ISSUE 2 - August 2014
WORLD ORAL HEALTH DAY IDEM SINGAPORE
IADS BROADENED MY HORIZON
AND GAVE ME COURAGE
THE TADS DREAM INTERNSHIP EXCHANGE EXPERIENCES THE JORDANIAN ASSOCIATION OF DENTAL STUDENTS
THE SOONER STATE: ALL IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE
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editor’s word Dear IADS friends, I am very glad to present you the second IADS Magazine issue of 2014 which comes to complete the other former editions. Through this issue, we share with you different IADS events, our members’ activities and IADS success stories, reflecting our association’s spirit and goals on all the continents.
In the name of the entire editorial board, I would like to express gratitude to all the ones who contributed and made possible the making of our publication.
Malek Ghorbel editor@iads-web.org
Contents 6 8
World Oral Health Day 2014 Giving the gift of prevention
16 International Dental Exhibition and Meeting (IDEM) Singapore
IADS & YDW MidYear Meeting 2014 – The TADS dream
18 IADS broadened my horizon and gave me courage
12 I feel sLOVEnia, I feel LOVE! Representing SIDSIC – Slovenian dental students international committee
14 The Jordanian Association of Dental Students – JADS The Journey Unfolds as Told by JADS Founder Osama Afaneh
20 The Sooner State: All in the blink of an eye 21 Internship exchange experience in Onulu, Finland 22 Internship exchange experience in Yogyakarta, Indonesia 23 Internship exchange experience in Samara, Russia 3
General
iads exco 2013–2014
President 2013–2014 Country: Romania/ Republic of Moldova University: University of Medicine and Pharmacy Craiova (Romania) IADS e-mail: president@iads-web.org
Petra Horáková
Sina Saygili
Malek Ghorbel
Drg. Esti Riyanda Astuti
Görkem Sengün
Dr. Stefánia Zsuzsanna Radó
General Secretary 2013–2014 Country: Czech Republic, Prague University: Masaryk University, Brno Czech Republic IADS e-mail: secretary@iads-web.org
IADS Magazine
Pavel Scarlat
International Exchange Officer 2013–2014 Country: Indonesia University: Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta IADS e-mail: ieo@iads-web.org
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Treasurer 2013–2014 Country: Turkey University: Istanbul University, Faculty of Dentistry IADS e-mail: treasurer@iads-web.org
International Scientific Officer 2013–2014 Country: Turkey University: Istanbul University, Faculty of Dentistry IADS e-mail: iso@iads-web.org, score@iads-web.org
Editor 2013–2014 Country: Tunisia University: Faculty of Dentistry of Monastir IADS e-mail: editor@iads-web.org
Immediate Past President 2013–2014 Country: Hungary University: Semmelweis University Budapestw IADS e-mail: ipp@iads-web.org
João Pires
Regional Director – Europe Country: Portugal
Goh Seong Ling Regional Director – Asia, Pacific Country: Malaysia
Tarek Omran
Regional Director – Middle East Country: United Arab Emirates
Abdullah Salah
Regional Director – Africa Country: Sudan
Dr. Blanca Leticia Thompson Llaca Regional Director – America Country: Mexico
Nesrine Gharbi
Sofyen Ghorbel
Khalil Shahramian
Görkem Sengün
Chairman of the Training Committee 2013–2014 Country: Tunisia
Chairman of the Committee on Recruiting New Members 2013–2014 Country: Tunisia
IADS Magazine
Chairmen of Standing Committees
General
Regional Directors
Murad Alrshadi
Chairman of the Prophylaxis Committee 2013–2014 Country: Saudi Arabia
Laurian Lue Yen
Chairman of the International Voluntary Abroad Committee 2013–2014 Country: Jamaica
Chairman of the Fundraising Committee 2013–2014 Country: United Arab Emirates
Chairman of The Standing Committee on Research and Education 2013–2014 Country: Turkey
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committee IADS Magazine
World Oral Health Day 2014
Giving the gift of prevention
Prevention is better than cure! Here at the prophylaxis committee, we are working toward the benefit of the community through awareness and prevention for better health. 6
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or the second time, International Association of Dental Students, in collaboration with FDI, participated in World Oral Health Day (WOHD) 2014. WOHD is a day that helps increase dental health through advocating prevention to the public, whereby dental care provider and students share their time, instruments and knowledge with local communities. This year, 27 countries from 4 different continents were present, including Sudan, Egypt, Oman, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Italy, Serbia, Jamaica, Palestine, Chile, Turkey, Hungary, Montenegro, Czech Republic, Armenia, Slovenia, India, Libya, Nepal, Tunis, UAE, Romania, Bulgaria, Iran, Mexico and Russia. In each of these countries, dental students worked with communities to educate the public on good oral health and to distribute dentifrices. Moreover, two competitions were organized for the purpose of supporting the country activities in this day: the first one was best WOHD photo, and the second one was the best dental student organization activities.
committee These two competitions were sponsored by FDI. The 2014 WOHD was a huge success. According to FDI statistics, 106 countries celebrated that day, and nearly third of their celebration were led by student organization 27 of them are students’ organization. We are thrilled that students are playing such an important role in the society.
IADS Magazine
This event was the result of hard work and collaboration. I would like to thank FDI for their tremendous support to IADS, a partnership has lasted for long time in order to raise oral health in the world. A word of thanks goes to my team in 27 countries “ the national prophylaxis officers ‘’ who worked all together from different places to make this day possible. I couldn’t have do it without them. I am looking forward to extending this collaboration for WOHD 2015 and involving the entire IADS country members.
Murad Alrsheedi, Chairman of Prophylaxis Committee, IADS
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Meeting
IADS & YDW
MidYear Meeting 2014 The TADS dream IADS Magazine
THE PRE CONGRESS: the desert tour When all pre-MYM participants, who I will call MYMians, arrived to Tunis Carthage airport, we took them by bus to the south of Tunisia for our desert Tour. After a long trip, crossing Tunisia to reach the Sahara, we arrived to the hotel, and we begun with a soft party in the hotel club. This was the first opportunity for participants to get to know each other. Personally, after a tiring and stressing long day, I finally began to feel at ease when I discovered friendly and lovely participants who would make our congress a success. Early in the morning, we began our first day as we departured on four-wheel drives to the middle of the desert to discover the planet Tatooin, a Star Wars filming location where four of the Star Wars movies were partially filmed. Then, we headed to the Chebika Oasis. On arrival there, we first saw the village
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and the tourist shops which sell locally made carpets and other souvenirs. These mark the beginning of the oasis walk. Guided by our unforgettable guide “Jomaa”, we traced the path which crosses a huge palm trees forest and leads along to the waterfall and the source of the stream. The most courageous of MYMians decided to swim in the oasis water although they weren’t prepared “technically” for that. After lunch , we rode horse carriages for a tour in the oasis of Tozeur where tunisian dates are cultivated and always accompanied by our ambiance energizer, the Darbuka, a kind of local drum. After a short rest in the Hotel, we went to the “Chakwak” to discover a part of southern Tunisian culture. Arriving there, we were welcomed with Tunisian folk music and a show of purebred Arabian horses. Then, the dinner was served under a big tent and it was the first opportunity for the participants to taste the Tunisian couscous, Breek and wine. While we were having dinner, different traditional music was playing with a dancing show and all MYMians ended up on the dance floor. This long day was wrapped up in the Moorish cafe for the “chicha time” (hookah).
Meeting
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uring the 59th IADS & YDW in Romania, a Tunisian delegation of 6 TADS leaders participated in IADS congress for the first time. The congress was so perfect and unforgettable that we all fell in love with the IADS. As ambitious as we are, we began to discuss taking on the challenge and organizing such an event one day in Tunisia, and the dream started its journey. During this congress, the IADS training committee was created and Tunisia was suggested to organize its first event: the FITS (First IADS Training Session). This event was our first associative experience on an international scale and it also was our first step to gain the experience needed to achieve our goal: organizing an IADS congress in our country. One month after organizing FITS, we prepared a complete candidature file composed of the event logo, a promotional video, leaflets and a short presentation and we travelled to Portugal where TADS was chosen to organize the next IADS &YDW Midyear Meeting 2014. Since that time, we worked on gathering ideas from different IADS friends and former congress organizers to understand what were the highlights and weaknesses of previous congresses. Hours were spent discussing and dreaming how our congress should be: an affordable price, a bigger scientific program, suitable dates for all students, a various social program, an early promotional campaign… During 6 months, the organizing committee worked hard on obtaining sponsors, promoting the event, registering participants, tracing and ameliorating the program, … and finally the start up day has come.
The pre MYM has come to its end and as organizers we were more reassured by the participants’ positive feedbacks as we had kept our main assets and strong points for the congress.
THE MidYear Meeting Arrived to our typical hotel in Sousse, we were welcomed by the remaining part of the organizing committee who distributed the welcome package to the MYMians. The group was also enlarged with the participants who had just landed in Tunisia and finally all our 105 international participants were together. The main part of our long time project could start now. After dinner, we started our opening ceremony with the IADS and the organizing committee presidents’ words who welcomed the participants and declared open the congress. The theme chosen to this night was a “jazz suited party”. All participants were elegant and well dressed as they were informed of the dress code (a) few weeks before the congress. A saxophonist and a guitarist were playing jazz music while MYMians were dancing and enjoying some drinks from the open bar.
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IADS Magazine
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he second day, we departured to Douz: the gateway of the Sahara. There, we stopped to ride camels, quads and horses. Contrary to the cliché beliefs, we weren’t used to riding camels and the majority of the organizers were even discovering the Sahara. Personally, it is the second time that I have been in Sahara and rode a camel. In the main, the MYMians seemed to be enjoying their time and didn’t want to leave the place, and instead of spending one hour there as planned, we spent more than 3 hours. Finally, we left the desert to Sousse, a seaside city where our congress was being held . To catch up (on) our delay we improvised having our lunch on the bus. It was such a weird and delicate moment as it was the first time I ate a fish dish on a bus. We can say it was similar to eating on a plane but during turbulence.
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he organizing committee divided the four days of congress on two equal parts. The first two days were considered as associative days and included the general assembly, the training sessions, and standing committee meetings. The second couple of days were defined as scientific days including lectures, workshops and the lecture contest. The social program took place out of the hotel in the best places in two different cities: Sousse and 20 km away, in Monastir where our university is located. For us, having the social program in these cities where we spend our 6 years of studying was one of our keys to success as we know very well these places. Moreover, it will allow the Mymians to meet more Tunisian dental students well known of their hospitality and open-mindedness. 6th march was the first day and it started with the general assembly (G.A) which took place in the hotel plenary room. The G.A started with the unanimous positive vote over new associations (‘) membership and then different IADS leaders succeeded in presenting their midyear report followed by some
debates. At the same time of the G.A, we had the training session which was an opportunity for some MYMians to improve their soft skills and associative management. At 5 p.m and after a long hard working day, we took our guests to the karting of Monastir where we organised a kart racing and paintball battles. After that, we had the exchange fair where all different participants brought their national food and drinks to share them together. Each country had its own table to present their goods. So the participants were visiting different tables; tasting food, drinks, sweets and for the luckiest getting a gift .The exchange fair is an IADS tradition event which reflects the spirit of IADS: sharing goods and great moments regardless of our cultural differences. It is definitely a miniature of the perfect globe. The Czech table was the toughest stage that night. They were offering a Katka’s medal cookies to each person who could drink three shots of different Czech strong liquors and I assure you it would change your vision of life. Another new part that we added to exchange fair, was to invite different delegations on stage to sing and dance to their most famous traditional music. In a soft version, I would say that the night was over after that time, but every social program was followed by a club party, a pool party or a room party during which Mymians spoke about politics, ecology and global warming.
IADS Magazine
The second day was quite similar to the first one, we started with the general assembly and MYMians had their first workshops. The day was finished with a Tunisian night. We took our guests to a big restaurant where we were served couscous, a berber food, internationally known, while a traditional show was presented. After diner, we went out to watch a big show with tens of actors, horses and huge decor tracing the 3000 years of Tunisian history. Saturday was the third day and the start of the scientific part of the congress. And as I previously mentioned we worked hard on our scientific program and it was one of the biggest challenges of this congress. We had 9 workshops and 7 lectures presented by well known Tunisian and international speakers who didn’t hesitate to accept our invitation. All our 105 international guests were joined by more than 150 tunisian dental students. In the morning, we had the 10th IADS lecture contest
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Meeting
where students and young dentists got the opportunity to present their scientific work. Meanwhile, we had another workshop session shared out in three rooms. After lunch, it was time for our first lecture session during which Dr. Mbarek, Dr. Barbosa, Dr. Elghoul and Dr. Atlan have succeeded each other presenting their lectures. In the evening, we had our closing ceremony; which was a gala dinner in the hotel accompanied with music by “oldies music band”, one of the best in their field. The last day, we had our second lecture session during which Dr. Greco, Dr. Signorini and Dr. Stanley shared their experience with ambitious and attentive dental students and young dentists. Then we finished with the poster session. In the afternoon, we took the participants sightseeing in Sousse, so they could buy some souvenirs before leaving. And finally we finished our social program with a diner in the golf field of Monastir where we had another music band. We were also surprised to discover the musical talent of some participants and we formed the first IADS music band. Dr. Stanley also played with the band and Mariem showed her belly dancing talents … After all dentists are artists. The end of this night was full of emotions as we began to realize that was the last moments of an unforgettable week. The next day was the departure day and the end of our congress. That was a mixture of sad and happy moments : sad because a milestone of our life came to its end and happy to know such great people and call them friends). Personally, I participated to 3 IADS congresses in the past and I have experienced this period of post congress commonly called “IADS flu”: the return to our normal lives while our minds are still living and replaying those moments. This time, it was more complicated: all places where I used to go during years become now a reminder of this experience. The first seconds when I enter those places, a sequence of images and moments come to mind and a weird sensation that it was just a dream.
IADS Magazine
Finally, I would like to thank everyone who participated in making this congress possible: the organizing committee, all TADS active members, the participants, the sponsors and the speakers… and see you soon in Indonesia !!
Malek Ghorbel, Editor
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members
I feel sLOVEnia, I feel LOVE! Representing SIDSIC – Slovenian dental students international committee STUDYING DENTAL MEDICINE IN SLOVENIA Ninety years ago, the Faculty of Medicine was founded by the University of Ljubljana, located in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Twenty years later, The Dental Department of the Faculty of Medicine was founded, and it is still responsible for educating Slovenia‘s future dentists. Studies of dental medicine at our faculty take six years to complete, followed by another year of internship and a state exam. During our studies at the Stomatology clinic in Ljubljana, we attend clinical training in oral diseases and parodontology, stomatologic prosthetics, dental diseases and endodontics, pediatric and preventive dentistry,
dental orthopaedics, maxillofacial surgery and oral surgery. After the state exam, we can choose to specialize in any of the aforementioned fields.
SIDSIC ACTIVITIES There are roughly 50 dental students in each grade, with a total of 300 dental students attending the Dental Department of the Faculty of Medicine. We are members of SIDSIC – Slovenian Dental Students International Committee, which is an independent, nonprofit, non-political association of dental medicine students founded on October 29, 1996. By combining fresh ideas and enthusiasm, we enhance quality of our studies and keep student life fun and enriching.
SIDSIC is also a full member of IADS and EDSA. Our association organizes international events such as exchange programs, excursions, bowling tournaments, movie nights, sports events and an annual freshman party. Just a few days ago, we returned from our last excursion to the beautiful country of Montenegro. Our main project »Zobek« (»little tooth«) aims to prevent oral diseases through providing preventative dental care around Slovenia. Working under the patronage of IADS‘ »Healthy tooth in the healthy world« project, we organize workshops throughout the entire year. The last workshop was held on World Oral Health Day on March 20 2014.
ABOUT SLOVENIA IADS Magazine
Slovenia is a very beautiful and small country located in the heart of Europe. It is the only country in Europe that is home to the Alps, the Mediterranean Sea, the Pannonian Plain and the Karst Plateau. Our small green country measures 20,273 square kilometers in area, and is home to two million hard-working, sincere and hospitable people.
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members
WORLD ORAL HEALTH DAY IN SLOVENIA On March 20, our SIDSIC team of young, enthusiastic, and cheerful students participated in World Oral Health Day (WOHD). Despite the early hour, we were filled with positive energy and good spirit. Our team worked together harmoniously, with each member of our team taking charge of their given tasks. The first participants were the bravest-the students that starred in national morning TV show Dobro Jutro. After a short tour around the clinic with the TV crew, we promoted our cause-- raising the awareness of oral health, disease prevention, and the importance of the oral health for a person‘s well-being.
Greetings from Slovenia!! handing out WOHD posters, toothbrushes and toothpaste. Many people were interested in learning more about proper brushing technique and preventing oral diseases. It was a great pleasure for us to spend such an amazing day educating the young and the elderly in Slovenia about oral hygiene and contributing to a global network for better and healthier life.
In the name of SIDSIC, Eva Sinič IADS delegate of Slovenia
IADS Magazine
The next stop was the Center for Training and Education, Janeza Levca, Ljubljana. There we planned to meet with children with special needs between the ages of 5 and 13 years. Even though we were worried about how the children would react, we realized quickly that the children were having as much fun as we were as soon as we saw their shining smiles. The hours we spent with the children were filled with pleasant discussion and passed by in a heartbeat. We talked about oral hygiene, brushing teeth, healthy food, and health in general. While playing, we gave the children useful tips and tricks on how to keep their teeth in excellent condition in a fun and effective way. We were pleasantly surprised by how all of the children were interested in the conversation and eager to learn. Of course, most of the questions were about every child‘s favorite person– The Tooth Fairy. We also demonstrated the proper technique of brushing teeth and every child got their own toothbrush and toothpaste. At the end of the day, we were all satisfied with the day‘s work. Children went home with happiness in their eyes, motivated and ready to implement their new skills. We left with confidence, knowing that we had positively impacted these children and will continue to spread awareness of oral health to other people in Slovenia. Later we spent the afternoon promoting WOHD in the city center, on Prešeren’s square. We promoted oral health by
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Organisation
The Jordanian Association
of Dental Students –JADS The Journey Unfolds as Told by JADS Founder Osama Afaneh
IADS Magazine
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t has been just a little more than two years since the idea of starting a dental association in Jordan started crossing my mind. The aim of the association was vividly clear from the very beginning: to unite all dental students in Jordan into one student body. From there, came JADS slogan “Students... Better Together.” As simple and clear the idea and slogan were, the process of actually starting the association seemed like a long, unknown road, for I had no idea where to start. To be able to promote the idea among all students, gain their support and trust, and become accredited by the government and university officials seemed like a very complicated task at that time. Burdened by educational demands and family responsibilities, my hesitation to start such an ambitious project weighed heavy on my shoulders. However, my unwavering faith in the purpose of the association and in the potential of our dental students far outweighed any skepticism I had. From there, the story of JADS began...
on solid written structures that would be passed on to guide future dental students to run the association the way it was meant to be.
To be able to achieve this dream, a thorough action plan needed to be made. As an Arabic saying states “One hand is never able to clap,” I knew I needed to build a team. I was eager to find dental students that shared the passion and credentials I had for such an association, as I knew that in a country with such limited resources, it wouldn’t be easy to upstart such a project. From there, the dream of one student became the dream of the seven founders whom are now the Executive Board Members of the association. We met for endless hours to discuss the future of the yet unborn JADS. We wrote a constitution, formulated by laws, fabricated an election system and discussed the future activities of the association. The founders knew that in order for an association to last, it should be based
Soon, the Jordanian Association of Dental Students gained recognition by the Jordanian Ministry of Civil Development under the Jordanian Law. JADS also gained Full-Country Membership at the IADS in its Mid-Year meeting 2013 in Portugal.
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For ideas and plans to be put into practice and become a reality, enough number of people should have faith in them. Jordanian dental students, since the beginning, were eager and enough competent to make sure that JADS grows steadily and continuously. The collective efforts of each and every member of our association is what built up to today’s reality of JADS. Guidance from other countries with similar experiences was also obtained. A helping hand or even an opinion from other dental students’ associations in other countries were priceless at that time. The International Association of Dental Students also paid tremendous efforts through its General Secretary at that time Pavel Scarlet - to give advice and guidance when needed.
Osama Afaneh, JADS Founder
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IADS Magazine
Organisation
Exhibition IADS Magazine
International Dental Exhibition and Meeting (IDEM) Singapore The 8th edition of International Dental Exhibition and Meeting (IDEM) organized by Singapore Dental Association and Koelnmesse is a world event for dental professionals and industry. For the first time, IADS and YDW took part at the exhibition and New Dentist Forum. I am very glad to represent IADS in this enormous dental event. This is also the first time for me to witness the great event such IDEM. 16
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he newest technology and dental advancements are displayed by over 600 exhibitors from 38 countries with the total of 11 pavilions from France, Germany, Italy, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, China and Japan. It took up 2 floors of SUNTEC convention and exhibition center. Visitors can see more solutions in the area CAD cam system, implant dentistry, dental materials and instruments, laboratory tools and all newest updates from dental inventions. The event theme is “ Dentistry - the Future is Now” really represents the program itself. Along with exhibition there is also a very great scientific enriched with world class speakers. The scientific program is an indulgence for all dental professionals to update the latest knowledge. As the awareness of supporting team for dental clinician, new dedicated forums such as the Dental Hygienist and therapist forum, dental Technicians forum were added as a part of scientific conference. The New Dentist. Forum was also added to address the concern of dental students and young dentist who are still in search of the interest and clinical determination on their careers. IADS and YDW had opportunity to show our active participation in providing dental program worldwide. We managed
EXhibition
International Dental Exhibition and Meeting (IDEM) Singapore
to have the exchange program promotion and also upcoming congress and scientific event in Indonesia. The number of visitors was very good that we had very good time to explain almost all programs of IADS. The most unforgettable moment was when IADS and YDW representative (represented by Dr Ingmar Dobberstein) were invited to be a facilitator at New Dentist Forum in which the program is aimed to help dental students and young dentist determine the major interest in dentistry for their careers. There are some speakers who presented most likely their experience when they started their careers from zero and why they chose their expertise in the end.
IADS Magazine
Koelnmesse also presented a Leadership Forum affiliated with APDSA. The program is mostly addressed to APDSA delegates with the selection in advance. So in conclusion IDEM Singapore provided very nice program for multi layers in dental proffesionals and organizations. I would like to thank to Koelnmesse and ASA as IDEM organizers and Mr David Alexander for guiding us during the New Dentist Forum and Dr Ingmar Dobberstein for the great cooperation and Che Hao Ting (NEO of Taiwan/ IADS representative in IDEM) as the great companion everyone who support IADS at IDEM event. See you in the next IDEM Singapore 2016. Esti Riyanda Astuti
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Interview IADS Magazine
IADS broadened my horizon and gave me courage Onur Kadıoğlu was the Local Exchange Officer (LEO) of Istanbul University in 1996 during his freshman year. After serving as the LEO, he was appointed as the National Exchange Officer (NEO) of the Turkish Dental Students’ International Committee. His first IADS meeting was the MidYear Meeting (MYM) in Bucharest, Romania in. The following year he was elected as the Editor of IADS. During the Istanbul meeting in 1999, he was elected as the General Secretary of IADS. He served in this capacity for two years and in 2001 he got elected as the president of IADS following his colleague and long term friend Sarkis Sözkes. During this 4 year period, Onur and Sarkis was referred as the “Turkish Mafia” by their friends in IADS. Following graduation from Dental school in 2001, he started his postgraduate training in Orthodontics in Turkey. He later got accepted to the Department of Orthodontics at the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry. He completed his specialty degree in 2008 and stayed on as faculty. Currently, he is the Program Director of the Department of Orthodontics at the University of Oklahoma. 18
Onur Kadıoğlu
uu We had the chance to ask him some questions about his IADS experience since then. First of all, I would like to thank you for giving us the opportunity, I just want to ask how you got the motivation to work for IADS, TDA or other student associations / clubs at the first place? I was always pretty good with my interpersonal skills. I enjoyed working together with friends in a group format for good common cause. When we (first year dental students) were told about the presence of an international organization for dental students, I did not have to think very much before I decided to join. Yes, I was a part of IADS through our national organization literally in my first month in the dental school. I remember the day vividly; first our biochemistry professor made an announcement about the Student Research Club, which was followed by some third year students talking about IADS. I immediately joined both and served both organizations a through my 5 year dental school education. At that time third year dental students were very active. They really inspired and encouraged me to get more involved. It sure was exciting to get to know new people from your country and all around the World.
We had around 30 member countries and we had a very successful student exchange program. The congresses and mid-year meetings were wonderful experiences for everyone in attendance. We were working hard to grow the IADS family and also add more science and learning to this camaraderie. The Standing Committee on Research and Education (SCORE) for example, was an idea that surfaced during one of those meetings. It is great feeling to see that it has evolved into lecture contests, Dental Olympics and an excellent International Dental Research Program, which currently I am happily and proudly involved. uu Are you able to follow IADS activities recently other than our IDRP? It is hard to follow when you have been away this long because you are no longer a student. But, thanks to your current president Pavel, I was able serve to the IDRP. It is a great idea and a fine opportunity for the participating students. It encourages young researchers to work with other students from different cultures, under various environments and allow them to observe and learn more about their profession. Besides, great friendships develop as a result of these exchanges. We do get a lot of applications from all around the world. We have been inviting one or two students for the past three years. This year there will be two joining us in the fall.
uu Despite the fact that we work very hard for long hours and a lot of late nights as a dental students, when I look back, I see many great memories. Would you share one of yours that you could not forget? There are so many of them. It’s hard to pin down one. (He thinks for couple of seconds and he continues) Probably the best one is Iwona’s (the president after Onur) wedding. It was a Polish wedding and we had now idea what we were getting into. She had invited many of our IADS friends from all over the world and most everyone was there. We found out later that Polish weddings start in the evening and go until the morning, and ends with breakfast. We turned the event into an unforgettable IADS night, had a great time and so much fun with friends and Iwona’s lovely family. I will never forget that experience. There many other memories, however, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the people who were ahead of me in this road. They not only showed me the way but also greatly encouraged me throughout the years. They are now my life long friends. All those times we got together and chat about lADS, life, future etc, you know, whatever the topic was, turned out to be small memories that will last a life time.
American Student Dental Association is a lot bigger nationally than most of IADS member countries combined. They have a well-organized system. My guess is they are happy with what they have, and they do not have the energy or maybe the time to collaborate with other organizations. I know IADS tries to show presence in the North America region, however, I believe the communications are currently limited to the executives committees of both sides. I do see some interest from our dental students here in Oklahoma, maybe with more advertising and more presence, more and more students in the United States will become interested which may in turn present various opportunities for joint ventures. uu Lastly, what would you like to say to our dental students who read this magazine, what would be your message? They should not put any limits to themselves. The world is a big place and there are many things to discover. Dental school will always be hard but it is also a great experience. Contrary to the cliché beliefs, without extracurricular activities, this fine experience cannot be enjoyed properly. Getting to know friends from all over the world, learning more about new technologies, new techniques through communication, interaction and organizational skills are quite important aspects. IADS allowed me to turn my college experience and my dental education into an unforgettable one. I highly recommend everyone to get involved and serve. Thank you for this opportunity.
uu Going back to IADS and its local and national organizations, how did they effect your carrier at all? It sure added a great deal of experience to my life. IADS changed my point of view. It gave me courage, broadened my horizon. It thought me to think big and to
Interview by: Sina Saygılı
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IADS Magazine
uu IADS is now leading many projects to gather students all around the world, such as voluntary projects, Dental Olympics, IADS Newsletter and many more. What was it like when you were in charge of IADS, your projects, your goals?
uu Why do you think ASDA is not a member of IADS?
Interview
not be afraid of trying new things even though some may seem out of reach. It sure helped me achieve my career goals as a faculty person here in Oklahoma.
uu Nowadays, there is facebook and twitter and all other kinds of online social tools to get in touch, or follow activities of other professional friends and as well as associations. How was it back then? It was indeed much more difficult back then. If you are elected as the NEO for your country, you were to own a fax machine. That was one of the requirements to become a NEO. Luckily, I already had one. And I keep have that same machine. Nevertheless, communication was problematic at all levels. E-mail was slowly picking up, so was “icq”.
Exchange
The Sooner State: All in the blink of an eye
H
ello from Turkey! I’m Gokay Karapinar a new graduate from Istanbul University School of Dentistry.
I visited the OU College of Dentistry, Department of Orthodontics to participate in a research project from October 1st to the 12th 2012. This was made possible thanks to the IADS International Dental Research Program. It is an awesome opportunity to participate in a research project in a foreign country and see both dental and social life there.
IADS Magazine
The name of the research project is Evaluation Denver Growth Collection.The project involves analysis of Patient Soft Tissue Profile Pictures from Denver Growth Collection. Along with this project, it is expected to understand the longitudinal evaluation of human denta-facial growth better. What an experience of a life time for me to meet with so many Oklahomans. Before my visit, I knew nothing other than the Oklahoma City Thunder basketball. No worries though, I quickly realized that they are some very nice folks. ‘Turkish hospitality’ is a widely known fact for whom visited Turkey earlier however Oklahoma is a unique place that you can feel exactly the same in the USA. Everyone was so welcoming and friendly! Thanks to Kali Domoney DS4, Erik Nielsen DS4, and Chad Carter DS2, I got to see a bit of both the dental school and the social aspects of the University of Oklahoma. I worked with a 2nd year dental school student Chad Carter during these 2 weeks. He introduced me the school, students and the faculty. My assignment was to place and analyze specific landmarks on patient soft tissue profile pictures using special computer software and then to extrapolate the data to be able to make statistical evaluation. I worked approximately 8 hours a day in the Orthodontics Department. I have successfully finished everything that I was supposed to do during my
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staying. I can say it was intense and fruitful working time at all. Thanks to everyone it was hard to understand how time runs out! Besides research activities, of course I have done many other things such as: Joining Dentfest (A dental fair day which many dental companies come and present their products also free food and nice prizes… ) Tasting food from different cuisines (My favorite is Mexican food) Visiting Oklahoma Memorial Museum and Art Museum Visiting Aircraft Open Air Museum Joining birthday parties Shopping Seeing the culture and history of the area Learning some handy dental school expressions like ‘Gunner’ and ‘Honey Badger’ Mastering American card games ( Thanks to my hosts Taylor DS4, Josh DS2, Dishant, Shelby and Rebekah for all the fun!) Getting to meet with the Academcy of General Dentistry Board for Oklahoma in Tulsa My first pumpkin carving under Kali’s guidance. It’s like oral surgery for giant squash! Watching a breathtaking Broadway musical - Les Miserables at the Civic Center I could add tons of others to the list! Overall it was a great way to spend two weeks with so much fun and learning. And beyond these I had great time with friends who were so friendly and helpful to me. Thanks IADS again for organizing this wonderful program. Have a good one! Gokay Karapinar Istanbul University, School of Dentistry
Internship exchange experience in
During the crazy first days I settled down in my apartment, explored the city with a map, found the Medical faculty and saw the dentistry clinic for the first time. Later things just got better and better. Finnish professors made us feel like their students, explaining us the system of work, the materials and techniques they use and showed us around the clinic. We were told we are not allowed to work on patients which makes sense because we do not speak Finnish and because our system of work differs from theirs. But we were welcomed to assist their students so we could get an image how their practical work looks like. Although some students were not so confident with their English and afraid to talk to us, they were all really nice and trying to explain the procedures that we were not familiar with. I noticed that even though Finnish people are generally shy and
reserved at the beginning we became very good friends and they would do anything to make us feel like one of their own when they got to know us. I have been assisting to students almost every day and every day I met someone new showing me how they run their patients, explaining how study of dental medicine in Finland looks like, how they are working with private dentists during the study, how exams look like etc.
But the most important thing that made my exchange in Oulu so amazing is the people I have met. Amazing friends that I will never forget. I am so gratefully thankful to be a part of the group with seven incredible people that showed me how one month abroad can change your life. We hanged out at the cafeteria during lunch, sit in the park after practise, visited Lapland for the weekend, went together on motivational weekend for dentistry students on Hailuoto, went bowling together, spent Sunday afternoon just talking for hours and most importantly we created a feeling we are not alone there. My IADS exchange was someting I cannot describe in so few words I am given. I never imagined that one month will change my future career plans, make me consider working abroad, and turn my personal life in totally different direction. I will never forget this internatinational experience I was given, friends I have bonded with and I just hope that someone else will have such an amazing IADS exchange too. Lea Bukovac (Lubjana University), Slovenia
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IADS Magazine
I
ADS exchange program in 2013 was the best thing I have ever experienced. It was the most amazing and unforgettable month that I will never forget. Even though my Finnish coordinator arranged me everything concerning my staying in Oulu, my first day in Oulu 3000 km away from home with basically nobody familiar around me, were stressful.
Exchange
Onulu, Finland
RUBRIK Exchange
Internship exchange experience in
Yogyakarta, Indonesia
I
was very excited because i was the only hungarian participant but i didnt expect that i will find my second family in Indonesia. From the first moment i could feel the friendship and the care of the committtees. They gave me so much and i admitted their kindness and respect for the other people. They were waiting for us long time ago and did every program in highest quality. Indonesia is very different country than Hungary considering the cultural and religious thing. However i felt at home when we did the first of ramadhan together and ate rice for breakfast i enriched with new experiences about a life in a beautiful country. I learned a lot from doctors and dental assistants how to manage your life as a dentist in unusual circumstances. If you have just one chair and few materials and you have to help people in different way that at home and change their life and smile to better way.I could feel happiness when children smiled at me after i taught them how they can brush the teeth and care about their health system.
IADS Magazine
Beside works, we Were in amazing places. We touched the buddha statues at Borobudur temple, saw Ramayana Ballet at. Prambanan, became very wet at rafting tour, traveled by rickshaw at Malioboro, went to crazy motorcycle ride at city center, saw the sunset at the beach, tasted mango and salak at fruit market, tried to catch a fish and paint batik in one village day, spent time with best people from all over the world and became friends forever in my beloved Yogyakarta. I recommend IDSS for everybody because it was the best experience of my life, far away from here but helping and having fun with the most gentle people i have ever met. Eszter Zolyomi HungaryÂ
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Exchange
Internship exchange experience in
Samara, Russia
Sightseeing in Moscow, traveling to Samara in open space sleeping car “Platskartny”, nice welcome there, useful
orientation tour, staying at dorm with exchangers from IFMSA adn local students. I spent all the free time with them and they have prepared nice activities everyday for us like international evening. Karaoke, ballet, museum, clubs, traditional restaurant with russian cuisine, weekend trips and more. However, probably the best surprise was the internship in the hospital, especially maxillofacial surgery department they trusted me and allowed me to assist variety of surgeries and to try alot of thing which was fantastic although they were not able to speak english at all and we have to manage everything with gesture and basic slavonic words. After that i was few days at the head and next tumor department of modern oncology center. The two days in private clinic. Also i worked one week at restorative dentistry section of the university as dentist’s assistant and tried to do some work in phantom class aswell. And finally, i have joined the EDSA Smile Dent Program and try to teach Russian Students how to improve their own methods of dental hygiene based on my knowledge gained in my country. To sum up, it was exciting time which was also very beneficial for my future carrier. I would like to recommend you Samara for your exchange as well. Enjoy it!
Tomas Kohout ( LF UK ) Czech Republic
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IADS Magazine
I
spent 3 weeks in Samara Russia,, i could go to scandinavia and work with best up to date technologies or to italy to swim the sea and admire medieval sights. Of course i could. Nevertheless, i’d choose Russia in order to experience something different from my Usual Life experience and i didn’t regret since my idea was fulfilled or even overcome