Hello, ASDOH students!
This is molar bear again- the ASDA advocacy mascot!
On October 7th, I was invited to be a special guest for Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health (ASDOH) and Midwestern University’s 4th annual Pontics and Politics for my second time! If you haven’t heard, Pontics and Politics is a professional debate and social between the two schools where they discuss current, controversial topics in the dental field. Previous dental students Andy Larkin and Kyle Tuttle started this event four years ago in hopes of encouraging students’ involvement in advocacy and dental legislation.
This year’s topics were:
Are Direct-to-Consumer orthodontic aligners a treatment that should be offered to patients?Should administering vaccinations be within a dentist’s general scope of practice?
Other than myself, we had four other very special guests who judged for the event:
President-elect of the ADA Dr. Daniel KlemmedsonASDOH Vice-Dean Dr. Wayne CottamMidwestern Dean Dr. Brad SmithDentaltown Editorial Director Dr. Thomas Giacobbiauthor of Pillars of Dental Success Dr. Costes
I had so much fun at Pontics and Politics! The debate was stimulating and stimulating to watch. Personally for me, with the recent ADA’s petition to SmileDirectClub, I thought Direct-to-Consumer orthodontic alignments should not be a treatment offered to patients. But, the students on the opposing side of this view prepared very well and really made the room consider the other side of the argument.
Throughout Pontics and Politics, I felt the intense advocacy spirit of 300 dental students when I was cheering with all of you in our seats. I highly encourage you to foster the same spirit into ASDA’s Advocacy Month in November!
Stay involved in advocacy in November by…
Attending the Lunch and Learn with Kevin Earle from the AzDA on 10/28 to learn on how you can stay up to date with current issues surrounding dentistrySigning-up for ADPAC and getting a special pin to show-off your enthusiasm for advocacyParticipating a thought-provoking discussion at Mugs and Morals (Advocacy Edition!) on 11/07Taking 5 seconds out of your day to support Dental Legislation on Engage!
*This event was a collaboration of ASDOH and Midwestern. These were the people involved in planning the event: Christine Nguyen, Jenna-Leigh Abbott Elijah Cutshall, Kelsey Ladone
Thank you to our sponsors Heartland, Aspen, and Henry Schein.
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