FALL 2019 | VOLUME 2 ISSUE 2
THE EXCAVATOR We've Got the Scoop! Bringing You the Latest ASDA and DCG News since 2018
IN THIS ISSUE 2
Review of the ASDA Golf Tournament Bryce Westmoreland, C'21
5
First Year Profile Stephanie Jaipaul, C'22
7
School-life Balance Emily Latteri, C'21
9
Romanian Mission Trip Kamarin Moon, C'21
10
Events Calendar & Cartoon Derrick Coleman, C'20
11
Exchange Student Visit Sarah Ozturk, C'21
13
Dental Student by Marriage Jack Connors, C'21-ish
15
Brewing Happiness Luke Roberts, C'20
17
Student Art Spotlight Jenny Loveless, C'22
23
Applying for Residency Emily Williams, C'20
FALL IS IN THE AIR... FINALLY! Emily Latteri, C'2021 | DCG ASDA Newsletter Co-Editor Sarah Ozturk, C'2021 | DCG ASDA Newsletter Co-Editor Fall: a season of change. A perfect marker of how there is life beyond the Georgia heat. Apart from the leaves transforming into their signature earthy tones, there is also change brewing on DCG's campus. In between classes, many of us glance at the construction under way in what used to be the beloved gravel lot (still too soon?) The D1's are balancing perhaps their biggest transition, starting dental school, gracefully. Their sea of navy scrubs
is
C'2019
a has
reminder
that
graduated
professional world.
New
the
inaugural navy-wearing
and white
is coats
integrating entered
into
class,
into
the
the
D2's
wardrobe this August. The second year class is using both sides of their brains in lab classes; the artsy component for dentures and
the
structural
part
for
fixed.
The
D3's
climbed
past
the
halfway mark in May and are swamped and/or thriving in junior clinic (depends on the day, lol). Our D4's are rotating through Georgia, seeing patients in clinic, and soon will be committing to employment and residencies!
The
Excavator
The ASDA Golf Tournament
Bryce Westmoreland, C'21 As September has come to an end, so too has the 26th (I made that number up) bi-annual Dental College of Georgia ASDA Golf Tournament.
At slightly below the prestige of Augusta’s beloved
Masters held at the hallowed Augusta National Golf Course, this tournament is a tradition that has bestowed its competitors and champions, not only with honor and glory, but also with Pizza Joint gift cards and coolers that look like giant fishing bobbers. This edition of the tournament lived up to the high expectations we have all
come
to
hold
for
such
a
competition,
and
in
many
ways,
exceeded those expectations. For all who did not participate in the day’s festivities, which were absolutely not limited to golf, allow me to walk you through what our great event was like. Perhaps the most notable upgrade to this edition of the Dental College of Georgia ASDA Golf Tournament was the addition of the tennis tournament to the event. Tennis was hosted by the Newman Tennis
Center,
participants
right
who
all
next
to
reported
Forest to
Hills.
having
a
There
were
fantastic
over
time.
40
As
a
matter of fact, the tennis tournament has a 5 star rating from 100% of the people that reviewed it! This tournament was full of drama at every turn. Bitter rivals were made, new friendships were forged, and Bri Bowerman hit 6 “home runs” during her team’s short stent in the tournament.
The golf tournament was outstanding as always. Even with the D1 class borderline not participating in the tournament because, “they don’t like golf,” we still had a good turnout of 12 teams. (All jokes aside, there is plenty of room for more teams to join next
2
Bri Bowerman, the aforemention homerun hitter, and Sydney Schafer, C'21
Volume
year...
looking
at
you
D1s.)
This
year
the
2,
Issue
2
course
featured the bunkers being played as ground under repair; this is a rule that allows you to take your ball out of the bunker and place it on the grass behind it, without being penalized. The main benefactor of this rule
was
the
team
of
Allen
Vickers,
Bobby
Crider,
Curtis Moore, and Logan Christian, who, on 14 out of the 18 holes, found the bunker on the team’s best shot. Besides the bunkers being under repair, the course was in phenomenal shape, and we hope to host the course there for many years to come. At the conclusion of the tournament, the groups of golfers and tennis players reunited at Southbound BBQ for
dinner
and
the
awards
ceremony/
a
good
ol’-
fashioned ASDA raffle. Dinner included Pulled Chicken, Mac and Cheese and Baked Beans, all of which were delicious. This was our first time hosting dinner at a location other than the golf course, and, while there were some wrinkles to iron out, we hope to continue that tradition.
Champions
of
the
tennis
tournament
were
Nicole
Croxton and Brooke Stevens. I unfortunately was not there to watch the tournament, but have heard the phrase
“over
tournament
before
due
to
it
started”
these
to
women’s
describe level
of
the play.
Taylor Faulk, C'21, twenty feet in the air about to serve.
Although I also heard Warren Kritsanachaiwanich and Megan Davidson gave them a run for their money in the finals.
Closest to the pin was won by first time competitor Allison Fagan. Not only was Allison on our only team of D1s, she also was our only female competitor in the golf tournament. Since the rest of her team did her no favors with their play, she had no choice but to win one of our only two individual awards.
drive
was
won
by
GPR
resident
Scott
Gawrych. Scott has denied any usage of PEDs to help him win this award, although there are still allegations of Scott using a juiced golf ball.
DFL
(dead
freakin’
competitors Leavengood,
last)
Andrew and
award
Huber,
Joey
chili dippers.” The players were Pep Brown, Daniel O’Shea, Ryan Seerley, and Bryce Westmoreland. This team
of
D3s
featured
Pep
being
a
great
golfer,
while his teammates hit worm-burners, shanks, and slices all day. The team came in with a score of 54,
Longest
The golf tournament champions were “Pep and the
which is in fact better than Tiger Woods’s best round ever. We are incredibly thankful to all the sponsors this year. Patterson, Atlanta Dental, Sherer, GDA, and
goes
Ben
Elwanger.
to
first
Alverson, What
this
time
Ashton team
lacked in golf talent, they made up for in team spirit. They allfour sported some fine looking Hawaiian shirts as they played their leisurely round of golf on that fine afternoon. They came in with a score of 74, which is not all that bad of a score.
Coast Dental all came out to support. Patterson also paid
3
dinner
in
addition
to
sponsoring
the
without our sponsors' continued support. I hope this article has inspired you to sign up for future tournaments. We always have a great time and plan on continuing to do so.
for
tournament. We truly could not have this tournament
The
Excavator
C'21's Paige Elliot and Will Austin enjoying the festivities
DFL: Ashton Leavengood, C'21, Ben Alverson, C'22, Joey Elwanger, C'21, and Andrew Hubert, C'21
Womens Tennis Champioins Nicole Croxton and Brooke Stevens, C'23
Two members of the championship team Ryan Seerley and Daniel O'Shea, C'21
ASDA Exec Steph Jaipaul, C'22, Zach Woo, C'21, Grace Kwon, C'21, Bryce Westmoreland, C'21 and Hunter Watson, C'21 4
Volume
2,
Issue
2
Diving Into D1 Year Stephanie Jaipaul, C'22 This
past
Georgia year
July,
the
eagerly
students,
Dental
welcomed
56
College
96
females
excited
and
40
of first
males
Georgia and other states. The diverse majors include
sciences,
biology,
and
“unconventional”
Class
772
engineering,
and
materials
2023,
applications,
280
DCG
received
Georgia
applicants
as
neuroscience,
ranging in age from 20-45 years old. For the of
such
majors,
and
such
finance,
science,
biochemistry, some
as
graphic
and
religious
more
biomedical design,
studies.
Of
492 out-of-state applicants. Of those, 202
these students, 97 of them earned bachelor's
applicants
degrees,
Georgia
were
granted
applicants
applicants.
Of
an
interview:
41
out
and
those
enrolled,
of
88
161
state
students
and
1
9
students
student
While
D1
have
has
year
an
master’s
degrees,
associate’s
could
be
degree.
challenging
and
are Georgia residents and there are 8 non-
involve a lot of adjusting, it seems that most
Georgia residents from the states of Illinois,
of
Texas,
enjoying their time at DCG over the past few
South
Carolina,
North
Carolina,
and
Delaware. Georgia residents accepted into the
program
counties
in
represent Georgia
almost
and
26
all of
of
the
the
96
the
D1’s
have
been
learning
a
lot
and
months.
Nicole
Croxton,
students (27%) permanently reside in dental
Presbyterian
health professional shortage areas.
UGA
and
really
who
College
graduating
enjoys
the
at
before
transferring
in
2019,
says
she
aspects
that
the
favorite
class
May
hands-on
lab
Operative as it gives her the best insight into
science
The
what she is going to be doing the rest of her
the
life.
for
the
year
in
the
balance
DAT
academic perceptual class
of
point
average ability 2023
undergraduate
average
scores
were
section section.
3.49.
20
and
for
21
Students
represent
majors
of
from
20 34
Nicole so
different
outside
different
met
colleges and universities throughout
says
far of of
and
is
that trying
school
it,
yet
become
Her
to
an overall grade point average of 3.57 and grade
provide.
tennis
The class of 2023 is a competitive one, with
average
classes
played
the to
and
she so
hardest
is
find still
so
close
part
that having
thankful with
all
of
is
D1
healthy a to of
life have her
classmates. She is looking forward to working
5
The
Excavator
with patients in the future and applying the knowledge Most
she
gains
noteworthy,
Wednesday GCSU
year
Amita
clinic. having
off!Ty
Reddy,
Caves,
in
praises
afternoons
‘18,
Alexander
this
she
UGA
Bennett,
UGA
‘17,
all
‘18,
and
say
that
Operative is also their favorite class so far this
year.
dental
Ty
says
school
that
has
the
been
hardest
just
part
trying
to
of
get
used to going to class again everyday. He looks forward to having more clinical work and
less
see
didactic
patients
complaint
work
during
so
far
and
D2
is
can’t
year.
that
wait His
some
to
only
of
the
didactic classes worth only a credit hour or two seem to be more of a distraction than helpful and hopes that this will change.
Amita
agrees
that
the
hardest
part
of
the
year has been adjusting to a new schedule. With dental school being 8 AM - 5 PM and requiring studying after school, it becomes hard
to
juggle
school
with
other
daily
activities; which is why it is important to be organized
and
explains.
She
continuing
to
scheduled is
get
in
looking to
know
school,
she
forward
to
her
Josi Giovinazzo, C'23 getting waxing tips during SPEA's Wax and Relax.
classmates
along with her professors!
She
explains,
committing
Alexander’s so
far
has
has
been
genuinely
hardest been
waxing
getting enjoys
part
dental
but
to
being
of
the
meet
school
best
part
people
around.
He
is
minimum.
he
most
choice starting
applying
for year.
have
professors
who
he
want
see
and
white
Alexander like
describes
to
school
his
Drs. as
students
are
willing
coat is
Young
great
ceremony
thankful &
succeed to
work
to
in
in
that
dental
year.
alongside
Croxton
It
will
start
those
stick
with
it.”
Amita
reminds
get
those
applying to make sure that this is the career they want to commit to.
school
a
the
at
correct
shadowing.”
she
For
recommends
Ty
to
their
suggests
explore resume
that
students
opportunities however
program
taken
is
that
dental of
as
that
an
route
and
they
best the
advice
DAT
school:
material
assistant during
a
is
a
can.
or
his to
broad
he
gap those
pretty
covered.
accepted,
as
it
can
be
more stressful classes D1’s take.
overwhelming, so know what works for you and
by
of is
is
fair
and
vast
He
also
recommends waxing before dental school for
advises
to
of
amount
others, whether that be through grades or habits.
you
school,
Alexander’s
gauge
students to “avoid comparing themselves to
study
try
GPR
applying
to start dental school, these D1’s have some Nicole
the
would’ve
to those applying to dental school or about
advice.
this
dentistry
He was not aware of the opportunity to work
them to reach these goals. When it comes
great
years
sure
for
starts!
strengthen
Messer,
people
more
to
relaxing and just taking some time off before
coming
up
4
those
school
D2
to
Make
career
looking forward to his dad, who is a dentist,
during
“committing
6
one
of
the
Volume
2,
Issue
2
E F I L
L O O H C S
balance Emily Latteri, C'21 There
are
dentistry One
several
is
a
reasons
wonderful
factor
that
why
permutation of your patients and
or
career.
available chairs? For the majority
boundary. After this time, do not
of
let yourself study, check emails, or
probably
students,
the
answer
is
yes.
midnight,
give
your
brain
a
influenced many of our decisions
What we are doing to ourselves is
answer patient calls. Do not think
to pursue it was the promise of a
unhealthy.
about
Dental school creeps into every aspect of our lives like runny stone into an impression on a vibrating machine...
good work-life balance. Dentistry offers various options for alternative with
working
working
financially
schedules,
part-time
being
feasible
a
option.
According to U.S. News, dentistry has
“above
However, as
average”
dental
inflexible
ourselves practically
as
flexibility.
school it
gets.
consumed 24/7.
by As
is
about
We
find
school, if
an
unrelenting eight to five schedule wasn’t enough, we almost always
time.
Dental
school
is
school. be
you
ever
been
unable
to
sleep because you were worrying for your practical tomorrow? Been distracted during dinner because you were thinking about all the lab work piling up in your locker? Been on Axium in the wee hours of the night trying every combination and
greatest
face,
and
for
good
we
time
to
promise, as
everything
will
left
in
the
No,
not
you
it
about the path of draw on your 27th number 8 prep. Get to know these mentors. Every single one of them have gone through what we are currently going through now. In my experience, faculty are just
ever
reason.
However, there are things we can do to have a happy and healthy life outside of school.
as,
Set a time to hit the ‘off’ button. Whether it be in the early evening
if
about
not their
more,
eager
journey
of
to
talk
how
they
got here as they are to talk about the nitty-gritty of a treatment plan (maybe don’t try this at TPB). Our faculty outside
members of
school.
have Ask
how
lives they
balance everything. We can learn so
7
I
there
Talk to your faculty.
demanding—
challenge
this
this
four years of our lives will likely be the
yourself
during
morning.
there is no changing that. These Have
Allow
school
get some separation from dental
have school-related things to think about after hours.
dental
much
more
than
the
technicalities of dentistry from our professors.
The
Excavator
Take a personal day. If you ever
things
feel like things are getting to be
dental school.
into every aspect of our lives like
too much, just take the day for
runny stone into an impression on
yourself. Will you miss things?
The
Definitely.
rampant
Will
consequences?
there
be
work-life in
important
imbalance
dental
than
that
school
is
important.
Dental
school
creeps
is
a vibrating machine, but it is so
a
important to have separation. We
it
result of the ‘grind’ mentality. We
all
have somehow accepted the idea
successful dentists, but life does
can deal with it when you return.
that these four years have to be
not stop for dental school. These
At the end of the day, you need
miserable and getting through it
four
to
means
enjoyable,
make
your
mental day
health
a
spend
putting
your
head
down
years
can
on
and
although
should
something you truly enjoy. Go on
to graduate dental school, taking
school dictate your entire life.
a trip. Remind yourself that some
care of yourself is so much more
Do
and
don’t
grow let
DENTAL SCHOOL
would you rather? SET DENTURE TEETH
BEND ORTHO WIRE 34%
66%
Poll By Toni Le, C'21 8
be
challenging.
person,
ones.
relationships,
becoming
While working hard is necessary
loved
to
fixated
Build
with
the
are
and working as hard as possible.
time
Take
Will
more
be the end of the world? No. You
priority.
Probably.
some
are
as
a
dental
Volume
MISSION TRIP TO ROMANIA
Have
you
ever
wanted
2
Going
able
great
3rd
to
Issue
training and are blessed to be to
August,
Kamarin Moon, C'21
2,
provide. a
group
and
This
of
4th
past
about
year
50
dental
on
on
great
and
embarked
on
mission
skills
trip
to
is a
hone
you’ve
in
learned
during dental school and even learn
plane
a
opportunity
the
students and providers, hopped a
on
new
ones.
way
to
It
is
learn
a
different
the first Romanian SMI mission
techniques
trip. 15 hours of traveling later,
perspectives
we
Finate
dentists. You will also have a
Christian
chance to get to know people
arrived
at
the
International
Achim and Brenda, provided a
recent years, groups have also
serve and love others? Every
place to stay for the next week.
traveled
year,
We had 4 days of clinic where
hopefully have the opportunity
we extracted hundreds of teeth
to return in the coming years.
for
The
We
the
next year’s trip!
First takes
based
out
Presbyterian a
group
on
of
the
Church, a
mission
the
Romanian
gratitude
and
people.
love
made
trip to a country in desperate
Romanians
need of the dental skills that
of our short summer break well
we have learned through our
worth it.
9
the
from
sacrifice
that
aren’t
hope
in
practicing
Do you have a passion to truly
Outreach,
hosts,
from
new
Campground
Campus
our
see
travel and practice dentistry?
Medical
where
and
also
to
you
your
Haiti
can
class.
and
join
us
In
will
on
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
The
Excavator
October 26 - BUSINESS BOOTCAMP & SOCIAL 31 - ASDA NATIONAL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE IN CHICAGO
November 6 - ASDA FORMAL 25-29 - THANKSGIVING BREAK
December 6-13 FINAL EXAMS
Derrick Coleman, C'20 10
Volume
2,
Issue
2
My Time with Ecuadorian Dental Students Sarah Ozturk, C'21
On a Saturday in late September, I sat with
A Spanish teacher once told me that a sign of
fresh Thai food at the annual Arts in the Heart
fluency is being able to joke in that language,
of Augusta festival and reflected on the week
and
to
was
other laugh, I’d say we were both fluent in each
almost foreshadowing the diversity next week
other’s languages. Two other girls, Nicole and
had to offer. A few weeks prior, I agreed to
Andrea, would stay with us later that week.
come.
The
ambiance
of
the
festival
considering
how
much
we
made
each
host Ecuadorian dental students and they were to arrive tomorrow. In undergraduate school, I
Monday’s
travelled to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands
Endodontics and Prosthodontics programs. That
to study ecology and am left with the fondest
evening
memories
enjoyed
of
fresh
fruits
and
luscious
lands
agenda
we
involved
braved
some
the
various
shadowing
shopping food
the
mall
court
and
options.
teaming with life. Ecuador had me enamored;
Tuesday brought them the opportunity to learn
after all, their top exports include chocolate,
about
coffee and roses. At present, I was enthralled
Ecuadorian, Dr. Romero. In the afternoon, the
to meet students and exchange dental stories. Would my Spanish be coherent to communicate with them? Would they speak any English? As
the
AEGD
program
with
a
fellow
students came to our esthetics class in the Sim Lab
and
were
captivated
by
the
technology
around us and literally at our fingertips. Later that evening, Dr. Romero and his family hosted
the week unraveled, everything fell into place.
a lovely dinner for the students and those of us
On Sunday my family and I received our first guest Sofia a fourth-year dental student. We drank tea and swapped stories of our paths to
hosting
them.
Ecuadorian
We
meal,
enjoyed complete
a
home-cooked
with
a
cortadito
coffee and dessert.
dentistry. I learned that there is no such thing as undergraduate
school
and
that
Ecuadorians
begin dental school initially after high school. Her English was perfecto and my Spanish was
Wednesday included shadowing in junior clinic where they gravitated towards departments of their choice. The students expressed that in their student clinic in Guayaquil, Ecuador their
suficiente.
spots basis.
11
were
on
a
daily
first
come-first
serve
The
Excavator
Perhaps our chair release is like the virtual version
On Thursday the students went kayaking down the
of their daily clinic routine. It was interesting to
canal with Dr. Tay who, apart from his profound
me that the Ecuadorian students pay for their own
work
supplies and are responsible for sterilizing their
coordinating
own instruments. While I’m sure that our tuition covers
our
example,
I
composite, imagine
researching
PPE
they
and
exam
spend
cost-benefit
more
ratios
kits
for
energy
of
dental
materials. How conservative would we be if we
in
France
Endodontics,
is
exchange
and
Ecuador
the
faculty
programs
to
our
member
from
dental
China,
school.
The
Ecuadorian students worked up an appetite which was suiting considering our plans for
Rhinehart’s invited
Oyster
the
Bar
that
Endodontics
evening.
Dr.
department,
Tay the
Ecuadorian students, and those of us hosting the
paid for our own materials? Maybe we will learn in private practice. The students were most in awe with our digital radiographs and they gasped when we explained how simple it was
students. Many of us shared our love for seafood or
mariscos
just
as
much
as
we
shared
our
passions in dentistry. Friday came and would be
to place the plates in the reader. In their clinic, they
their
final
day
at
DCG
in
the
AEGD
and
go to a different floor to develop their radiographs
Periodontics clinics. Around noon, the girls and I
in a dark room with solution. Something I only ever
left to meet my family in Lake Oconee so that our
saw in the movies and once while developing a film
visitors could see a new part of Georgia before
for a western blot experiment.
they were homebound. Another universal truth: kids are quick to learn languages and my twin
That
afternoon,
guests
from
we
Ecuador
toured
around
desired
to
try
Augusta. fried
The
chicken
almost as strongly as I desired to introduce them to the wonders of pumpkin flavored foods (sorry not
toddler
nephews
swiftly
learned
to
say
“hola”
and blow besitos to their new tias. On the way home
we
drank
iced
coffee
and
promised
to
keep in touch.
sorry!) We did some shopping in between our food endeavors American
and take
completed on
Mexican
the food,
day which
with is
the much
different than Ecuadorian dishes.
While the dental students from Ecuador came to learn about American dentistry, I hold to the notion that
With the Ecuadorians. From left to right: Andrea, Sophia, Sarah, and Nicole
it
was
a
true
reciprocation
of
knowledge,
dually dental and cultural. As we enter into our coveted
profession,
colleagues continuing
to
I
urge
travel
far
education
of
my
and for
classmates often.
leisure,
Be
it
there
and for are
oceans to cross and cultures to crave. My time with the Ecuadorians taught me my own definition of culture: celebrating all that
you
aren’t.
12
are
and
chasing
everything
that
The girls with their classmate, Julio (left), instructor, Dr. Peña , and fellow Ecuadorian, Dr. Romero.
you
Volume
In Good Times, and In Dental School
2,
“RPDs,
Issue
maxillary
2
incisors,
and
mastication.”
To
the
untrained ear this may sound like an equipment checklist at a military base, or perhaps something far more sinister. Of course, to the trained ear, these are just a few of the many
technical
terms
employed
in
the
daily
life
of
a
dental student. Perhaps, what is more interesting is what these terms mean to the semi-trained ear of a dental school
spouse
or
significant
other,
such
as
myself.
“Hmmm RPD… I know she said that yesterday but all I can think of is a Rocket Propelled Grenade, and I sure hope it does
not
Propelled
mean Drill…
Rocket
either
Propelled
way,
probably
Dentist… not
Rocket
what
she
is
talking about…” “Mastication…?” Well we had better not finish that train of thought. This article aims at providing a little context, and maybe a bit of perspective for those well-meaning
but
often
confusing
dental
students
navigating the world outside of R.A. Dent Boulevard with those they love.
JACK CONNORS, HUSBAND OF CLARE CONNORS, C'21
I will keep this article short and to the point, because I well know that you have 4 quizzes tomorrow to study for, 3 tests in the next week, 17 service hours to complete tonight, and 27 cavities to fill on that one guy with 3 teeth in the next 47 minutes.
13
With the Ecuadorians. From left to right: Andrea, Sophia, Sarah, and Nicole
The
Excavator
First and foremost, the life of the dental school spouse
is
quite
a
wild
ride.
One
day
you’re
getting free toothpaste, and the next she is crying because
her
hand
slipped
and
the
drill
(or
handpiece, as the cool kids call it) hit the pulp or something
on
poor
old
Bob.
Being
on
the
receiving end of this rollercoaster can come with its own level of stress. Some days I check my phone and it’s the best day ever because she found a parking spot that wasn’t a mile away, and
others
practical
life
is
caused
over
a
because
total
that
meltdown.
waxing
But
more
often than not, the texts and stories that make their
way
to
me
are
the
challenging
patient,
rough test, and the class that went so long you had to eat a cold hotdog with no bun for lunch in 4 minutes, and the only condiment you could find was your own tears. We the spouses are entirely conscious of the extreme challenges and stresses you face each week, and I, and every spouse out there, are incredibly grateful for the hard work you are putting in so that we can shop at Publix one day instead of Lidl. But, perhaps in the future, spend a little more time thinking of those small but important positives of the day. We would love
Mr. and Mrs. Connors at Clare's White Coat
to hear about the fantastic filling you did in clinic,
Ceremony.
or the nice comment your professor made on your
talk about the weather or non-tooth related
SRP (which we all know is a bank right?). The more
you
bring
these
stories
home,
the
things tonight.
more
positive we can be, and the more fuel we have to
And
lift you up with on the days things just don’t go
spinach
little.
are
trying
to
inform
stuck
between
their
teeth,
telling
know they have numbers, but just point.
right now, but if I ask, please explain it to me. Just
Most of all, we the dental spouses want you
because I don’t remember does not mean I do not
to know how much we appreciate all of your
care. Since you began this process a few years
hard work and dedication to school. In fact,
ago, you have learned far more than you realize,
it often tires us out just watching you study
and the spouses and I have picked up a good bit
and
along the way. But occasionally you are still going have
Pharm)
to
explain
actually
something
that
what
is, you
or
class
that
take
“farm”
an
(?...
oh
impression
(make?)
of
bad
Darth
Vader
accent.
And
I
of
making
So
diploma. -Husband of the future Dr. Connors, aka the bagel guy
of knowledge, but also know that at times I really step
course).
finally walk across the stage and get that
I think. So, please continue to share your wealth
each
of
you and tell you that you did it when you
don’t
dentist did to them yesterday and asking me what
know
(kidding
tooth to practice on, and the arms to hug
have already begun telling me about what their
to
hard
we will always be the shoulder to cry on, the
know a lot, you have no idea how many people
need
so
that strange acronym means, and know that
is
people’s
while
work
please, humor us if we don’t remember what
teeth and not me saying “Luke I am your father” in
don’t
you
them “between 7-8” is only confusing. Yes, I
Secondly, I may not in fact know what an RPD is
a
when
your dearly beloved that they have a piece of
your way. You’re a dentist for Pete’s sake; smile a
to
finally,
a
Removable Partial Denture… Maybe we can just
14
Volume
2,
Issue
2
Beers, Burs, and Bite Blocks Luke Roberts, C'20 As I’m sure most dental students would agree, to escape from the hustle and bustle of school you need some sort of hobby, whether that be training for the Half Ironman, video games, crocheting, or doing yoga. For me, it’s brewing beer. It all started during my junior year at the University of Georgia while taking a microbiology lab course. Placed into groups,
we
presentation
were to
assigned
the
class
on
to
give
different
a
short
types
of
fermentation. These ranged anywhere from kimchi and
sauerkraut
to
kombucha
and
beer.
As
fate
would have it, my group was fortunate enough to be designated BEER. If it weren’t for that course and
that
little
5-minute
PowerPoint
presentation,
my favorite hobby wouldn’t have developed and you
likely
wouldn’t
be
reading
this
article
right
now…at least not with me as the author. The process for brewing beer is surprisingly very simple! It’s often said that if you can boil water, you can
make
beer.
It
all
begins
with
the
4
main
ingredients: malt, water, hops, and yeast. Malt is most often barley (can also be rye or wheat) that has been soaked in water until germination begins.
The
germination
is
then
halted
through
drying. This process, appropriately called malting,
Small break during the mash of “ANUG IPA” on
helps to develop the necessary enzymes to convert
my new converted keg (keggle) brewing setup.
the
grain’s
starches
into
fermentable
sugar.
The
activation of these enzymes is what brings us to the first step of a typical brew day, mashing.
15
The
Excavator
During mashing, the grains are steeped in water and
kept
º
around
kickstarts
the
º
148 -154 F
enzymatic
for
60
process
minutes.
leaving
us
This with
very sugary water called wort. Think of this simply as making barley tea. The grains are rinsed with water to
collect
any
remaining
sugars
through
a
step
called sparging. The total volume of wort is then brought to a nice, rolling boil, usually for about 60 minutes. At different intervals throughout the boil, hops are added to the mix. Hops are the cones of the plant Humulus lupulus and help contribute many different
elements
to
the
finished
beer,
such
as
Weighing out the first hop addition of “SRP Stout”.
bitterness, flavor, and aroma.
At the conclusion of the boil, the hopped wort is brought
down
transferred
to
to
a
around
room
fermentation
temperature vessel.
These
and can
range from a simple plastic bucket all the way to small
scale
replicas
of
professional
brewing
equipment. The yeast of your choice is then pitched into the wort and allowed to ferment for roughly 2 weeks. During the fermentation process, the yeast eat
up
dioxide
those and
completion officially
of
beer
yummy most
sugars
create
carbon
importantly…ethanol!
fermentation and
and
is
ready
the for
wort
is
packaging
Upon now and
carbonation. This is usually either in a can, a bottle, or my personal favorite, a keg. Once carbonated, your delicious beer is ready to be enjoyed after a
Over the years I have brewed a wide variety of styles,
usually
with
some
kind
of
lame
pun
incorporated into the name, even going as far as naming
my
makeshift
brewery
One-Eyed
Dog
Brewing. ANUG IPA and SRP Stout are two of my more
recent
delicious,
creations.
was
not
as
ANUG
well
IPA,
albeit
received…thinking
people maybe don’t want to think about trench mouth while they’re drinking a beer? As far as my favorite creation goes, it would have to be my coffee oatmeal stout called Attack the Day. It was
brewed
in
honor
of
our
2018
National
Championship runner-ups with Jittery Joes coffee straight
from
Athens,
GA
following
that
heartbreaking evening of January 8th. Go Dawgs.
long day of clinic.
Brewing
continues
to
be
one
of
my
favorite
hobbies and activities. Not only is the process
fun
and
relaxing,
but
the
feeling
of
accomplishment you get when you see family and friends enjoying your product is hard to beat. I’m excited to continue to evolve my brewing process with future upgrades and expand One-Eyed Dog Brewing.
Who
knows,
that
next
microbrewery
down the street just may be started by yours truly. Cheers!
My trusty brew dog, Guinness, smiling because he's happy it’s Brew Day.
16
Volume
2,
Issue
2
STUDENT ART G A L L E R Y
J E N N I
B Y
L O V E L E S S ,
C ' 2 2
Katherine Merritt, C'22 17
The
K A T H E R I N E
Excavator
M E R R I T T ,
C ' 2 2
I really enjoy painting and have always found it to be a relaxing hobby. It has absolutely been helpful with our esthetic and hands on lab courses.
18
Volume
S H E R I L Y N
2,
Issue
2
H A R P E R ,
C ' 2 1
Why would you want to put your smoother and even fun. hands in people's mouths all day?" While many of my Over the years I have been asked this classmates dreaded learning countless times, and the answer has to wax, cut crown preps, always been the same. It is because sculpt composite, and set dentistry is an art--a precise and denture teeth, I felt in my detailed form of art. Dentistry is the element. perfect marriage between my two favorite things -- art and science. From a young age painting, making/altering clothing, and jewelry making had become hobbies that made my heart sing. All of these experiences made my transition into the hand skills and esthetics of dentistry much
19
The
S A W Y E R
Excavator
J A C K S O N ,
C ' 2 2
For me, drawing serves two purposes: studying and relaxation. Combining my love for art and anatomy makes studying easier and more enjoyable. 20
Volume
T A Y L O R
2,
Issue
2
F A U L K ,
21
C ' 2 1
The
Y E A R I M
Excavator
K I M ,
Some sort of craftiness has always been a part of my life. During my undergrad years at UGA, I minored in studio art. During my gap years before dental school, I had a little business hand embroidering shirts and painting shoes. And now in dental school, I get to make mini sculptures on teeth.
22
C ' 2 2
Volume
2,
Issue
2
THERE ARE
733
ACCREDITED ADVANCED DENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS
59,477 APPLICATIONS WERE SUBMITTED IN THE 2018-2019 CYCLE
RESIDENCY
HOW-TO GUIDE Emily Williams, C'20 | Contour Contributing Editor
After four years of dental school, the thought of pursuing additional education can be daunting. However, the call of residency beckons many students interested in advancing their knowledge, whether through more general dentistry training or specializing. Though some enter dental school knowing exactly what they want to do after graduation, others have a more tumultuous journey. I began school wanting to pursue pediatrics; three years later, I am interviewing for periodontics. Figuring out your niche is the fun part. But how can you rock the application?
For those considering advanced education, many questions not covered in our day-to-day schooling arise. Almost all residencies accept applications through ADEA PASS, an online portal similar to the ADEA AADSAS used for applying to dental school. Here, upload your CV, awards, extracurriculars, etc. These together provide a common application, identical for each program. You will submit personal statements individually to each program as well. Download a copy of what your entire application looks like by clicking on the icon next to each school on the “submit application” tab. Proofreading the application as a whole is much easier to edit than trying to click on each thing individually.
23
The
You
will
also
provide
an
official
dental
Excavator
school
rankings are then all run through a computer that
transcript, plus unofficial transcripts for each
gives the candidate a place at the highest school
undergraduate
attended.
they ranked that also ranked them. You will then
Some programs require you to submit an official
get an envelope on Match Day that hopefully has
transcript for every program. It may be worth your
one (1!!) program inside—your future residency. This
while to request an official transcript from each
process is on the surface very confusing but done to
institution early on in case you add a program
best benefit the student rather than the institution.
that requires this. Transcripts may take several days
For
or sometimes weeks to get processed, a risk you
undergrad, it is the same process as Rush, but with
don’t
a
want
and
to
graduate
take
close
program
to
the
application
deadline!
those
different
who
participated
sort
of
anesthesia,
and
November,
while
drama.
Canadian oral
and
in
Ortho, GPRs
surgery,
life
perio, all
prosth,
match
American
in
GPRs,
pedodontics,
application process for physicians, dental residency
January. Technically you can apply to more than
applications are different for each specialty. Some
one
specialties are exclusively Match, some are rolling
matches, as long as your application materials are
admission, and others are a bit of both. For those
submitted in time.
even
if
programs
in
Now for the interesting part. Unlike the residency
specialty,
AEGD
Greek
they
are
match
two
in
different
that are rolling admission, you may be offered a place
in
the
program
within
24
hours
of
the
If
you
are
applying
to
both
Match
and
PASS
interview, often with only 24 hours to then accept
programs, be prepared to make decisions quickly
or deny the position. Thus, if you are considering
for your non-Match options. If you are offered a
these
your
spot at a non-Match school, do you take the offer,
interviews so you can visit the programs you are
programs,
forgoing potential interviews at other programs? Or
most
interested
attempt
rolling
do you pass (pun intended) and wait to rank your Match schools? If possible, try to interview at the
throughout the summer. Many endo programs will
Match programs first. That way, if offered a spot at
not consider applicants who have not worked as a
a non-Match program, you will have a better idea
general
of what you actually desire.
dentist to
first.
schedule
admission via PASS, and interviews are conducted
something
in
to
or
keep
Endodontics
completed in
mind
for
a
is
all
GPR/AEGD—
those
who
are
interested in starting endo straight out of school.
With all this being said, the application process for dental residencies is relatively straightforward.
Match, on the other hand, is what you may have
If you can apply to dental school, you can apply to
heard
residencies.
of
for
physicians.
If
you
are
applying
to
Starting
the
process
early,
being
Match institutions, you first need to register for a
detail-oriented, and staying organized will help you
Match number on their website. Later on, you will
make the most of your application. And if you don’t
rank all the programs you interviewed at and are
get a spot in the program of your dreams, don’t
interested
fret! Rumor has it that general dentistry is the best
in
attending.
The
programs
will
simultaneously rank all of their interviewees. The
job in all of America.
TIMELINE Springtime: decide what residency you want to do (if you even want to do one) Find the application due date(s) for your specialty. Work backwards from the due date to create a timeline for application. Make a spreadsheet with as much information as you can handle to compare programs and figure out your priorities. Depending on the specialty, some programs charge tuition and/or don’t provide a stipend. Are you willing to take out more loans? What is your limit? If you want to moonlight for supplemental income, is the program in a state that takes CRDTS? Or will you have to take another licensing exam? Decide how many programs you want to apply to. What is your budget for applications fees? Travel expenses? Most places will not cover airfare or hotels. But the expense is worth it if you want to have the best chance at placing somewhere.
24
Volume
2,
12 weeks out: request letters of recommendation
Issue
2
8 weeks out: wrap things up (Politely) remind your evaluators to
Many people request from one
submit your evaluations if they have not
professor in the specialty they are
already done so.
perusing, one private practice mentor,
Write thank you notes to your evaluators
and one other professor or mentor who
if you haven’t already! A small gift
knows them from a different realm.
doesn’t hurt either considering the time
When you request on PASS, the
they have spent to help you.
evaluators will receive the form through
Double-check that your transcripts are
email. You can have more than three
being processed.
evaluators, but this may delay your
6 weeks: Submit your application
application if they don’t all submit on time.
The earlier you submit everything, the
A three-to-four week deadline is
higher your chances are of getting an
healthy for writing the evaluation. Give
interview.
them plenty of time in case they run
Double, triple, quadruple-check
into difficulties completing it.
everything! Have someone proofread
Many schools will not look at your
your application.
application until all the letters are
Check if any schools require official
submitted. You don’t want to have
NBDE scores. You can have these sent
everything else done and be waiting on
to your PASS application.
the letters!
Once you hit “submit” to one school,
Think about your personal statement.
you can’t update any of your
The earlier you can play with a draft,
accomplishments, etc. However, you
the stronger your statement will be.
can still add to the lists.
9 weeks out: finish your personal statement
6 weeks and beyond: Wait! If you do anything interesting, get
Have a ton of people read it—family,
awards, or so on, remember to add
friends, mentors, your dog, etc. The
them to your application. You can keep
more eyes, the better! You want to
adding them even after the deadline
please a wide audience, plus typos are
for submission has passed.
easy to miss.
Keep researching programs in case
Request your official transcript from
there are any additional places you
DCG and your unofficial transcripts
want to apply to. Ask around—there
from all other institutions. This includes
may be places you hadn’t considered
ALL schools—summer school programs,
that would be perfect. Spread your net
study abroad, etc.
widely!
Other things to consider Location? Do you want to live somewhere new? Be closer to family? Procedure types and amounts? Cutting-edge technology versus strong groundwork? Sedation opportunities? Hospital versus university based programs? VAs? Do you have to be on call? How often? Do you rotate through locations other than the main institution? How many other residents are there? Where did they go to dental school?
25
The
Excavator
QUESTIONS? COMMENTS? WANT TO WRITE, EDIT, OR GET INVOLVED?
Contact our Editors-in-Chiefs,
Emily Latteri, C'21Â elatteri@augusta.edu
Sarah Ozturk, C'21 sozturk1@augusta.edu
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