students and provided updates on our district and organization altogether . We touched upon important topics such as diversity and inclusion , membership engagement , event successes and drawbacks , and how the tripartite can involve dental students and ASDA . This is where I began to see how the profession comes together and why collaboration between all parts of the dental community is crucial . We are the future of the ADA , and the future of our respective local and state dental associations . We have a responsibility to voice our concerns for our profession , and with our voice and advocacy efforts , we can affect the dental profession for the better .
My own voice was uplifted by the support I received at the meeting . We had the opportunity to closely interact with members of every state dental association , previous , current , and future national ADA leaders , and practicing dental professionals around the nation . We even had a gathering with the New Dentist Committee , a national committee of the ADA Board of Trustees . Members viewed us as colleagues , provided us with invaluable wisdom and encouraged us to reach out to them for anything that may help our careers , whether that be in organized dentistry or not . Mentorship is difficult to find and maintain , but at the ADA House of Delegates that didn ’ t seem to be the case . Mentors were everywhere and actively sought out opportunities to help
further our careers . The support they showed was more than I ever thought I would receive . That has been demonstrated by members of the New Dentist Committee highlighting ASDA ’ s leader ’ s voices , seasoned dentists assisting graduating dental students in their job search or residency applications , or simply by reaching out to us to write for their state dental associations ’ newsletters . I can confidently speak for the entire ASDA board when I say that I look forward to maintaining connections with those who help push my career forward .
My experience in organized dentistry has thus far has been rewarding , allowing me to take an active part in the conversation . My interest in organized dentistry grew since my junior year at the University of Buffalo . When I entered the University of Pennsylvania for dental school , I immediately reached out to chapter and district ASDA leaders to explore more ways to get involved . I am grateful for my mentors who have helped shape my career in organized dentistry and have provided me more opportunities than I ever thought I would have had to advocate for the betterment of our profession . I encourage all dental students to reach out to your chapter presidents , trustees and local and state dental associations to be a part of the conversation and have your voice carry weight .
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ryan Kaminsky attends the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine under the Health Professional Scholarship Program with the Navy . He completed his undergraduate studies at The University at Buffalo with a B . A . in Biological Sciences and a minor in Public Health . He has been actively involved in organized dentistry throughout his dental school career , serving as the 2020-2021 District 3 Advocacy Consultant and Penn ASDA Chapter President-Elect . He currently serves as the District 3 Trustee , the ASDA Consultant with the American Dental Association Council of Scientific Affairs , and Penn ASDA Chapter President . His interests lie in wellness , community service , advocacy , music , and travel . After graduation , he plans to join the Navy ’ s active-duty team as a commissioned officer treating the Navy and Marines .
JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2022 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL 19