PIT&FISSURE | Fall 2018

Page 1




American Student Dental Association

FALL 2018 | VOLUME 1 | ISSUE 2


| CONTENTS

Cont

FALL 2018 | VOLU

FROM THE EDITOR

MORGAN REBECK, ’19

PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS TAYLOR ENOCHS, ‘19

FEATURE: What to expect on Interview Day XANDRIA JOHNSON, ‘19

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT: ASDA Conferences CONNOR DENISON, ‘19

STUDENT PERSPECTIVE: Can you have it all? CHELSEA SCHWIND, ‘20

TRENDING: Water Fluoridation Photo Credit: Re e d Tu r p i n , ‘ 2 0

2 | FALL 2018

Cover Photo: Wes Johnson, ’19, and a predental student at UTHSC ASDA’s 2018 Predental day by Re e d Tu r p i n , ‘ 2 0

JOHN WILSON, ’20

4 5 6 8 10 12


tents

CONTENTS |

OLUME 1 | ISSUE 2

14 16 18 20 22

WELLNESS: Adjusting to Dental School ANNA MARIE CURRIE, ’22

GUIDE TO MEMPHIS: A Weekend in Memphis BAYLI PHILLIPS, ‘21

SHOW ME THE MONEY: Navigating Student Loans TREY SEXTON, ‘21

MEET THE FACULTY EDITORIAL BOARD

BITEWING: Sweet Sausage Rolls BRITTA RISTAU, ‘20

PIT&FISSURE | 3


| LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Dear readers:

I hope you
 enjoy the second issue of UTHSC ASDA’s newest publication, PIT&FISSURE. The goal of PIT&FISSURE is to help bridge the gap or, as we like to say, connect the cusps between predental and predoctoral students. So you took the plunge, completed your application and are ready to interview. In this issue of PIT&FISSURE, we hope to help alleviate some of the stress of the interview process by providing advice related to what to expect on interview day and fun things to do around Memphis during the weekend of your interview. You will also find articles for navigating student loans, adjusting to dental school life, and so much more! See you in the pages!

k c e b e R n a Morg Morgan Rebeck, ’19

Chapter Editor-in-Chief National ASDA Editor

4 | FALL 2018

Photo Credit: Morgan Rebeck, ’19


PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS |

Hello Predents: I want to talk 
 about stress. We just finished up ASDA’s wellness month, which was September, and that has had me refocusing on the quality of my everyday life. Life is stressful. For a lot of my life I kept thinking that eventually it will stop being stressful and that’s when I’ll know I have finally succeeded. Starting college, I just knew I could handle anything. I never thought twice about adding more unnecessary stress to my life because I figured I could handle it till the day I don’t have to stress anymore. Well, almost 10 years later and having almost completed my 4th year of dental school, I have realized life doesn’t stop being stressful. What really matters is how you handle the stress. This is the reason ASDA has the #BeWellASDA campaign. Because, if we are not taking care of our health, all five pillars, then we are not doing what is best for our success. Thanks to the national ASDA website, I have provided a short summary of what ASDA has deemed the 5 pillars of wellness. Emotional: This promotes your ability to express your feelings, cope with stress, maintain relationships and deal with conflict. It is important to have a positive attitude through stress. We all have our ups and downs and that is ok, but we should strive to maintain a higher percentage of positivity. Physical: This promotes taking care of your body for optimal health and function. This does not just mean working out but also eating a balanced diet, having routine check-ups and avoiding destructive habits. 
 Intellectual: This encourages you to participate and develop habits that allow you to be creative and mentally stimulated outside of school and dentistry. 
 Occupational: This involves seeking personal satisfaction while being fully engaged in work. This means developing a work-life balance that allows you to manage your working relationships and have enthusiasm for your job. 
 Environmental: This last pillar challenges you to find harmony with the natural world and understand your impact on your surroundings.

As you begin your journey as predentals, you should start early to form healthy habits to manage your stress. I have always done well to make sure my physical health was taken care of, but only recently have I started making the effort on the other four pillars. When I take the time to focus on these pillars, I have realized how much better my everyday life has become. Right now, you are so focused on making the best grade, having enough shadowing hours and finding something to get involved in that will make you stand out from the other applicants. You may think after you get into and graduate dental school it will get easier. However, the British Dental Journal by the British Dental Association has recently published a study on ill health retirement (IHR) in dentists. Of the surveys they received, 55% said their IHR was due to musculoskeletal disorders, 28% reported their IHR was due to mental and behavioral disorders, and 90% said these issues were work related. The oral health group has recently published an article on dental career related stress. They have reported that many of the personality traits that make a good dentist are also the traits that predispose people to mid-life depression, drug and alcohol abuse, and suicide risk. Some of these traits were listed as compulsive attention to detail, extreme conscientiousness, careful control of emotions, unrealistic expectations of self, and dependence on individual performance and prestige. Basically, imparting stress on ourselves is built into us, so learning to handle this early is just as important as your next organic chemistry exam or your physics lab project. So, I recommend you check out the national ASDA wellness page to get ideas on how you can approach these five pillars. Lastly, please know that no matter what you are feeling or experiencing you are not alone. Reach out to someone, whether it is your best friend, a school counselor, or a stranger. Tell someone what you are going through. Don’t alienate yourself, it’s alright if you can’t do it alone. In fact, I don’t know anyone who can. We all need help on this journey, so please don’t be afraid to ask.

s h c o n E r o Tayl Taylor Enochs, ’19

Chapter President

PIT&FISSURE | 5


| FEATURE

interview day

four

tips

to

a

stress-free

interview

day

Sweaty palms are the worst. They can also make handshakes pretty awkward. After reading this article of tips however, those two situations won’t even be an issue during your interview at UTHSC’s College of Dentistry. You’ve no doubt worked hard to earn this interview. In fact, you’ve more than earned it, you are worthy of it! So here are the four tips on how to navigate Interview Day.

Chapter Health and Wellness Committee

2 Review

6 | FALL 2018

1 Prepare

Xandria Johnson, ’19

Prepare yourself. You’re probably thinking, Really? That’s number 1? Yes, it is. It probably took some time to travel to campus. Did you get some sleep? Have you eaten? Nothing quite conveys disinterest like a yawn while the Dean is telling your interview group about the latest technology in the clinic. And nothing’s quite as anxiety inducing as your stomach singing the song of its people during your personal interview. Take care of yourself internally, as well as externally. Dress to impress— specifically business professional, but also comfortable. The tour of the campus requires a lot of walking, a couple fluctuations in temperature, and one Tunnel. If you’re still nervous, not to worry, it’s only Tip #1, and Amy Cuddy’s TED Talk Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are is an excellent place to start your preparations.

Review Your Resume. The interviewing faculty know you want to be a dentist, it’s kind of obvious. What they really want to find out on Interview Day is who you are outside of Dentistry. Be ready to talk about you— Your accomplishments, your hobbies, volunteer work, and even study abroad. Have you done anything else since your AADSAS submission that didn’t make it onto your application? Tell them all about it! While I am telling you to be prepared, don’t all of a sudden become a robot and tell the story of your life from a teleprompter script in your head. Talk about the things you’ve done like you’re having a conversation with friends. That’s exactly what your interview is— a conversation about you. Talk about yourself while being yourself, and the emotion will be on your face and in your voice, making you more memorable than any well rehearsed answer ever could.

American


3 Weakness

FEATURE |

What’s Your Greatest Weakness? Did just reading this give you tachycardia? It’s a dreaded interview question, but you will not let it trip you up. The best piece of advice I can give you is to know your weakness, and most importantly, own it. Tell your interviewers why you had to withdraw from a class, or why you were disciplined. Tell them you’re not the greatest at time management or don’t take time for yourself. But you will follow up with what you’re doing to improve on that weakness. So when you’re asked this question, you won’t clam up and you won’t go “Um.” Instead, you’ll own it like you answered it before they even asked.

4 Ask

Ask Your Own Questions. During Interview Day, you’ll encounter faculty members who will be ecstatic when you ask a question. Asking questions means that you researched the school, brought questions with you, and listened to what they have been saying to you throughout the day. Students will also be around. You’ll see us on the clinic floor during tours, and we’ll be sitting with you during lunch. Asking questions is how you interview your interviewers! Ask us how the academic courses are, how many teeth you should collect prior to your first day, and where the best BBQ in Memphis is. That last question might be a little controversial, but asking questions is how you will learn valuable information about a school not found in the glossy pamphlets.

The four key tips to nailing your interview are to take care of yourself, be ready to promote yourself, own your weaknesses, and ask at least one good question. If you follow these four tips and remember that Interview Day is simply a conversation about you and your journey up to this point, your hands will stay moisture-free. Clammy will be a word used to describe clams and not your hands. So enjoy the process and good luck on your own Interview Day.

n Student Dental Association

CHECK IT OUT: Get Into Dental School PIT&FISSURE | 7


| PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

WHY YOU SHOULD ATTEND AN

ASDA CONFERENCE Connor Denison, ’19

ASDA hosts at least 3 gatherings each year

different stories of how we got into dental school,

nationally and 11 meetings each year for the

why we’re in it, or what we want to do after. This is

Districts that make up National ASDA. These

your chance to find people who you can make long

conferences are gatherings hosted with two main

lasting friendships with or meet people that you

objectives: to get students fired up about the field

could eventually be in school with! Think about how

of dentistry and to help students make connections.

nice it will be to enter dental school having a few

These two purposes include YOU, predentals!

familiar faces, especially if they’re in the upper

Chapter Predental Chair

If you aren’t already fired up about dentistry or getting into dental school, these conferences include many speakers that will talk about careers and aspects of dentistry that will be both informing for you and get you excited about the career you are seeking to be accepted into! Many conferences have specific predental tracks. There are sessions on acceptance into dental school, tips for interviewing or applying, and so much more! Another great thing about attending conferences is the opportunity to make connections! The majority of people at the conference and all of the people in charge of running the conference are none other than dental students! It’s not every day that you have that many dental students in one spot to ask them any question you can think of. We all have

8 | FALL 2018

classes. Dental school is tough, but it certainly helps to pick the brains of those further along in regards to classes, instructors, or just adapting to life as a dental student. If you’ll take a chance, maybe get out of your comfort zone and attend a conference, I can promise you that you’ll catch ASDA fever and jump in with both feet to get involved. It can change the trajectory of your career by getting involved in organized dentistry before you’re even in dental school. Check out www.asdanet.org and make your way to the predental section to find which conferences are coming up and I hope to see you all at the next ASDA conference or district meeting!


1

2

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT| 1: Aaron Brooksbank, Anna Hill-Moses, Morgan Rebeck, and Reed Turpin at the Gold Crown Awards ceremony at the 2018 ASDA Annual Session in Anaheim, CA
 2: Connor Denison at the Stainless Steel Crown Awards ceremony at the 2018 ASDA District 4 Meeting in Asheville, NC
 3: Members from all chapters in ASDA’s District 4 at the 2018 National Leadership Conference in Chicago, IL

3

Photo Credit: 1. Reed Turpin, ’20 2. Morgan Rebeck, ’19 3. District 4 ASDA

#ASDAFever PIT&FISSURE | 9


| STUDENT PERSPECTIVE

Social life, grades, and sleep… can you have it all?

We all know that school can be hard, tiring, and just overall exhausting at times. Deadlines all seem

to fall in the same week. Your mom wants to visit the same weekend that you had planned on beginning to study for that upcoming biochemistry exam. You are torn between waking up early to study with your small group of friends or sleeping in for the first time in what seems like forever. The question then becomes, “How do you balance a social life, satisfactory grades, and plenty of sleep?”

Chelsea Schwind, ’20

Chapter Editorial Board Chapter Advocacy Committee

Before dental school, I found it difficult to balance a social life with good grades and enough sleep. I would often say no to social activities so I would have time to study for an exam. I put a lot of pressure on myself to do well in undergrad in an effort to ensure my acceptance into dental school. Even though looking back it was worth it, there were many times that I could have started studying sooner so that I could have gone out with my friends or gone to bed a few hours earlier. Yet, according to most people, you have to choose between two of the three (social life, grades, and sleep) because you can’t have them all. However, is this really the case? Here are some tips that I have discovered are helpful to be able to have a social life, good grades, and enough sleep.

GET ORGANIZED First, organization is key! Throughout my entire academic career, I have found a planner to be essential. It helps to make sure that I accomplish all of my assignments, have time for extra-curricular events, and allow for enough study time.

DON’T PROCRASTINATE Second, don’t procrastinate! Let’s be honest, we have all faced this at one time or another. We know all too well how easy it can be to put things off until the last minute, especially when you have tons of things going on. However, I have found that the least stressful times of my life have been when I chose to study ahead of time or to complete a project before the due date. It simply allows for more time to enjoy a social activity and more time to relax.

10 | FALL 2018


STUDENT PERSPECTIVE |

Remember, this is just a phase of life we are all going through, and school doesn’t last forever..

FIND TIME EVERY DAY Third, find a time to study each day that works best for you. Personally, I know that I am much more productive in the morning so I try to go to bed at a decent time and wake up early to get in some extra study time. However, this is not ideal for everyone. I know plenty of friends that perform their best in the evening and opt to staying up a little later to study.

GET UP AND MOVE AROUND Finally, take time to exercise. I am the biggest hypocrite of this because I feel that with so many things going through my mind in a day, I simply do not have time to workout. However, study after study has shown that just simply thirty minutes of exercise per day can increase your brain function and cause you to sleep better. Plus, if you decide to workout with friends, this can be de-stressing and enjoyable social activity as well. So back to our question, I definitely think that it is possible to have all three — a social life, good grades, and plenty of sleep. If you follow the four tips above, you will be not only a successful student but a much less stressed student as well. Remember, this is just a phase of life we are all going through, and school doesn’t last forever. Keep your head up and press on to accomplish your goals! Photo Credit: P e x e l s . c o m

PIT&FISSURE | 11


| TRENDING

FLUORIDE Advocating

for

a

cavity

free

future

According to the Center for Disease Control, community water fluoridation was deemed one of 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century. For more than 70 years, fluoridation of

the public water supplies has dramatically improved the public’s oral health status by reducing tooth decay. However, our work is far from over as opponents of water fluoridation have been using misleading tactics to discourage the use of fluoride in the public water systems.

John Wilson, ’20

Chapter Advocacy Committee

During the time of World War II and The Great Depression, there were no public health programs that addressed tooth decay and loss, problems that people thought were inevitable. In fact, the most common cause of draft rejection during World War II was the lack of teeth due to tooth decay. Although revisions were made to the dental standards for incoming soldiers, the need for improved oral health loomed large. In January of 1945, trials for water fluoridation began, and soon after the adoption of fluoridation spread rapidly across the United States. As a result, tooth decay sharply declined the second half of the 20th century.

12 | FALL 2018

Photo Credit: P e x e l s . c o m


TRENDING |

Why is fluoridated water good for the community?

1. Prevents tooth decay. Tooth decay

2. Cost-effective. According to the CDC,

is the single most common chronic

it is estimated that fluoridation costs can

childhood disease, and its prevalence

be as low as $0.62 per person. Over a

can be effectively decreased by simply

lifetime, this cost can be dramatically less

drinking fluoridated water. Community

than the cost of a filling. When it comes

water fluoridation does not discriminate

to costs for dental treatment, the effects

against anyone and allows everyone in

can be seen across higher insurance

the community to benefit, especially

premiums and taxes. For most cities, for

those who do not receive regular dental

every $1 invested in community

care.

fluoridation, it saves $38 in dental treatment costs.

3. Safe, effective, and natural. The safety and efficacy of fluoridation at optimal levels has consistently been proven to not cause any harm to people or the environment. The United States Surgeon General and more than 100 leading health organizations, such as the Center for Disease Control, World Health Organization, American Dental Association, have recognized that fluoride in water is safe and effective way to prevent cavities in the community.

“Water fluoridation is the best method for delivering fluoride to all members of the community, regardless of age, education, income level or access to routine dental care. Fluoride’s effectiveness in preventing tooth decay extends throughout one’s life, resulting in fewer — and less severe — cavities. In fact, each generation born over the past 70 years has enjoyed better dental health than the one before it. That’s the very essence of the American promise.” — United States Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy in his “Statement on Community Water Fluoridation” Although water fluoridation has proven to be safe and effective, the implementation of it has met considerable resistance in some communities. Opponents of water fluoridation are using misinformation, unproven claims, and fear-mongering rhetoric to sway the views of citizens and induce doubt in community leaders. In order to counteract their negative effects, it is important for dentists and public health leaders to be aware of some of these common tactics and educate our citizens and patients. In summary, community water fluoridation has proven to be the most efficient, cost-effective, and safe measure that can be implemented to prevent tooth decay and improve oral health in a community. We have consistently improved the oral health of our communities over the last several decades, but there are many places across the country that still deserve our attention. Together with community leaders, health professionals, and the public, we should affirm the importance of oral health and take action in creating a healthier community.

PIT&FISSURE | 13


| WELLNESS

Everyone says that college will be the best

Adjusting to

dental school

life

four years of your life; you will make friends, push yourself academically, experience lots of selfgrowth, and make many wonderful memories on the journey. However, most people don’t mention the awkward freshman year mishaps, the homesickness, and the strain that come with maintaining a healthy social life, sleep schedule, academic prowess, and pressures of being a predental student. If you are feeling bogged down, breathe and RELAX! The culmination of your college career is preparing you well for the next phase — dental school! This new season of life is an exciting yet stressful one. Two words are crucial to adjusting to dental school lifestyle: time management. Many classes, labs, and clubs will be introduced to you in a short amount of time, and it can seem overwhelming. Be patient when figuring out where to allot your time. Learn to recognize your strengths and weaknesses. Do not compare your routine to others because you need to do what works for you to have the most successful dental school career. Buy a planner, keep a notebook, and manage your time well. Schedule time for sleeping, eating vitamin-filled meals, exercise, and don’t forget a moment or two a week for pure fun! Learn to love your school by becoming involved! This will enhance your dental school experience immensely and will teach you there is more to the career of dentistry than strictly academics. Your school will have a plethora of diverse organizations. Find one or two that interests you and devote energy to them. This will help keep your passion for dentistry ignited, provide opportunities to decompress from school work,

14 | FALL 2018

Photo Credit: Hannah Gray Carter, ‘19

and furnish chances to serve your community.


Seek advice of the veterans around you whether it

WELLNESS |

is a professor or a second-year dental student. Once you have entered your dental program, your school, professors, and peers want you to

succeed; use them as a major resource for information! Their wisdom is invaluable and will help you with many practicalities. No question is too trivial, and no concern is too small — they will help ease the load and stresses of the start of school! Henry Ford extends much wisdom in his words “if everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.” Within your dental school class, be a team player, a motivator, and an encourager. Each of your classmates can empathize with your course load, tiredness, and strenuous life. Support one another and remember you all have the same end goal: to become a dental professional. Life in dental school will be challenging and exhausting yet re w a rd i n g a n d insightful. Take the semesters day by Image by: The Pictographers on Iconfinder

day, rest and relax, and study hard,

Anne Marie Currie, ’22

Chapter D1 Representative

and you will soon be a DDS or DMD!

For further information on the topic, ASDA has provided resources that can be found through the following link: https://www.asdanet.org/index/ dental-student-resources/health-and-wellness/ five-dimensions-of-wellness

“Find one or two that interests you and devote energy to them. This will help keep your passion for dentistry ignited, provide opportunities to decompress from school work, and furnish chances to serve your community.” PIT&FISSURE | 15


| GUIDE TO MEMPHIS

WALKING IN MEMPHIS 5

things

to

do

during

your

interview

weekend

It’s interview time and you are coming to Memphis, but what are you supposed to do for

dinner or breakfast the next morning? Staying an extra day to get to know the city? What is there to do for a fun afternoon? This city is full of so many amazing opportunities and activities, so let’s dive right in.

Bayli Phillips, ’21

Chapter Social Media Chair - Elect

Dinner after your interview: Memphis is known as one of the best food cities in the nation, especially when it comes to barbeque. However, you have to know the tricks. Some barbeque places are better known for certain things, so it depends on what you want when it comes to where you should go. Central BBQ is a classic when it comes to fried bologna sandwiches and barbeque nachos. Cozy Corner Restaurant has one of the very best pork sandwiches, along with some pretty good banana pudding. If you are not super into barbeque and want some hot and spicy chicken instead, you have to go to Gus’s Fried Chicken. Breakfast before you head home: If you don’t plan on staying an extra day, at least make a pit stop for breakfast. Some delicious places include Blue Plate Cafe, Sunrise Memphis, The Arcade Restaurant, and Brother Junipers. These are just a few of my favorites, and you really can’t go wrong with any of them.

16 | FALL 2018


GUIDE TO MEMPHIS |

 

Photo Credit: Morgan Rebeck, ’19 National Civil Rights Museum At The Lorraine Motel: So, you decided to stay an extra day and need something to do for fun. The National Civil Rights Museum is a fun and interesting way to experience a little bit of National and also local Memphis history, which includes getting to see The Lorraine Motel, one of the most influential landmarks of the civil rights movement. Graceland: Graceland is the second most visited home in America, just behind the White House. Who wouldn’t want to visit the home of Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll? It is arguably one of the most important stops for anyone who comes to Memphis. Hang out at Shelby Farms: If you would rather spend the day outdoors, Shelby Farms is where you need to find yourself. They open at sunrise, close at sunset, and have a ton of activities for all ages. There are bike rentals, horseback rides, and even Go Ape Zip Line and Tree Top Adventure for the thrill-seekers. Hopefully this article gives you a better idea of what Memphis is like, making you that much more excited to be here for your interview! linklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinkl inklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinkli nklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinkli nklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinkli nklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinkli nklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinkli nklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinkli nklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinlinklin klinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklin klinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklin klinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklin klinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklin klinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklin klinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklinklin

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PIT&FISSURE | 17


| SHOW ME THE MONEY

 

NAVIGATING STUDENT LOANS The

ins

and

outs

of

student

loans

Student loans can be an intimidating topic. For most dental students, it was all we

could do in undergrad to finish our major, make sure we had all our prerequisite courses finished, and study for the DAT, much less try to throw any business classes into the mix. As a result, student loans can be a murky, confusing mess that seemingly will always be hanging over your head. However, with a little education and forethought, student loans are much less scary and seem much more conquerable. They become an investment rather than an eternal burden.

Trey Sexton, ’21

Chapter Advocacy Committee

18 | FALL 2018

Student loans typically default to a 10-year repayment schedule when you finish school. If you are doing a residency, you can apply for a deferment so that you do not need to start payments until your residency ends (unfortunately, they will still accrue interest during this time). If you are going to work, you are given a six-month grace period after graduation in which you are not required to make payments on your loans (but again, interest is accruing). Unfortunately, dental school loans are often not the only major expense we are dealing with. Dental students are often taking out another large loan in order to buy or buy into a practice. Often, families are ready to finally buy a home. It may be tempting to buy a new car. Unfortunately, 10-year repayment plans tend to have high monthly payments, which can be hard to manage when combined with all the other costs/debts we accrue in our first years post-graduation.


SHOW ME THE MONEY|

Three of the more common solutions to this issue are enrolling in an income-driven repayment (IDR) plan, applying for Public Service student loan forgiveness, and refinancing student loans. Income-driven repayment plans are a great way to reduce your monthly payment to something manageable. IDR plans (there are several different flavors) cap your monthly required payment at a certain percentage of your discretionary income. They are a great way to protect yourself if you find it difficult to find a job you like after school--if you do not have an income, your monthly loan payment is $0. Unfortunately, IDR plans are a double-edged sword. It often takes more than 10 years to pay off loans on an IDR plan, meaning there are extra years for interest to accrue compared to the standard 10-year repayment plan. In a nutshell, while you will likely pay much less now, you end up paying much more over the life of the loan. Once you enroll in an IDR, you are not locked into it for the life of the loan. You always have the option to switch your repayment plan, depending on your current situation. If your loans are through the federal government and you work at an (eligible) nonprofit or public service agency, you may be eligible to have all of your loans forgiven after 120 qualifying monthly payments (10 years). The payments do not have to be consecutive, so if you had a stretch of unemployment you will not lose credit for payments you made in the past. In order for a payment to qualify, it must: • Be made after October 1, 2007 • Be under a qualifying repayment plan • Be for the full amount shown on your bill • Be made no later than 15 days after your due date • Be made while you are employed by a qualifying employer There are a few other strings attached to this option. Only direct loans are eligible for loan forgiveness. You are required to work at least 30 hours a week or meet your employer’s definition of full-

Photo Credit: P e x e l s . c o m

time work (whichever is greater). You cannot apply for loan forgiveness faster by paying more money per month (forgiveness is granted after 120 payments, not after you pay X percent of your principal). You also cannot make qualifying payments while you are in a period of forbearance, deferment, in school, or in your grace period. A great option would be to be enrolled in an IDR plan while you are working towards your 120 monthly payments. This is actually the government’s recommended course of action and is a way to take advantage of IDR plans’ lower monthly payments while not paying more in the long run. The Department of Education’s guide to Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program is a great resource to make sure you are dotting your I’s and crossing your T’s when it comes to PSLFP—you can find this guide here: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/ public-service. On the other hand, refinancing student loans essentially means paying off all of your student loans with one giant loan with one monthly payment. The idea behind refinancing is that you aim for an interest rate that is lower (or even much lower) than the interest rate on your initial loans, at the cost of losing the benefits of federal loans (the option of forgiveness, forbearance, etc.). For example, Direct Stafford Loans’ interest rates for 2017-2018 are 6%, and Grad Plus loans’ interest rates are 7%. Some students are able to refinance after graduation with an interest rate as low as 3%! Some argue that it actually makes more sense, with an interest rate this low, to make your monthly payment and then, rather than paying extra towards your loan, to invest the extra money instead. If rates of return are in the 6-8% range, you may come out ahead in the long run. There are many good options out there for paying back dental school loans, each with its own attractions and drawbacks. Depending on your goals, post-graduation plans, and personal values regarding finances, what you feel is your best option may be different from what others in your class plan to do, and that it okay. Whatever your choice, knowing what options you have is the first step towards conquering your student loans.

PIT&FISSURE | 19


MEET THE

| MEET THE FACULTY




Dr. John S. Covington Dr. Staley Colvert Assistant Professor General Practice

20 | FALL 2018

Dr. Bernard Blen Associate Professor General Practice

Professor and Associate Dean Admissions and Student Affairs


MEET THE FACULTY |

FACULTY 


Dr. David Redmond Associate Professor General Practice

Dr. Robert Hatch

Assistant Professor General Practice

Photo Credit: Dr. Robert Hatch

PIT&FISSURE | 21


| BITEWING

bitewing

Need an easy recipe to wow your relatives for the holidays? Well, no worries! We have you covered. All you need are just a few simple ingredients and thirty minutes!

What Britta Ristau, ’20

Chapter Vendor Fair Chair - Elect

• • • • • •

you’ll

1 tube crescent rolls 24 smoked sausage links 1/2 cup butter, softened 1/2 cup chopped pecans 3 TB honey 3 TB brown sugar

need:

How-To: • • • • • •

Combine butter, honey, brown sugar and pecans; spread on bottom of 11/7 pan Cut each crescent roll into 3 long triangles Roll each sausage in a crescent roll triangle Place on top of butter mix (you can also place the mix on top of the sausages) Bake @ 400 degrees for 15 minutes or until golden brown Serve and ENJOY!

Sweet Sausage Rolls aka Lil Smokies Photo Credit: Browneyedbaker.com

22 | FALL 2018


HELP US CONNECT THE CUSPS: Want to be featured in the next issue of PIT&FISSURE? All you have to do is email our Editor-In-Chief, Morgan Rebeck, at ut_asdaeditor@outlook.com for more information!

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EDITORIAL BOARD

DISCLAIMER: The opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints expressed by the various authors in this publication do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints of the American Student Dental Association at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.


executive council

PRESIDENT: Taylor Enochs PRESIDENT-ELECT: Reed Turpin IMMEDIATE PAST-PRESIDENT: Jim Hollingsworth TREASURER: Kipley Powell SECRETARY: Anna Hill-Moses EDITOR: Morgan Rebeck LEGISLATIVE LIAISON: Aaron Brooksbank LUNCH & LEARN COORDINATOR: Lauren Leiden PREDENTAL CHAIRS: Michael Drake & Connor Denison VENDOR FAIR CHAIR: Kelsey Faulkner COMMUNITY SERVICE COORDINATOR: Jordan Dunn SOCIAL CHAIR: Taylor Rogers MEMBERSHIP CHAIR: Jacob Sparks SOCIAL MEDIA CHAIR: Hannah Carter WEBMASTER: Jack Kang GOLD CROWN AWARDS CHAIR: Trey Mauney FUNDRAISING CHAIR: Katie Chambers HEALTH & WELLNESS CHAIR: Will Warren

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@uthscasda

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@uthscasda

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uthscasda.com


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