cheating has long been an issue in dental school and has been addressed formally by ASDA in their “White Paper on Ethics and Professionalism in Dental Education.” It references the August 2007 issue of the Journal of Dental Education, reporting a study by Andrews et al. which surveyed 1,153 dental students concerning academic integrity and reported 74.7% of them admitted to some level of cheating. This includes performing unnecessary procedures on patients in order to meet clinical requirements, forging signatures on patient charts, and taking clinical shortcuts – all of which negate the ethical tenets we swore to defend. Navigating with an ethical compass can be difficult for dental students faced with the pressures of performance, residency application, and graduation. Many students believe cheating to be a way to even the playing field with other classmates who cut corners, or to attain a leg up over more dedicated students. Ultimately, though, substandard actions in dental school will translate to substandard actions in clinical practice. Vigilance must be taken to strengthen our ethical muscles, just as we strive to strengthen our clinical skills. We must veer away from adjusting our ethical tenets to fit desired outcomes, focusing alternatively on the ways in which we can positively represent our profession. As with our dentistry, our ethics need to be constantly in practice as well. Moving from an educational setting to employment doesn’t free us from ethical burdens either; financial obligations present challenges for graduating dentists and require ethics to be practiced in conjunction with monetary commitments. Many students enter the workforce with formidable debt obligations that necessitate prompt repayment. It could be tempting to replace crowns showing small radiographic marginal shadows or to interchange amalgam fillings for composite restorations for a quick and easy productivity increase, but that calls Veracity into question. When the crown or amalgam comes out and there is no residual decay, we have failed to uphold Beneficence and are then faced with the ethical dilemma of how to relay such findings to the patient. If we omit to tell the entirety of the truth, we have compromised our ethical values to placate our clinical oversight. Suppose a patient comes to you with severe recession on her canines and premolars and is looking to you to fix her smile and sensitivity. There are numerous studies published on the effectiveness and predictability of free connective tissue grafting, but you’ve been reading about a new pinhole surgical technique to address recession. In Dr. John Chao’s 2012 retrospective study, “A Novel Approach to Root Coverage, The Pinhole Surgical Technique” he posits that the Pinhole Technique can reduce traditional free tissue grafting complications such as post-operative pain, bleeding, and swelling. If you choose to implement this new technique, are you compromising the ethical values of Beneficence, Veracity and Nonmaleficence, or are they being supported by your desire to prevent complications? Certainly we hope for a favorable outcome, but is it truly in the best interest of the patient for you to try out a new technique over an evidenced-based and clinically proven method? The ADA’s “Code of Professional Conduct” section 5 A.2. states that “a dentist who represents that dental treatments or diagnostic techniques — recommended or performed by the dentist — have the capacity to diagnose, cure or alleviate diseases, infections or other conditions, when such representations are not based upon accepted scientific knowledge or research is acting unethically.” What, then, should we make of the application of emerging techniques that are in their earliest stages of research, such as the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in compromised grafts and flaps — or conversely when we disregard evidenced-based methods in favor of what we know works well clinically? When the waters become murky; let your ethical compass be your guide. Often, our ethical principles overlap, or even compete with one another in order for us to make sense of the situations we face. As we continue to evolve from students to doctors, we need to learn from our ethical lapses and reinforce the decision-making skills that best maintain our professional Code of Conduct. Through repetition of virtue we can attain proficiency in integrity. Just as our clinical abilities require practice, so too do our ethics. There are a myriad of circumstances requiring ethical consideration encompassing both academia and the workforce, and we can successfully navigate them with the principles of practice in mind; evaluating which ethical tenets are called upon, diagnosing the problem faced, treating based on the foundation of our ethical philosophies, and preventing the misappropriation of our values. While there are many gray areas in the profession of dentistry where ethics are concerned, as long as we are wearing the white coat, we have a responsibility to continuously practice to perfect them.
NovaCaine News How long did you practice and in what type of setting did you practice? Dr. Garber: I started practicing right after I finished my anesthesia residency in 1974, so I’ve been in practice since then in one form or another – first in university practice and then private practice. I was in private practice from 1986 to 2015 where most of the time I had a partner and associates working with me. I heard a rumor that you were the Philadelphia 76’ers team dentist, is that true? Dr. G: That is correct, for the last 12 years I was the dentist for the team. I got that gig because a patient of mine was the team Internist and he sent the team president and general manager to me as patients and they asked me to join them as the team dentist. At the beginning of the year, we did exams on all the players and we had to attend all 41 home games. We took care of both the home team and the visiting team if there were emergency cases like elbows to the jaw, or crowns coming out – that kind of thing. My associate who bought the practice has now taken that over. What got you interested in dentistry in the first place? Dr. G: I liked my family general dentist when I was younger. He was a cool guy, had a beautiful office, was very successful, and seemed to be enjoying what he did, so I thought it was a cool thing to do. I actually was going to get a Ph.D. in chemistry and was accepted into a few programs, but at the last moment I decided to switch gears. I was going to apply to medical school or dental school and somehow I thought dental school would be the easier route. I was tired of working so hard as a chemistry major, so I chose dentistry. Unbeknownst to me at the time, was that dental school was much, much harder than medical school. Are you happy that you chose dentistry over medicine?
Dr. G: Yes, but I have some regrets because I spent a lot of time in medicine. I ended up doing a full medical residency in anesthesia, and then my first official academic appointment was teaching anesthesia at the University of Pennsylvania for the medical school. I was teaching medical residents and medical students. How did you become interested in anesthesia? Dr. G: I did a General Practice Residency at Yale and I
Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Garber
had a month long anesthesia rotation and ended up really enjoying it. I thought that it would be and important thing in dentistry to be sort of an expert in. In your practice did you use general anesthesia and conscious sedation? Dr. G: Yes, but not on all patients. That was sort of my claim to fame in the city; there were a few articles written about me and I did a couple of TV shows about it as a way to do marketing for my anesthetic capabilities. I don’t know if dental anesthesia residencies are a “thing” anymore, I think they are fairly limited now. At Penn, I was the first dentist to do any kind of anesthesia residency, and so that’s how I started my career. Do you have any specific interesting, or complicated cases that have stood out to you? Dr. G: I’ve had a lot. I’ve done many full mouth reconstructions and I got interested in implants in 1984. I placed my first implant that year and have been doing implant surgery and restorations ever since. I think the most difficult cases I’ve had have been on full mouth reconstructions for bruxers – those cases have been
Fall 2016
5
the most challenging. When you decided to retire from private practice, what made you want to teach? Dr. G: Well, I taught for the first 15-20 years of my professional career at Penn, but I wasn’t planning on returning to teaching. I happened to be playing golf with a friend who was an adjunct at Nova and he said, “Oh, why don’t you come down and teach a day a week?” I said that would be an interesting thing to think about, and an opening became available for 2 days a week as an adjunct and they hired me. After that they asked me to do 3 days a week and then I became a team leader, so I sort of just fell into it. I really wasn’t planning on coming back to full time, but I’m having a good time. What’s your favorite part about being a team leader at Nova? Dr. G: The students. They’re invigorating, they keep you challenged, and I think its great because I probably learn more now than I’ve learned in a long time. From an academic standpoint, I’m constantly being educated, which is a great feeling. When you aren’t teaching what do you do for fun? Dr. G: I play a lot of golf, and tennis has been a passion of mine for a long time. I used to play some very serious tennis up until age 40 when I hurt my back and I started playing golf instead. I also read a lot and like a wide variety of genres. What’s been the most rewarding part of the profession for you? Dr. G: The relationships with my patients have been the most rewarding. When you practice for a long time you develop very close relationships with a lot of your patients to where they become almoslike family. Your practice becomes a family also since you spend a lot of hours involved with those people and you come to really appreciate them. Also, having helped people has been
6
NovaCaine News
[Continued from page 5] very rewarding. It’s a nice feeling when you can get people out of pain or you restore a smile. All of those things are kind of fun and make you feel good about what you do. You feel like you have a purpose and there’s a reward for doing that. So you think we’re all on the right track? Dr. G: I think dentistry today is a little more difficult – not the actual practice of it, but more so the direction of the profession. Corporate dentistry presents some challenges for young graduates coming out of school. To some extent, the private practice model is still there, but it has diminished somewhat due to the corporate presence. However, I think there is always room for really quality dentists who want to practice highlevel care and are willing to set their standards in that way. I think overall its still a worthwhile profession.
Lessons for Life Written by: Greg Quattlebaum, Class of 2019 It should come as no surprise that the Dental students are just as competitive outside the classroom as in. Whether it be accelerating in the classroom, accumulating accolades for community service, or trophies on the athletic fields, The NSU College of Dental medicine knows how to win. The class of 2016 won multiple championships throughout Nova Southeastern’s intramural sports leagues, including a football championship and three consecutive softball championships, having a heavy influence on the sports scene during their time at NSU. As they rose to prominence, little did they know another group of dental students were rising to the challenge to take their place. In the fall of 2016, A herd of extra starched hunter green scrubs walked through the doors of the dental school for the first time. Their eagerness to stand out within the college of Dental Medicine and NSU was apparent from day one. It wasn’t long before a group of athletes from the class of 2019 began a path of dominance unrivalled by any other program at NSU. The boys of 2019 pose after a successful intramurals season.
NovaCaine News • Issue 3
NovaCaine News
Fall 2016
After a few weeks into the fall semester, a team was formed for the upcoming football season. Steve Darley, the captain of the team, named the group “Drill & Fill.” While still learning everyone’s names and personalities, it was difficult to predict how this athletic endeavor would unfold, but the chemistry between the players was instant. They marched through the season to obtain their first championship without losing a single game. Next, softball season came to test a new set of skills for team Drill and Fill. A new streak of big wins propelled them to play the CDM class of 2016 in the championship game. Drill and Fill eventually knocked off the reigning champs to capture their second title. Riding confident into basketball season, Drill and Fill was struck by a wave of humility while losing in the championship game in over-time. Not long after, the Glucose games flag football tournament, and a 4 on 4 flag football came calling where Drill & Fill captured both titles. Within the blink of an eye, the second year of dental school rolled around for the class of 2019. With the same passion and a new set of skills, Drill and Fill coasted through the football season making it to the championship game. It was a hard-fought game but Drill and Fill suffered a shocking loss in double overtime. This drove the team to focus on another championship in softball. Drill & Fill got all they could handle from the CDM class of 2020 in the championship game, and after a tough game, Drill & Fill prevailed to gain another title. While discussing these accolades within my time at NSU, a few common questions have been asked. “When do you have time to do all of this?” “Why is this important to you in dental school?” These are fair questions and easily answered. Within our dental school curriculum, we have courses that strengthen our knowledge of the ethics and professionalism of dentistry. We learn right from wrong and then move on to the next class. In life, we find that choosing right from wrong is easier said than done. When there is a career on the line or severe frustration in any conflict, finding the correct path can be difficult. Athletics give us an excellent avenue to practice these paramount life skills. Qualities such as trust, commitment, loyalty, and a family mindset are essential to a successful sports team. As in sports, a successful dental practice will have these same qualities. People fail to realize these characteristics need to be obtained and practiced just like a perfect tooth preparation or memorizing head and neck anatomy. That is why we sacrifice our time and efforts - to improve as individuals in our community. This holistic approach will allow our dental community to be successful in all aspects of life. As in sports, our Nova Dental community will continue to represent us with unwavering passion and selflessness in and outside the classroom.
District 5 in New Orleans Navid Lajevardi, Class of 2018
This year I was fortunate to have the opportunity to attend ASDA’s District 5 meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana. While at the conference, I met likeminded students that were eager to learn about the dental profession. From motivational speakers to people on the corporate side of dentistry, I was exposed to a
number of invaluable perspectives about our dynamic profession. The conference allowed me to network with people from all over the district in one of our country’s oldest and most historic cities, while gaining a deeper understanding and appreciation of the dental field.
7
8
NovaCaine News
Expand Your Palate Written and eaten by: Libby Finer, Class of 2018 My most recent food discovery is the 7 Pecados restaurant in the Pembroke Falls shopping center. My friend introduced me to this delicious Argentinian Restaurant and I was very pleased with their fresh dishes. For the table we ordered the spinach and ricotta cheese cannelloni, the 12 oz. skirt steak and a caprese salad. The cannelloni was so deliciously creamy and cheesy. It was difficult to finish because of how decadent it was, but I brought it home for late night eats. The chimichurri that came with the skirt steak was amazing, it was the perfect seasoning for the steak. I’d recommend this restaurant for lunch and dinner. They also offer happy hour with live entertainment! Kappa Rolls + Bowls is located in North Miami right off of Biscayne Blvd. After traveling to Hawaii, I maintained a craving for Poké and was delighted to find so many restaurants that offered it. At Kappa, you start by ordering your rice base, your protein and then your veggies. To the side of the cashiers, there’s a sauce bar that offers dressings, eel sauce, spicy mayo etc. to top your bowl with. Included in your meal are two sides! It really is a steal of deal for only $9.00. I chose tuna and octopus for my proteins and it was DELICIOUS. If you have yet to try poké, I would definitely check out Kappa for a traditional bowl. If that’s too far for you, try it at Bento Café right near NSU. NovaCaine News • Issue 3
No Bake Cinnamon Toast Cheesecake By: Enrique Leytividal
Ingredients: -5 1/2 cups of General Mills Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal -1/3 cup of butter (melted) -1/2 cup sugar -2 (8 ounce) packages CreamCheese (softened) -1 teaspoon vanilla extract -1 (8 ounce) tub Whipped Topping, thawed -1 tablespoons of grounded cinnamon powder -1 bottle of Dulce de leche syrup (Optional) Directions: -Finely crush 4 cups of cinnamon toast crunch cereal and mix with butter. Press firmly onto bottom of 9-inch pan with a silicon spatula or use fingers if you don’t have one.Refrigerate while preparing filling. - Put cream cheese, sugar and vanilla extract in pot and heat on the stovetop until melted, mixing well. Remove from heat and gently stir in whipped topping then add the grounded cinnamon powder and 1 1/2 cup of cinnamon toast crunch cereal. Pour prepared filling into pie pan and make sure everything is covered. -Refrigerate for 6 hours or until firm. The longer it sits the better it will come out. - (Optional) When ready to serve, drizzle with Dulce de leche syrup. -Enjoy!
NovaCaine News
Fall 2016
Ask The Assistants
Danny
Yvon
Nancy
How long have you been in the dental field? Danny: Since 2010 Yvon: 8 years Nancy: 11 years at Nova Roni (Not pictured): 9 years Ivelisse (Not pictured): 12 years at nova and 3 in
Why did you choose to be an assistant here at Nova vs. private practice? Danny: Personally, I’m working here because it is the place where I want to study to become a dentist, I’m trying trying to get into the IDG program. Yvon: It’s always a fight at private practice to get days offs! Also health insurance is provided here which is really good, and you get 2% in a 401k and no way that happens in a private practice. Nancy: I actually came from a private practice and I was working part time and I wanted to work full time and go back to school, and so I filled out my application for Nova, and have been here ever since. Roni: Private practice was unstable, and there were no benefits for my family. Here at Nova they provide those things for me. Ivelisse: At Nova we have the facilities to have sick days, vacation days and personal days. We have families and we need to take care of them. In private practice it’s harder to get those benefits.
What do you find most rewarding about being an assistant at Nova? Danny: I find that I am constantly learning. Every time I help out I learn something new from the students, which will be helpful for me one day. Yvon: The friendships I’ve made with my coworkers, they are like family. I like working with different students to see different styles in dentistry Nancy: Working with the students. Watching them progress from when they come in as brand new D3’s and then through graduation. Roni: I like bonding with the students and faculty. I'm constantly meeting new people. I especially love when the HiPops ice cream truck comes! Ivelisse: We have good benefits and they provide security. Also, we love working with the students. They make me feel happy and young again. The students are excited to be here which make us happy to be here!
What do you like to do in your free time? Danny: Study for boards Yvon: Play volleyball, watch Netflixs, and spend time with my kids. Nancy: Take care of my two dogs and go out with my friends. In my spare time I exercise, clean my house, take care of my yard, and spend time outdoors. Roni: I’m a new mommy and I coach cheerleading. I watch and cheer on my daughter at her basketball and cheerleading games! Ivelisse: Have fun with my kids - that’s my perfect weekend!
9
NovaCaine News
10
Collaboration in Dentistry By: Lily De La Noval Lily is currently a pre-dental student at Barry University.
In the past, dentistry has been seen as a solo
profession but this is no longer the case as the dynamics of the practice are changing. In many instances, dentists collaborate with other practitioners and specialists on an array of cases and operateas a team in order to provide the best possible treatment for their patients. There are immense benefits to this type of collaboration not only for the patient but also for the dentists themselves. With this model, patients receive comprehensive care that can increase the quality of their treatment as well as significantly decrease the number of visits, which has become a crucial desire in a world where time is a commodity. Understanding each
NovaCaine News • Issue 3
facet of a treatment through collaborative practice gives these professionals a unique perspective into patient care. This same collaborative model has translated to dental students as well. Now, more than ever, dental students understand that in order to achieve continuous growth and innovation in this profession, collaboration and mentorship is a must. Dental school is a community that encourages the sharing of ideas that will push the profession forward - ideas that will benefit not only a single patient but entire communities as well. Even in the face of the tremendous workload presented to them, it is not uncommon to find dental students willingly giving their time in order to
NovaCaine News
Fall 2016
11
help other students, from tips on study habits to review sessions for upcoming exams. This common practice does not come as a surprise since many of the professors themselves emulate a collaborative effort, staying after hours helping students in the lab and clinic. As a pre-dental student myself, I have experienced this type of mentorship first-hand. Many schools hold pre-dental days, which give pre-dentals the opportunity to not only tour a school, but more importantly, to meet the staff and students, and truly understand the core values of that particular institution. These events have provided pre-dentals with multiple benefits, including DAT test prep, application advice, and tips on interviewing techniques. Despite the fact that every student you speak to will tell you how limited their time is due to the amount of work and exams they have, from my experience, they will also tell you how happy they are with the profession and how they would not change a thing and then proceed to hand you their email and tell you to contact them if there is anything they can do to help you succeed. Even more surprisingly, every single email has received a response. It is that spirit of partnership and team effort that makes dental school a truly unique environment. There is no limit to collaboration, particularly in this age of technology where we no longer just have dentists collaborating with each other but inter-professional collaboration as well. We see dentists working with physicians, pharmacists, and health aides to provide streamlined care. We also see dental partnerships with 3D printing companies, marketing professionals, social media experts and even bloggers, to help build their brand and connect better with their patients. This is a time where anything and everything is available to us, we just have to reach out and get it. The technological advancements in dentistry are just as critical as the clinical effort, and when individuals come together for a common goal, anything can be achieved. There is no limit to innovation when collaboration is at the core of it all.
Pre-Dental Day Participating pre-dental students from various universities around the region take a picture together at the end of an eventful and fun filled day giving the students a glimpse in the life of a dentist.
12
NovaCaine News
1,000 Unspoken Words By: Jusemmy Arse, NSU ASDA member, class of 2018
My interest in photography grew from a trip I took to Italy. My best friend documented our travels with her father’s old, digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera, while I stuck to my simple, point-and- shoot camera. Back home, I compared our photos. “Were we on the same trip?” I thought. Her photos perfectly captured the rolling landscapes of the Italian countryside, while mine were average at best. I had to learn why. I bought my first DSLR camera and enrolled in some local photography classes. I quickly found photography to be more than finding the right shot. I realized its tremendous potential to capture stories of strength, love, peace or hardship. I could provide a voice for different communities and causes through my photography. Social media has made advocacy even easier and universally accessible. Photos from various personal and organizational accounts can be shared from around the world. One night, for example, I stumbled onto the United Nations’ (UN) social media campaign videos on Facebook. Together with Global Goals for Sustainable Development, an initiative to shape a future ridden of poverty, inequality and climate change, they challenged people to take photos that embodied their mission. I had to contribute. There I was, a well-educated woman in dental school, surrounded by other like-women from around the world. We represent the potential of all women, if given the opportunity. The dental profession has provided me a sense of equality unlike anywhere else. I’m an equal to my classmates, professors and wider dental community. With my camera in hand, I knew what had to be done. I had to share my story. I gathered a group of interested female classmates, and we immediately began brainstorming. Many of us brought items to the photoshoot representative of our heritage. One of my favorite shots is of an Indian dental student. She wore her bindi to represent so many young girls of India, who are married off at an early age. That photograph has power. You can see her conviction— how it’s connected to her personally. As part of the UN’s campaign, I also created posters and quickly learned the necessary steps to edit and design larger content. I posted my work on social media, and within hours, received word from the Global Goals Social Media Board. They enjoyed my submission and began sharing my photography on their social media channels. Even greater, I was contacted by their consultant to be featured in the presentation on women’s inequality at the UN Foundation.
Where can we find more of your work? Website and blog: http://www.thetribe.photography Instagram account: @juseemee NovaCaine News • Issue 3
NovaCaine News
Fall 2016
e
We created a ripple effect for others, even if just for a moment. Our photos brought awareness to the gender gap, as the campaign gained notary on social media. As dental professionals, we must use our network to advocate for these issues. The American Student Dental Association (ASDA) is one of these important resources. It is well-respected throughout the dental community and provides vision for the future of organized dentistry. Using photography and social media platforms available through ASDA can better advocate for education, equality and open-mindedness. My photos, for example, were used in the January issue of Contour, which brought further attention to the current challenges and successes in dental education. The Internet has made today’s world infinitely closer. We may not be able to communicate in every language, but we do have our eyes. Each picture represents a thousand unspoken words. Photography is a universal language that has the power to connect the entire world and positively shape the future of all communities.
13
14
NovaCaine News
Style Tips: A Leadership Approach By: Kathryn Champion, Class of 2018 I don’t remember my first steps any more than I remember the first time I rode a bike, yet both are immortalized on film and pasted proudly in my childhood scrapbook. Similarly, I can’t remember the first time I felt like a leader in any semblance of the word, but just like my younger milestones, I have photographic evidence as proof that my leadership experience did indeed exist. Pictures of me as cheer captain, and class vice-president in high school, and photographs from my time spent lobbying for LGBTQ legislation in college lent evidentiary support to my leadership positions, but it wasn’t until dental school that I truly realized my potential as a leader and began to develop my own unique style. Communication and leadership styles vary greatly amongst all individuals, and often this variance is what contributes to creative growth and ideation. While we may tend to relate better with those who adopt similar styles as ourselves, it is important to recognize the benefits and limitations that differing styles posses so that we can successfully build relationships, accomplish goals, and lead effectively. There isn’t a statistical formula for defining you style, but common principles and communication approaches exist that can increase the probability of your success in leadership roles. As dental students, we have the opportunity and responsibility to become leaders in our communities, and will invariably be responsible for leading a dental team, so the earlier we can categorize and capitalize on our unique brand of leadership, the better. In Communication Coach, Mari Pat Varga’s recent presentation at the 2016 ASDA National Leadership Conference entitled “Communicate and Lead With Style,” she outlined a method to help make sense of leadership styles. She postulated that an individual typically leads with one of four personality categories— Driver, Influencer, Relater, or Thinker. Cross-sectional overlap does occur between categories, but she theorized that one typically dominates the others. Drivers tend to be fast-paced, task focused, and make decisions easily, but have a hard time listening, and can be overly blunt. Influencers are also fast-paced but people focused, preferring the social aspects of collaboration and they can get bored with routine. They may be exceedingly emotional or overly expressive however, and don’t enjoy being controlled. Relaters are slower-paced and people focused, who enjoy being team players and like stability in the professional workplace. They tend to shy away from conflict, and aren’t as assertive as their style counterparts. Thinkers are slower-paced task focused people who tend toward perfectionism, attention to detail, and are concerned with facts. Their limitations lie in their analytic and aloof nature, which can be off-putting at times. Knowing which category you and your colleagues fall under can be a beneficial way to analyze your best approach to leadership situations. Another article published in the October 2014 issue of the Annals of Neurology titled “Pursuit and achievement of leadership: A view from the top” addresses the common requirements that leadership in a medical setting necessitate. These principles are summarized, including the abilities to listen and read between the lines, learn from everyone and everything, value all components and contributions, and acquire the continuous pursuit of development. A leader’s job is to take note of the context and non-verbal cues received by others, absorb as much information as possible from mentors and colleagues, analyze differing ideas and forms of thought, and then piece it all together to motivate others and pursue common aims. The aforementioned attitudes can translate into any facet of leadership – medical or otherwise – and can help highlight your capabilities to those around you. In the most general sense, a leader needs to elicit trust and respect from the persons whom they intend to lead, and nothing facilitates that more than having an open mind and an avid counsel. It is important to listen to the opinions of others and offer advice in an encouraging manner. Nothing sets a negative tone faster than the immediate rejection of someone’s viewpoint, or criticism of his or her beliefs. Just because it isn’t the way you would handle a certain situation does not make it the wrong way to do so. Allowing for open and constructive discussion puts others at ease and invites confidence into the idea sharing process. Collaboration is the cornerstone of dentistry, and if we can learn to value outside perspectives, there is no limit to what we can achieve. Ultimately, it takes time and a good amount practice to hone your leadership style. Acknowledging that there are subtleties to every communication type and tailoring those traits to your leadership approach can help elevate your impact on your organizations, school, and community. As I continue my journey as a dental student and then beyond into practice, I hope to keep adding photographs to my leadership portfolio, remembering that my style may be everchanging, but commitment to serve remains firm. NovaCaine News • Issue 3
NovaCaine News
Fall 2016
15
Igna faccum amet venim illam quatie veliquat loreet aliquis molesequatum doloreet, quis et, conse magnisl doloborperit exeros erit augiat alis alit aliqui ting ex esse estisi bla facil dolorem zzrit dunt loreet ex erci blaoreet duisci tat ut amconsenis do odiam dolummo dignibh et, sed el eum zzrit enisl eliquam zzril utat autat, commodo loboreet. www.redborders.com