NOVACAINE NEWS
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MEET THE TEAM ASDA WEEK ASDA DAY 2020 PRE-DENTAL WEEKEND THROUGH THE MAGNIFYING GLASS GIVE KIDS A SMILE FLORIDA DENTAL CONFERENCE NATIONAL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE ASDA ANNUAL SESSION NEXT STOP: JAMAICA ALL SAINTS SOUP KITCHEN QUARANTAINMENT A SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Dear Reader, It is an absolute pleasure to welcome you to this year’s edition of Novacaine News. This newsletter is an NSU ASDA centered student-led publication run for, and by, students in the College of Dental Medicine. This publication is inspired by the passions of our classmates and features a multitude of articles written by them regarding some of the incredible events they have taken part in. Being the largest organization at NSU CDM, the American Student Dental Association encourages each one of you to get involved in the vast array of functions hosted throughout the year. Whether you are interested in serving communities at home or abroad or wish to travel out of state for national conferences, Novacaine News gives a glimpse into these opportunities and more. If you don’t already, follow along on our Facebook (NSU American Student Dental Association) and Instagram (@nsuasda) pages to keep up to date with what is going on here at NSU CDM. Our dental school journey may only last four years, but the memories we make together will last a lifetime! Warmest regards, Dominique Tsikis NSU ASDA Editor-in-Chief Class of 2021
MEET THE TEAM E-board 2020:
President: Sierra Zarrate
Secretary: Chandlor Bearden
Vice President: Christine Monir
Treasurer: Gabriela Moffet
Communications: Andrew Sadek (Chair) Dominique Tsikis (Editor in Chief)
Community Service: Ricky Escobar (Co-Chair) Rebecca Vizzi (Co-Chair) Jennifer Orozco Charlene Fosteris
Family/Wellness Outreach: Jenna Zacharewicz (Chair) Reena Rothman Gabriela Moffet Lena Varone (2020 Class Rep)
Fundraising: Gabriela Moffet (Chair) Cindy Huynh Nagabis Gonzalez (2021 Class Rep)
President Elect: Lindsay Hoop
MEET THE TEAM Licensing: Emma Spratt (Co-Chair) Nekki Soltanian (Co-Chair)
Legislative: Ailyn Avila Portal (Chair)
Lunch & Learn: Chandlor Bearden (Chair) Robert Kelley Ailyn Avila Portal Noelle Niessen Sajan Parag Mohammad Farraj Membership: Farnia Shariati (Chair) Franziska Klostermyer (2022 Class Rep) Christy Dunham Nicole Etcheverry
Pre-Dental: Ashley Rynar (Funding Co-Chair) Jennifer Orozco Katelyn Roland Ronak Bhagat Melissa Spaeth
Pre-Dental: Serena Ghodasra (Senior Chair) Christine Monir (Recruitment Co-Chair) Hind Naami Riya Choksi
Social: Jubin Thomas (Chair) Kyle Miller Lindsay Hoop Mark Azer D1 Committee: Yaseen Makhzan Connor Farina Delaney Valdes Andrew Bretton Riya Walia
Gold Crown Committee: Tammy Bui Sarah Sidhom Madison Smith
This year I had the pleasure of serving as membership chair and setting up ASDA week for our incoming class. We started our week with a meet and greet social hour with our D1 class. It was such a wonderful turnout and everyone had such an amazing time. Many first year students were able to bond with our upperclassmen members and gain insight about the best ways to manage the busy life of a dental student. We continued our week the following night where we invited our prospective members to lace up their bowling shoes and knock out some pins and pizza. On Friday night we all gathered together for a social hour at township which was hosted by ASPEN dental. everyone enjoyed great food, drinks and conversation with each other while going around different venues in Las Olas. This has always been one of our most highly anticipated events of the year. We ended our ASDA week with a relaxing beach day in fort Lauderdale. Along with all those after hour events we also hosted lunch and learns at school, where we spoke to the incoming class about the perks of joining the ASDA family as well as all the membership benefits that we so happily enjoy. This was such a wonderful start to the year. It allowed our new class to feel a part of the NOVA Dental family and granted our members the opportunity to welcome them with open arms ASDA has been such a valuable experience throughout my dental career and I was so happy that I could be able to share that with the incoming class.  Farnia Shariati Class of 2022
Written by: Sierra Zarate, NSU ASDA President
ASDA Day is an annual event that our ASDA Chapter puts on for our D3’s and D4’s. We get to leave the scrubs at home, take the day off of classes and clinic, and enjoy a day filled with fun activities and opportunities. This year, we began the day with ADA National Signing Day, in which the D4’s were able to get registered for their ADA memberships. After registration was over, we had some speakers from the FDA discuss membership and all of the benefits of getting involved in organized dentistry within your state. Next was our main speaker, Dr. Chris Salierno, whose topic was “How to Manage Your Own Practice.” Dr. Salierno’s lecture was very engaging as he gave personal accounts of his experience with running a successful practice. We then heard from Mr. Jason Nunez from Bank of America, who spoke about financial planning. After lunch, we walked over to the Dolphins Training Facility Dome for the vendor fair. This year, we were lucky enough to bring in 27 vendors, which included DSO’s, insurance companies, financial planning firms, and dental supplies companies. We do this in hopes to encourage our upperclassmen to network with reps and potentially set up future job opportunities and connections that will help them after graduation. All of the vendors were set up around the dome and excited to speak with our upperclassmen. We also had a DJ and held several raffles towards the end of the event. Students won all kinds of things including gift cards, electric toothbrushes, Bluetooth speakers, whitening kits, and a 50” Smart TV (!!!), all thanks to our vendors.
Something new that we also did this year was also host the AACD (American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry) HEAPS Poster Competition at the vendor fair. This was facilitated by our Cosmetics Club, and gave students the opportunity to present posters on cosmetic cases they have treated in the dental clinic. We had 6 D4 participants this year, and the winner (Andrew Powell, Class of 2020) was awarded $500 and the opportunity to present his case at the AACD Conference in Orlando. We got great feedback from our students and faculty on this new portion of the event, and plan to continue hosting it during ASDA Day in the years to come. All in all, this was a great event for our chapter this year! We look forward to making next year’s ASDA Day even more successful. We hope to bring in even more vendors, more networking opportunities, and incredible speakers. A special thank you to all of our sponsors, vendors, everyone who attended the event, and especially everyone who helped set it all up. Until next year!
Winner of HEAPS Poster Competition: Andrew Powell, Class of 2020
PRE-DENTAL WEEKEND
Wish Chew Were Here! Nova Southeastern University's College of Dental Medicine was pleased to host their annual ASDA Pre-Dental Weekend June 22nd and 23rd 2019. Every year, this event brings in students from all across Florida to shine light onto what a career in dentistry is like, but moreover what is dentistry in the eyes of a Nova shark. The ASDA Pre-Dental committee co-chairs for this year were Serena Ghodasra, Ashley Rynar, and Christine Monir followed by a committee that assisted with logistics, planning and running the weekend long events. Fifty students representing 8 different universities from all different backgrounds attended, and this year was the first year we had a few high school students attend. The weekend was promoted on NSU Dental’s social media platforms as well directly targeted to the universities in the surrounding area. The event consisted of morning lectures and afternoon sim lab workshops. Pre-Dental Weekend is intended for prospective students to develop an understanding of the academic environment and professional encounters that NSU prides itself on. Some of NSU CDM's qualities that are highlighted throughout this event are being academically astute, innovative in research/technology, and having unparalleled student comradery.
Attendees were welcomed to NSU with a breakfast catered from Dunkin Donuts and Vicky’s Bakery, amongst current dental students followed by an introductory welcome speech by Dean Lippman. Students were then given the opportunity to experience mock interviews with both Dr. Lippman and Dr. Galka. We had a student panel that described the life of a dental student each year, and also a presentation on how to gain admission into dental school. While in lab, Dr. Mosquera dedicated her time to teach the pre-dents to use CAD/CAM technology. Students were also given the opportunity to participate in workshops on composite, wax up, indirect vision, and impressions. Our Pre-Dental committee prides itself of providing students interested in pursuing dentistry with a plethora of opportunities to visit our beautiful campus and meet members of our dental family. We look forward to seeing new and familiar faces at our future events. Serena Ghodasra Class of 2020
Through the Magnifying Glass LOUPES VENDOR FAIR
Follow the flavor wherever it goes! ASDA Wellness and Family Outreach hoseted its first annual Food Truck Invasion on June 25, 2019. Students from all classes were invited to join this fun, food-filled evening. The event was held at a local park nearby school and multiple food truck vendors offered a wide arrange of food options from ice cream to Mexican, and even treats for the furry friends! It was the perfect evening to hang out, catch up with friends, and enjoy different foods. Most ended the night playing football or frisbee on the field to help burn some calories. This committee's goal is to bring families together in a fun way. This was a terrific event that brought everyone together. ASDA will be sure to host this annually! Jenna Zecharawicz, Class of 2021
Written by: Christine Monir, NSU ASDA Vice President
As soon-to-be dentists, we think about smiles very often. We pause movies to point out to our loved ones what kind of orthodontic or cosmetic treatment a celebrity needs. We pace through the toothpaste aisle giving the cold shoulder to any toothpastes lacking fluoride, and we immediately begin making a mental treatment plan the instant a patient sits in our chair. This was truer than ever during Nova Southeastern University’s annual Give Kids A Smile event. This year, on February 15, 2020 we transformed our dental clinic into an Under the Sea themed wonderland that would even make Ariel think twice about trading her mermaid tail for legs. Throughout the day, we were fortunate enough to be able to treat over 200 children, providing them with care they may not have been able to receive elsewhere. Many children in our community do not have adequate or regular access to dental care, and small preventable lesions remain unnoticed until they become painful and problematic. Without a dental home, these children are not receiving the care they need or setting a solid foundation through prevention and education for their future dental health. Lack of access to care has been an ongoing issue in the dental field, so as our way to give back to the community, each year our NSU Dental family opens up our home to each one of these children. Â
GKAS 2020 images created by Will Thothong, Class of 2021
Though providing quality dental care is our utmost goal, we strive to make Give Kids A Smile more than just an ordinary visit to the dentist. As each person walks through the door, they are greeted with the friendly smiles of our wonderful volunteers, music, face painters, Timmy the Tooth, and a myriad of activities to help them dive deep into the experience. In the lobby, children can read books with the librarians from the Alvin Sherman library, take photos with their favorite aquatic characters at the photo wall, get their faces painted, or show off their dance moves by the DJ. Once each patient is screened, they join the Baby Sharks in Radiology. Next, they just keep swimming over to Restorative with Sebastian and his other crustacean friends. If a patient needs a tooth wiggled out, they head over to Oral Surgery. The last stop for every patient is the prophy section, but we don’t (sea)horse around! Every patient receives a prophy, and sealants if they need them. The last section of clinic is dedicated towards those with special needs where our Pediatric Dental residents treat every patient in a calm environment and attend to each of their dental needs. Before they leave, the children are able to fish through a treasure chest for a prize, but the real treasure discovered that day was their beautiful smiles. We love our patients and never want to ~wave~ goodbye, but we know we will ~sea~ them again next year!
Florida Dental C onvention 2019 Last year, I had the opportunity to attend FDC at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in Orlando, FL. For those that don’t know, FDC is the annual Florida Dental Convention, hosted by the FDA, where thousands of dentists and dental students gather for an informative, funfilled weekend in Orlando. For that weekend, Disney World has got nothing on the Florida Dental Association! There are numerous benefits to attending FDC as a dental student, one being that it is truly an awesome experience. The opportunities for networking are endless, there are a ton of exciting CE courses offered, and on the exhibition floor you will accumulate more free “goodies” than you can carry. The best part is that it’s FREE for dental students to attend! I highly recommend everyone to take advantage of this incredible opportunity. Apart from the amazing experience I had with the various daytime activities, I must say that the “nightlife” of the FDC experience is equally as memorable. Several dental organizations hosted huge events for attendees of FDC including happy hours, mixers, and even a pirate-themed ball. I won’t go into to detail here, just know that the dentists of Florida really know how to party. In addition to the hosted events, downtown Orlando is truly a city worth exploring at the end of each day. If you are like me, and really enjoy finding “hidden gems” in the cities you visit, then you will not be disappointed. All in all, the FDA's Florida Dental Convention was an experience that I won’t soon forget. From networking with dentists representing a wide range of dental specialties, to attending free CE courses, exploring downtown Orlando, and having the opportunity to test out dental lasers, FDC weekend is something I would recommend every dental student do at least once. Darren Morgan Class of 2021
My name is Christy, and I am a part of the membership committee within ASDA. The National Leadership Conference is an event we highlight for each new member. This is an incredible event where members are able to travel, network, gain new experiences, learn, and also have a little fun! Being so busy with school work and exams, I was never personally able to attend this conference; however, this year I was able to finally go!When we got to Chicago, we were told to sign up on the conference app and select which classes we would like to attend. There were so many topics that interested me, I had a hard time narrowing down my selections. Most of the topics pertained to real world dentistry, not just the didactic part, but things that would be useful in a dental practice. The first keynote speaker set the stage for the whole event. Ben Nemtin, of "The Buried Life," presented the struggles he experienced throughout his life and how he ultimately persevered. His presentation truly motivated me to help as many people as possible through dentistry.
Written by: Christy Dunham, Class of 2021
Following his amazing presentation, we continued to attend conferences on topics such as women in dentistry, implantology, how to not fail miserably in private practice, ethics, how to build your brand, how to strengthen your memory, and so much more. The first night concluded with a boat ride along the Chicago river, highlighting the incredible architecture decorating the city line. Another night closed with a 1920’s flapper themed party that featured a wonderful live band. These events allowed us to meet students from many different schools, that we may have never crossed paths with otherwise. This was truly a remarkable experience. Not only was it a nice break from school, but it also helped remind me why I love dentistry. This conference shed light on important things to consider before graduation and tips on starting a practice. I highly recommend this conference to anyone who is interested in learning more outside of the dental school classroom, and anyone looking to network with various students, dentists, and professors from many different states. This conference not only offered incredible insight into life after dental school, but also allowed time to explore the marvelous city of Chicago. I am so grateful to have taken part of this event, and I look forward to attending more in the future.
It was just another day in clinic when I learned that no one from our school had signed up to go to ASDA Annual Session. I had heard about it before, at the National Leadership Conference (NLC) in Chicago, and again at the District 5 annual meeting in Orlando. So, I gladly signed up and was scheduled to arrive in St.Louis, Missouri, on March 4, 2020. To those of you who don't know what Annual Session is, the easiest way to describe it would be to say it is very similar to Congress. During Annual Session we review the laws and bylaws within ASDA's constitution, as well as elect ASDA's new President, Vice President and Speaker of the House. It was time to leave before I even knew it, so I boarded my flight and went to Missouri. We were staying in St.Louis Union Station, which was absolutely gorgeous. After checking in and resting from my travels, I attended the first event at Annual Session. I found myself quickly befriending many people who easily became dear friends by the end of the week. The best part was all the incredible people I had the opportunity to meet. From amazing motivational speakers like Ben Nemtin and Chris Norton, to Dr.Chad Ghani, the president of the ADA. Additionally, Dr. Jeffery Cole the former president of the ADA and previous president AGD, Dr. Gerald J. Botko, the vice president of AGD, and many more of the great leaders in our wonderful profession. Annual Session is a week long event which truly gives participants a chance to take part in each event while still leaving ample time to explore the city and engage with incredible individuals and colleagues. It was truly the best week ever. I am extremely happy I was able to attend this event and would love to go again next year before I graduate! This is a wonderful opportunity to understand what ASDA is truly all about, to interact with amazing people who have incredible insight into our profession, as well as establish connections with colleagues that are going to be your greatest assets. I would encourage each and every one of you to apply and experience this week for yourselves before you graduate. ASDA is unlike any other organization and I am so grateful to continue to partake in all that it has to offer. Andrew Sadek Class of 2021
JAMAICA Written by: Will Thothong, Class of 2021
Community service abroad was something I have always wanted to do, but never had a chance prior to dental school. During a Missions Club lunch and learn in my D1 year, I set out to learn everything I could to get a chance to volunteer abroad. I was ecstatic when I found out that we were going to Jamaica. We were going to not only help people, but also donate our own time and money to learn, in a very short 10 days, about the people and culture. A total of about 20 students travelled, 19 of which were D3s and 1 which was a D4. We stayed in the very accommodating and welcoming Kingston the first half of the trip, at the Pegasus Hotel and spent the second half in Ocho Rios, going to different volunteering sites each day within each city. One day we would be treating patients in a church and the next day we would be working in a community facility with or without AC. We would wake up early in the morning around 6:00 am to have a little team huddle during breakfast. Arriving at the volunteer site, we would always see long lines of patients, some waiting as early as 4:00 am or 5:00 am, in hopes of receiving treatment. The 19 dental students were split up into two teams, each team having two faculty dentists. Patients were screened by the dentists to discover their chief complaint and then were directed to a student dentist for treatment. Due to the overwhelming volume of patients, we were able to only provide one procedure per patient in order for us to be able to see everyone. The treatments ranged from periodontal cleanings, excavation of cavities, restorations, and extractions. Overall, going to Jamaica was a great experience. Giving back to those in need keeps us grounded, thankful for the things we take for granted, and reminds us as students why we entered the healthcare profession in the first place, to help people. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to partake in this experience, and look forward to more dental mission trips in the future.
costa rica Written by: Jess Gonzalez, Class of 2021
On March 1st, 2020, 20 students from NSU’s College of Dental Medicine embarked on a transformative trip to Limon, Costa Rica. This was the second time that NSU’s Dental Mission Club had been invited by Caring Touch Inc. and the Mayor of Limon to come and provide free dental care to their community. Personally, this was my second time going to Limon, and I was just as excited and motivated as the first time. After a 3-hour flight, we landed in San Jose, Costa Rica where we were greeted by the Mayor’s assistant, Senor Oregon. Him and his companions drove us, the 20 students and 3 faculty members, 4 hours to the city of Limon. Once we arrived, it was time to set up the site for the next morning, which would be our first working day of five days total. After a long journey and a lot of unpacking of equipment and instruments, we were finally done for the day. One thing I always tell students that want to participate in mission trips is, yes, you’ll get to have fun and gain a lot of dental experience, but it’s also A LOT of work. Missions require teamwork above all else and that’s something to always keep in mind. The next morning, we were up at 7 AM, ready for breakfast, and ready to work. More than half of the students traveling with the club were D2 students, meaning they had little to no experience working with actual patients. For some of them, it would be their first time doing an extraction or filling that day. On mission trips, we work on a buddy system. Every D2 is paired with a D3/D4. The site is also divided up into sections based on discipline. One room for restorative, one for exodontia, and the other for prophylaxis. Each room is under the supervision of one faculty member. First, patients would be screened by volunteer dental students helping us through the Caring Touch organization, then patients would be sent to a room based on their dental needs. Once the patient is seated in our “chair” we review their chart, ask them about any medical/dental concerns, present the case to the faculty member in charge of our section, and begin treatment. This year we were lucky enough to have 3 faculty members with us, Dr. Eva Chiang, Dr. Rae Gaines, and Dr. Adel Katib. With their help, and the willingness of the students to learn and help others, we truly made this trip one for the books. In just a matter of 5 days, we were able to see over 600 patients! Yes, our numbers were extraordinary, but the experience was greater. Not only did our team gain knowledge in the field of dentistry, but also a greater amount of consideration and compassion for those that are under-served. The people of Limon are one of the most caring and appreciative people I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with and I’d gladly come back and do it all over again just to see the smiles on their faces once they are seen and helped by us. Going on a mission trip is one of the most fulfilling things you can do as a health care professional. In some countries, dental care is often overlooked due to the lack of access to oral healthcare and education, putting its people at risk of developing serious dental concerns. If you have a passion for helping others, why not put your dental skills to good use?
Written by: Rebecca Vizzi, Class of 2021
As Community Service Chair, along with Rick Escobar, it has been our mission to get the students of Nova Southeastern Dental more involved with the community in which we live. Ever since my time at my undergraduate university I have always had a strong passion for serving those less fortunate. One event I thoroughly enjoyed participating in during my time in Raleigh was at the local soup kitchen. It was a great way to make someone’s day a little brighter and their stomach’s a little fuller. This year, I contacted Father Bob from All Saints Soup Kitchen in Fort Lauderdale and asked if students from NSU could volunteer at his local shelter. He gladly accepted my offer and the sign-up sheet quickly filled up. Each month since July 4, 2019, students have gone to the soup kitchen and not only served food but have also given out oral hygiene products. These products were collected at one of our ASDA happy hour events and we fortunately had enough to last us through the semester. Overall, I believe this event was successful and it is something I would like to continue throughout the years.
I have always had a strong passion for serving those less fortunatewithin our community. This summer one of my classmates, Ashley Rynar, mentioned a great service event to me and I immediately jumped on the opportunity. On August 10, fifteen students and I went to a “back to school event� in downtown Fort Lauderdale to provide oral hygiene products to many underprivileged children. This was a wonderful event in which the children were able to receive a backpack, clothes, shoes, school products, haircuts and much more. While we were there, we not only provided the children with new toothbrushes but we also instructed them and their parents on the importance of oral hygiene and how to properly care for their teeth. The event was put on by a local community organization called HOPE and the oral hygiene products were generously donated by a local pedodontist. It was wonderful watching everyone interact with the children and we all had a great time. I would love to participate in this event every year as I feel it was very successful and had a positive impact within our community.
Written by: Rebecca Vizzi, Class of 2021
QUARANTAINMENT
Elana Younger, Class of 2021 The Artist
Dominique Tsikis, Class of 2021 The Foodie
Jess Gonzalez, Class of 2021 The Trainer
Megan Leyva, Class of 2021 The Inspirational Seamstress
STEPPING UP WHEN IT MATTERS MOST This year has been full of unexpected twists and turns with all that COVID-19 has brought us. Amidst the fear, social distancing, and stay-at-home orders, these students and faculty members shine a bright light on NSU and the surrounding community. These individuals have been so selfless and generous by volunteering their time and health to care for all the needs of patients at our very own Urgent Care Clinic in Davie. A special thanks to Dr. Lehrer and all the amazing assistants, faculty and students who have been working tirelessly to keep this clinic functional and safe. You are so appreciated by us all.
Thank you to our student volunteers: Joey Arcay, Christian Rodriguez, Rebecca Vizzi, Karen Nachum, Rachel Perez, Justin Darley, Dina Kisanova, Alex Alvarez, Nicoletta Venturini, Robert Kelley, Cindy Huynh, Kevin Bock II, Alaa Anbari, Michael Godoy, Jonathan Razon, Polina Bykovskaya, Lily De La Noval, Kelsey Archer, Lauren Reince, Yana Armani, Azadeh Manafi, Dhaval Shah, Anastasia Talalenko, Matt Figueroa, Ashley Rynar, Jenna Zecharawicz, Bushra Dinka, Sandra Ghattas, Jessica Gonzalez, Anthony Collela, Lindsay Gates, Kellen Graham
TO OUR SPONSORS
TO OUR SPONSORS
TO OUR SPONSORS
TO OUR SPONSORS
TO OUR SPONSORS
Looking Forward Alpha Omega (AO) American Association of Women Dentists (AAWD) American Dental Education Association (ADEA) American Student Dental Association (ASDA) Cosmetics Club Dentalpreneurs Endodontics Club Hispanic Student Dental Association (HSDA) Missions Club NSU Student Research Club Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) Club Orthodontic Student Association (OSA) Pediatric Dental Society Psi Omega Student Society of Periodontics (SSP) New Clubs: Prosthodontics Club Special Needs Club Sports Dentistry Club
Congrats to Our New District 5 Cabinet!
You Are Not Alone