Dental Students
Dental Students: The Importance of Being Involved
(L to R): Ms. Novakovic, Dr. Ethan Pansick, Ms. Paula Cohen, Mr. Mahmoud Mona, Ms. Gabrielle Klatt and Mr. Will Baldock attend the 2016 Dentists' Day on the Hill.
By Paula Cohen UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY, D4
Any chance I get, I brag about how lucky I am to be a part of the Florida Dental Association (FDA) as a student member. From the moment I began dental school, I was always encouraged and mentored by the dentists and leaders of the FDA, and it has shaped my education and outlook on our profession in such a positive way. My journey started when I was selected to be the legislative liaison for my chapter of the American Student Dental Association as a D1. This immediately opened up a network of some of the most intelligent and motivated people I’ve had the privilege of working with: Ms. Joe Ann Hart, Ms. Casey Stoutamire, Drs. Jolene Paramore and Gerald Bird — the list goes on! They continue to encourage my growth as a student and to help develop my leadership skills and sense of professionalism. I’ve been to Dentists’ Day on the Hill (DDOH) three times, and each time I am more convinced of how important it is for us to have a strong voice on Capitol Hill. It’s tempting to isolate yourself in a bubble as you study away the four years of dental school, but the reward of being an active student member is absolutely incredible! I’ve been able to talk one-on-one
www.floridadental.org
with legislators, learn about the political process and provide input on issues that affect me. I encourage every student to attend DDOH, because you really see how hard the FDA works for you. This year, they lobbied for legislation that would help students who want to practice in a high-needs area receive funding to help with their student debt burden. This is just one of many ways that the FDA governmental affairs team continues to prioritize the issues of students, dentists and the profession! Ms. Paula Cohen is a D4 at the University of Florida College of Dentistry and can be reached at pcohen@dental.ufl.edu.
July/August 2016
Today's FDA
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