The Probe Summer 2020

Volume 14, Issue 1 Summer 2020

A look into the modern flossify of the VCU School of Dentistry

This Newsletter is brought to you by the American Student Dental Association at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry.

vcuasda.com

NEWSLETTER CONTENTS

ABOUT THE PROBE

MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN

PAGE 2

PAGE 3

HELLO D1S AND D2S

GALLERY

PAGE 5

PAGE 8

GIVE KIDS A SMILE 2020

WHITE COAT CEREMONY

PAGE 15

PAGE 12

ASDA DISTRICT 4

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

PAGE 17

FUN FACTS ABOUT OUR GPGS

IDP TRANSITION

PAGE 22

PAGE 32

STAYING FIT AND ACTIVE PAGE 33 01

The Probe | Summer 2020

PAGE 19

DENTAL DOODLES BACK PAGE

WELCOME

JULY 2020

The Probe The

Probe

Newsletter

is

of

the

VCU

ASDA

School

of

Dentistry.

The two goals for 2020-21 are (1) to highlight moments and people at

VCU

SOD

and

(2)

to

share

encouragements, reflections, and information excellence

as in

we

pursue

dentistry

for

our

patients.

Please

submit

questions

to

articles, Jasmine

art,

or

Lee,

at

leejj10@vcu.edu.

Message from the Editor

Stay in the loupe!

Dear VCU School of Dentistry, Amidst all that is going on, here is a simple collection of

@vcu_asda

words of welcome and encouragement to our returning and new students, some highlights of VCU SOD events from the past academic year of 2019-2020, and a few stories shared

@VCUASDA

by members of our community.

Thank you to everyone who contributed and I am looking forward to how we will continue to encourage and support one another on this journey to provide the best care for our current and future patients. The next issue of The Probe will be published around September/October, so please contact

vcuasda.com Clicking on any blue links in this newsletter will lead you to the site.

me with many submissions for the fall issue!

Jasmine Lee, D2022 The Probe Newsletter Editor

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02

DEAN'S MESSAGE DEAN DAVID C. SARRETT, D.M.D., M.S. Welcome students and residents.

Thank you for your patience, perseverance and professionalism during these challenging times.

When

you

returned

to

campus,

you

noticed

a

changed environment including new entrances and

exits,

barriers,

COVID-19

additional

measures.

These

screening,

PPE,

and

protective

plexiglass

social

distancing

measures

are

Photograph by VCU University Marketing

in

place because safety is our top priority. Your safety, and the safety of patients, faculty and staff are crucial while executing our mission of

We

education,

situations, including anticipated waves of

research,

and

patient

care.

It

is

will

be

flexible

COVID-19

infections.

guidelines and best practices.

we

prepared

for

your

return

to

changes

address

important for all of us to do our part to prevent As

and

to

in

new

requirements,

campus and welcomed our incoming D1s, DH1s and

new

residents,

we

were

guided

by

local,

state, national and industry principles:

As we prepared for student and resident life in the pandemic, we also prepared to create a welcoming

in

which

you

can

We are following applicable CDC, state and

thrive. One that fosters inclusion and a sense

VCU Health guidance.

of

We are evaluating and implementing health

challenging times. A measurable action plan is

and safety supplies and measures to support

being

your experience on campus.

forward. From initiating university approval for

We are encouraging flexibility in addressing

a

the

professionalism,

needs

of

vulnerable

members

of

the

dental school and Richmond community.

We

are

monitoring

the

health

of

community

put

deanship

diversity our

into

especially

place

for

to

guide

inclusive

to

the

statement.

during

our

journey

excellence

creation Our

these

of

a

and

school

commitment

is

relentless and we pledge to be faithful to it in

community and will respond promptly to any

all

increase

with

School of Dentistry and VCU Dental Care is

science

responsible for creating a clinical, educational

the

in

infection

advice

of

rates

medical

professionals.

03

environment

The Probe | Summer 2020

consistent and

of

our

actions.

Every

member

of

VCU

and research environment that is welcoming

WELCOME

JULY 2020

and inclusive of all. Through this journey, we will continuously accept criticism and learn from our mistakes with transparency and humility. We may look and feel different on campus, or not as you’d expected if you’re a new student or resident, but our commitment to you and your education has never changed.

Your

student

body

comes

from

all

backgrounds,

races

and

ethnicities,

genders, religions, sexual orientations, and other histories and experiences.

We cannot survive if any one of us feels afraid to speak out, feels threatened and ultimately withdraws from our community. As a health care institution, the diversity of our SOD community enriches us all – students, faculty, staff and patients. In fact, racism and systemic injustice are public health issues.

We

condemn

and

will

actively

work

to

dismantle

systemic

racism

and

inequalities entrenched in our health system.

I want to remind you that you have a voice here. You are valued here. You matter here. You are needed here.

The VCU Code of Conduct is explicit and defines real expectations of all employees. Similarly, the VCU Student Code of Conduct sets expectations for students. All members of the VCU Community are required to engage in responsible social conduct that reflects credit upon the University community and to model good citizenship in any community. In addition, the following resources are available to all students, staff, and faculty at VCU:

Division of Inclusive Excellence (http://www.inclusive.vcu.edu/) University Counseling Services (http://www.students.vcu.edu/counseling/) Wellness Resource Center (http://thewell.vcu.edu/ The VCU Dean of Students, Dr. Reuban Rodriguez (vcudean@vcu.edu) Equity and Access Services and Title IX Compliance (http://equity.vcu.edu/) VCU Employee Relations (emprel@vcu.edu or 804-828-1510) VCU Ombudsperson (http://ombudsperson.vcu.edu/) VCU Helpline (www.vcuhelpline.com) VCU Employee Assistance Program (http://www.anthemeap.com) VCU Dental Care Employee Assistance Program (1-800-327-2255) VCU Dental Care Employee Relations (804-828-8873)

We are so glad to have you on campus. I appreciate your support and professionalism and I encourage you to come to me with any concerns, questions or suggestions to help make your school experience a positive one.

Welcome back.

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04

A WELCOME TO THE NEW D1 CLASS! FROM NEEKO FELTEN, D4 PRESIDENT Welcome!

As the Class President

I want you to know that your four years here

of 2021, I wanted to

doesn’t have to be something you dread. Your time

take a moment to

here

should

be

enjoyable,

memorable,

and

a

welcome you all to the

period of growth. It can be the best time of your

VCU School of

life. It’s all about how you approach these new

Dentistry.

upcoming challenges and the effort you put into them.

You have all been through many challenges, but

there’s

nothing

quite

like

dental

school

to

Dental

school

is

a

time

to

build

new

relationships, meet new people, and experience a

make you question your decisions in life. You will

new

have some of the worst days of your life here and

academics, but don’t neglect your personal life,

there will be moments when you hit a brick wall,

your health, or your sanity. This is where you will

lose all motivation, and lay on your bedroom floor

meet

in

for

memories. When the going gets tough remember

daunting,

that you made it into dental school! Never lose

defeat.

dental

Nothing

school.

can

Dental

truly

school

prepare can

be

you

tedious, and it can be absolutely miserable.

Every dental student has experienced both sides, misery and success, and you will too. It will

city.

It

is

steadfast

important

friends

to

and

do

make

your

best

in

unforgettable

sight of this. You have put in the hard work to achieve

your

dreams.

You

have

earned

this

wonderful opportunity. This is your time.

be easy to get lost in the minutia of your daily

From myself and the dental students here at

tasks and be overwhelmed by the mountain of

VCU, we are excited to meet you all and we hope

studying you have to do and the short amount of

that you find your home here at VCU.

time you have to do it.

Are you feeling stressed yet?

05

The Probe | Summer 2020

WELCOME

JULY 2020

KEEPING THE SPARKLE A MESSAGE TO D1S AND D2S

FROM KRISTEN RICHEY, D3 PRESIDENT

Remember how you had spent years of your life

D1s-I am so excited for you to start on your

dreaming

dental school journey.

dream when

is

of

being

about

you

first

to

a

dentist

become

found

out

and

real? that

now

your

Remember you

were

This year may look a little different from years past,

but

do

not

be

it

takes

a

discouraged

Sometimes

next chapter of life learning about teeth every

new

day? Remember how excited you were when

experience

you

you

some great innovation and change in practices

heard that you had your own mailbox at your

of the school and I am excited for. D1 is a busy

dream

that

year and it can be very tough at times. My

was? Dental school is a wild journey and you

hope for you is that you keep the sparkle and

are about to start your first or second year of it.

energy that you have right now throughout your

My hope for you is that you can keep the same

entire year and schooling career. Remembering

enthusiasm

for

why you love dentistry and your passion for this

dentistry now at the beginning of your journey

field will help keep your mind focused and your

for your entire dental school career.

priorities straight even when there are tough

first

joined

dental

your

school

and

class

and

sparkle

groupme

how

that

and

exciting

you

have

"This year may look a little different from years past, but do not be discouraged by this.

Sometimes it takes a wildfire to encourage new growth."

times.

The

I

new

D2

know

that

changes

class

has

to

this.

accepted and then could not wait to start your

growth.

wildfire

by

encourage

your

that

been

class

will

so

will

result

excited

in

to

meet you as you saw from their involvement in your

interview

students’

day

resource

and

experience experience. become

and Use

friends

accepted

them with

as

a

them

because they will be the ones who you work with in lab and later, in clinic. You have a busy, fun, tough, exciting, and unique year in front of

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06

you and you are on your way to achieving your goal of becoming an excellent dentist. Just remember to keep the sparkle.

D2s-The best thing that you can do is be a supportive class for the D1s.

Dental school as we know it is going to look very different than it was last fall. Instead of focusing on the differences, stop and take the time to get to know the D1s and help them on their journey which will have challenges that are going to be very different from the ones you

faced

being

when

negative

you

and

were

a

D1.

comparing

Instead

your

work

of to

their work or your D1 experience to theirs, ask them

about

their

days,

ask

them

about

themselves, and learn to become friends and mentors to them. The D1s will be the people you work most closely with in clinic—this year when you are sharing Woolwine with them, get to know them and form bonds with them that can grow even more in clinic. I have already been very encouraged by your classes’ interest in the new class whether it be through meeting them outside of their interview rooms or bringing snacks for them during interviews or going out to dinner with them at accepted students’ day, you all have really been there for the incoming class! I encourage you to keep this momentum and continue to form bonds with them. These bonds will help make the dental school environment even better than it currently is. I am excited for all of you to really delve into the dental classes that you take in D2 year and learn so much more in lab. D2 year is very different from D1 year. One of my favorite ways that it was different is that it really bonds your class together—the amount of time spent in lab, doing group projects, and going through white coat seals your class together in a special way during D2. I am very excited for you all to experience this.

The D3s will be happy to be a resource for you in any way that we can and are excited for you to join us in clinic so soon. Throughout this year just remember to keep the sparkle.

07

The Probe | Summer 2020

VCU SOD EVENTS

JULY 2020

Gallery: Looking Back Photos and captions provided by ASDA historian, Clairise Cash

September 2019 From group runs, healthy snack stations, and step challenges to yoga classes at Humble Haven, Roots Natural Kitchen lunchand-learns with a registered dietician, and cycle classes at Boho cycle

ASDA Health and Wellness Month was a studio,

October 2019

8 of our chapter’s leaders were selected to attend the

ASDA National Leadership Conference in Chicago, IL!

success thanks to our amazing Health and Wellness Chairs, Erin Britt and Julia Cove!

It was a great weekend of getting inspired, networking, CE, and Chicago-style deep-dish pizza!

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08

November 2019

ASDA Advocacy Week included a lunch and learn with the VDA, “guess that famous smile”, a popcorn and politics event, and a visit from our friend, the molar bear! We learned more about ASDA’s current hot issues like teledentistry, licensure reform, and student debt.

A huge shoutout to our

December 2019

legislative liaison, Sungmin Soh for a great week!

Llamas, donkeys, and mini horses, oh my! Our annual

ASDA Petting Zoo was the G.O.A.T. and lifted VCU ASDA bowled a strike in our spare time at the D1/D2

Bowling Social at Uptown Alley!

everyone’s spirits during finals week!

09

The Probe | Summer 2020

VCU SOD EVENTS

JULY 2020

January 2020

At the

ASDA District 4

Meeting in Greenville, South Carolina, our chapter won awards for our excellence in Social Media and Events, and the VCU ASDA Unsung Hero was awarded to Clairise Cash! We had a great weekend connecting with other students in district 4 and learning.

Dental students and dentists teamed up to lobby our state legislators on the VDA’s bill on teledentistry on

VDA Lobby Day. The

day was a success and the bill passed!

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10

VCU ASDA volunteers made cards for the children at the Ronald McDonald House of Richmond at our

cardmaking service event.

March 2020

ASDA Annual Session was held in St. Louis, MO, where we elected our national and district 4 leaders, and voted on resolutions. We had a great weekend from networking and learning, to attending the President’s Gala and Gold Crown Awards. Mackenzie Bates and Jacob Mirpanah were the voting members that represented VCU!

May 2020 Although graduation looked a little different this year, VCU ASDA is so proud of our graduated D4 students for all of their hard work and earning their DDS.

Congrats Class of 2020!

11

The Probe | Summer 2020

VCU SOD EVENTS

JULY 2020

We are VCU SOD! Congratulations to the Class of 2022 for their White Coat Ceremony

Caty Malone shares her thoughts from her White Coat Ceremony.

From

the

matriculation

at

VCU

School

of

Dentistry, the class of 2022 has always been connected in a way that has made us bond like

family.

My

thoughts

during

orientation

week of our first year were how blessed I was to

be

in

a

class

with

such

awesome

and

inspiring future dentists. Since then, we have accomplished so much and I could not be more honored to be a part of this class.

Considering

how

well

our

class

has

connected up to this point, our White Coat Ceremony

felt

no

different.

Receiving

our

professional white coats from professors all of us as a class had picked, reciting our oath together,

and

celebrating

with

all

of

our

loved ones made for a memorable night. It was

one

that

made

me

feel

even

more

connected to my class. We each had a dream and we all are a part of a class that works together to achieve that dream. When I say we work together, I mean everyone helps with notes

if

someone

missed

something,

study

guides are always being sent out with key points, advice in woolwine lab is always being shared

so

practicals, teamwork

everyone and and

so

can much

do

their

more.

positivity

has

best

on

Everyone’s greatly

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12

influenced my experience in dental school so thank you all

for

making

friendly hope

the

such

environment!

we

mindset

it

can

moving

world

I

keep

just that

forward

needs

a

as

positive,

understanding, and cohesive leaders.

Some may say it was no big

deal

and

not

that

exciting since we have had this

white

around

coat

collecting

sitting

dust

and

dirt the whole first two years of dental school, but there are many others who would disagree. While I saw other professional schools receive their white coats first semester, we were hard at work in gross anatomy lab so I quickly forgot about ours. I was reminded about my white coat again when the class above us had their ceremony and that fueled my excitement for dentistry again. Looking back the anticipation of having our White Coat Ceremony half way into dental school was so exciting and motivating to get me through the end of second year.

Little did we know, we would have a quarantine break for the rest of the semester. After white coat, we had our last spring break of dental school, which was a fun time to celebrate.

At

the

point

when

we

receive our white coats, we have earned it and it makes me

feel

knowing

so

much

that

I

better

have

done

what it takes to, in a few weeks,

be

caring

for

patients. What we all have been dreaming of is seeing patients

and

everything

we

provide upmost

them care.

COVID-19

doing can with

Even

has

to the

though

interrupted

the completion of some of our preclinical courses, we

13

The Probe | Summer 2020

VCU SOD EVENTS

JULY 2020

"An affirmation on the part of aspiring dentists that their purpose will be pure and that they can be trusted to honor the tradition of the learned professions in placing the interest of patients above self. "

will be living that dream here soon.

the

part

of

aspiring

dentists

that

their

purpose will be pure and that they can be White coat ceremony made me feel

trusted

to

honor

the

tradition

of

the

eager to practice the future career we

learned professions in placing the interest

have chosen. Donning the white coat

of

means we are to meet the expectations

ceremony

of its symbolism. This requires us health

opportunity

professionals to be trustworthy, affable,

symbolism

caring, and passionate leaders. Since

person I was made to be! I have my family,

the color white is a symbol of purity, I

friends,

think Dr. David Nash said it best, “The

professors to thank for the transformation.

white

coat

symbolizes

the

purity

patients

above has to of

for

self.” me

celebrate

The

been as

transformation

mentors,

white

coat

both well into

classmates,

an

as

a

the

and

of

purpose being affirmed in becoming a

Nash DA. On the symbolism of the white

health professional… an affirmation on

coat. J Dent Educ. 2014;78(12):1589 1592.

‐

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14

Give Kids a Smile 2020

By Sam Bergeron and Caitlin Harrah

Give Kids a Smile (GKAS) is a day that many at the dental school are very familiar with. It’s a jam-packed day, marked by noisy hallways and busy clinics, where kids from underserved communities receive free dental care. This year, many may have noticed that GKAS looked a little different, and we are very excited to share these changes with you.

Under new leadership, the faculty and student coordinators re-evaluated the mission of GKAS. We found

that

the

beyond

providing

service,

but

dental

organization’s care

rather

health

“is

crisis

in

during

mission a

designed three

single to

extends day

address

distinct

areas:

of the to

provide care now to people who are suffering from untreated disease; to strengthen and expand the public/private

safety

net;

and

to

bring

disease

prevention and education into communities.”

In

order

to

changed GKAS.

the

This

access

achieve

to

this

structure

year,

we

dental

of

mission how

VCU

prioritized

care

more

fully,

takes

patients

(largely

we

part with

in no

undocumented

children who do not qualify for Medicaid). We held screening

days

prior

to

the

main

GKAS

event,

in

order to identify patient needs and schedule them accordingly. Some patients were scheduled outside of GKAS Day, i.e. if they required extensive treatment that couldn’t be completed within one appointment.

Other

patients

enroll

in

were

Medicaid,

given to

information

receive

more

on

how

to

long-term,

continuous care. And those treated on GKAS Day (64 kids, treated with $33,135 of free dental care) were seen

with

greater

attention

than

years

prior,

and

were added to the pediatric clinic patient list to be scheduled for future follow-ups.

15

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VCU SOD EVENTS

JULY 2020

"The organization's mission extends beyond providing care during a single day of service... " By continued

providing care,

we

more were

relationships

with

our

communities

that

they

careful able

to

patients, are

a

treatment establish

and

part

and

better

therefore of.

With

the

these

changes, GKAS hopes to serve as a bridge between VCU

Dental

Care

and

these

underserved

communities.

For

those

interested

in

getting

involved

in

community-based, oral hygiene education initiatives, there will be more opportunities throughout the year.

As this is the first year we’ve adopted these changes, there is a lot of room to grow. We are hoping that as many people can be a part of that as possible! Thank you for those that volunteered this year, and please reach out if you have any ideas on how to make next year even better.

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16

ASDA District 4 Updates

ASDA

is

organized

into

districts

and

VCU

belongs to District 4 of ASDA which includes other schools in our region such as UNC, ECU, Georgia, Meharry, Tennessee, and MUSC. The

By Kristen Richey

leader of District 4 ASDA, the district trustee, is Christina Aponte who goes to Meharry.

What is ASDA and how is it organized?

"At vcu, we are lucky because every student is automatically ... able to benefit. "

ASDA, the American Student Dental Association, according to its mission statement is a “national student-run advances

organization

the

rights,

that

interests,

protects and

and

welfare

of

dental students. It introduces students to lifelong

This year, I am serving as VCU’s district liason

involvement in organized dentistry and provides

which means that I will help transmit information

services, information, education, representation,

about what is happening in ASDA at a district

and advocacy.”

level to all VCU students as well as report on VCU’s ASDA involvement to the district. During

At VCU, we are lucky because EVERY student is

the

automatically

means

important information, education opportunities,

that EVERY student is able to benefit from the

and resources to dental students. In this article,

resources,

this

I will highlight some of the District happenings in

the

ASDA so that VCU students can be in the know

an

ASDA

education,

organization.

At

VCU,

member

and

which

benefits

Becky

Cerva

of is

incoming school president of the ASDA chapter.

17

The Probe | Summer 2020

COVID-19

pandemic,

ASDA

has

provided

about what is happening at a district level.

ASDA

District 4 Happenings

JULY 2020

Weekly Webinars District

4

ASDA

offers

weekly

webinars

on

topics

ranging

from

residency to communicating with patients in Arabic to bettering your public speaking skills. These webinars and free and available to any ASDA member. Updates about upcoming webinars are posted on the District 4 Instagram and website.

District 4 Book Club Starting in June, members of District 4 will be reading the book, Teeth

by Mary Otto. This book is about the inequalities present in oral health in America and calls for radical change in the current system. This book club will allow students from our district to read and discuss important issues relating to dentistry.

Wellness Initiatives District 4 has been sharing workouts, healthy recipes, and is making a cookbook

with

some

of

the

members’

favorite

childhood

recipes.

Many of the wellness initiatives are launched on Instagram.

Advocacy Advocacy updates are emailed out to all members and updates are posted on the District 4 website. The licensure exams have been an important advocacy topic for ASDA in the past years and this year, partly due to COVID-19, important changes. The Virginia legislative updates are as follows: On May 8, the Virginia Board of Dentistry voted

to

crisis.

The

modify

the

licensure

Board

will

accept

a

requirements clinical

during

dental

the

COVID-19

examination

which

includes a simulated manikin exercise in restorative dentistry. The scaling exercise with live patients will also be waived.

Service District 4 has been raising money to donate to the New York food bank. In the past month, District 4 has donated over 5,000 meals to the food bank.

For more updates about what is happening in District 4 ASDA, refer to: Kristen's emails @district4asda on Instagram https://www.districtfourasda.com 18 The Probe | Summer 2020

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Teledentistry Legislation

By Matilda Sullivan '22, VCU ASDA Legislative

After a ton of hard work by VDA members since

Liason

last spring, SB122 (Barker) and HB 165 (Hope) have passed the legislature and been signed by

Exciting legislative bills have

the Governor. The core issues addressed in the

passed the house and senate

legislation

floor in Virginia through the

incredibly important as they offer a framework

help

of

the

Virginia

Dental

Association and VCU dental students who lobbied at this year’s VDA Lobby Day. important students

as to

VCU be

It is

dental

aware

of

ongoing changes in Virginia that

will

impact

• Requires a dentist practicing teledentistry to hold

an

active

unrestricted

formal dental training. Below is an updated list on major legislative changes, provided by

the

VDA

Website:

https://www.vadental.org /advocacy/virginiageneral-assembly

The Probe | Summer 2020

in

VA

and

of Dentistry.

Hold

dentists

practicing

teledentistry

to

the

same standard of care as those practicing in a

•

practice

license

places them under the purview of the VA Board

public

private

and

• Defines teledentistry in the Commonwealth.

brick and mortar setting.

or

straight-forward

short-term:

our careers as we move into

upon the completion of our

19

very

for the future while ensuring patient safety in the

•

legislation

were

Requires

a

face-to-face

establishment

of

a

dentist-patient relationship through a two-way audiovisual

or

audio

telecommunications

technology (synchronous communication).

•

Equates

statutory

treatment

of

digital

scans

and digital files to the traditional initial and final impressions

and

the

responsibility

of

a

dentist

and delegation of services to dental staff.

• Provides privacy protection of all digital files & info established by Rules Governing the Practice of Dentistry.

ASDA

JULY 2020

Adult Dental Medicaid • The final budget contains significant dollars for DMAS to implement an adult Medicaid

Fluoride Varnish

benefit for adults -- $33M in year 1 and $93M in year 2.

•

While

supporting

legislation, seat

front

benefit.

the

VDA

and

Over

the made

center

the

next

on

policy sure

of

we

had

designing

many

this

months

a

the the

DMAS Dental Advisory Committee (DAC) will be meeting to discuss the size and scope of the program with active VDA input to ensure

• Legislation adding medical assistants to the

list

of

individuals

that

can

apply

fluoride varnish has been signed by the Governor.

• The goal of this effort supported by the VDA is to have more children treated with fluoride varnish.

the benefit is meaningful.

Balance Billing – Oral Surgeons in ER • The long debated balance billing legislation captures two scenarios:

emergencies and out

of network surgical or ancillary services provided at an in-network hospital.

• If an oral surgeon is called into the ER to stitch up a facial laceration or wire shut a broken jaw, they will be governed by rules in the bill so no balance billing, collect the cost share from the patient, get paid by the carrier a commercial reasonable amount.

• Same is true for an OMS performing non-emergency services at an in-network facility.

No

balanced billing, collect the cost share, carrier pays a commercially reasonable amount, negotiate if you don't like and arbitrate if you cannot find common ground.

• IMPORTANT: this legislation does NOT impact current balance billing and assignment of benefits policies outside of the emergency room setting.

The Probe | Summer 2020

20

It only takes 5 minutes to get engaged!

Help our school's advocacy committee

win $100 by

sending in the most Engage letters by August 4th!

Only 2 steps required (1) Sign your name for each topic at:

http://cqrcengage.com/asda/app/write-a-letter?

32&engagementId=502505 (2) Forward the confirmation email you get with new subject "VCU / Engage" to d4asda.advocacy@gmail.com

Topics you can advocate for by signing the letters Urge your representatives to co-sign POST GRAD Act Take action to support the Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act Support Measures to Alleviate the Student Debt Burden Support H.R. 2186: Student Loan Refinancing Act Advocate for the Competitive Health Insurance Reform Act

21

The Probe | Summer 2020

CLINIC

JULY 2020

Story by Jasmine Jinhee Lee

Fun Facts from our

GPG Leaders and PCCs (Patient Care Coordinators) In order to find out more about our GPG faculty and staff, I asked our GPG Leaders and PCCs for a fun fact that students may not know about them as well as their favorite hobbies. I also asked our GPG leaders, "What is a quote or thought that motivates you to keep pursuing dentistry?" and "If you could go back in time and share one piece of advice with your younger self (when you were a dental student), what would you say?"

Dentistry can seem intimidating when we first start out (and so can our faculty and staff around clinic!) but here are their interviews answers that were fun and encouraging for me to read. As a new D3, I am looking forward to learning more about dentistry and working together with our GPG Leaders and PCCs in clinic!

Find out who is else is in your GPG via the Intranet > "Student rosters" (VPN required if you're off campus) The Probe | Summer 2020

22

FUN FACTS FROM OUR GPG LEADERS + PCCS

GPG 1

"Every moment and every event of every man's life on earth plants something in his soul."

Dr. Vincent Sawicki Q: Fun fact?

Former marathon runner (and maybe yet again).

Q: Favorite hobby?

Drinking nice full bodied red Bordeaux, easy cello pieces, gym and languages.

Q: Motivational quote?

"Every moment and every event of every

Cheryl Simms

man's life on earth plants something in

which does not kill us makes us

Q: Fun facts?

A: I have been

stronger." (Friedrich Nietzsche)

school

his soul." (Thomas Merton) and "That

for

38

at the dental years

and

started as a dental assistant -

Q: Advice to younger self?

played softball for 19 years.

A: Keep your eyes wide open, so you

23

don't miss all those wonderful things that

Q: Favorite hobby?

are coming.

A: Going out on our pontoon.

The Probe | Summer 2020

CLINIC

JULY 2020

GPG 2 "Learn the rules like a pro so you can break them like an artist."

Dr. Louis Formica Q: Fun fact?

A: I really enjoy espresso and practicing latte art.

Q: Favorite hobby?

A: Cycling, Surfing.

Jennifer Howard

Q: Motivational quote?

A: Learn the rules like a pro so you can break them like

Q: Fun facts?

an artist - Picasso

A: Been in the dental field for 27 yrs.

Q: Favorite hobby?

Q: Advice to younger self?

A: Spending time with my

A: It's all worth it.

son\hiking\biking\going to the beach.

The Probe | Summer 2020

24

GPG 3

"It's a great profession that involves what I like best; science, art, and people."

Dr. Terry Imbery Q: Fun fact?

A: I am the fifth of six children.

Grew up in East Toledo, the right side of the river.

Sue Richmond

Q: Favorite hobby?

A: Gardening, running and American History.

Q: Fun facts?

A: I have two miniature

Q: Motivational thought?

schnauzers love to listen to ocean

A: It's a great profession that

sounds to fall asleep on my Alexa

involves what I like best; science,

love the smell of a wood burning

art, and people.

fireplace in the fall.

Q: Advice to younger self?

25

Q: Favorite hobby?

A: I should of taken art classes in

A: Reading, walking on the

undergraduate school to help with

beach.

hand skills.

The Probe | Summer 2020

CLINIC

JULY 2020

GPG 4 Dr. Peter Antinopoulos Q: Fun fact?

A: Blackjack dealer in Las Vegas for 6 months prior to dental school.

Q: Favorite hobby?

A: Riding bikes on Capital Trail, crosswords, anything Steelers!

Q: Motivational quote?

A: Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not: nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent.

Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not: the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. (Calvin Coolidge 30th US President)

"...Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent."

Q: Advice to younger self?

A: Enjoy the journey and don't get caught up in STUFF! Learn your craft. The competencies, practicals and exams will take care of themselves.

Ann Graber

The Probe | Summer 2020

26

FUN FACTS FROM OUR GPG LEADERS + PCCS

GPG 5

Dr. Carlos Smith Q: Fun fact?

A: I am big history & politics buff and ancestry/genealogy nerd too!

Q: Favorite hobby?

A: Cycling/Spin and watching track & field.

"I have only just a minute...

Didn't seek it, didn't choose it.

But it’s up to me to use it.

I must suffer if I lose it. Give account if I abuse it."

Q: Motivational quote?

A: I have only just a minute, Only sixty seconds in it.

Forced upon me, can’t refuse it.

Didn’t seek it, didn’t choose it.

But it’s up to me to use it.

I must suffer if I lose it. Give account if I abuse it.

Just a tiny little minute, but eternity is in it. - This is a poem by noted educator Dr. Benjamin Elijah Mays

Q: Advice to younger self?

A: I think I'd offer this advice: you can actually "have it all" but likely not at the same exact time. Be

Donna Cowherd 27

The Probe | Summer 2020

true to your core passions and talents; everything else will fall into place!

CLINIC

JULY 2020

GPG 6 "Use what talents you possess, the woods would be very silent if no birds sang except those that sang best."

Dr. Al Russell Q: Fun fact?

A: To help pay tuition during dental school, I worked at the County morgue in Columbus, OH. I like to tease squirrels.

Q: Favorite hobby?

A: Doing things at home reading, working in the yard, kayaking, bike riding.

Q: Motivational quote?

A: Use what talents you possess, the woods would be very silent if no birds sang

Ashley Powell

except those that sang best.

Henry van Dyke

Q: Fun fact?

Q: Advice to younger self?

A: I could eat seafood all day!

A: Don't waste one minute.

There is more to learn about

Q: Favorite hobby?

dentistry than you can possible

A: cheer mom, sports mom

absorb in your four years.

The Probe | Summer 2020

28

GPG 7

"The role of the artist is to ask questions, not answer them."

Dr. Rodney A. McDaniel Q: Fun fact?

A: I have 2 tattoos!

Q: Favorite hobby?

A: Playing classical piano and composing new pop/dance music.

Young Rhamel

Q: Motivational quote?

A: "The role of the artist is to ask questions, not answer them."

(Anton Chekhov)

Q: Advice to younger self?

A: Don't sweat the small stuff by the way, it's all small stuff.

29

The Probe | Summer 2020

CLINIC

JULY 2020

GPG 8

"We are what we repeatedly do.

Excellence is not an act, it but a habit."

Dr. Mark Barry Q: Fun fact?

A: I play the guitar.

Q: Favorite hobby?

A: Tennis, Hokie Football, Fishing, Boating.

Q: Motivational quote?

Mara Constanza

A: We are what we repeatedly do.

Excellence is not an act, it but a habit.

Q: Advice to younger self?

A: Get as much clinical experience as possible while you are in dental school and don't let perfect get in the way of good.

The Probe | Summer 2020

30

Student Spotlight

Featuring Manuel Capriles, Sara Short, Jacob Mirpanah, Tami Anwari, and Eva Miller

31

The Probe | Summer 2020

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

JULY 2020

IDP Transition

By Manuel Capriles Be careful what you wish for because it might happen. The diversity of reasons as to why we, as an

and

international

families.

additional

dentist,

years

dental

for

our

Some

the United States is like. Throughout my process,

and

very

future

process of becoming an international dentist in

reasons

is

through

better

Some just require work or family-related relocation. serous

school

go

a

I've been asked several times what the

have

a

to

providing

vast.

others

at

decide

also

need

to

relocate; it can be related to social or economic

I

have

reasons happening in the country that you live in

reasons as to whether to pursue the goal or not.

that leads you to make that decision. And of course,

Also,

there are “the dreamers�. The dreamers may have a

successfully

strong reason to move to the United States but are

working against them. To me there is no excuse

mainly driven by a desire to challenge the process

-

and become better dentists on the way.

difficulties. You either wanted it or did not want

I

you

heard

meet

a

a

lot

lot

even

either

do

of

of

different

people

with

it

or

a

lot

not

-

opinions

who of

and

came

out

adversities

there

are

no

Of course, no matter what the reason is, the

it enough. One of my dear colleagues always

main goal has been always to develop the ability to

tells me, "You are not doing it all over again.

fulfill the necessity of helping others become better

You are just becoming better at it. Just let it

versions of themselves by providing oral health care

flow; always give your best and enjoy the ride.

inside the community we are, no matter where it is,

You are accomplishing your dream."

The Probe | Summer 2020

32

“Always give your best and enjoy the ride.

You are accomplishing your dream.”

Besides having some of the reasons one

of

mentioned my

main

your

above,

drives

is

schedule,

can

a

also

you

willing

the

accomplish

that

what

you

can

always

become always

no

already

know,

improve

better. look

matter

You

back

you

remember

everything

sense of accomplishment. It's feeling

but

to

were

do

your

to

dreams.

you

The important message is

and

that no matter what your

can

circumstances

while

are

always

are,

there

opportunities

remembering and wishing for

to advance yourself to the

those

next level especially if you

simpler

times

before

dental school took up most of

really love what you do.

Sarah Short’s

Top 5 Tips to Stay Fit as a Dental Student #1 Counteract all the sitting.

In

dental

school, we do A LOT of sitting. We sit during lectures, while we are working on teeth, and when

we

are

eating

lunch.

A

sedentary

lifestyle can have detrimental effects on our physical

health,

wellbeing

and

even

our

moods. Over time, sitting for several hours a day

can

start

to

take

years

off

our

lives.

Since it is obvious that our career requires an extraordinary

amount

of

sitting,

here

are

some ways we can hopefully gain some of those years back:

Take

the

stairs

when

transitioning

between classes.

Stand up to stretch at least once every hour.

Go on a brief walk during lunch to stretch your legs.

33

The Probe | Summer 2020

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

JULY 2020

#2 Plan your workouts in advance. do

not

have

a

we

are

exercises

plan

of

going

what

to

do

If we

types

of

throughout

I used to dread going on long runs to the point where I found I would rather just not work

out

at

all.

Once

I

discovered

the week, chances are we are not going to

weightlifting, I no longer had this pit in my

do

stomach

any

because

we

clearly

are

not

all to

day

working my

There are so many forms of exercise and if

going to work on:

you

one

gym

I

in which I split up the muscle groups I am

found

to

and

started

not

forward

out

prioritizing working out. Here are some ways

have

look

about

you

time.

enjoy,

I

encourage you to try others. Here are some Designate

days

body

other

and

for

out

upper

examples of what students throughout our

lower

body.

school do to stay fit:

working

days

for

Then figure out which days out of your week are better suited to perform those

Bike riding on trails

exercises.

Yoga

Alternate muscle groups. If you did heavy

YouTube videos

legs yesterday, then you probably are not

High intensity interval training (HIIT)

going to want to do that again today.

Walking

Allow your muscles the time they need to

Running

recover

Sports (i.e. tennis, golf, racquet ball, etc.)

and

focus

on

other

muscle

Swimming

groups in the meantime.

Decide

whether

you

prefer

morning

or

Weightlifting

evening workouts and build it into your

Use cardio equipment (i.e. elliptical, stair

daily routine.

master,

row

machine,

stationary

bike,

treadmill, etc.)

#3 Pack your gym clothes the night before school. We all have those frantic

#5 Track your progress.

mornings where we are trying to get out the

remember what workout we did one week

door and just simply will not be on time to

ago, much less four weeks ago. If we do not

school

I

keep track of our workouts, then how will we

usually keep my gym bag near my bedroom

know we are making progress? It is hard to

door to remind me to pack it before I turn

keep

off the lights at night. Creating a nightly

since you must carry it around with you. I

routine to prepare for the next day is very

have found that it is much easier to quickly

important to sticking to your goals.

type out my workout in the “Notes� app on

if

we

must

pack

our

gym

bag.

up

with

a

fitness

It

is

journal,

hard

to

especially

my phone since I always have my phone on

#4 Do workouts that you enjoy.

So many

me. I mainly write down what I do in the gym

people talk about going to the gym like it is

to make sure that I am accomplishing all my

a chore. If we have this mindset, we are

goals for the week and working out at least

never

5 days a week. If you do not keep track of

going

to

reach

our

goals.

It

is

important to find a form of exercise that we

the

enjoy

accidentally take more rest days than you

and

can

perform

multiple

times

a

week without getting board. For example, I

days

you

exercise,

it

is

easy

to

planned and fall behind in your progress.

The Probe | Summer 2020

34

A peek into the workout routine of our ASDA Vice President, Jacob M.

JACOB MIRPANAH: STAYING ACTIVE Dental school is very much like a scale – some days things tip in your favor, other days not so much. Each day

is

a

graded Anything

collection

on

the

we

of

order

can

countless

of

do

microassessments

fractions

to

of

tackle

a

millimeter.

each

of

these

assessments with calm confidence - it makes all the difference.

For

me,

that

thing

is

staying

active.

By

starting each weekday with a workout intense enough to momentarily forget about anything other than the task at hand, I walk into school each morning with a sense of momentum. I feel this momentum when I walk into Woolwine before a practical, into clinic before assisting with patients and even into Lyons 442 before sitting and listening to a series of lectures.

Pre-Covid, combination

of

weekday High

moderate-to-heavy

workouts Intensity

resistance

were

typically

Interval

training

a

Training,

and

always

ended with my favorite form of Low Intensity SteadyState Cardio: the Stairmaster. It is nice to have the gym as a separate space within which to workout.

Having a designated place to exercise lent structure and order to my day and provided the sensory cue to my mind and body to prepare for the workout ahead.

Three months into the stay-at-home order, I have had to

adapt.

movements

Kettlebell and

circuits,

plyometrics

are

resistance the

majority

band of

my

current routine. That, coupled with a daily walk on the Washington & Old Dominion Trail, feels like the best I can do at the moment. I understand I am extremely fortunate to have even that, and that there are many

35

The Probe | Summer 2020

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

JULY 2020

more

“Anything we can do to tackle each of these assessments with calm confidence - it makes all the difference. For me, that thing is staying active.”

important

consider

at

this

things

time,

but

to I

do

space

-

much

like

a

library

for

studying, is temporarily no longer.

miss the gym. Current workouts are

in

the

basement

corner

and

of

are

the often

As we prepare to go back to school

and

Rosey

are

ever to do what we need to stay

always welcome interruptions) or

calm and confident. Regardless of

a

the

family

member.

walking

dogs

The

through

cue

of

journey

as

important

our

education,

family

is

in

interrupted by Fluffy, Buddy and (our

it

continue

ahead,

or

as

however

Larrick’s

different it might look from what

automatic doors and having my

was previously envisioned; I know I

fingerprints

will do my best to continue to stay

scanned

like

some

kind of Langley Operative...those

active,

are

importance

gone.

The

disconnect

that

comes with having a designated

very to

aware my

past,

of

its

current,

and future success.

The Probe | Summer 2020

36

Please submit

Dental Doodles

articles, art, or questions to Jasmine Lee, at

The Probe's Back Page

leejj10@vcu.edu.

"Don't give up. Great things take time!"

By Eva Miller

By Eva Miller

By Tami Anwari