Member Resources:
Education Adopted Resolutions

2010
Resolution Number: 201-2010 Investigation of Volunteer Opportunities for Dental Students
Resolution Number: 202RC-2010 Survey to Explore Solutions to the Common Issues Students Face with their Administrators  

2009
Resolution Number: 308RC-2009  Improving Practice Management Curricula in Dental Schools

2008
Resolution Number: 200-2008  Dental Students Pursuing Careers in Academia
Resolution Number: 201-2008  Investigate an Alternative Means to Evaluate Post-doctoral Candidates
Resolution Number: 203RC-2008  ASDA Chapter Disclosure of Dental School Clinic Graduation Requirements
Resolution Number: 308RC-2008  Increase Support and Awareness for the Importance of the Dental Home Concept 

2007
Resolution Number: 201RC-2007  Incorporation of Oral Effects of Methamphetamine Use in Dental School Cafeteria
Resolution Number: 304RC-2007  Pre-specialty Ethical Peer Review
Resolution Number: 306RC-2007  ASDA Recommendation for Dental School Ethics Committee 


Resolution Number: 201-2010

Title: Investigation of Volunteer Opportunities for Dental Students

Reference Committee Assignment: Education & Licensure

Sponsors: Ken Randall, University of Kentucky
  Breck Gibbs, University of Kentucky
  Lucy Wachs Blandford, University of Kentucky
  Courtney Lundin, University of Kentucky
  Joel Manchego, Marquette University
  Nathan Krauss, University of Alabama—Birmingham
  Burton Coleman, University of Tennessee

 

Address Strategic Plan Goal(s): #1- Effective Advocacy for Students and Patients, #2- High Value ASDA Membership

Financial Impact: None

Board of Trustees Comments: Board recommends a YES vote

Reference Committee Comments:

Background: Community service is an invaluable activity for the education and development of all individuals, particularly the budding professional. It provides a chance to improve access to care, while at the same time instilling caring values in student dentists that will remain with them for life.

Currently, there are a number of ASDA position statements relating to community service and access to care including B-3, B-4, B-7, and H-1, in addition to resolutions adopted by the House of Delegates since 2005 (100RC-2005, 207RC-2006, 300-2008, 301-2008). Also, “Supporting dentistry’s public service programs to educate and deliver care” is one of the points emphasized in ASDA’s current information on the value of membership. Judging by the volume of attention this issue has received over an extended period of time, it is certainly an important issue in dental education.

At this time, the spectrum of dental student participation in community service is unknown. The desire to increase participation seems to be nearly universal. This resolution seeks to accomplish two major goals through the development of a task force: 1) to determine the current environment surrounding community service in dental schools across the country 2) to develop a single resource for aiding students in furthering their participation in community service events, both within the United States and abroad; therefore, be it

RESOLUTION

Resolved, that the appropriate Council as determined by the 2010-11 Board of Trustees provide a report to the 2011 House of Delegates, and make available, information regarding educational dental outreach opportunities available to students including but not limited to: local and international dental outreach opportunities, templates to establish and maintain outreach programs at individual ASDA chapters, and currently established programs available to students not sponsored by individual dental schools.

Action: Placed on Consent Calendar.

House Action: Adopted by the House on the Consent Calendar


Resolution Number: 202RC-2010

Title: Survey to Explore Solutions to the Common Issues Students Face with their Administrators

Reference Committee Assignment:

Sponsors: David Vazquez Detroit Mercy
  Jerek Petrous Detroit Mercy
  Trent Lally Detroit Mercy
  Punit Shah Detroit Mercy
  Andrea Salazar University of Michigan

 

Address Strategic Plan Goal(s): #1: Provide Information for Effective Advocacy within Dental Schools for Students and Patients

Financial Impact: None

Board of Trustees Comments:

Reference Committee Comments: Reference Committee recommends a yes vote.

Therefore, be it

RESOLUTION

Resolved, that ASDA Trustees gather information on common issues students face at the various dental schools with the intent to share with student leaders across the country the current policy at each school and the successes and challenges each school has encountered when seeking to move these student issues forward with their administration and faculty.

Resolved, that in an attempt to contain the scope of such an inquiry, the Board of Trustees approves a list of no more than ten student issues they find to be important to dental students in conjunction with the chapter report. For this first report, the issues identified for survey are:

  1. Assignment of patients for fair distribution of graduation requirements.
  2. Fair clinic scheduling at schools where the class size exceeds the number of clinic chairs.
  3. Continuity of procedures when treatment requires communication with multiple faculty members.
  4. Student representation in curriculum reform specifically when reform involves ethics curriculum and the use of technology
  5. The implementation and use of electronic health records and scheduling, and secure remote access to those records.
  6. Upholding ethics policies and providing data to students that communicate the volume and type of ethic violations and their outcomes.
  7. Support from administrators for students to obtain excused absences to attend events related to organized dentistry such as ASDA/ADEA meetings, and national and state lobby days.

Resolved, that when the data is compiled, a report be written and distributed electronically to the First Delegate and Second Delegate of each ASDA chapter and any other entity deemed appropriate by the Board of Trustees. The report will be distributed by email and posted on the ASDA website.

Action: The Chair moves the substitution of 202RC-2010 for 202-2010, with a recommendation to adopt 202RC-2010 with a yes vote.

House Action: Adopted by the House


Resolution Number: 203-2010

Reference Committee Assignment: Education & Licensure

Title: Addressing Access to Care through Promotion of Opportunities in Community Health

Sponsors: Kaori Ema    Illinois

Address Strategic Plan Goal(s): #1- Effective Advocacy for Students and Patients, #2- High Value ASDA Membership

Financial Impact: None

Board of Trustees Comments:

Reference Committee Comments:

Background: The Access to Care issue is being addressed in many different ways, including at the grassroots level by community health clinics and FQHCs around the nation. There are many incredible people who run and work at these types of clinics, as well as those who volunteer their time to treat underserved patients while sustaining fruitful and rewarding careers. Hearing from the individuals who devote themselves to working in community health can also have an important impact on the way “community health” is viewed. Getting more dentists interested in actively helping treat underserved populations at the community level will help to fulfill the needs of those patients who need our care the most. Many dental students may not be aware of the ways in which community health can be integrated into their career and what that experience can mean for their professional development. Presenting our ASDA members with this information may not only open their minds to new career paths, but may also provide them with another perspective on the access to care issue. Information about careers in specialties, keys to success, legislative issues, and malpractice insurance is often presented at meetings such as Annual Session. Investigating ways to inform our members about their potential role in community health can enrich our services to members while addressing access to care. I propose that ASDA investigate ways to implement this resolution, which include but are not limited to posting resources on asdanet.org, collaborating with other organizations such as the American Association of Public Health Dentistry, and discussing opportunities in community health at national meetings; therefore, be it

RESOLUTION

Resolved, that the Council on Education investigate ways to inform ASDA members about opportunities for involvement in Public/Community Health.

Action: Placed on Consent Calendar.

House Action: Adopted by the House on the Consent Calendar


Resolution Number: 324RC-2010

Title: International Dental Outreach for Students

Reference Committee Assignment: Governance & Professional Issues

Sponsors: Nipa Thakkar (Alt Delegate)    Temple University

Addresses Strategic Plan Goal(s): #1: Effective advocacy for students and patients

Financial Impact: None

Board of Trustees Comments:

Reference Committee Comments: The Reference Committee agrees with the intent of the resolution, but we believe the performance of irreversible procedures by non-dentists needs to be further evaluated with respect to appropriate standards in the best interest of patient care. Therefore, we would like the Council on Professional Issues to study the issue further before developing specific policy language.

RESOLUTION

Resolved, that the Council on Professional Issues develop a policy regarding the performance of irreversible procedures by non-dentists, including but not limited to predental students participating in dental outreach programs; and be it further

Resolved, that the Council on Professional Issues and Governance present this policy to the House of Delegates at the 2011 Annual Session.

Action: The Chair moves the substitution of 324RC-2010 for 324-2010, with a recommendation to adopt 324RC-2010 with a yes vote.

House Action: Adopted by the House


Resolution Number: 308RC-2009

Reference Committee Assignment: Governance and Professional Issues

Title: Improving Practice Management Curricula in Dental Schools

Financial Impact: Administrative costs such as mailings and printing ($500).

Sponsors: 

Name: Chapter: District:
Wayne Stephens, Immediate Past President    
Amanda Hochstein, District 2 Trustee    
Elizabeth Cole, District 3 Trustee    
Andrew Danberg-Ficarelli Tufts 1
Virginia Pham UCSF 11

 

Reference Committee Comments: 

Board of Trustees Comments: 

Therefore be it

RESOLUTION

Resolved, that ASDA collaborate with the ADA Committee on the New Dentist to assess the areas for improvement most important for students and new dentists in the practice management curricula in dental schools, and be it further

Resolved, that ASDA use this information as a resource to lobby for changes in curriculum, and be it further

Resolved, that this information be presented to the 2010 ASDA House of Delegates.

Action: The Chair moves the substitution of 308RC-2009 for 308-2009, with a recommendation to adopt 308RC-2009 with a yes vote.

House Action: Adopted by the House


Resolution Number: 200-2008

Title: Dental Students Pursuing Careers in Academia

Financial Impact: minimal, if any

Reference Committee Assignment: Education and Licensure

Sponsors: Name:  Chapter:
  Kari Cunningham Case Western

Reference Committee Comments: An amendment was offered to the sponsor following the reference committee, who accepted it as a friendly amendment. The new version of the resolution is presented below.

Board of Trustees Comments: Board recommends a yes vote

Supports Strategic Plan Goals:

Therefore be it

RESOLUTION

Resolved, that the Council on Education investigate existing data on dental student interest in academics, and be it further

Resolved, the Council on Education publishes a list of existing programs, with associated web links, that foster development of dental students into future dental educators and be it further

Resolved, that this list will be published on the ASDA website for members to view by the 2009 ASDA Annual Session.

Action: The chair moves the adoption of 200-2008, with a recommendation of a yes vote.

House Action: Adopted by the House


Resolution Number: 201-2008

Title: Investigate an alternative means to evaluate post-doctoral candidates

Financial Impact: None

Reference Committee Assignment: Education and Licensure

Sponsors: Name: Chapter:
  Edgar Radjabli Maryland
  Tessa Modiri Maryland
  Andrew Pakchoian Maryland
  Brian Kirkwood Maryland

Board of Trustees Comments: 

Reference Committee Comments: An amendment was offered to the sponsor following the reference committee, who accepted it as a friendly amendment. The new version of the resolution is presented below.

Supports Strategic Plan Goals: #1 Dental education issues and student advocacy

Therefore be it

RESOLUTION

Resolved, that the Council on Education work jointly with JCNDE and ADEA to investigate alternative means for post-doctoral programs to evaluate applicants in a manner which is fair and convenient for applicants.

Action: The chair moves the adoption of 201-2008, with a recommendation of a yes vote.

House Action: Adopted by the House


Resolution Number: 203RC-2008

Title: ASDA Chapter Disclosure of Dental School Clinic Graduation Requirements

Financial Impact: None

Reference Committee Assignment: Education and Licensure

Sponsors: Reference committee on Education and Licensure

Reference Committee Comments: 

Board of Trustees Comments: 

Supports Strategic Plan Goals: #1 Dental education issues and student advocacy

Therefore be it

RESOLUTION

Resolved, that the Council on Education determine the most reasonable means to obtain data regarding clinical graduation requirements and produce a document summarizing this data, to be reviewed by each dental school administration to determine accuracy before being made available for distribution only to ASDA members to be updated annually.

Action: The chair moves the substitution of 203RC-2008 for 203-2008, with a recommendation to adopt 203RC-2008 with a yes vote.

House Action: Adopted by the House


Resolution Number: 308RC-2008

Title: Increase support and awareness for the importance of the Dental Home concept.

Financial Impact: None

Reference Committee Assignment: Governance and Professional Issues

Sponsors: Reference Committee on Governance and Professional Issues

Board of Trustees Comments: 

Reference Committee Comments: 

Therefore be it

RESOLUTION

Resolved, that ASDA join the AAPD, ADA, AGD, and NDA in recognition and support of the Dental Home concept, and be it further

Resolved, that ASDA work with the ADA’s curriculum committee to integrate and emphasize the importance of the Dental Home concept into the current dental education model and train all students and dentists in providing dental care in accordance with AAPD Guidelines.

Action: The Chair moves for the substitution of 308RC-2008 for 308-2008, with a recommendation to adopt 308RC-2008 with a yes vote.

House Action: Adopted by the House on the Consent Calendar


Resolution Number:  201RC-2007

Title:  Incorporation of oral effects of methamphetamine use in dental school curricula

Addresses Strategic Plan Goals:   #12 - Advocacy for patients (access to care and care related volunteer service)

Financial Impact:  None

Reference Committee Assignment:  Education and Licensure

Sponsors: 2006-07 LGN, including Lindsey Krecko, Consultant on Legislation; Tim Levine, Eastern Regional Legislative Coordinator; Anahita Taraporewalla, Western Regional Legislative Coordinator; Anushka Refai, Central Regional Legislative Coordinator; Ryan Ritchie, Board Liaison; Abby Pershke; ADPAC Representative

Board of Trustees Comments:  Board unanimously recommends a yes vote

Reference Committee Comments:

Background:  The use of the drug methamphetamine is on the rise in the United States. It is a highly addictive stimulant which poses serious health risks to the nervous system, cardiovascular system, respiratory system, and wreaks havoc on the oral cavity. According to the 2003 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 12.3 million Americans age 12 and older had tried methamphetamine at least once in their lifetimes (5.2 percent of the population), with the majority of past-year users between 18 and 34 years of age. The number of meth users is on the rise and as a result, dentists have been seeing an increased number of patients with a particular pattern of rapidly-progressing rampant tooth decay known as “meth mouth.” Even dental students have encountered patients with meth mouth in our dental school clinics. This rampant decay has been attributed to the acidic nature of the drug, its xerostomic effects, extended periods of poor oral hygiene, and its tendency to cause intense cravings of cariogenic foods in people who use this drug. Since this is still a developing problem, it is important that as the future of the profession, dental students are educated and trained in order to best treat these patients.

The ADA has authored a bill called the “Meth Mouth Prevention and Community Recovery Act” with the goal of addressing this problem. If enacted, the ADA’s bill would provide for education for the public (especially children) about the harmful oral effects of methamphetamine use, enhanced training for dentists and staff to better identify and treat methamphetamine-dependent patients, and research examining all aspects of methamphetamine-related tooth decay.

HOD 70-1996 was passed by ASDA and deals with the effects of tobacco and alcohol on the mouth. The Council on the LGN believes that it is appropriate for ASDA to support the ADA’s meth mouth bill and feels that it is appropriate to add methamphetamine to HOD 70-1996 as a substance that warrants attention in dental school curricula.

Therefore be it

RESOLUTION

 Resolved,  that HOD 70-1996 be amended as follows: Directed the association to work in conjunction with the ADA, AADS, and other pertinent health care organizations to establish curricula that requires competency in prevention, diagnosis, and management of oral cancer, and training in tobacco, alcohol, and methamphetamine use prevention and control, including substance abuse cessation and community-based prevention programs.

Action:  The chairman moves the substitution of 201RC-2007 for 201-2007.

House Action:   The resolution was adopted by the House of Delegates.


Resolution Number: 304RC-2007

Title: Pre-Specialty Ethical Peer Review

Financial Impact: None

Reference Committee Assignment:   Governance and Professional Issues

Sponsors: 

Key Sponsor: Patrick Waters Houston Western
  Kimberly Chan Illinois Central
  Peter Hammes Illinois Central

Reference Committee Comments: Committee recommends a yes vote on 304RC

Board of Trustees Comments:

Supports Strategic Plan Goals:   Advocacy and Representation

Background:  At present, there does not exist an adequate mechanism in which students are held accountable for their actions and ethical decisions by their peers.  Ethics should be shaped by those governed by that code, as opposed to an outside body.  Therefore, what better group to evaluate an individual’s ethics than the peers themselves?  Peers have seen each other placed in the same ethical situations and truly understand all the variables and pressures that play a role in making ethical decisions.  One’s present and past ethical decision-making is an appropriate predictor of how one will make ethical decisions in the future.  Peers are more adequately able to describe one’s character than a CV.  Deans, faculty, and staff are not always present; classmates are daily witnesses to one’s ethical decisions.  In order to encourage more ethical behavior among dental students towards patients and peers, a standardized peer review should be undergone by all dental students applying for specialty programs.  This would promote habitual ethical decision making due to the understanding that one shall be held accountable for one’s actions. 

Therefore be it

RESOLUTION 

Resolved,  that ASDA investigate the feasibility of a peer review system among dental students at their school and be it further

Resolved,  that this issue be referred to the Council on Professional Issues for further investigation

Action:   The Chairman moves the substitution of 304RC-2007 for 304-2007.

House Action:    The resolution was adopted by the House of Delegates.


Resolution Number: 306RC-2007

Title:  ASDA Recommendation for Dental School Ethics Committee

Financial Impact:  Minimal

Reference Committee Assignment:   Governance and Professional Issues

Sponsors:

  Name: Chapter: Region:
Key Sponsor: T.C. Hardy Tufts 1
  Wm. Stuart McKenzie Tufts 1

Reference Committee Comments:  Committee recommends yes vote on 306RC

Board of Trustees Comments:

Supports Strategic Plan Goals:    Advocacy and Representation

Background:  In order to preserve the integrity of the dental profession, ASDA needs to be more proactive in addressing the ethical issues within dental schools.  Given recent publicity concerning unethical behavior within the dental school setting, new avenues for student communication amongst each other and with school administration should be established.  By setting up such a committee it is hoped that these issues can be addressed more openly and effectively.

Therefore be it 

RESOLUTION

Resolved,  that ASDA formulates a letter with recommendations to dental schools on forming a committee on ethics consisting of students, faculty, and school administration.  This committee will allow for open discussion of ethical issues and the promotion of professionalism within the school. 

Action:  The Chairman moves the substitution of 306RC-2007 for 306-2007.

House Action: The resolution was adopted by the House of Delegates.

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