Novacaine News Winter 2017 by nsuasda

D E NTI STRY, S T U DENTS , AN D A S DA

4th Edition

Winter 2017

Meet The New E-Board • Applying To Dental School Ethics and Annual Session • Parenting As A Student Give Kids A Smile • Art And Dentistry

NovaCaine News

Winter 2017

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 AMERICAN STUDENT DENTAL ASSOCIATION NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF DENTAL MEDICINE 3301 COLLEGE AVENUE DAVIE, FLORIDA 33314

EDITORIAL STAFF COMMUNICATIONS CHAIR - Ali Edrisi (‘20) EDITOR IN CHIEF - Rachel Dorfner (‘18) CONTRIBUTING WRITERS - Rachel Dorfner (‘18), Kathryn Champion Conway (‘18), Kalynn Foster (‘18), Libby Finer (‘18), Stephanie Mendigutia (‘19), Joanna Theodorou (‘19), Cinthia Funes (‘19), Ali Edrisi (‘20), Jennifer Knowlton (‘20), Sumayya Mujeeb (‘20), Randy Mejias (‘20), Karen Nachum (‘20), Julia Krek (‘20) LEAD PHOTOGRAPHER - Ali Edrisi (‘20)

NovaCaine News • Issue 4

NovaCaine News

Table of Contents

Winter 2017

A Note From Your New ASDA President

When I was 20, if you would have asked me, “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” I would have never told you that I was going to be a D3 at Nova Southeastern University and President of our local Letter From the Editor - 4 Parenting While In Dental School - 18, 19 ASDA chapter. Serving as President-Elect and now President has allowed me collaborate with some of Meet Your New ASDA President - 5 Give Kids A Smile - 20, 21, 22, 23 Nova’s most talented leaders. I have seen the amount of dedication and passion that comes from our Meet The New E-Board - 6, 7 Food Features - 24, 25, 26, 27 chapter leaders to make our chapter greater with each event that we host. The efficiency of ASDA could not be done without my enthusiastic Eboard, chairs and committee members. They make my job easy at Students and their pups - 8, 9 Activities and Things To Do - 28, 29 the end of the day. Resident and Assistant Features - 10, 11 Art and Dentistry - 30, 31, 32 Over the past semester, our local chapter has been busy. Our Eboard attended Annual Session, Applying to Dental School - 12, 13 catching ASDA Fever and coming home with goals to better our chapter. We sent students to D.C and Mission of Mercy 2017 - 33 Tallahassee to advocate for the rights and welfare of our profession. We also host a Back-to-School BBQ Stress In School and Ethics Bowl - 14, 15 AO Oral Cancer 5K - 34, 35 for families to enjoy, St. Patrick’s Day celebration and attend the Community Fest to give oral hygiene Annual Session 2017 - 16, 17 Dentist Day On The Hill, Lobby Day - 36, 37 instruction to children. Now that I am almost a D4, I look back at everything that ASDA has offered me as a growing leader and professional. I am thankful for the opportunities that this club has presented. I hope all of our members have the chance to experience ASDA like I have; from lobbying in D.C., to attending our District 5 Meeting, to hanging out with your friends for a night out on the town. I would like to leave you with this As we started off the 2017 year, I found myself constantly trying to assess my dental school progression token of advice, don’t stop living because you are in dental school. Use dental school as a platform to get from a static position, delineating a distinct past, present, and future. If only there was a visible time line that outside of your comfort zone, travel to that conference (even if you have two exams the following week), constantly updated events in a students’ life that shows how his/her experiences have influenced them to be and most importantly to find your passion within the profession.

Letter From The Editor

the dentist they will be. However, it is not that simple to take a step back and observe one’s life from an outside perspective and sometimes, that is completely okay. It is difficult to believe that in only eleven short months, the Class of 2018 cohort will be taking boards, applying for jobs/residencies, finishing competencies, and of course secretly trying to “dump” a few patients on their D3 partners. Many of my mentors have told me, “It’s the best experience I never want to do again,” and I am beginning to understand the depth and value of their statements. It is with great pleasure that I was given the opportunity to work with these talented writers and create a newsletter that ASDA can be proud of. As Editor in Chief for NovaCaine News, I worked diligently with the content providers and contributors to grow this newsletter into what hopefully will be a community-wide news publication for students, faculty, as well as patients and parents. Our committee has grown from our last Committee of two to now having over ten wonderful students actively contributing to this newsletter. It takes a village to turn out a successful newsletter and I want to personally thank all the contributors for their hard work in producing these articles and following the deadlines. We hope you enjoy the articles and share them with friends and family to see a glimpse of life as a dental student. Not everyone really understands the challenges and hurdles we always face as students, but also as human beings too. Sincerely, Rachel Dorfner, Class of 2018 NovaCaine News • Issue 4

Xox Kalynn Foster

Kalynn takes a picture with her younger brother as she assists in his wisdom tooth extractions.

NovaCaine News

Winter 2017

Meet Your New ASDA E-Board For The 2017-2018 Year 1. What’s your favorite dental instrument and why? In clinic, I would have to say my diamond bur block because diamonds are a girls best friend :). But, it cuts natural teeth like butter and makes all your preps look like you are a hand god.

1. What’s your favorite dental instrument and why? High speed hand piece. Completing a great prep leads to excellent restorations and provisionals. 2. What is one thing people in dental school don’t know about you? I have recently obtained my SCUBA certification.

2. What is one thing people in dental school don’t know about you? Hmm this is a hard one because I am pretty much an open book, but when I was younger I was very into theater and entrainment. I was in many plays and even got to perform in the Fox Theater in Atlanta. 3. Favorite part of being on ASDA Eboard: For me being on ASDA Eboard has taught me more about the amazing individuals that we have in our program. Everyone within our organization has such diverse talents and when I see them put their passions and strengths into play, the outcomes are usually successful. I had the pleasure of serving on an enthusiastic Eboard last year as President–Elect . This year I have high aspirations for the current Eboard to keep raising the bar; they are always exceeding my expectations.

Kalynn Foster President Class of 2018

4. Describe the worst date you have ever been on. I got catfished on Bumble when I had an account. I matched with this super cute, fit medical student from UF who was home for Christmas Break. We decided to meet at Starbucks and grab some coffees before I had to finish Christmas shopping. I walked into Starbucks and looked around and didn’t see the guy so I figured I’d order a drink so I don’t look like a loser. I saw this guy get up from a table and thought he was going to throw away trash since I was standing near them in line. He comes up to me and asked if I was Kalynn and I said yes. Then he preceded to introduce himself as the guy from Bumble and he looked NOTHING like the profile picture and he didn’t even go to med school, he just started again because he wanted to be a doctor.

3. Favorite part of being on ASDA Eboard: My favorite part of being a part of ASDA Eboard is the ability to make a positive impact on our dental program. This opportunity allows our Eboard to educate our fellow classmates, allowing them to make informed decisions on the path to becoming great dentists.

Gregory Quattlebaum Vice President Class of 2019

3.Favorite part of being on ASDA Eboard: My favorite part of ASDA Eboard at Nova is that I am able to work with the best people that I have ever met. Each member from this year’s Eboard is the most qualified and one of the best leaders in our school. I am just thankful to be even part of it with these people.

Bryan Kim Treasurer Class of 2019

3. Favorite part of being on ASDA Eboard: Being on Eboard is definitely a rewarding experience. I have learned so much in the short time that I have been on it. It opens up many opportunities for us to go meet other students and leaders around the nation, things I thought only professionals did. I also love how we are all close and can joke around with each other, like Greg not being able to take normal photos. (love ya Greg!) Caitlin Wild President-Elect Class of 2019

4. Describe the worst date you have ever been on. I don’t think I’ve ever had the worst date. If it was bad, it was usually just mediocre to me. I try to make every date the best date for the girls. I will treat anyone who goes on a date with me like a princess. 1. What’s your favorite dental instrument and why? It would be an endodontic file because they are able to adapt and maneuver through difficult spaces like a successful career. 2. What is one thing people in dental school don’t know about you? Most people don’t know that almost half my face is titanium. During my baseball career I took a fastball to the face which lead me to start my iron man career.

4. Describe the worst date you have ever been on. The worst date that I ever went on was in college. It was with this kid, Clayton, who was so quiet and shy, the complete opposite of me. We walked to Chipotle, and we ate there, mostly me talking. It was pretty good, until the end. We were ready to leave and as I was waiLng for him to hug me or kiss my cheek or SOMETHING, he raised up his hand to high five me. I was so shocked I just high fived him and walked away. Never talked to him after that, but I think he is a business man now who speaks Chinese.

3. If you could pick what scrub color you’d wear to school what would it be and why? My scrubs would be orange and blue in bright colors. Always have to represent the NY Mets.

Christopher Naglieri Secretary Class of 2018 NovaCaine News • Issue 4

1. What’s your favorite dental instrument and why? My favorite dental instruments is the cow horn because it hugs onto the furcation and extracts the molars. The hugging motion of the instrument actually makes it to be my favorite. 2. What is one thing people in dental school don’t know about you? People don’t know how much I love to rave. I love dancing to electronic music and I can say that I’m pretty good at it. Haha. It is one of my passions and helps me relived all my stresses.

1. What’s your favorite dental instrument and why? My favorite dental instrument is definitely the discoid cleoid. It has such a unique shape and can be used in many different ways. You can use it for waxups, composites, seang dentures, and probably way more things that I haven’t even done yet. It is the coolest though for sure. 2. What is one thing people in dental school don’t know about you? I am 1/4 Vietnamese!!! This is a total true fact, as my mom is 1/2 Vietnamese and left when she was 9 due to the war over there. I marked Asian on all my dental school applications hoping it would help me get in. FYI, it did not.

4. If you could pick what scrub color you’d wear to school what would it be and why? I have seen some Hawaiian print scrub tops out there. Maybe a casual Friday is in order?

4. Describe the worst date you have ever been on. I once had a date with a girl that I scheduled to pick up at 7pm. However, at around 8:30pm on our “date”, I realized I forgot to even go. Needless to say, things were awkward after that.

NovaCaine News

Dear Doggy Dental Parents, - Jennifer Knowlton (‘20)

We all know that after a stressful exam day coming home to some dog kisses and love can turn any frown upside down. My favorite part of coming home to my two girls is seeing how excited they get even though they just saw me a few hours ago. Time management in dental school is a struggle and I needed to find a release that was cheap (and preferably free), that I could do with my dogs, who lay patiently next to me for hours while I study. I looked up some dog friendly activities in my area using websites like Bringfido.com and Dogfriendly.com and I was surprised by the abundance of activities and parks that are available. During the holidays, the city that I live in sponsored pictures at the dog park with Santa. The event included free pictures, frames and treats as well as local vendors and a DJ. During the spring semester, I went to a park that has a swimming area for dogs. The Synder Bark Park has a lake that is specially treated and cleaned so that the dogs can splash and play safely. It’s important to do research before going since some parks are leash-less and some require proof of vaccinations. Some of the criteria that I use when deciding where to go is: -Off-leash - Separates big from small dogs - Clean - Water station - Sitting area for owners - Ratings from fellow dog owners I have two small dogs and it’s important to me that if the park is off-leash that the dogs are separated by size. It’s normal for first time goers to be helicopter parents. When I first took my dogs to the park, I didn’t want to take them off the leash right away because I was afraid of other dogs trying to fight with them. When I was brave enough to let them loose, I was surprised but how excited they where to run off and play. Going to the dog park can be a fun experience for both owner and pet and a great way to relieve stress, plus many of the parks are free. NovaCaine News • Issue 4

Winter 2017

NovaCaine News

To Specialize or Not To Specialize? A Series: Endodontics and Periodontics

Written By: Kalynn Foster (‘18) Coming into dental school everyone has an idea mapped out in their head of what they want to accomplish within the four years. Some might have family in the field with a practice and will come out of school with a job, others want to do corporate dentistry or do a general practice residency while others want to further educate themselves in a specialty. But how do you know if you want to specialize with such limited knowledge and exposure to the many different fields of dentistry? Luckily for us, Nova has the six main specialties where students do a rotation D3 year and have access to shadowing time with what little free time is had. This series is going to focus on the different programs offered at Nova including, Endodontics, Periodontics, Orthodontics, Oral Surgery, Pediatric Dentistry, and Prosthodontics. This semester we are focusing on Periodontics and Endodontics, by interviewing two first year residents that both graduated from Nova. Below are their experiences.

Endodontics: Dr. Alexander Riken D.M.D

When I started dental school I had no intention of specializing. I had had a pretty terrible experience with my childhood dentist and I felt that general dentistry would allow me to make the broadest impact on my patients. Once we started the endodontics lab during second year, I knew that I was no longer going to be a general dentist. During the lab course, I found that endodontics really fit with my personality. I enjoyed the attention to detail, ability to confirm a diagnosis during treatment (more-so in the clinic than the lab course) and the chance to get patients out of pain . The most challenging part of endodontics, in my opinion, is diagnosis. It is imperative that a correct diagnosis is made so that the correct tooth is treated. Not only does this correct diagnosis lead to a happy and pain free patient but it leads to happy referring dentists who get their patients back sooner for continued treatment. I had a lot of exposure to the Nova endodontic program during my predoctoral education (one of the benefits of going to a school with specialty programs is that you can see how they work and get an idea for what you want a program to be). After experiencing what Nova had to offer I decided to go out and participate in externships at other schools. While I saw many similarities between Nova and these other programs, I felt that the learning environment, both clinical and didactic, at Nova aligned more with what I wanted to get out of a specialty program. If I could give one piece of advice to someone applying to endodontics, or any other specialty, it would be to start the application process as early as possible. While you can’t always access the PASS application, personal statements, letters of recommendation and CV’s can be worked on. The earlier you can submit your application to specialty or GPR/AEGD programs the better off you will be.

NovaCaine News • Issue 4

NovaCaine News

Winter 2017

Periodontics: Dr. George Tolson D.M.D.

During the winter break and second half of D3 year that I decided 100% I wanted to apply to periodontics. I always liked surgery and I really wanted to do research, specifically with autoimmunity. After researching the specialties, I realized how heavily involved periodontics is with the basic sciences (immunology, micro, biochemistry, cell bio, etc...) and all the types of surgical procedures I can do. Periodontics is a great mix of science, research, and surgery! I think the most challenging thing about periodontics is going through all the literature that has been published. There are so many papers that we have to read and abstract every week. It’s exhausting, but it definitely makes me a more informed clinician. Knowing the literature aids me in my decision-making when I’m thinking about how to treat a case. It’s always exciting performing a new surgical procedure and im-

plementing techniques that I have read about. I am also excited about the new research connecting periodontal disease and systemic health; its relationship with autoimmunity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, etc.. There are many reasons I chose Nova: I knew a good amount about the program from observing my D3 year and talking to residents. We have plenty of patients, place a lot of implants, do complex surgeries that residents in some other periodontics programs don’t do, and we become CODA certified in Moderate IV sedation. The faculty at this school is generally super nice and they listen to our input. Not moving was a bonus for me because my fiancée still had 1 more year of dental school to go. Also, I know the school well and the weather is always nice. For the application process, schools prefer a resident who can get along well with others, is willing to learn, and excited about the program. Also, schools are focusing a lot on research. Having an interesting topic in mind and showing enthusiasm about it during your interview will be advantageous in the selection process.

The Price is Right With Nancy Rich

By Kalynn Foster (‘18) Nancy is one of our very outgoing dental assistants here at Nova. You can find her in clinic with a colorful headband and her trendy clinical gown getup actively helping out as many students as possible! She traveled to California with one of her close friends and decided to go onto standby for the show. On MLK Day, The Price is Right aired and she was one of the contestants. With her bubbly and contagious happy go lucky attitude, it is no surprise that she was called down to play. She ended up winning the showcase valued at $40,000, a 2017 Hyundi, a dishwasher and a vacation to Florida. When asked about her experience she said, “I used to always joke with my friends that if I was on a game show I’d win a trip to Florida!” We are excited that we have a local celebrity working in our Nova Dental Clinic and we hope you enjoy your trip to Florida!

NovaCaine News

Winter 2017

Guide to Applying to Dental School By Karen Nachum (‘20) It’s that time of the year again! June 1st is creeping up around the corner, and you begin to stress. Dental school application can be an overwhelming and time consuming process if you are not well prepared. Here are 10 tips to help you stay on top of the application process and help you make this a calmer experience. 1. Sign up to get you DENTPIN ADEA Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (ADSAS) provides a simplified approach to the application process by providing one standard application. That is, you do not need to individually send your application to each school you wish to apply to. In order to begin your application, you are required to attain a unique password called a DENTPIN. The DENTPIN is obtained by visiting WWW. ADA.ORG. Once you have attained your DENTPIN, you will be able begin your application process. 2. Sign up to take the Dental Admission Test (DAT) Once you have recieved your DENTPIN, you will be able to request to take the DAT. This can be done by visiting: https://dts.ada.org/login/login__ADA.aspx. The DAT is administered year-round, so you can conveniently choose the date and a Prometric Test Center that is closest to you. It is recommended that you schedule to take your test close to June 1st (first day of application cycle) in order to be considered an “early applicant”. However, you do not want to rush to take test if you are not prepared.

istry department. An additional letter from a general dentist that you have showed through out your pursue to dental school is also required. Writing an excellent letter of recommendation is time consuming, so make sure you allow at least a month before application cycle begins. 5. Research what school you would like to apply to Some factors that may influence your decision may include course curriculum, graduation requirements and clinic experience, location of the school. Keep your priorities straight and pick your schools accordingly. 6. Call/ visit the schools website that you would like to apply to make sure you meet all the requirements. Different schools have different graduation requirements. Checking the requirements ahead of time will help save you time and money. 7. Write your personal statement It’s your time to shine! The personal statement is short essay that allows your personality to come through. Your statement should include a reason of why you are pursuing a career in dentistry and what makes you unique from other applicants. A strong letter of recommendation can score you an interview. 8. Apply early!! The first day of the Application cycle begins on June 1st. The interview invitation process operates on a first -come –first- serve basis, so in order to be considered an “early applicant” and receive an acceptance offer before December 1st, it is important to apply early.

3. Come up with a study schedule to prepare for DAT You know you best! With that being said, figure out your study habits and check out the resources available to achieve a competitive score. The DAT consist of four sections: Survey of the Natural Sciences, Perceptual Ability, Reading Comprehension, and Quantitative Reasoning. There are many recom9. Be prepared mended textbooks, classes and resources available addressing the DAT. Search the web and ask your The application process can be time consuming and overwhelming. If you follow the tips listed colleagues and school’s pre-dental club about the latest resources available in order to achieve your above, you will be ahead of the game. desired score. 4. Ask for letters of recommendations as soon as possible! It is important that you establish a close, professional bond with the professors and dentist that you have shadowed. In order to complete your application to dental school, you will need at least 3 letters of recommendations; one professor from the biology department and one professor from the chemNovaCaine News • Issue 4

10. Get your suit ready Make a good first impression. During the interview, you have a short period of time to let your personality shine through. Look professional, smile and be yourself. Good Luck! References: 1. WWW. ADA.ORG 2. http://www.adea.org/GoDental/The_application_to_dental_school__ADEA_AADSAS.aspx

NovaCaine News

Stress & Anxiety in Dental School and How To Cope - Randy Mejias (‘20)

Your first year of dental school can be one of the most challenging periods of your life. Not only are we facing a plethora of work and projects, but we must also learn to deal and cope with our building levels of stress and anxiety. While everyone feels stressed at some point, not everyone deals with anxiety. Anxiety can present itself as a mental disorder, as a comorbid symptom of stress or some other health issue/disorder, or due to a lack of effective coping mechanisms. Many people try to negate these feelings of high stress and anxiety and put them off. In the long run, this will eventually add up and if you’re not careful or prepared you might run into some issues. Eventually, you might have problems falling asleep, studying effectively, eating properly, and carrying out daily routines. Anxiety can manifest itself in many ways: you might encounter a sense of impending doom, you might feel as if you are worthless and will not be able to succeed in your future endeavors, you might have irrational thoughts and excess worries, etc. Many of these problems can become overwhelming and impede your success in your dental career or anything else you are involved in. If not addressed and dealt with, anxiety and stress can control your life. The good news is that there are many proven and effective ways to lower your levels of stress and anxiety. Many people know that eating healthy and working out works wonders for your mental health. But why aren’t we implicating these known methods? The problem with this is the lack of time given to do so. Many individuals are so stressed and focused with their school work that they will buy junk NovaCaine News • Issue 4

or fast food for convenience. They will also put off sleeping and working out in order to study a bit longer. What you are really doing is sacrificing your physical and mental health in order to study for 1-2 extra hours. Is it truly worth it? I think not. Those 1-2 hours are better spent relaxing, sleeping, or working out. Your body needs rest to perform better and we are not giving it the rest it needs. We are the future health providers of this country and we should be nurturing our minds and bodies in order to provide better health care. When the levels of anxiety and stress are high, I like to run, meditate, or play volleyball. Running outside is very helpful because you are changing your surroundings, releasing endorphins, and engaging in physical activity. Not only are you leaving your study habitat for some time, you are also giving yourself a mental break and will feel much more refreshed and energized after. Instead of taking an energy drink or having some late-night coffee, strap on some shoes and go for an energizing run; your body and mind will thank you for it. The other thing I like to do on a daily basis is meditate. I started meditating late into my undergrad career when I was feeling very stressed and anxious and it has helped me immensely. There is no correct way to do it, there are no rules, and it is very simple to do. Sit or lay down anywhere for 5-20 minutes and just observe your thoughts without judging them. As you do this more and more you will begin to gain a lot of insight and many problems in your life will begin to have solutions you can work at. You can take this as a mental break from studying and you can meditate with music, with a guided session, or even with

Winter 2017

the sounds of a tropical paradise in the background. My favorite thing to do when I feel stressed or anxious is to play volleyball. This is personal to me because it is my favorite sport to play. What I want to say here is that you should not let go of your passions and hobbies. Dental school is tough and it requires a lot of your time, but life outside of dental school does exist. It is imperative that you do not let go of your favorite pastimes and make some time for them in your schedule. It is very easy to get drawn into a stressful and anxious habitat when all you do is study and ignore your mental and physical health. Always keep in mind that the most dreadful and anxious of times are not

Ethics Bowl 2017

- Katie Champion Conway (‘18) Since its inception 11 years ago, the HPD Ethics Bowl has pitted health professions against each other in a head to head competition of ethics and wits, and for the first time ever, the Dental School emerged victorious. The team consisted of D3 students Katie Champion, Derek Stallard, and Ryan Whelen and were coached by Dr. Jeffery Garber. After three rounds of ethical debate, the Dental team was able to bring home their first ever win and will hold the title until next years bowl. In the first round of competition, Dental went against Nursing, the 2016 reigning champs. The ethical scenario presented touched upon the issues of patient autonomy and treatment choices in a medical setting. Though the arguments on both sides were well articulated, Dental won and moved on to round two to compete against the Anesthesiologist Assistants where the ethical dilemma centered around cultural competency and justice. Dental prevailed and moved on to the third and final round against Physical Therapy where the ethics of patient management and team unity were debated with Dental securing their first place win. Various faculty judges also participated and Dr. Lehrer, Dr. Seltzer, and Dr. Amini partook in the process. Every team was allowed up to ten members, five of which are allowed to sit at the table during each round of competition, and two of the five were designated speakers. Teams flip a coin and the winner of the a coin

toss can choose to speak first or defer to the second team. After the ethical case scenario is read, the team chosen to go first is given 2 minutes to discuss and strategize and then 5 minutes for their argument. Team 2 is then given the same opportunity and may pose questions to Team one for the rebuttal round. The rebuttal round consists of 2 minutes of strategizing and 3 minutes of argument time for both teams. Upon completion of the rounds, judges have 3 minutes to pose questions to each team and then they decide on a winner, each individually casting their votes which are tallied by a separate party. While only 3 people participated in this years bowl, the Dental students are hopeful that their win will encourage other students to become involved and build a team that can hold the title in successive years. Be on the lookout for the Ethics Bowl trophy soon to be displayed in the Dental School!

NovaCaine News

Winter 2017

ASDA Annual Session - Katie Champion Conway (‘18)

This February, eight Nova dental students attending ASDA’s Annual Session, which is a meeting of the House of Delegates, and got to participate in the parliamentary procedure of the organization. Two delegates from each of ASDA’s eleven districts represented their district’s voice and were able to vote on various issues. The remaining members of the districts and schools were given time to discuss their ideas and opinions on the number of resolutions and policies that were brought to the House Floor. Additionally, Annual Session is the time that the new governing body is elected, consisting of the President and two Vice Presidents, a Speaker of the House, and 11 district delegates who together make up the Board of Trustees. This year, a hot topic that was discussed was licensure reform and the ways in which ASDA can influence the implementation of a non-patient based board exam. An official white paper was put out by ASDA stating their position on licensure and the ways in which we as students can help implement change. Other issues debated were that of the status of undocumented immigrant matriculation into US dental schools and the rendering of ASDA’s support of such students. This resolution was certainly a hot button issue on the House floor, and was ultimately defeated. Annual Session was successful however in electing a

NovaCaine News • Issue 4

new President, Tanya-Sue Maestes from University of Houston ’18, Vice-President Danielle Marciniak from Roseman ’18, Vice-President Alex Mitchell from Temple ’18, and Speaker of the House Abby Halpern from Georgia ’18. Additionally, our very own Dean Niessen was chosen to receive the Paragon Award, which “recognizes an individual who has significantly contributed to the advancement of the rights, interests and welfare of dental students throughout his or her career. It is the highest and most prestigious award given by the American Student Dental Association.” In her speech, Dean Niessen remarked, “It is an honor to receive the Paragon Award from the American Student Dental Association. This award is a tribute to all the faculty and mentors in my life who helped prepare me for a career in dental education. I thank the incredibly talented students, outstanding faculty and dedicated staff at Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine for their support and my family for their encouragement throughout my dental career. I dedicate this award to all ASDA students with a hope that as you realize your potential as dentists, you pay it forward and consider dental education as part of your career plans.” We were, and continue to be, incredibly proud of our Dean.

NovaCaine News

Parenting In Dental School: A Balancing Act - Jennifer Knowlton (â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;20)

Nova Southeastern University School of Dentistry is known for its unique interviewing style, focusing more on the person than the grades. This has lead to a diverse student body of all ages and backgrounds. Diversity can come with obstacles, language barriers and cultures differences, but one of the hardest to consider is being a parent and a student. Marcela Didonato, a D1 student, saw the need for a support group for the parents in dental school and approached ASDA with the idea of adding a parents committee. Her intentions were to share the struggles and help out fellow parents that are under the same stress of both school and family time. Examples of her ideas included babysitting exchange, so that the moms and dads can have free time together and diaper drives for the pregnant students. I was fortunate enough to sit with Marcela and ask her a couple of questions about her routine and how her experience in dental school is going. I was impressed by the way she was able to balance the D1 work load and still make time for herself and her family. Q: What made you decide you wanted to pursue dental school? A: Before dental school I was a Dental Hygienist for 6 years, which prepared me to be here today. I loved interacting with my patients, educating them and making their smile shine.

Q: How do you personally balance dental school and being a parent? A: I try to remind myself that school is a full time job, Monday through Friday 8AM- 5PM with some overtime during the weekends. I try to maximize and manage well my time so that when I go home, I leave the books and dental instruments and focus on my family 100%. Q: What is your go-to quick meal when you have an exam to study for and no time? A: There is always Chipotle. My two favorites are Mexican and Greek food. Q: Do you have help from family and friends when you need to focus on school? A: Fortunately, I have a lot of support from my husband and my family. Although everyone is busy with their own job, we try to specially coordinate around midterm and finals exams so that everyone can pitch in to help with the baby. Q:W hen/if you have down time, what is your favorite thing to do? A: Our downtime is spent at the beach. You cannot beat having one of the most beautiful beaches in the world about 10 minutes from our dental campus.

Q: What do you consider to be the hardest part about being a parent in dental school? A: The hardest part is time management. Dividing your time between being an efficient student as well as a mom. Q: Can you tell us about your motivation to start the committee? A: I started the committee because I saw a need for support to studentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; parents. There was no real organization or club where we could get support or learn about each other. Being a parent makes you a nontraditional student because you have a complete other life to take care of besides school, which many other students do not necessarily have on a daily basis. I was very lucky to have a Big Brother (Jiten Solanski), and although he is not a parent, he has guided me through my D1 journey. I am hoping with this committee that I can pay it forward. Q: Describe some of your goals for the committee. A: The goals for Family Outreach committee are to bring together the parents at Nova Dental so we can share a common ground and share stories of how we can manage both lifestyles. I hope it can serve the incoming students to feel that they are capable and that they have support from their upperclassmen. Q: Do you feel a supported or lack of support from school clubs and administration? A: Before I started the committee I felt there was not much support for parents, but after we implemented the committee, everyone has been very open and receptive to our ideas and how we can incorporate our families to more school events. Q: Any advice for parents in professional school? A: I would like to tell them that it is possible to do both, if you learn to utilize your time appropriately. In each dental class we have about 5-6 students and they are successfully moving forward. NovaCaine News â&#x20AC;˘ Issue 4

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Upper left: Marcela Patterson and her family enjoy a beautiful day at the beach. Lower left: Kassandra Ingram pushes her daughter, Delaney, on a tire swing. Right: Michelle Felix take some family photos while enjoying a night out.

NovaCaine News

Give Kids A Smile 2018

-Stephanie Mendigutia (‘19) and Joanna Theodorou (‘19)

This year, NSU Give Kids A Smile went Under the Sea and it was definitely a day to remember. From all the wonderful kids that came for treatment, and of course our committed students and faculty who volunteered that day, GKAS 2017 was a huge success. None of this would have been possible with out the ADA foundation, our sponsors, Dean Niessen, and the incredible leadership of our committee who put in hours and hours of hard work to make sure the day ran smoothly. In preparation for the day of the event, committee members went to the Boys and Girls Club to recruit patients. It was in the hands of the committee to advertise the event in hopes of reaching as many children as possible. This was done via social media outlets and posting fliers around the community. Sticking to the revamped theme the kids enjoyed multiple sources of entertainment from the sea. Princess Ariel, Moana, and Captain Jack Sparrow made time from their busy schedules to sing to the kids and play with them. Entertainment is an important aspect of making this day a success. It is our job to make their experience at the dentist a fun and memorable one. Give Kids A Smile here at NSU has begun a change to include interdisciplinary education for their patients. The dedicated students of NSU’s College of Pharmacy and College of Osteopathic Medicine volunteered their time to teaching the kids essentials in nutrition, teaching them about medications, poison control, and the body’s organ systems. In addition, each child was provided with a gift bag filled with oral health related treats, ensuring that the importance of taking care of your teeth was taken home with all the children in attendance.

On the day of the event, the clinic was radiating with smiling faces and waiting area was filled hundreds of happy children. Over 300 children were seen that day and each year we ware working even harder to make GKAS an even bigger success! Can’t wait to see the promise GKAS 2018 will bring! NovaCaine News • Issue 4

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Winter 2017

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NovaCaine News â&#x20AC;¢ Issue 4

NovaCaine News

Winter 2017

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Winter 2017

Italian Food in American History: A Tale of Shaping the Italian-American Identity

Then, many Italian farmers and low-class people were hoping to make something of themselves in the land of opportunities. Around 90% of them arrived in the New-York port, and most of them made the city that never sleeps their new home. (Of course, others went West, in places like Midwest, California, and even the South. But, as statistic show us today, most citizens with an Italian heritage live in New York and New Jersey.) The newly arrivals found the dished Americans eat to be alien to what they were used to. Most American foods had German, -Written By Ali Edrisi (‘20) French, and Jewish influences, and these were different in taste compared to Italian ones. We can observe some interesting facts about how the historic circumstances affected and shaped AmerIntroduction: the Impact of Italian Food in American History & Culture ican-Italian cuisine and identity. Italy, as a state, was relatively young. This meant that they’re unity, as Italians, Walking through downtown Manhattan, New York, one can enjoy a pizza in the many pizza parlors, sip was relatively young, too. The new arrivals didn’t view a dish as being Italian, as much as being Sicilian, Neapolian espresso in one of the numerous coffee shops, or have spaghetti and meatballs in one of the many famous tan or any other Italian region that we know today. Moreover, most of them were farmers from the countryside. Italian restaurants. New York, the place where many Italian immigrants made their home when arriving in the The concrete building complexes were new and frightening to them, as much as the anything that was not land of opportunities, is not different from any other place in America today. From California and Midwest to considered traditional in their eyes. Thus, you would have many Italians, from different regions of the country Florida and the South, Italian and American-Italian cuisine can be found anywhere, anytime. of pizza, being obligated to live among each other. This life of living in concrete and comprehensive complexes While the United States truly represents a melting pot of various cultures, many believe there’s is nothhelped united Italians in their new home, the USA, more than they had been when in Italy. Last but not least, ing has shaped the culinary landscape as Italian food in American history. What might first come to mind is the technological developments were not as they are today. This meant that the Italians were faced with a situation American-like pizza, the food enjoyed by many -- not only in America but throughout the world today. What’s that will impact the Italian food in American history: given the lack of fresh fruit and herbs, but as well the abunmore intriguing about Italian food is the way it helped shape the Italian-American identity. dance of fresh cow milk – for example, Italians in Europe tend to use bull milk to make mozzarella -- American It is true that Italian food has helped shape American culture and established the Italian-American idenItalians were forced to adapt their food to the immediate situation. tity. Without Italian immigrants, food providers, and restaurants, the USA would have been less rich, and many All of these have impacted the Italian food in American history and helped shape the Italian-American of today’s favorite dishes would not have existed. And although today Italian-Americans have earned their right identity. to follow the American dream, the Italian identity, as well as their food, has a tumultuous history of struggle throughout the century. The Italian Restaurant: a Hallmark of Italian Culture in America and the Place That Has Kept Probably the most interesting phenomenon is that with each period of history, of Italians migrating for A Community United a better life by crossing the Atlantic Ocean, food is inseparable from the Italian identity. That’s why we wish to Food alone didn’t shape the Italian-American identity. The communities that have been built in the new present you with a brief introduction of Italian food in American history. world, around the food, have played a vital role. While it is true that food was a factor in keeping American-

Italians united, the restaurant was the sanctuary where these people bound with each other and created strong relations based on Italian heritage and food. When thinking of American-Italians, one tends to associate their cultural identity with pizza, pasta, all The interesting thing to note here is that most Italian immigrants – around 80% of them according to sorts of tomato sauces, mozzarella, parmesan cheese, delicious wines and many more. Also, when thinking some sources – were male. Moreover, they had a traditional background. This means that the average Italian imabout Italians migrating to American, many go back to the period between the late 19th century and WWI. migrant considered that women are responsible with cooking food, while the men earn money. Then, many poor Italians migrated to the new world in search for jobs and a better life. And while this is true Poor, busy, and lacking the skills to cook – the Italians needed some to cater food for them. This is the rea– and this is the period when Italian food started making its breakthrough into the mainstream – it was in the son why the first Italian dining places appeared. The first Italian restaurants, as some like to call them, were not 1700s when Italian cuisine has made its way into America. Then, Italian vintners migrated to the state of Florida, really restaurants. They were places where people could afford cheap food and alcohol. In fact, most if not all of where they took their wine culture with them. Also, in this period, the new settler brought another two central the clients were the new Italian settlers. Back then, French restaurants were mostly considered cosmopolitan components to Italian food: olives and fruit. And while although there’s no clear continuity in history between places, and those were the places where non-Italians, preponderantly rich people, used to dine and enjoy foods these 18th-century settlers and the massive waves of Italian immigrants 200 years after, we can highlight two from a culture different than the American one. interesting aspects of this period: Thus, the Italian food fares were the place to eat, drink and speak Italian. These places managed to con • The Italian-American wine culture has its roots in the vintners who helped cultivate vineyards. Tonect and unite people with the same heritage who were found in poverty and distress. day, most of the wine considered Italian in the USA is actually Italian-American wine, which managed to make But poverty was the main cause that brought Italian – or Italian-American – food into the mainstream, its own tradition. and make Italian-American a respectable community in the United states. When the Great Depression came, • Although the new settlers brought olives and Mediterranean fruit to the new world, the lack of people were in dire need of finding affordable places to eat. Since the Italian joints used to serve cheap food such ingredients will impact the creation of a new, unique cuisine, the Italian-Amerian one, the very same one and beverages, more and more non-Italians started to appeal to the Italians. Some American-Italian businesswho will give the American-like pizza and many more. men found a great opportunity in promoting their cuisine this way. Thus, Italian restaurants for middle- and upper-class people started to appear in places like New York, Orlando, or California. Italian-American Food: the Shapping of an Identity Through Food Another historic period that played an important role in promoting Italian culture was the Prohibition A massive influx of immigrants has occurred between the late 19th century and the first part of the 20th.

The first Settlers: Bringing Mediterranean Cuisine to the New World

NovaCaine News • Issue 4

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Era. Since alcohol was hard to purchase, Italian wine producers and average American-Italians helped cater beverages for Americans. In the Italian parts of the town, there was a consensus between authorities – who were mostly Italian-Americans – and the people to permit the consumption of wine, even if it was illegal. Although immigration had decreased, Italian restaurants and shops were getting more and more clients. Most discovered Italian cuisine by searching for cheap alcoholic beverages. In this way, the Italian restaurant had become the institution that shaped the American-Italian identity and had its impact on Italian food in American history.

Post-WWI – American-Italians Re-descover Authentic Italian Cousine

When WWI started, American-Italians had already formed an identity around their cuisine and restaurants. It was due to WWI that the Italian-Americans have managed to find their culinary roots and regain the fresh herbs and vegetables that made their food Italian. Now, a clear distinction about what was Italian and Italian-American was settled. Although many don’t make this distinction, what has become popular in the USA and around the world went under the tag of Italian food – although it was ItalianAmerican. While the fast-food pizza wouldn’t pass as real pizza in the eyes of an Italian, its Italian label has brought fame and popularity for both Italians and Italian-Americans. The same applies for pasta and meatballs – a dish known around the world as Italian, although it is really Italian-American. It was this tag that made Italian-Americans one of the most respected communities in the USA, and it was their food that put their print, decisively, in shaping American cuisine today and the Italian element in the American culture. Italian food in American history has managed to shape the Italian-American identity, making this group of people famous all over the world. Today, there are many Italian restaurants in the USA. From the classic New Yok one, where most of the Italians settled, to San Francisco where the American-Italian community has been increasing in the last decades, even in Florida, where the first vintners settled in the 18th century, the number of places where one can sip an espresso or guzzle a slice of pizza. One example of such a place, in an unpopular Italian settlement, would be Toscana Divino. Located in downtown Miami, Florida, the restaurant serves traditional Italian dishes and Italian wines. The staff is composed of Italian chefs who made it their mission to bring Italian cuisine to the sunny state of Florida and initiate Americans in the culinary art of Italian food. From traditional pizza to all sorts of tomato sauces with pasta, here people can experience the true Italian cuisine.

Concluding Remarks

Arriving here without a true national identity, it was their unity and the need to adapt to the new world that shaped American-Italian food. And it was for the food and their condition as immigrants, that shaped the Italian-American identity. The need to stick together, their socio-economic condition, the lack of ingredients found only in Italy, and an American dream to make it – this is how is how food helped create and sculpt the Italian-American identity.

Tumultuos as their history is, the Italian food in American history has helped shape who they are. Some say that you are what you eat, maybe this is also the case of the Italian-American identity.

References http://www.lagazzettaitaliana.com/food-and-wine/7627-a-brief-history-of-italian-food-in-america http://www.pinocchiosbrighton.com/what-makes-italian-food-authentic-the-unique-history-of-italian-food-in-america/ http://www.mikericcetti.com/italian-restaurant-history.html http://www.lifeintheusa.com/food/italian.htm

NovaCaine News • Issue 4

Nowruz

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Winter 2017

-Written By Sumayya Mujeeb (‘20) Spring is in the air and there is no better commemoration of spring than the Persian holiday, Nowruz. Nowruz is the Persian new year, marked by the exact beginning of spring. Nowruz translates to “New Day” in Farsi. Although it may be Persian new year, it is celebrated across faiths and in many countries including Iran, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan as well as many other countries in western and central Asia. It is an ancient holiday that predates Islam and is thought to have originated out of present day Iran. It is a holiday that unites all Persians. Here at Nova Southeastern University we have many Persian students. In Iran, Nowruz is their biggest holiday. It spans for two weeks. Providing time for celebrants to It is a secular holiday with roots in the Zoroastrians faith. It is the symbolic representations of 2 concepts: end and rebirth. There are many traditions associated with Nowruz. Before the New Year arrives Iranians start cleaning their houses and buying new clothes. This process is known as Khaneh takani. This is symbolic of rebirth. Nowruz is a festival that is celebrated for many days There are many traditions associated with Nowruz but the most important is the “Haft Seen”. It has seven elements: Seeb, (apple for beauty), Sabze (lentil sprouts symbolizing rebirth), Serke (vieger for birth) , Samanoo (a traditional meal that symbolizes abundance and fertility) Senjed (dried fruit for love), Sekke (coin), and Seer (garlic, for health. Other elements that are usually set with the Haft Seen are candles, a mirror, decorated eggs, a bowl of water with goldfish, a holy book (the Quran, or a book of poetry the Shahnemeh) and

rose water. Here at Nova Southeastern University we have many Persian students. This year they have found themselves celebrating Nowruz March 21st. Students celebrate in their own way. D1, Sarina Soumeeh answered a few questions for us to help us get a more personal view of Nowruz. Q: Does your family normally celebrate Nowruz and how? A: Yes, definitely. My mom always sets up the haft seen. Me my sister my mom and my dad get together and wait till the countdown and and hug and pray for each other for happiness health and success in life. Its actually really different in Iran the whole country gets 2 weeks off and its really different celebrating it. We don’t get to celebrate it to the full extent.

Shown here is Sarina Soumeeh’s family Haft Seen Q: Does your family have any of their own traditions? A: Right at the New Year my dad always puts some money in the Quran and gives one to each of my family mothers as a new year gift

Q: What is your favorite dish that you normally eat during Nowruz? Q: I know you’re busy, but were you A: My family always goes to my aunts able to take anytime out to do anyhouse and we have to eat sabzi polo thing special this year for Nowruz with white fish. A: I did a group facetime call with me my sister and my parents and we basically were together for the count down Q: What did you miss most about being to the new year. away from home during Nowruz? A: Like I mentioned before in Iran that Q: There are many Traditions associatwe have two weeks off to really celed with Nowruz what is your favorite? ebrate it so I miss that. A: My favorite is on the thirteenth day of Nowruz we go to a park for like picnic and we grow sabzi and we throw References have to knot it make a wish and then 1. http://www.iranchamber.com/culture/articles/ norooz_iranian_new_year.php throw it in the river. Its usually for girls 2. http://www.farsinet.com/norooz/ 3. http://www.payvand.com/news/09/mar/1210. who want to get married. html

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South Florida Fun - Sumayya Mujeeb (‘20)

Winter 2017

Top 3 Events You Cannot Miss in Miami

- Karen Nachum (‘20)

Dental School can take up a lot of our time, but it doesn’t become who we are. We love to have fun and continue doing things that make us happy. Students at Nova Southeastern University have a wide array of interesting extracurricular activities to help with stress relief and keeping sane. Nova’s south Florida location makes it easy for students to pick up hobbies that they would maybe not normally have access to back in their home towns. Being in South Florida gives us access beautiful beaches, great sports teams, and a thriving metropolitan area. There is no shortage of things to do. Many stuPhoto shared by Rachel Cook dents find themselves taking advantage of our close proximity to water and become scuba certified. The university offers program at discount rates to students to become certified at beginner and advanced levels. There are also many other local scuba certification programs in the area that also provide their services at competitive rates. A first year dental student, Rachel Cook, was able to become certified in 4 dives and full day of class taking essentially only two weekends. She found it to be a great hobby seeing as how many people from the area have their certifications and it would be great to go in groups. She also mentioned that a certification is for life and is valid if you travel else where. Although it is sunny year round, Rachel states that it’s harder to go diving in winter months because “conditions aren’t always ideal for visibility” and snorkeling is always a great alternative. Water seems to be a common theme with many students. Living in Davie, we have access to so many wonderful beaches and water ways nearby. Some students find themselves taking day trips to Oletta River State Park for kayaking. It’s a beautiful Park in Biscayne Bay in North Miami beach that boasts beautiful mangrove forest and provides affordable kayak and canoe rentals. It is also home to many beautiful bike trails ranging in difficulty. Students, myself included, find themselves coming here to unwind after a stressful week or to take friends visiting from out of town. While some feel content relaxing at the park others find themselves relaxing in a another way, namely fishing. D1, Vu Pham, enjoys spending some of his free time fishing. He has been fishing all his life and makes it a priority. He finds it to be the perfect stress reliever. Through out the year he has been able to go fishing at least 3 times a month along with his rigorous D1 course load. He enjoys taking his boat out for offshore fishing but also enjoys land fishing as well. We all try to continue what made us happy before dental school, but with a new school comes a new place to explore. Be it fishing, scuba diving or a relaxing day at the park, students have no trouble finding interesting tings to do. South Florida has no shortage of exciting opportunities. As students of Nova Southeastern University we are so fortunate to be living in a place where most people vacation. NovaCaine News • Issue 4

Miami is well known for its incredible beaches and extraordinary nightlife. Every year, Miami welcomes thousands of local and international tourists to celebrate music, art and life. Here are the top 3 events you must attend while in Miam so you don’t suffer from FOMO.

1. Miami’s Music Week (Formerly known as Win-

ter Music Conference) takes place every March. MMW is a week dedicated to music, partying and dancing. Thousands of travelers arrive in Miami each year in order to enjoy this annual occasion. The trendiest event during MMW includes ULTRA Music Festival, an outdoor, 3-days, music festival that features performance by top DJs from all over the world. If you love electronic music and dancing, you won’t want to miss Miami’s WMC.

2. The Wine and Food Festival is the best way to get a taste of the Miami’s

upscale dining experience. The festival takes place on the beach, and incorporates cooking tutorials, tastings, parties, and seminars. Celebrity chefs and professional culinary chefs, such as Rachael Ray, Andrew Zimmern, and many more, offer a unique dining experience during this culinary event. If enjoy upscale dining and have a passion for wine, you won’t want to miss Miami’s Wine and Food Festival.

Miami Beach Art Basel – Nicolas Lobo Project Gallery http://pamm.org/blog/2015/11/miami-art-week-art-baselmiami-beach-2015-pérez-art-museum-miami 1. Miami Beach Wine & Food Festival https://www.miawaterfront.com/miami-beach-welcomes-backthe-south-beach-food-wine-festival/ 2. Sobefest.com

Ultra Music Festival https://ultramusicfestival.com/gallery-2016/

3. Art Basel is a nation wide recog-

nized event that takes place in Miami every December. Celebrities and travelers from around the world arrive in Miami, to experience the extraordinary art exhibition from a variety of artists. Art Basel combines film, design, dining, and music to produce an unforgettable, creative experience. A popular art showcase that is worth experiencing is the Pérez Art museum Miami. The Pérez Art Museum is designed by prize-winning architects, Herzog & de Meuron, and includes thousands of art dating as far back as the 20th century. The exhibitions existing in the museum alternate monthly, therefore, the experience is distinctive each time.

Miami Beach Art Basel http://www.miamiandbeaches.com/events/art-basel/art-festival

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How Art Can Spark Interest in Dentistry

To many, Dentistry appears as a dry subject where the practitioner, i.e., the dentist, performs certain procedures by following specific guidelines from a dental manual. This has made many to turn away from a possible career in the field, and others even disdain the profession. While it is true that with technological advancements and health-care considerations dentistry has become a sterile practice, its ethos still survives. However, many forget – or simply ignore – that Medicine throughout centuries has carried an artistic element, an element that made Medicine, and Dentistry in particular – a state-of-the-art practice. Dentistry carries its own beauty – as Medicine in general does – and looking at it from an artistic point of view, anyone can make it interesting and appealing. Anecdotal evidence suggests that linking Dentistry to Art can enhance the practice, making the dentists more creative, attentive to details, and humane with their patients. If one is not interested in the research, then following the path of this profession requires him or her to spend most of the time sculpting teeth, e.g., making fillings or bridging preps. Hence, attention to detail and creativity are important in this work, which heals people while making their smiles more beautiful. Trousseau, a famous French internist, once said that “the worst NovaCaine News • Issue 4

man of science is he who is never an artist, and the worst artist is he who is never a man of science.” This could be understood in the following way: although dentistry appeals to scientific research – and is considered an applied science – it also requires the stretch of the creative muscle.

One form of art -- that I hope you will be convinced is similar and can make Dentistry less dry -- is Photography. There are many similarities between the two, both requiring similar skills. Anyone can use Photography to see the beauty of Dentistry, as well as enhance his or her skills if practicing the dental craft. But before we can link the two domains, a quick historic insight needs to be sketched.

The Bridge Between Medicine and Art

In the Ancient world, Hippocrates, who is considered the founder of Medicine, said that each individual is unique; thus, each individual needs personalized

diagnosis and treatment. He also said that Medicine is the noble of all arts. Here, he was emphasizing that the care for other human beings carries a creative element, an element that is central to the art of Medicine. The emphasis for sensible creatures, the beauty of the human physiology, and the need to come with individual solutions for each problem and person – these all require the doctor to stretch his or her creative muscles while treating the patient. Healing is a product of creativity: it is an art. Many centuries later, in The Hague, the Netherlands, Rembrandt was completing what will soon become a masterpiece both in Medicine and Art. On January 31, 1632, the Surgeon’s Guild commissioned Rembrandt to participate, and paint, at a public autopsy that few people had access to. It represented a public lesson in both surgery and anatomy. This famous painting, named “The Anatomy Lesson of Dr.Nicolaes Tulp,” is a marble of Art and Medicine in today’s world. What this masterpiece has managed to stretch is the inseparable link between Art and Medicine. Humbleness, creativity, attention to detail, and a quest of finding order in the sensible world – these were the main characteristics of Art and Medicine. And these should be the main today. While it is true that Science and the scientific method have advanced since

then, some truths remain eternal. Each individual is unique, each case is unique, and each treatment of a person requires close attention to detail and creativity from the healer. Bringing history into the discussion was important since we can learn a lot from it. And in the case of Medicine, we can observe the need to view and understand the practice from an artistic angle. Dentistry, as a branch of Medicine, doesn’t make an exception. Healing and taking care of denture doesn’t consist in theoretical knowledge applied by the book. It presupposes a dentist; a concrete, sensible being (the patient), and a unique case that needs to be solved. All of this requires attention to detail, humbleness, passion, and creativity – just like in art.

- Ali Edrisi (‘20) of art. This method, named Visual Thinking Strategy (VTS), was designed to help students improve their attention to detail, as well as to cultivate their own ideas through critical and creative thinking. The project was considered a success. Students were performing better in class, and, moreover, they were more efficient when it came to lab work. Most dental work means lab work, where future dentist will sculpt and shape denture for unique individuals. This requires the same skills of humbleness, attentiveness, and creativity that were mentioned throughout the article.

The Art of Dentistry

We talked about the main characteristics of Art; an, before we move further in discussing the art of Dentistry, we should ask how art could help dentists better themselves and fall even more in love with their profession. Some years ago, programs in art preparation skills for dental students were initiated at Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM). The programs presupposed that students visit art museum where they would have to visually analyze and criticize works

Winter 2017

We can grasp one moral from this program: Dentistry has its artistic side and helping students enhance their creative skills will help better themselves. People feel great pleasure when they create something unique through their own creative efforts. And dental students and dentists are people just like anyone else. Understanding Dentistry

from an artistic point of view could lure more people into the art if they associated it with a domain that comes more intuitively as art – Photography. Finding similarities between Photography and Dentistry could help people see in this medical craft more than simply a dry domain. Also, it could attract more to follow a career in Dentistry.

Some Comparisons Between Photography and Dentistry

Many won’t see, at first, the similarities between Dentistry and Photography – let alone how learning to appreciate the art of photography could sweep away the dryness of dental practice. However, if one analyzes Photography in the same way he or she analyzes Dentistry, the former would appear as dry as the later. Taken superficially, Photography presupposes taking photos of various themes, events, persons, and so on. Anyone could do it; all that it’s needed is a camera to take shots with. It can be seen as dry as it can get, the only difference to Dentistry is that people can admire beautiful landscapes, persons, and objects in photos. In the case of Dentistry, one need to work with teeth, which – and many will agree – is not as entertaining and exciting as taking photos. Although they might seem alien to one another, the two fields have more in common (if we were to view them from an artistic angle). A photographer doesn’t simply take shots randomly. No, he has a plan, a clear photographic

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project that needs to be completed. As the photographer, the dentist doesn’t do dental work randomly. No, the dentist has a plan, a clear dental project that needs to be completed. As both follow specific goals, there are more similarities between the crafts than that. Similarities don’t end here since many areas of inquiry in this world follow goals. Both the photographer and the dentist need to pay close attention to detail. The photographer needs to take the best possible shot by getting the best possible angle. This means that he needs to take into consideration the whole. So does the dentists. A dentist doesn’t simply make fillings, restores teeth and whiten them. No, he needs to analyze a dental radiography before starting the process. He cannot simply perform various procedures without considering the whole. Just like in Photography, in Dentistry the practitioner makes the subject of the process look good in front of the world. If the photographer needs to take the best photo of you, the dentist needs to make your smile appealing in front of others. And as any project is unique - not following a rigid rule book - creativity is a skill that can’t be ignored in both of these domains. All of these require artis-

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tic skills than have been already mentioned in the article. Both the photographer and the artist need to have an eye and pay close attention to detail. Every part of the process counts. Also, symmetry is a must in both cases – symmetry of the photo and symmetry of the dental work are analogous – you miss one detail, the whole project might be lost. Last but not least, an emphasis on humans and a love for your work is non-negotiable: like the photographer, the dentist works with real people, people who have individual needs to be satisfied.

– lure more people into the field, making them discover the beauty of the profession. Comparing it with the skillset required by a photographer could represent a good analogy for people to understand it. Since visual and creative skills are a must in both Dentistry and Photography, making a parallel between the two can help people understand why the second isn’t as dry as some imagine. Close attention to visual detail, symmetry, angle, creative solutions to particular situations and cases, a care for others are all need in the two domains. Too Some Concluding many forget – or simply don’t know – that Medicine, and DenRemarks Dentistry might appear too tistry in particular, require creativmany as a dry domain, where the ity and openness just as in the arts. dentist simply follows procedures References http://www.homeoint.org/morrell/otherarfrom a book written by researchers 1.ticles/artsci.htm in the field. However, the profes- 2. http://www.bu.edu/dental/2014/08/05/whyart-is-important-to-dentists-dr-neal-fleishersion implies more than that. Den- explains/ http://www.dentaleconomics.com/articles/ tistry can be seen as hard work that 3.print/volume-104/issue-9/features/10-reasonsis both science and art, work bring- why-dental-photography-should-be-an-essential-part-of-your-practice.html ing beauty and joy into peoples’ 4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/ PMC3190445/ lives. 5. http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/david-khang/ Viewed from an artistic an- botox-dentrisy-art_b_3413003.html 6. http://www.nature.com/bdj/journal/v200/n8/ gle, the crafting of denture is not full/4813566a.html 7. http://www.dentaleconomics.com/articles/ simply an automatized profession; print/volume-92/issue-8/departments/digitalit presupposes hard work, creativ- diagnosis/the-science-iand-i-art-of-dentistry. html https://www.raconteur.net/lifestyle/the-artity, and dedication. Understand- 8.and-science-of-cosmetic-dentistry ing the artistic and creative part of 9. https://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/ dentistry-similar-to-art.1025340/ Dentistry can make it appear not as https://www.quora.com/How-is-dentistry-andry as some view it. Linking Den- art 10. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ tistry to Art could – who knows? pubmed/10600079â 11. http://www.bu.edu/dental/2014/08/05/whyart-is-important-to-dentists-dr-neal-fleisherexplains/ 12. http://brainblogger.com/2010/10/31/theart-of-medicine/ 13. https://www.forbes.com/sites/robertpearl/2014/06/12/medicine-is-an-art-not-a-science-medical-myth-or-reality/2/#5537ec514906

NovaCaine News • Issue 4

Winter 2017

Mission of Mercy Trip March 2017 In March, D3 and D4 students drove up to Pensacola to provide over 1,800 patients pro-bono dental work. Over $1.8 million worth of work was provided.

NovaCaine News

Alpha Omega Oral Cancer 5K - Libby Finer (‘18)

A NSU AO past member started the Alpha Omega Oral Cancer Awareness 5K after she was diagnosed with oral cancer during dental school. Since then, the purpose of our annual event is to raise awareness within the community and make it more tangible by raising funds for specific patients seen in the NSU Oral Surgery clinic. This past Sunday, AO hosted the 5K Run at CB Smith Park and had over 120 registrants. About $4,000 was raised via local sponsors and donations, which went towards patient Dolores Gaddard’s restorative treatment; she was diagnosed with Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Ms. Gaddard delightedly attended the walk with her family on Sunday and it was an honor to present a big check to her. Congratulations to the top male and female in 1st, 2nd and 3rd! You can find the top times listed below. Participants stuck around after the event for food, music and raffle prizes. It was a successful event and we are so thankful for all those who helped us put the event together. We look forward to an even more successful event next year!

Male

Time (min)

Female

Time (min)

1st- Timed Events Owner

18:43

1st- Janise Kwak

22:46

2nd- Domenic Digioia 21:42

2nd- Adele Mirbey

23:48

3rd- Mateo Vidales

3rd- Sarah Sweetnam 25:29

NovaCaine News • Issue 4

22:06

Winter 2017

NovaCaine News

Dentist Day On The Hill - Julia Krek (‘19)

Hello! My name is Julia Krek tooth decay). Another involves and I am a committee member of the increase in access to dental the legislative branch of ASDA from care in underserved areas which is Nova Southeastern University Col- a program that would help denlege of Dental Medicine. On April tal students pay back their loans 4th, I along with the chair of the while simultaneously providing committee, Hanna Lee, attended dental care to underserved areas. the 2017 Dentist’s Day on the Hill We also spent some time educatin Tallahassee, Florida. We were ing each representative about the joined by various other dentists, current student debt that dental dental students, and specialists students face which can range from across Florida. Our goal was to ad- $250,000 to $400,000 after graduvocate and have our voice heard by ation. Additionally, we advocated representing the needs of Florida against medicaid reimbursement dentists. The theme this year was for dental hygienists for services “Show Me Your Smile.” that they may provide without the The day before DDOH, we supervision of a dentists. This part attended a briefing during which of the day was extremely important the FDA provided us with the “Do’s for advocating for our profession and Dont’s” on how to handle our- and helping to provide the repselves when meeting with a repre- resentatives with the information sentative. We also had the oppor- on the needs and direction of the tunity to meet a handful of dentists, dental profession. Later that day, specialists, and other dental stuwe attended the House in Session dents around Florida while learn- for about 2 hours. ing about their struggles as well as successes experienced in the dental profession. The following day we met with a number of representatives including Rep. Stark, Geller, and Jared Moskowitz, Evan Jenne, Emily Slosberg, Shevron Jones, as well as the aide of Lauren Book. During our meetings, we discussed this year’s legislative issues that we support and oppose. One of the issues that we support includes community water fluoridation (seeing as 23% of the Florida population still does not receive regularly fluoridated water and it is vital in the prevention of NovaCaine News • Issue 4

Attending the Dentist’s Day on the Hill event was an extremely interesting and informative experience. Besides networking with various dentists, I also gained insight on the issues that dentists face and the importance of relaying these concerns to the representatives that ultimately decide the future of our profession. It is important to remember the dominant role that government plays in regulating healthcare as well as the constant transformation that our profesion is undergoing which we can protect through attending dental lobby days. If we do not speak on our behalf of our profession, then who will?

Winter 2017

National Dental Student Lobby Day - Cinthia Funes (‘19)

Attending ASDA’s Lobby Day on the hill was ing points to influence legislators to co-sponsor this act, which an enlightening experience where approximately 400 directly affects patient’s oral health. students got to be involved in the legislative process. Student debt crisis is an alarming reality for many The National Dental Student Lobby Day began with dental students. Many of the students attending the National a day filled with preparation for how to influence the Lobby Day had a personal story on how debt will affect their politics of Capitol Hill. We learned the politics between postgraduate career plans. For example, many students were the House and Senate and how organized dentistry and worried that exorbitant student debt will restrict them to special interest groups influence private practice as opposed helping comlegislators daily. Ultimately, we munities with public service. The Student learned how to convey our perLoan Refinancing Act H.R. 649 would allow sonal stories to show legislators individuals to refinance their federal stuhow students are affected everydent loans more than once. This would day by legislature and how we permit students to take advantage of lower are a unit in representing the best interest rates at any time during the lifesinterests of dental students across pan of the loan. Similarly, the Protecting the nation. Ahmed Elkoussa, Our Students by Terminating Graduate Anushka Prabhu, and Cinthia FuRates that Add to Debt Act H.R 4223 aims nes, first year dental students from to allow eligible loan borrowers to take adNova Southeastern University visvantage of the interest rate subsidy offered ited the hill and got to meet other to undergraduate students with federal students ready to take action and Direct Subsidized Loans. Student debt is a gain co-sponsors for three differdaunting topic even for legislators thereent Acts. fore our presence on the Hill is imperative Three acts are currently to demonstrate our determination. gaining momentum in the House The National Dental Student Lobby Day and Senate. The Action for Dental Health Act H.R. 539 was hectic, running from appointment to appointment but allows organizations to directly apply for funds from the overall a rewarding experience that is invaluable as a firstCenters for Disease Control to run programs like Mission year student. As future leaders in dentistry it is important for of Mercy and Give Kids a Smile. Currently, only the state students to be involved with the current politics that govern is allowed to apply for these funds; organizations, the organized Dentistry. Getting together as a strong unit, the denentities utilizing the funds, do not have control of the tal students attending this year’s Lobby Day were able to make application process. This act has gained strong biparti- their voices heard. san momentum in the last year and we customized talk-