ASDA NEWSLETTER VOL VII ISSUE I

The “new normal” has officially arrived and it is in full gear. It is hard to believe that the school has made such a smooth transition from zoom university, to hybrid, and to now fully in person classes. As we continue through the school year we remember that not only have we overcome the pandemic as health care providers, but we are even stronger and resilient.

We produced the theme “Into the Matrix” because much like Neo from the film, as humans and students of dentistry, we have entered a new reality. We can no longer rely on our perceptions prior to the pandemic; the whole world has changed as we know it Although the pandemic has forced us to face challenges, we have taken them in stride. Not only to survive, but to thrive, adapt and innovate.

Many of the lessons we have learned since 2020, embody the WesternU way. We have learned how to embrace remodeling our world view. We have encapsulated what it means to be resilient. We have worked in unison to ensure the safety of each other and our community. For these reasons, we should be very proud of ourselves. Although we are still cautious, we want to use this issue of “The Cusp” to celebrate what we have achieved thus far and highlight the bright future on the horizon.

Lourdes

Derica Burwell

Ivonne

#INTOTHEMATRIX

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear WesternU Family,

Thank you for taking the time to read this issue of "On the Cusp" from WesternU ASDA. I appreciate the opportunity to lead this year's team of passionate, empowering, and gifted leaders. When our new board took on our positions in March of this year, we decided on the theme "#BackontheSaddle " We decided on this theme because we know that this past year has been challenging navigating through the transitional period of COVID as we gear towards normalcy. Therefore, we are saddling up for more in-person ASDA events and leading the LINE (like in-line dancing) for new opportunities to engage in riveting educational seminars, new experiences, and building a stronger camaraderie in CDM.

For the past six months, our team has shown how we come together to support one another. ASDA has five branches: academic enrichment, advocacy, fundraising & activities, marketing communications, and outreach. Our cowboy boots are different, but they are all made for the same purpose to walk with integrity, learn and grow from one another

I am also excited to announce that we created a new Instagram page: advocacy.westernu. This platform aims to educate dental students on important issues and policies in dentistry in an interactive way via informative videos about dental student loans, insurance policies, and engaging stories/posts. In addition, our diversity & inclusion branch has employed more educational events about inclusivity, such as information on Trans Day of Visibility and having a pop-up event for Pronouns Day to have students implement their pronouns on their ID. badges. Our purpose is to make sure we cultivate empathetic student doctors and allow students from different walks of life to feel welcomed into our community.

These past few months have shown that we are stronger when together. I am excited for all the in-person events we have in store to continue strengthening our relationships and building new connections in our community and nationally. In this issue of "On the Cusp," we showcase our new dean, students, and faculty. Furthermore, our members give you an insight into life outside of dental school through advocating initiatives, wellness, and hobbies. Finally, as I tell my board as a chant of unity, "Can I get a YEEHAW? YEEHAW, I say as we come together to make this year the best year yet

Sincerely,

Greetings, A LETTER FROM DEAN ANDREWS

I am honored to be able to lead the college as it succeeds forwa share some thoughts with you as you start the new ASDA y Matrix” appears to be a fitting theme for your newsletter be movie series resonates with many of us. A matrix is d something within or from which something else originates, deve takes form. One quote that I read when exploring the term, was choices become the matrix of human life." Quite fitting profession of dentistry and where each of you are heading thr dental matrix.

My life, like the four-part series, evolved and shifted with decisions I made to take me to the next level. This may also be true of your journey to date. Upon graduation in 1995, I began my new life and career as part of my decision to break with an expectation I felt I was deemed to follow as a mother of two young children. My first matrix was becoming a mother. The privilege of shaping a child and helping them become the best that they can be is rewarding. However, if we as parents are not fulfilled this may impede our success as parents. You as well will find that your dental school journey needs to be nurtured and molded to fit your goals and whatever situations you find yourself in after graduation. You are molding who you are as a professional right now and will need to evaluate each next step in front of you to fulfill your goals, especially as they shift. My second matrix was starting my private practice. This is such an exciting and yet frightening experience with many rewards along the way. Each day you are in dental school you are building the toolkit to be successful. Embrace these times as they are so important, and each experience and bit of knowledge are keys to moving through the matrix no matter which bullet comes at you. The movie series the Matrix, consisted of four feature films, beginning with The Matrix (1999) followed by three sequels,

The Matrix Reloaded, The Matrix Revolutions (both 2003), and The Matrix Resurrections (2021). The trilogy suggests that everyone has the individual responsibility to make the choice between the real world and an artificial world. As dentists we must make decisions daily as to what is best for a patient, the type of restoration or how to work within a team to ensure you succeed. Take each day and situation as an important part of your job and go out of your way to navigate the barriers that get in your way of optimum care. As a dental student and practicing dentist, opportunities will come your way. Even when you are unsure if you should take on a new role or lead a committee at the local or national level, step up and break through by using your collective experiences and critical thinking to make the endeavor successful. If you are resourceful and build networks of mentors and teammates, you can accomplish more than you envisioned. Finally, as I walked through the CDA exhibition floor yesterday and explored the new technology that we have at our fingertips, it’s obvious that the newest matrix of dentistry is a collision of real world and artificial. We continue to build on our ability to use the technology to aid our skills of diagnostics with artificial intelligence. Computerized tools to diagnose or confirm your diagnosis seem out of this world but are in our future as oral health care providers. Your next matrix will include many new technologies beyond what I had in my practice. Take the time to investigate the technology and use the evidence to make the best decision for the patient and the situation. As Morpheus in the matrix stated: "I can only show you the door, you're the one that has to walk through it" – CDM will show you how to get there but you must make it happen.

Advocacy & Public Health

ACADEMIC CONFERENCE

BY: VALENTINA GARCIA

I had an amazing time at ASDA’s Advocacy and Public Health Academy (APHA) conference this past April. The day began with a keynote speaker, Dr. Grossman, the founder of the organization “Homeless not Toothless.” Dr. Grossman discussed the importance of business in dentistry and introduced to us the topic of how to manage money while running a practice. He also mentioned that the most important part of running a business is achieving permanent profitability and went on to recommend the book “Profit First” by Mike Michalowicz. As the conference continued, other great speakers taught us about dental implants, dentistry in public health and the importance of being involved with dental policies. The conference concluded with a networking session, where I had the opportunity to meet dental students from all over California. The conference was overall inspirational and an eye-opening experience to the diverse profession of dentistry. I left motivated to continue my dental school journey and I am looking forward to attending more ASDA conferences in the future.

STUFFED BELLPEPPERS

Step back & Take a Look

This article was originally published by the American Student Dental Association in the February 1993 edition of ASDANews.

My ASDA roots run deep. When I was a student, I served on the national ASDA Editorial Board. The other day I was cleaning out my garage and found a copy of one of our two publications at that time, ASDA News, which featured an editorial that I wrote. Upon realizing it was published exactly 30 years ago, I took a break from cleaning and gave it a read...again.

Dentistry is a demanding profession, both physically and mentally Equally demanding is the preparation required for a career in dentistry. In fact, dental school can be so demanding and timeconsuming that students often lose touch with other aspects of their lives. The life of a dental student can become reduced to a group of patients, a set of requirements, long nights buried in the books, and endless hours of lab work. However, we all know that there is more to life, and that outside the dental school walls lies the rest of the world. Sometimes it just takes someone or something to help us get things back in perspective.For me, that something was the death of someone close to me. I lost a friend in an automobile accident She was only nineteen When someone so young, someone who had her whole life ahead of her, dies, the pain of the tragedy becomes even more poignant, and hits even closer to home Inherent in tragedy is the opportunity to grow and to learn

Some may react to such a loss by gaining a better awareness of their own mortality and coming to appreciate their own lives more. My friend’s death touched me deep inside and shook me out of the narrow world of dental school. It helped me to step back and take a look at my own life, as everyone should do from time to time. If you were to die tomorrow, how would you feel about the way you were leaving the world? When I asked myself this same question, I began to realize that because of the pressures of dental school, my priorities were mixed up and my life was out of balance. I became determined to find a way to continue to pursue my love for dentistry, yet somehow establish and maintain a balanced life in the rather unsteady environment of dental school. After a few hours of thought and reflection, I came up with five simple ideas. It may take a lifetime to realize them.

1. HAVE PASSION

Do you like dentistry, do you love it, or do you have a passion for it? The latter not only implies that you have the utmost commitment to your profession, but also that dentistry gives you satisfaction, energy, and excitement. And a passion for dentistry should be balanced with a passion for other things, such as a sport, a hobby, a special person, or simply life itself. Do you have a passion for dentistry? If not, perhaps you should reconsider careers before you commit to it for a lifetime.

2. TAKE RISKS

We all took a risk by coming to dental school. We take risks every time we treat a patient, meet new people, or put our trust in someone. But nothing has ever been gained that was not first risked. Don’t be afraid to try something new. If things are being done one way, there’s a good chance you’ll find success by going the opposite way. When you take a risk, you come to the edge of a cliff. You might fall...you might fly.

3. MAKE SOMEONE'S DAY BRIGHTER

This is not a difficult or time-consuming thing to do, but you would be amazed at how good it can make another person and yourself feel. Give a thank-you note to your receptionist, an assistant, an instructor, or your dean. Call a patient after a difficult appointment to see how he or she is doing. Compliment someone you don’t know. Try to make someone’s day a little better, and one day most likely when you really need it they'll make yours better in return.

4. ENCOURAGE AND EXPLORE YOUR FEELINGS

Sometimes feelings get set aside during dental school. For example, do you think of your patients as mere [procedures] on the road to graduation? Or do you think of them as people who are spending their hard-earned money, sitting with their mouths open for hours at a time, and giving you the opportunity to learn? Perhaps they’re just a little bit afraid of what you’re going to do to them. Empathize with your patients. And at the other extreme, remember that patients aren’t the only important people in your life. Sometimes a special effort is needed to keep in touch with friends, spouses, family members, and most importantly ourselves. After all, dental students are human beings and it’s okay for us to feel.

5. LIVE FOR TODAY

Life is short, fragile, and unpredictable. And while it is good to have goals for the future and to strive for them, it is a waste of time to worry about whether or not you will achieve them. If you are doing your best, that is all you can ask of yourself. Don’t be concerned with what you cannot control.

Just as we have no control over the future, we have no control over the past. Dwelling on past failures (and successes too for that matter) does nothing for you in the present. Enjoy the days as they come and make each one count. Above all, remember your priorities. Dentistry is important, but so are family, friends, fun, love, sorrow, happiness, death, and life. Step back and take a look.

FOR DANIELA

ARTINSIDER

BY: DANIEL SHON

"The illustration depicts how dentistry can be fun, too! I wanted to pave a unique perspective of dentistry through art. Dentists are not a villain but are like a guardian of the front door that leads to the whole body. The pandemic brought upon many changes in dentistry, and the illustration brings an awareness of all the various pathogens dental professionals are exposed to daily. The new reality of dentistry can be seen in changes in PPE and new protective equipment that reduce exposure as much as possible."

d j s h o n . d m d

CAN YOU GUESS WHICH FACULTY MEMBER THIS IS?

RDS H

ASDA FEVER WEEK