The Rocky Mountain Dental Convention was in Denver at the Colorado Convention Center over the January 18^th-20^th weekend.  For students, this is a great event to see what the wide world of dentistry holds outside of the confines of school.  It’s also a healthy venture for our education because we can see ideas and materials outside of the normal scope taught at school.  At the vendor fair, I came across a new product that I was interested in learning more about.  I want to share some of the things I learned about the product, Activa, and about the importance of researching dental materials.

The Pulpdent station was one of the first booths at which I stopped.  The sales rep claimed their new product Activa is the first truly new restorative material to hit dentistry in 30 years.  Obviously, this claim piqued my interest.  Activa has been clinically available since 2012, and has been researched for 15 years, according to the product website.  Much of the research on Activa has been carried out at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston.

Activa is described as a bioactive, ionic resin restorative material.  On the handout I received, the listed components are a patented bioactive ionic resin, a patented rubberized resin, and a reactive ionomer glass. The strength profile is considered to be compared to composite restorations, but with the fluoride ionic release capabilities of glass ionomer.  In compressive and tensile strength tests, Activa equals the specifically mentioned Filtek composite system.  It is also a moisture-friendly restorative material, which is desirable since the mouth is a naturally moist environment.  Activa light cures and self cures, and is amenable to bulk fill as light can cure an increment up to 4mm thick!  It comes in shades A1, A2, A3, and A4 at the present time.  Lastly, it is radiopaque in radiographs.  This is desirable so dentists can find restorations in new patients or patients receiving treatment.  The radiopacitiy is comparable to 1.5 mm of aluminum.

The sales rep talked most about Activa being a bioactive restorative material.  In layman’s terms, Activa reproduces the natural chemistry of the tooth by allowing ion exchange.  Another reason this is important is that the bioactivity makes a solid interface between the restoration and the tooth surface.  The sales rep made it clear that there is no clinical margin when using Activa as a restoration.  This works by laying down apatite-like material using the oral cavity’s natural phosphate source in saliva.  This means the material has bonded to the tooth in an integrative fashion.

After hearing some of this information from the sales representative and doing some research on my own, I thought, “What is a second year dental student to do with this information?  Do I conclude that my practice will only use Activa once I’m in charge of stocking my shelves?”  The research to date is very appealing, but there’s not much long term data as the product has only been clinically available for 2 years.  The clinical results seem to be unique and exciting, but to me, it’s hard to describe a combination of resin and ionomer as a stand-alone, groundbreaking product.

I found that my trip to the RMDC Vendor Fair was an educating one.  It has introduced me to a part of dentistry that will be a profound part of my practice management once I am choosing my own products.  Innovation drives dentistry into the future, and Activa and similar products may have a strong hand in that future.  On the other hand, prudence and patience are paramount to patient safety.  Not to mention our bottom line can be shaken when patients come back into our office with our restoration in their hand.  I highly recommend that every student spend a little time researching new products.  Not only does it keep our research abilities sharp when not doing research of our own, but it allows us to be competent consumers.

Sometimes it’s hard to imagine the days before dental school- before the navy blue scrubs, the “conscious incompetence”, the juggling of patients and their demands [“I can only come every other Tuesday… and only in the mornings… oh, and can I come at 9:45 instead of 9?”].

In this sort of tunnel vision, I forget the days when I wanted nothing more than to know the direction my future was headed in Operation: Getting Into Dental School. Where would I live for the next four years? What would I do if I didn’t get in? What the HECK am I doing?

Untangling the confusing web of dental school requirements: prerequisite classes, letters of recommendation, writing a personal statement, studying for the DAT, interviewing…is enough to make my head spin, even to this day.

Although I didn’t decide I wanted to go to dental school until the semester before I graduated from college, the few resources that I took advantage of through my pre-health advisor and club were invaluable. I still have a copy of my mock interview on a DVD tucked away in a drawer in my desk [I’m not sure why I haven’t thoroughly disposed of it-few things are worse than watching yourself on camera].

Somehow I managed to finagle my way into a couple of dental school acceptances, and here I am today, three years later. During my first year, I began volunteering at the ASDA Pre-Dental Committee events and absolutely fell in love. There is no better motivation than to be surrounded by groups of eager pre-dental students dying to be in your shoes, picking your brain, and looking up to you as the All Knowing dental student. For the next two years I filled the role as the ASDA Pre-Dental Chair and continued planning events- wax nights, mock interviews, personal statement reviews, simulation clinic activities…anything and everything that could help these “baby dentists” grow and flourish in their quest to dental school admittance.

Seeing familiar faces in the incoming classes, getting email updates “I got in to dental school!!”, and following the paths of students that I have met during my own “Pre-dental” journey in dental school has been one of the most rewarding.

Bottom line:  You never know who you can inspire. Or who can inspire you.

So I got a cavity in dental school…

Yes... I got a cavity in dental school. The place where you learn all about what causes cavities, what can be done to prevent cavities, and what happens if cavities go uncontrolled. How ironic.

Believe me, I was just as surprised as you. I floss more than the average human being (granted, zero is a pretty easy number to beat), I have an electric toothbrush, and I have what most people would describe as a catastrophic amount of material regarding dental hygiene and the etiology of caries. I am fully aware of what is going on in the cesspool otherwise known as our oral cavity, yet somehow I still got a cavity.

At first I was a little in denial, like there’s no way. I floss… Just ask my sister. I floss A LOT. Like I’ve flossed an on-a-hot-bus-in-Costa-Rica level of flossing. I’ve flossed a finish-a-whole-pack-of-40-yards-of-floss level of flossing. And yet that doesn’t change the fact that I have a cavity.

Next came shame, as we all probably know all too well. How can I expect my patients, who don’t care about what exact bacterial configuration causes caries, to prevent cavities when apparently I cannot prevent them for myself? Also, bacteria. Gross.

Finally, I realized that it’s just a cavity. I’m not dying, and I’m not the 2007 version of Britney Spears. There are certainly worse things in the world than a little cavity, and after studying who knows how many semesters of pathology, I of all people should know that.

I know, you’re probably thinking, “Thanks for the dramatic portrayal of your afternoon but what’s your point?!” My point is that these kind of thoughts, or versions of thoughts, are rattling through our patient’s heads as we tell them our diagnosis. In our minds, we think, “Sweet I’ll finally get to do a molar crown prep!” In their minds they are thinking, “Shoot, how am I going to pay for this?  How did I let this happen?  Is it going to hurt?  When am I going to find the time? …And why is she smiling?”

Being the patient once in a while is not only good for your health but also good for your attitude. We need to remember what it feels like to receive not-so-great news and what information we need to hear to cope with it. Above all, it is humbling. We need to look past our Big Doctor heads full of incredible amounts of knowledge, and remember that we are humans treating humans. After all, that is why we got in this business in the first place.

The Rocky Mountain Dental Convention is the largest continuing education event in this region! But what does that mean for a dental student? You get one full Friday off of school -- yippee a ski day! Joking.  It’s “expected” that we attend the event, and to be honest, I firmly believe we should.  

RMDC provides, in my personal opinion, the ultimate learning experience. You have the opportunity to attend classes on topics that most suit your fancy. These topics can range anywhere from oral cancer to selling treatment plans to your patients. It’s a great way to start getting involved with dentistry on a different level and without a textbook. In addition to classes, the exhibition hall once again provides unique insight into our career.  There are many vendors eager to suck you into learning about their product, and why not? We all will be our own business owners someday and it’s important to be researched and educated about our purchases.  On a side note - there are tons of product samples, lots of free candy, and even an exhibitor selling full body massage chairs… at least sit down and check them out!

The RMDC also offers a myriad of social events, which is the best part if you ask me! Most of us went into the dental profession because we love being around people, and the social events at RMDC are a great way to network. Here we get free holdovers, drinks, and a place to mingle with other professionals in our field. This year, there was a twist implemented, in which you had to talk to certain people with tickets in order to get a free drink. Sure we couldn’t be as lazy as we originally intended, but it was a great way to branch out of our social clique and meet new people. Whether you’re outgoing or more on the shy side, having an opportunity like this gives us all a scapegoat to strike up new conversations. If we recognize a face, remember a name, or just want something to discuss, we now have something very distinct we can mention to allow us to approach that “stranger”.  Personally, I know that remembering names is not my strong suit, but now I have confidence and a topic I can use to approach someone and ask if they attended RMDC.  BOOM! Conversation initiated. Network opportunity engaged.

So, whether you’re a first or second year dental student eager to learn anything and everything about dentistry, a fourth year needing to network and plan your future hopes and dreams, or you’re a third year student who gets excited to see different colors of bite registration, The Rocky Mountain Dental Convention is a great experience for us all.

Over the past year, ASDA has had increasing involvement with the Comitis Shelter, a shelter near campus that houses individuals and families. Since beginning our involvement with the shelter, I’ve been surprised to learn more about the causes of homelessness and the statistics of those that are affected. For example, did you know there are over 14,000 homeless children in Colorado? As the holidays approach, giving back to our local community becomes increasingly important and your help can truly make a difference for a family in need. One of the most crucial steps to helping is to become educated about individuals experiencing homelessness and to deconstruct misperceptions. During our first time volunteering at Comitis, I met a veteran currently undergoing chemotherapy at the Anschutz campus. Because of the intensive treatment, he’s unable to work and is residing at the shelter with his two young daughters. This gentleman, among others, represents one of the real reasons that a majority of these individuals are homeless. Sickness happens. Job loss happens. Death happens. Divorce happens. Sometimes people experience tough times.

My mentor, Dr. Bruce, inspired me years ago to take on a giving attitude as a dental student and eventual practitioner. In addition to running a successful practice, Dr. Bruce and his wife volunteer at a local shelter once a week to provide dental care to those in need. His goal is to provide emotional and spiritual guidance in addition to dental care to enable people to live a better life. I’ve witnessed the personal transformations and success stories of those that Dr. Bruce has worked with and have been inspired to continue this act of giving now, and throughout my career.

How can we, as students, make a difference in the lives of others? In addition to providing dental education, there are several ways we can give back. Below are 5 ways you can help from justgive.org this holiday season and throughout the year. Visit https://www.justgive.org/donations/help-homeless.jsp for a full list of ideas for involvement!

1. Volunteer at a shelter - Shelters thrive on the work of volunteers, from those who sign people in, to those who serve meals, to others who counsel the homeless on where to get social services. For the homeless, a shelter can be as little as a place to sleep out of the rain, or as much as a step toward self-sufficiency.
2. Tutor homeless children - A tutor can make all the difference. Just having adult attention can spur children to do their best. Many programs exist in shelters, transitional housing programs, and schools that require interested volunteers. Or begin you own tutor volunteer corps at your local shelter. It takes nothing more than a little time.
3. Donate clothing - Next time you do your spring or fall cleaning, keep an eye out for those clothes that you no longer wear. If these items are in good shape, gather them together and donate them to organizations that provide housing for the homeless.
4. Donate toys – Children living in shelters have few possessions --if any-- including toys. Homeless parents have more urgent demands on what little money they have, such as food and clothing. So often these children have nothing to play with and little to occupy their time. You can donate toys, books, and games to family shelters to distribute to homeless children. For Christmas or Chanukah, ask your friends and co-workers to buy and wrap gifts for homeless children.
5. Teach about the homeless - If you do volunteer work with the homeless, you can become an enthusiast and extend your enthusiasm to others. You can infect others with your own sense of devotion by writing letters to the editor of your local paper.

This year, I’ve been fortunate to work alongside so many good hearted and compassionate individuals dedicated to making a positive difference in our community. During our school wide warm clothing donation drive for our local shelter, hundreds of students and faculty donated warm clothing and helped spread the word to local organizations. The DS1 students even raised enough money to purchase nearly 30 coats for the shelter! Colorado winters are rough and it was great to see so many students work together to help keep people warm this winter.

It’s the season of giving and now is the perfect time to give back and help families in need. Check out this website to learn more about facts and statistics of those experiencing homelessness and email me if you’d like to get involved! http://closetohomeco.org/learn/about-homelessness/

Kimberly.engols@ucdenver.edu

Getting concrete information on world affairs can often feel like trying to build a restoration out of Jello. It seems no matter where you look, news is inherently biased and trying to push one political agenda or another. Factual reporting seems to have evaporated like acrylic monomer beneath the sun. So it is with some trepidation that I set out to write about the Syrian refugee crisis. In case you’ve been living under a rock for the better part of the decade, there has been a fair amount of strife in Syria. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how you write an understatement. There are at least three factions—and really more like five or six—vying for control of a country 25% smaller than Colorado. Imagine, if you will, living in a place where instead of hearing honking horns, gunfire is more the norm. A place where you must live in constant fear of bombings—both from the sky and from the ground. A place where, at any given moment, your life could end. Try to imagine what you would do in such a place.

I recently met a patient in screening. He told me his teeth hurt, which is not uncommon in that clinic. We chatted for a while about how the school works and what he could expect from his time with us. I did notice he wasn’t opening his mouth much to talk. While playing the waiting-for-faculty game, we made small talk. Food came up, and I mentioned I like middle-eastern cuisine. He told me he was from Syria, and he suggested I try the restaurant at which he works. I thought nothing of it.

Then I looked in his mouth.

His teeth—all 28 of them—were ground down to below the CEJ. His mouth looked like someone had taken a handpiece and leveled every tooth to an almost-perfect flat plane. I had to resist the urge to gasp. I asked him about his habits, trying to determine an etiology of what I was seeing. It was a short conversation.

His answer was that he ground his teeth during times of stress. Over the past couple of years, twenty-nine of his extended family members had been killed in and around Syria. Twenty. Nine. They had been killed in the civil war. They had been murdered by ISIS. They had perished trying to flee across the Mediterranean. The how doesn’t really matter.

Imagine your extended family. If I think, I can come up with about fifty names of family members with whom I have a connection. Now imagine that over half of them are dead. It’s a sobering thought.

I set out to write this article without taking a side on the refugee crisis. But every time I hear about the thousands of people fleeing Syria, my mind involuntarily returns to this patient. Never have I met someone who so starkly illustrated just how good our lives are in this country.

In the wake of the attacks in Paris, this issue has risen to the very forefront of mainstream media. Like so many issues, it has become politicized, where every person has to pick a side—red or blue. There are those who fear ISIS will sneak into our country under the guise of refugees. And there are those who feel compelled to open our borders and welcome the refugees.

I completely understand both sides of the argument. Am I afraid of ISIS entering our country? Of course I am. It’s a very real fear, the kind of fear that can turn your stomach to ice. But you all know the line: “All we have to fear is fear itself.” That fear shouldn’t make us lose our decency as human beings. If we let fear divide us, ISIS has already won.

To say it is a complicated problem would be to call the sun warm. But I always go back to this patient. How can I, in good conscience, sit in the relative safety of my home, and at the same time deny this man a chance to reunite with the remaining members of his family? No matter how many arguments I read, I can’t bring myself to do it. I don’t know the right answer. As H.L. Menkin once said, “For every complex problem, there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong.”

What I do know is that, this week especially, I’m thankful for the country in which I live. I’m thankful for the men and women who fight to defend the freedoms I often take for granted. And I’m thankful that—in the not-too-distant future—my chosen profession will allow me to help patients like this, taking away some part of their pain, however small a part it may be.

I would welcome conversation and debate, as long as it is kept civil. At the end of the day, we’re all on the same team.

 

I still remember sitting in the back of the room, not sure what to think: it was hard to not be depressed after seeing how far ahead in ASDA spirit several other chapters were compared to us.  Rather than wallowing in sadness or shrugging it off, my rebellious spirit almost immediately stepped in.  My attitude immediately changed from one of vexation to one of determination: "Challenge accepted,” I said to myself. Equipped with a notebook full of ideas and inspiration from amazing people, I left NLC 2013 ready to get to work.

Fast forward two years, and with 20 more chapter members than were with me the first time, my feelings were very different.  I felt confident and ready to show Colorado ASDA off to the world! Sitting at the front of the room as the District 9 Trustee, I looked back at my clan of chapter members and felt so accomplished— not just because of how well our chapter had done since my first NLC, but because we were about to have yet another amazing conference!

My third NLC was much different from my first, and being on the other side of things gave me a very different perspective. My first year, I attended breakout sessions, introduced myself to those who inspired me and talked to national leaders about what it is like to be involved at that level. This year, I led two breakout sessions, tried to inspire as many people as I could, and encouraged everybody I saw to apply for a national ASDA position. All three years have been great experiences, but in completely different ways.

If I learned anything from attending NLC three years in a row, it is that you only get out of it what you put in—which is why NLC gets better each year. The benefits of networking become more and more valuable because my connections with other students have become more and more personal. The speakers become so much more motivating because I am looking for a different level of inspiration. The meetings become increasingly energizing because I am exceedingly excited to attend. Of course, this shouldn’t be surprising because that, in essence, is what ASDA is—everything you need! You take away whatever you put in and you put in whatever it is that you need. Opportunities are everywhere and it is up to us to take advantage of them. NLC is the perfect place to do that!

Two weeks into my second year of dental school I received an email notifying me that I had been selected to be fully funded to go to the National Leadership Conference in Chicago. I was excited to travel to a new city and experience the conference with my peers. Little did I know this new experience would also help me view my profession in a new way.

My first year of dental school I wasn’t as involved in ASDA as I could have been. I went to many of the lunch and learns and participated in weekend events when I had time. Up until this point I hadn’t really taken much of an interest in the power that ASDA and organized dentistry could provide me. After this conference I realized that it would be silly to continue on in my dental education without pursuing this essential side of dentistry as well.

Our dental schools do the job of teaching us what we will do as dentists as far as procedures and patient care goes. Unfortunately the time we spend in school is so limited that we barely touch on how to excel as a dentist in our profession. These characteristics are often times intangible and may have the potential to make or break us as dentists. This conference addressed many of these characteristics with sessions on practice management, ethics, finance, patient management, running a successful private practice, and many others. We got to hear from numerous talented speakers and new dentists on their transitions from school to practice and the qualities that make a good leader.

Even though I am in the deep dark cave of second year, at this conference I got a glimpse of the sweet fresh air that awaits us as dentists. This conference broadened my perspective and reminded me that dentistry is so much more than exams and lab practicals. Thankfully we will have the ability to be successful by treating our patients with tact and making smart decisions in our practice. While we may not have all of these skills right now as students, ASDA and the ADA give us the opportunities and connections to gain these skills and become successful dentists.