Phases and Faces of Dentistry
JANINE MUSHENO, DMD
2015 graduate from the
Temple University Kornberg
School of Dentistry
Practices in Philadelphia
1. How many years have you been in practice? How would you
describe your current practice setting?
Since graduating in 2015, I have been practicing in a Federally
Qualified Health Center. I mainly serve those who are uninsured
and underinsured, as well as those experiencing homelessness.
2. Have your membership needs evolved with your career?
If so, how have your needs changed?
While still considered a “new dentist,” my needs have evolved
over my short time as a PDA member. When I initially joined the
PDA, it was helpful for networking as well as helping to identify
job possibilities.
Now as a practicing dentist, I utilize the PDA’s resources for
practice management. I also appreciate PDA’s updates on
licensure and any state regulations to ensure that my clinic is
in compliance. I also gladly welcome opportunities to mentor
students and newer dentists to share my experience and/or
guide them at the start of a public health career path.
3. What has PDA done in the past five to 10 years that you have
found most beneficial personally or for the profession?
PDA has long been a legislative advocate for dentists in
Pennsylvania. As a dentist working in public health, I especially
appreciate their advocacy work with access to care issues, such
as allowing for expanded scope of practice for EFDAs and the
ability for dental hygienists to practice as public health dental
hygienists. PDA’s current goals for advocacy include increased
student loan forgiveness for those practicing in health shortage
areas as well as increased funding from Medicaid for dental
providers. This will benefit the oral health of Pennsylvanians by
increasing the number of people that can access quality dental
care, while also allowing dental practitioners to be financially
sustainable in treating an underinsured population.
4. What do you think will be the biggest challenge to the
profession in the next five to 10 years and how do you think
PDA can support you with addressing it?
The increasing cost of tuition for students is one of the biggest
challenges that the profession is facing. New dentists are leaving
school with huge amounts of debt, and they need to make
practice decisions based on this. This may lead to fewer new
dentists wishing to open their own offices and also the inability
of many dentists to accept patients of lower income. The PDA
can support dentists by continuing to advocate for lower tuition
costs and increased loan repayment programs in Pennsylvania
to allow more dentists to practice in health provider shortage
areas.
5. If you weren’t a dentist what would you be?
I would probably be working in interior design or architect.
I always had a love for art, and fortunately there is a lot of art
in dentistry.
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MA R CH/A P R I L 2019 | P EN N S YLVA N IA D EN TA L J O UR N A L