I remember attending my first ADA Dentist and Dental Student Lobby Day in my D1 year in 2016 . The topics we were advocating for were a far cry from my restorative dentistry lectures . These issues were impactful not only for our patients , but to me as a dental student . I was terrified during our first congressional visit , but after the meeting was over , I felt motivated . This is where I wanted to be – at the table bringing forth the issues , having the difficult discussions , and helping to make a change for the betterment of our patients ’ health and our profession . This led me to pursue becoming an ASDA leader for my chapter , followed by the district , and ultimately as a national chair for the Council on Advocacy .
Leadership comes with admitting that there is still room to grow and more to learn . I felt empowered to work in academics early on in my career because of my attendings during my AEGD residency in Hawaii . They taught me more than just how to surgically extract a tooth ! During my toughest days on the island , they shared their own experiences - the good , the bad , and things maybe they wished they would have done differently .
Through their vulnerability , it made them more approachable and helped me feel comfortable to ask for help . This made me believe that I had something to share and that I could do what they did for me for the students and residents I would later work with at Penn .
My path to dentistry , let alone pediatric dentistry , is not your usual one . It began , if you would believe it , with starting an anti-human trafficking club at Villanova University . We look to leaders for support , encouragement and representation . Suffice to say , it was hard to find representation for my exact interests !
However , as a dental student , pediatric resident , and now a practicing pediatric dentist and academician , I am fortunate to be surrounded and inspired by leaders who have shared passions as myself . Our profession is stronger as a community , and that starts even in dental school !
What drives me every day in practice , in teaching , and in leadership is knowing that there is more work to be done so the next generation of leaders can succeed . The community that I have has empowered me to the be the representation that I once longed for . We haven ’ t transformed the world yet , but we ’ re taking the steps to get there .
SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2023 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL 31