Timothy Downing

Second-year dental student

Indiana University School of Dentistry

Yolanda Jones
PASS Manager
ADEA, Division of Educational Pathways

Have you decided to apply to advanced dental education programs? Get started now because the 2013-2014  ADEA PASS  application opens on May 21st, 2013. Here are 10 things you should know about applying to advanced dental education programs through ADEA PASS.

Michele Graham
Second-year dental student
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry

Oral Health is very important, however it is often overlooked. Most people take for granted the health and development of their mouth and teeth, however it’s been made evident that these two are as important as any other part of the body. With that being said, it is imperative for pre-dental students to take action at their University campus and implement a Dental Health Awareness Week. Below are the steps to follow for a successful Dental Health Awareness Week.

Community Health
Indiana University

My experience in Brazil was educational in more ways than one. I learned that Brazil is one of the most diverse countries I’ve been to so far. Not only is this country full of rich culture and various ethnicities, but their disparities are large, which plays a huge part in the types of health care people receive. Most dental care in Brazil provides the private sector in their health care system. The Brazilian health care system is universal, where primary care and medications are free to the public. The Brazilian government also provides a family health program where doctors, nurses and medical students visit the “favelas” to provide health services. The “favelas” are considered to be the most impoverished parts of town and are pretty dangerous. The host family that I was with did not allow me to go on these expeditions because they feared for my safety. What I’ve come to realize after my time in Brazil was that most of the people who attend public hospitals cannot afford proper health care.  Therefore, those who are privileged are able to receive dental services for proper oral health care in private dental offices.

Already knowing Spanish, I thought that this knowledge would help me get through Brazil’s national language, Portuguese. I discovered that most of the dentists and patients only spoke Portuguese. Although I did not understand much Portuguese, I was able to communicate with the Brazilian dentists through gestures that indicated my knowledge of procedures being performed. The language barrier did not take away from my observations at the dental practices. I was able to watch the different procedures, such as extractions, root canals, teeth cleanings, and cavity fillings. It was interesting to see that these procedures were the same in Brazil as they are in the United States. There are dental offices that are either general dentists or pediatric offices that provide dental care to children, but I was able to see another type of office where it combined various types of dentists. This type of private dental office was larger than most of the other ones I observed. Odontoclinic is an example of a larger office that consists of general, pediatric dentists as well as orthodontists. In the clinic, there were different sections where patients would be brought to depending on what services they needed. There are currently 140 Odonotclinic offices in Brazil.

“Brazilian dentistry is ranked to be one of the best in the world,” said one of the dentists at Odontoclinic. Dr. Renata, a general dentist, informed me that it takes five years to become a general dentist in Brazil. In their culture, they prefer to be called by their first names after the title. Generally, students go straight from high school into a graduate or professional school instead of attending a university for their bachelor’s degree. After speaking with Dr. Renata and one of the managers of Odontoclinic, Dr. Lucas, they said that many dentists in Brazil are able to collaborate with many international dentists to develop new dental techniques. Even though Brazil is still a developing country, their dentistry has succeeded many other countries. Brazilian dentists have to work with people from a range of incomes, such as those who can afford the most sophisticated treatments available to those who can only afford the bare minimum. What I found fascinating was that both American and Brazilian dentistry cared about providing the best dental services for the people, but that both countries also cared a lot about aesthetics. Dental implants, bleaching, veneers, and bone grafting are very common cosmetic dental procedures that Brazilian dentists have perfected. I was not able to observe a cosmetic dentist, but from what Dr. Renata said was that the clinic received at least one or two patients a week that would come in for a cosmetic dental procedure. I had not realized before that this was very popular in Brazil because of the cultural contrasts. Brazilians who are able to get care usually receive the bare minimum in dental services, but those that are able to obtain the most sophisticated treatments do.

Whether you are in Brazil or the United States, dentistry is a career worth pursuing. It is a combination of interactions, technical work, and precision. Dentists are able to socialize with people and understand the art form of what is a dentist. My Brazilian experience has taught me that the demand for dentists will only increase as we age because more people will understand the importance of oral health care. I think this way because as the population increases, we are going to have more people that need dental services in the future. I hope that one day oral health care will be open to the public sector of Brazil so that people who aren’t as privileged can receive the great dental services that the Brazilian dentists can provide.

Jenna Lau
D.D.S. Candidate Class of 2013
University of Detroit Mercy

Hello dental school applicants! I’m sure all of you are excited yet nervous about dental school interview invitations! I’d like to share some of my dental school interview experiences and lessons learned. Okay... here we go: 

1st.... Be confident! Even though you are nervous, don’t show it! Practice mock interviews in front of a mirror or with your best friend.
2nd.... Be humble. Don’t be boasting about your past experiences. Of course we all like to share our past experiences, but present yourself in a humble yet professional manner.
3rd.... Be prepared! When it comes to an interview, don’t just think you’re going to wing it. Go online to find some interview questions and make sure you can answer the relevant questions. Questions such as “Why dentistry?”, “What are your strengths/weaknesses?”, “Please elaborate on XXX written on your CV” will always be asked.
4th.... Make sure you get plenty of rest the night before. If you have to travel out of state, make sure to book a flight that will allow you to have some time to rest. Giving your interviewer a good first impression is crucial!
5th... GOOD LUCK!

William Frei

William is a newly married student at Brigham Young University studying Exercise Science and Business Management.

Every year, over 5,000 ambitious individuals are enrolled in one of 62 dental schools across the nation.[1] For pre-dental students currently buried in books and DAT prep courses, becoming one of the 5,000 would truly be rewarding. This stout statistic, however, represents more than a number of filled seats or future dental professionals. Behind each dental student lies a rich collection of experiences, backgrounds, cultures and personalities. Obviously, competitive test scores and lofty grade point averages are helpful for entrance into dental school, but the oral health field needs more than robotic test-taking specialists.

Meredith Dugoni is a second year student at the new Roseman University of Health Science’s College of Dental Medicine in South Jordan, Utah. Aside from DAT and GPA, it was her background and personal experiences that attracted many dental schools, particularly Roseman, to her application. “You should have something really special that you love, that you can bring to the profession and bring to the school,” suggests Meredith. “Grades are very important. They are what get you in the group to be looked at. But I think the reason I got into Roseman was because I was an athlete and did study abroad. I was a psychology major and a music minor. All of these random things make me who I am, not the fact that I did a ton of research and my grades were great, because I didn’t and they weren’t! My grades were competitive, but what Roseman cares about is the person you are, and I think that’s really important to think about when applying to schools.”

Dr. William G. Woods, D.D.S. of the Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health echoed Meredith’s philosophy by stating, “DAT and GPA are important, but a school like ASDOH is also looking for a ‘good story’.  In other words, what is the character of the individual?  What are the characteristics that drive them to serve, to excel, and to want to be in the dental field?” Woods also asks this question of applicants: “Give Back” is one of the most overused statements in our society today.  It just rolls off the tongue of athletes, political candidates, and others as something to say.  What does it mean to you?  What are the characteristics in your emotional makeup that define this statement to you?”

After speaking with experienced dental students and faculty members, it becomes obvious that more is expected of dental students than attractive grades and statistics. Once dental school is finished and several years of practice have been completed, patients will likely care less about what score you obtained on the PAT section of the DAT and more about your character and personality. Obtaining competitive grades without being well-rounded, or vice versa, is a risky proposition. Both areas are necessary to consider in preparing for both dental school and a career as an oral health professional. An applicant’s cultural background, experiences and personal beliefs will not only propel him or him into dental school, but it will enrich the lives of many patients to come.

Here are ten hints to making a great video to submit to the 2012 GoDental Video Contest for Pre-Dental Students:

1. Have a clear purpose define before you start filming. While you may not necessarily need to write a script, everyone involved in the film should be on the same page about the concept for your video. Make sure that you answer the topic “What are you doing today to become tomorrow’s leaders in dentistry?”
2. Eye contact is different on-screen than in-person. While it is a good idea to look into the lens of the video camera, staring directly into the center of the lens for the entire time will frighten your viewers. You should not just sit staring into the camera.
3. Choose your video camera wisely. If you don’t own a video camera, many digital cameras have very good video recording capabilities. Also, check to see if your school’s library has any video cameras available for checkout. If you are unable to locate a suitable camera, you could use your smartphone to record the video.
4. Be cautious about using your smartphone to record your video. The video may appear high-resolution on your phone’s screen, but may look grainy on YouTube. Additionally, image stabilization software is not as helpful as being able to mount your camcorder on a stand – a shaky hand behind the camera can make viewers nauseated; plus, nobody wants to go to a dentist with a shaky hand! Furthermore, avoid using apps on your smartphone to edit your video. While most major smartphone operating systems offer many apps to edit videos, the quality will not be as high as if you edit on your computer.
5. Be careful not to over-edit your video. Adding effects to your video can be very cliché and can detract from your message. If you wish to add effects, stick to the simple effects. Also, avoid trying to dub a line or cut a clip out in the editing process; it is very obvious and can be avoided by simply re-filming. On a side note, free video editing software works great, so don’t buy some expensive piece of software.
6. Enunciate! People’s voices sound different when recorded, so it may become difficult to understand. Speak clearly and do not rush.
7. Choose a good background. Make sure the background of your video fits your desired tone. For example, if you are making a fast-paced video, shooting it next to a tranquil pond would not be appropriate.
8. Make sure that your clothing does not blend in with your background/location. Some colors are difficult to differentiate on camera, so make sure that you are not wearing a blue shirt in front of a blue wall.
9. Have somebody else watch your video before submission. The video may make sense to you since you made it, but will someone else be able to follow?
10. Make sure the camera is recording. It may seem obvious, but even if you are just doing a practice run-through, make sure you are recording. Sometimes the best take will be the one in which you were not even trying. It is also important to make sure the camera is fully working before you spend time recording a video sequence – make sure that you are in the frame of the camera, that the camera can clearly pick up your voice, that there is no excess background noise, and that the lighting is acceptable.

Sofia Uraizee
Dental Student - Senior
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Do you ever find yourself lost with countless questions and anxieties about dental school and its application process? Do you wish you had a contact in dental school you could reach out to for advice? Bridging the Gap (BTG) is a mentorship program started at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH) designed to address these issues by providing a unique opportunity for pre-dental students to explore not only the dental profession, but also the dental school and its facilities by pairing undergraduate students with those who have already successfully enrolled at UNC-CH School of Dentistry.

Various activities are organized by BTG to foster this mentor-mentee relationship. A meet-and-greet pizza social serves as a commencement ceremony allowing participating undergraduate students to not only meet their dental student mentors, but also other pre-dental/dental students and faculty. An annual simulation lab meeting allows dental students to bring their “little dent” into the lab and give them a taste of what dental school is like with hands-on opportunities to practice waxing and drilling--on model teeth of course! The student pairs are then encouraged to volunteer at a community service event during the spring semester; BTG works closely with ENNEAD, a community service organization at the UNC-CH School of Dentistry, to identify volunteer opportunities that would be appropriate for BTG members. In the past BTG has worked at the Area Health Education Center Academy, where students helped children make impressions of model sets of teeth, and the Latino Fair at a local church in which students helped set up and maintain a temporary dental clinic designed to provide free dental care for the indigent. By building a relationship with a dental student, participants have the benefit of a knowledgeable contact that has successfully completed the dental school application process.

I will always remember the day I went into the simulation lab with my mentor two years ago. Upon receiving instruction on the proper grip and technique with which to hold and use the instruments, I was given the opportunity to drill the “decay” out of the tooth. Next, he introduced me to the concept of waxing in which he melted red wax and used it to begin to fill the “cavity”; he demonstrated how to hold the explorer and explained how to formulate the curves and edges of the tooth as he watched me fill the cavity. After commenting on my “excellent” work and explaining to me the types of assignments students are expected to perform in lab during the first and second years of dental school I was even more intrigued and eager to get started! I was amazed at the ease I felt upon receiving instruction from another student as opposed to a dental school faculty member; I found myself feeling more comfortable to experiment with the instruments/materials and ask questions that I may not have asked a dental school faculty member. It was certainly fascinating to get the perspective of a dental student. As a third-year dental student, my mentor had a busy schedule, but he still made time to meet with me for lunch at the dental school and provide me with advice on applying to dental school and studying for the DAT.

Noticing a need among fellow pre-dental students, UNC-CH undergraduates themselves came up with the idea and created this student-run association known as BTG. This program is an ongoing entity that hopes to adapt to the changing needs of its members. Such programs may be indicative of a growing national trend of students creating organizations themselves to assist fellow students through stressful transitional events. Just as practicing dentists are constantly improving their skills, each generation of BTG student members are constantly striving to improve the organization. In transitioning from the first to the second year, instead of assigning student pairs, BTG allowed dental students to personally select their mentees based on interests and personality traits in order to foster a stronger, more intimate relationship. We have been pleased with the program’s growth from 20 participants in its inaugural year to over 100 the following and hope to continue the evolution with innovative ideas. With the help of ENNEAD, BTG will be the program at UNC-CH that will help its pre-dental students cross the bridge to dental school.
Learn more about BTG at http://bridgingthegap.web.unc.edu/. While this program is specific to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Sofia is happy to answer questions about the set up so other predental students can look into creating similar programs on their campus. Sofia can be reached at skuraizee@gmail.com.

Sofia Uraizee, co-chair of Bridging the Gap, is currently a senior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is interested in pursuing a career in dentistry.

Practicing Dentist
www.greatnewsmile.com

You’ve logged countless hours in predoctoral education and likely postponed other personal goals to pursue your dream of becoming a licensed dentist. The dream has been so exciting, but the reality of actually putting all your efforts into practice can be rather daunting. So, what options do you really have once you’ve attained your dental degree? To give you some insight, allow me to share my experiences…

When I graduated from the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine in 1994, I knew I wanted to work in private practice, but wasn’t exactly sure of the best setting or location. UCONN provided a solid foundation, but I felt that my confidence and speed needed improvement. I spent the next two years at UCONN in the Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency and fellowship programs, and I highly recommend post-doctoral education to every new dentist. During those years, I advanced my skills in implantology and endodontics, as well as oral surgery and treatment planning. Pursuing a residency not only increased my efficiency, but also afforded me the opportunity to work in public health clinics and Veterans Affairs Hospitals as well as in private practices as a part-time associate (employee).

Aside from choices in public health, research and education, practicing dentists either become employees or employers in the business of dentistry. Working as an associate in several different private practice settings allowed me to experience different practice styles and to learn both what I liked and disliked about various models. You can earn an excellent living with health and retirement benefits without necessarily having the administrative headaches of running a business, managing personnel and the financial and emotional stress of owning your own business. Benefits such as license and continuing education fees are also negotiable. Current trends reflect a growing percentage of large group dental practices, which may have dozens of employees, including specialists and laboratory technicians, all under one roof.  This model can provide a direct referral and support network.

After working as an employee for a few years, I knew that I personally needed the autonomy of being my own boss. I selected dentistry as a profession because I loved the marriage of art and science as well as the ability to help people improve their lives on a daily basis. I chose working as a solo practitioner because autonomy is an absolute necessity for me –I want to be my own boss! Being a self-employed dentist does have its drawbacks: all of the financial risks and administrative responsibilities fall on one set of shoulders—mine! But with risk comes reward, and with responsibility comes privilege. I have ultimate control over my schedule: I never had to consult with anyone regarding family planning choices, which continuing education courses I should take or when I might be allowed to take a vacation.  I also have complete control over who I hire and educate to work with me—do not underestimate the value of choosing with whom you will spend the greater number of your waking hours. Financially, I can tailor my retirement and other benefits to best suit my personal needs, rather than conform to what’s best for a group of dentists who may have very different goals. At the end of the day, albeit with a tremendous amount of support from my talented team, the rewards of owning my own practice far outweigh the disadvantages to me.

So what is the most beautiful aspect of sorting through your individual options? The choice is uniquely yours! Find a mentor, explore different practice styles and models, and spend some quality time with yourself to determine what your strengths are and what makes you happiest. I guarantee you’ll find the answers that lead to your success. Enjoy the journey!

Dental schools encourage students to engage in outreach programs to provide oral health care to underserved or unserved populations. Below is a piece by Dr. Sarita Arteaga regarding dental school outreach.

Several personal reasons resonate when asked “why did you pursue a health care career?” An overwhelming majority of responses include “wanting to help people” which generally continues throughout a professional’s lifetime.  The question then arises, global or local?  Outreach in dentistry can involve the identification of the oral health needs of a community, teaching principles of prevention of disease, and the provision of dental care. Certain communities have significant oral health needs with little or no availability for treatment. Opportunities to reach into a community to address some of these needs are created by most dental schools and some independent organizations. 

At our dental school, many efforts start locally that allow students to participate in community outreach. The ASDA student chapter shares its fundraising efforts during the Hartford marathon towards the Give Back a Smile Charity, showing how outreach can be done indirectly. The Give Kids a Smile enables students to screen elementary aged children, with a focus on prevention. The Mission of Mercy program gives students the ability to work with other dental professionals to provide care to underserved and needy citizens by administering local anesthesia, performing extractions, as well as other care. Faithcare integrates medical and dental assessments within a local church in Hartford, while treating the patient’s emotional and spiritual needs.  Working at an inner-city homeless shelter is also a chance for medical and dental students to work in a space set aside for medical and dental screenings within the shelter for the transient population of Hartford: men, women and children. Local farms serve as a gateway for students to screen migrant farm workers during the summer months and provide prevention education.  The Healthy Athletes Special Smiles program at the Special Olympics provides students time to screen special athletes and fabricate athletic mouth guards, while educating the athletes’ caregivers.  Locally, the SNDA/HSDA chapters participate with screenings of 3-5 year old students at a local head start program which allows students to apply fluoride varnish and also sponsor a booth at the American Diabetes Expo, where students can screen and educate participants with diabetes on the relationship between diabetes and oral health is yet another venue for local outreach.  A trip to the state of Montana allows students to treat local (and rural) residents in a community health center in various restorative and preventive techniques. 

Many impoverished nations with poor dental care exist and the global outreach of UCONN extends to Chile, where students team up with students from Stony Brook and treat patients; trips to Paraguay, Honduras, Belize, and South Africa organized by students to provide education and treatment.  Students have also organized trips to the Dominican Republic and Jamaica, often working with students from other dental schools, students are able to provide considerable amounts of care during these service trips.

Oral diseases are widespread, both locally and globally, and the desire to serve within this caring profession should always exist, so with these combined efforts and the interest of students, perhaps this will help to reduce some of these needs and educate more of the communities on good oral health care.

Stephen J. Seder, DDS, MS
Program Director, General Practice Residency
Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center
Department of Veterans Affairs

I never considered a career working in public health.  When I was in dental school I always imagined hanging a shingle and starting up a small town dental practice. Maybe you can relate to those dreams?  I envisioned working long hours Monday through Thursday while saving time for a golf game on Friday. My practice would be the perfect balance between work and family. Before I graduated, l felt like all that was in my cards, however, like many other things in life, plans change.

At the end of the last year of a two-year AEGD residency at the University of Connecticut Health Center, it was time for me to make some career decisions.  Not quite ready to open my practice and still in the academic mindset, I put my private practice aspirations on hold and chose a prosthodontic residency. 

When I arrived in Houston at the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Hospital to start my residency, I received my first introduction to public health. 

Public health meant sometimes seeing patients who had never had easy access to care.  Some patients arrived to the clinic with poor dental health and a misunderstanding of how their dental situation relates to overall health.  There are patients with very compromising health conditions, and I had to learn to work with other specialties across the hospital to affect a good outcome.  The patient population numbers are often large, and there is a balance to do the most good for the most patients.

From a prosthodontic learning standpoint, it was a gold mine. I developed the advanced clinical skills necessary to replace missing teeth both by removable and fixed means.  I never had to modify my treatment plans based on what the patient could or could not afford; that is I could develop my treatment plans by what is best for the patient, and not be influenced by their monetary situation.

As I got more and more comfortable in this public health setting, I started to rethink that small town private practice career vision. I wondered if I could see myself working for the government in a hospital setting.  A hospital setting would mean limiting my patient population to mainly medically compromised adults.

The benefits and salary would be comparable to that of private practice.  A plus is that I would be practicing without the headaches of running a small business.  My sister, a busy orthodontist in private practice, will tell you what grief she had after a water leak.  She had to close her practice for several weeks but she still had to pay all her bills, pay her employees, and still worry about insurance reimbursement.   Not only could I avoid this type of problem working for the government at the Veterans Administration, but I could give back to those individuals who unselfishly gave so much to serve our country.  A career with the Veterans Administration was looking better and better the more I thought about it. 

Fortunately for me a staff dentist retired and so I accepted a position at the Houston Veterans Administration.  I was also given the opportunity to become the program director for the general practice residency.  I now could practice the dentistry that I love, prosthodontics, while teaching dental school graduates those skills that helped me to be a better dentist.

For those dental students and graduates considering a career in public health, let me give you some of our VA demographics courtesy of the Department of Veteran Affairs website and Dr. Patricia Arola, Assistant Under Secretary of Health for Dentistry, Department of Veterans Affairs. As of September 2010 there were 22.7 million veterans with roughly 8% being eligible for dental benefits. With 210 outpatient and inpatient dental clinics staffed by approximately 850 dentists and many more supporting personnel, we are one of the largest dental public health settings within the nation. With 78 AEGD, GPR, endodontic, periodontic and prosthodontic residency programs, there are no shortage of programs to have a formal, invaluable educational experience (http://www.va.gov/dental/residency.asp).

For more information on VA dental careers and our mission, please visit us at http://www.va.gov/dental/. I would also love to answer your questions, so please do not hesitate to contact me via email at StephenJ.Seder@va.gov, through our residency link http://www.houston.va.gov/about/dentalresidency/ or by phone at 713-791-1414, extension 4337.

Looking back over my past sixteen years within Veterans Administration, I have no regrets—that small town dental practice is not even on the radar screen!  Good luck on your future dental pursuits.

You’re taking the appropriate pre-dental coursework in school and you’ve shadowed the local dentist down the street. So, what other enriching pre-dental opportunities can you seek?

Let me tell you about what I did.

My growing interest in dentistry prompted me to start researching dental nonprofits. I learned about Smiles on Wings, a non-profit that provides dental care and education to medically underserved populations in Thailand. And to my surprise, I discovered that the founder of Smiles on Wings owned the dental practice right behind my former high school. Two weeks later, I was sitting across the Executive Director and we spent the next hour flipping through silly photographs of children from previous dental missions. Needless to say, I was hooked and quite excited with my new internship offer.

Throughout the fall semester, I researched grant proposals, designed and programmed fundraising events, and maintained our website and social media pages. During the Smiles on Wings winter mission, I followed our blog closely and decided that I couldn’t pass up the next opportunity offered before me. I booked a flight to Thailand just six short months away for the next mission. Over the summer, I continued my volunteer work with Smiles on Wings and also worked at a dental practice to familiarize myself with the basics. From the sterilization of instruments to assisting restorative procedures like fillings and extractions, I eagerly prepared for our upcoming dental mission.

In Thailand, I had the opportunity to act as a dental assistant to two exceptional dentists (both founders of separate dental nonprofits) and befriended some fourth-year dental students from the UK. Interacting with dental students, dentists, and other health professionals was incredibly insightful to the dental profession. In addition to dental care, we focused on providing a comprehensive dental education to both children and adults at numerous schools and orphanages. Preventative dental care is often overlooked when access to adequate food, housing, and education is also of primary concern. But it was our mission to see that healthcare wasn’t forgotten.

As I continue down the pre-dental pathway, I hope my connection to Smiles on Wings only grows. So whether you’re just beginning to explore dentistry as a potential career, or if you’ve known you were going to be a dentist before you learned how to walk, I encourage you to get involved beyond shadowing at your local dental practice. Research volunteer clinics and nonprofit groups that serve medically underserved communities and see how you can help.

You can also speak to other pre-dental students at your university and ask if your pre-health societies would be interested in organizing a volunteer health mission. Volunteer your weekend at a local dental clinic or organize a health mission abroad over winter or spring break. Go out there and explore!

Paul Garrard
PGPresents, LLC, Independent Student Loan Consultant

The Impact of Private Loans on Choice of Repayment Strategy

A recent health sciences graduate developed a repayment strategy that included making payments on his federal loans to help him qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.  He qualified for payments under the new Income Based Repayment (IBR) plan and was starting employment in a public service position. He seemed all set.

However, when he looked at the amount he had set aside each month for his student loan payments, , he realized he had forgotten to include payments coming due on private loans he had borrowed not only in college, but also during his post-baccalaureate year prior to professional school.

His repayment strategy was derailed, and he was understandably upset, as choices he had made earlier relying on private loan borrowing were now coming back to haunt him. 

Federal Loans and Private Loans:  The Choice is Yours

Whether at the recent ADEA Recruitment Fair or perhaps from your health professions advisor, or even from a financial aid professional if you have already contacted your dental school about financial aid, you have likely heard continual references to responsible borrowing:  admonitions to budget wisely, spend accordingly, and control what you can within the confines of your student financial aid budget. You plan to do just that, yet you still face the hard reality that you need to borrow for dental school, and you may have to borrow a lot.

You see and hear what seem like horror stories about students borrowing too much, especially with private loan programs.  You see constant references to exhausting federal eligibility first before taking out private loans for school.  You hear examples like the one above and you commit that this will never ever happen to you … and then reality sets in.

You know that you can borrow up to your entire “Cost of Attendance” (your financial aid budget) each year with a combination of Federal Stafford and Grad PLUS Loans.  However, you also know these loans carry interest rates of 6.8% and 7.9% respectively, and you are intrigued when you hear private lenders offering what seem like substantially lower rates on their private student loans.

Responsible Borrowing Means Responsible Choices

As you look at your potential borrowing for dental school, ask yourself these questions before you apply for a private loan:

1. Have I exhausted not only my federal loan eligibility, but also other options, such as grants, scholarships, fellowships, and other sources of potential aid that I do not have to repay? 
2. When will this loan come due and when it does, what are my repayment options?  How do these compare with my repayment options on federal loans? 
3. Can I postpone payment on this loan if I pursue a postdoctoral program or residency after dental school, and if so, for how long?  Are there fees for doing so? Knowing the rules about postponement is extremely important, especially for programs like dentistry which offer additional study for interested graduates.
4. Can I lower the cost of this loan if I find a creditworthy cosigner? Do I want to saddle a potential cosigner with this credit obligation?  How long will this stay on their credit report?
5. Perhaps the most important question to ask involves not only the interest rate, but also the frequency at which the accrued, unpaid interest will be added back to the loan’s principal.  This process, called “capitalization,” remains—without question—the number one reason some students face enormous balances on private student loans when they enter repayment.

Don’t let a poorly planned or uninformed choice about private loans now derail your choice of repayment strategy later.  Dental school graduates have a terrific track record for responsible repayment.  With some careful planning now and responsible borrowing during school, you can do your part to continue that tradition.

Paul S. Garrard, Founder and President
PGPresents, LLC  
Consultant for ADEA

For additional information on the Public Service Loan Repayment Program and Income Based Repayment, please visit:

www.studentaid.ed.gov/publicservice

www.IBRinfo.org

www.studentaid.ed.gov/IBR

Matthew Lepowsky
Major: Biological Sciences - Pre-Dental Student
Honors Program - Combined Program in Dental Medicine
University of Connecticut College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

During the school year, I take many science courses, as well as humanities and social sciences. I've almost completed my first semester of the course which every pre-medical, pre-dental, pre-pharmacy, and pre-veterinary student fears the most: organic chemistry. Some people say that organic chemistry is all about memorization – do not belief them! Yes, you have to do a lot of memorization, but what's more important is practicing to really understand the concepts. So, organic chemistry takes up a large part of my daily routine.

Obviously I take biology courses, like genetics and physiology. It is really important to balance out your schedule – I try to take one or two social science or humanities courses, such as anthropology and psychology, each semester to balance out the workload of science courses. Outside of classes, work and studying, I participate in extracurricular activities such as my university’s predental society.
Over my breaks, I divide my time between shadowing, volunteering, and research. I really like shadowing local dentists because it allows me to get the feel for the dental profession; I try to divide my time between general dentists and specialists to see the wide variety of dental careers. I also do volunteer work and community service. I enjoy volunteering at the local hospital and dental school clinics. I also participate in community service work, such as working with individuals with special needs at the Special Olympics.

Finally, I participate in research. Most science students think that research is only working in a laboratory, but that's just one type of research.  I work at my university’s health center doing data management and analysis for many large-scale research projects funded by the National Institute for Health, which is really exciting! And, I can’t forget, this summer, I'm starting my preparation for the DATs! Just a little bit about my life as a predental student.

Thanks for reading, and good luck on your pathway to dentistry!

Dr. Anne Wells
ADEA Senior Vice President, Division of Educational Pathways

Mark your calendars—June 4, 2012 is the opening of the ADEA centralized application for students seeking admission into the 2013 dental school entering class. Although the application doesn’t open until June 4, here are some things you do in advance to make the application process smooth and efficient:

Prepare a resume of your accomplishments (including dates). Compiling all this information beforehand will allow you to complete the application more quickly. You will be asked to provide information in the ADEA AADSAS application about:

Begin to identify individuals who can write letters of evaluation on your behalf. They won’t need to supply letters until the application cycle begins, but it’s always a good idea to line up your evaluators in advance. Check with your health professions advisor. Your school may offer a service to compile letters on your behalf and/or produce a Committee Report on your behalf. If not, the ADEA AADSAS application will ask you to supply contact information for up to four individuals who can provide letters of evaluation. Most dental schools like to have letters from:

Begin thinking about your personal statement for your ADEA AADSAS application. You will be required to submit a one-page personal statement about why you desire to pursue a dental education. Be original and be thoughtful! This is your opportunity to tell your story. And remember…some schools and programs are now using plagiarism software…make sure your essay is your own.

For more information about preparing for the 2013 application cycle, visit the Applicant page at adeaaadsas.org
What questions do you have about the application process? Start a thread in our discussion forum DentNetworks, or comment on this blog and let’s start a conversation.

Paul Garrard
PGPresents, LLC, Independent Student Loan Consultant

Dental school is expensive, but it is also affordable and a great investment. 

There have been changes in financial aid this year, including those recently announced by President Obama.  Some may help dental students, others may not, but none of them change the fact that you are ultimately in control of how you pay for dental school and in control of the choices you make about responsible budgeting and borrowing.

Some tips to help you get started:

Contact your school’s Financial Aid Office about how to apply for financial aid, especially grants and scholarships that will help you reduce how much you borrow.  Research scholarship opportunities tied to service.  Get a free copy of your credit report at www.annualcreditreport.com and pay down any consumer debts you have, as you cannot get financial aid to help with these expenses.

Visit Financing a Dental Education for specific information that you should know before applying to dental school.

Evelyn Lucas-Perry, D.D.S., M.P.H.
ADEA Vice President for Students, Residents, and Fellows

So often I’m asked by pre-dental students about how to best prepare for the dental school application process, and what are the so-called secrets to getting accepted. Well, I'm afraid to tell you that there isn't a sure-fire way of getting accepted into dental school.  Yes, you may have a high DAT score but lack exposure to the dental field, or have limited experience within leadership positions.  On the other hand, you may have exhibited a strong commitment to healthcare with outreach activities, but have a lower GPA.  More than likely, you are in the middle of the extremes... have solid test scores, GPA, and reasonable participation in extracurricular activities-but are unsure of how to stand out.

In order to best prepare yourself for the application process you must understand the individual school's mission and focus. Speaking to current dental students and recent alumni can help identify school characteristics. This can also help identify what school would be a good fit for you as well. Remember, even though you are going through the application process, YOU are choosing the school to attend.

Separating yourself from "the crowd" in your personal statement (and later interview) can become key ways of showcasing your uniqueness to admission officers. Whether it is a personal story or account of your future aspirations your personal statement should highlight your commitment to and knowledge of dentistry. And remember, the personal statement needs to be interesting...ask yourself in a pile of 100 applications would I enjoy reading mine?

But the best way to prepare yourself for the application process is objectively evaluating your application. Yes, applying early and seeking advice from your school's pre-health adviser, current dental students and mentors are important; but recognizing your strengths and opportunities (sounds so much better than weaknesses!) as an applicant is essential.  Knowing this can prompt you to take another higher level biology class, involve yourself in a community program or begin to discover an interest in research. For those who are in the midst of the application process, self-evaluation can help guide your personal statement, selection for those to write your letters of recommendations, and what questions to anticipate during the interview process.

Whatever the case, it is always best to prepare yourself by exposing yourself. Utilize resources like GoDental, ExploreHealthCareers (explorehealthcareers.org), the ADEA (www.adea.org) website, professional organizations (ASDA, SNDA, pre-dental associations, pre-health study clubs) and of course the dental school's website.

If you’re getting started or already on the path, ask yourself, If you were on the admissions committee what would you say about your application?

Keep this in mind and best of luck!

Welcome to Blogistry,

Choosing a career can be challenging and chances are, if you’re visiting our blogspot, you’re ready to begin your journey to a successful dental career.  Blogistry offers an engaging experience focusing on current issues involving the dental community and allowing GoDental members to provide commentary. 

Dental professionals and students pursuing a dental career blog every month about issues concerning the future of dentistry and dental research.  What is it really like to be a dental student?  How can I join the fight for access to care?  What should I do now to get started?  Whether you’re a high school, college, current dental student, or postdoctoral student Blogistry has something for you.

If you’re not a GoDental member, join now-it’s Free!  Your membership will allow you to comment on different monthly post, meet other GoDental members, and stay connected.  We encourage you do so.  Enjoy!