Journalist Mary Otto's coverage of the 2007 death of12-year-old Deamonte Driver for the Washington Post spurred Congressional hearings and reforms of dental programs serving poor and working poor children in Maryland and nationwide. For Otto, the story of a child's death from complications of tooth decay, was also the beginning of a decade-long reporting journey that resulted in her book Teeth: The Story of Beauty, Inequality and the Struggle for Oral Health in America. In her talk, she will discuss what she learned and welcome questions about her work.

Service Month is supported by

In this session, attendees will hear from an ASDA member who coordinated an outstanding community service event that brought Give Back A Smile (the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry’s Charitable Foundation) together with jewelry brand Kendra Scott. Attendees will hear about the success and methodology that led to raising over $5,000, learn how to work with a business, and understand tips to increase event engagement. Resources to coordinate your own community service event and fundraiser will also be shared.

The purpose of the 2022 Diversity and Inclusion Week is to establish foundational knowledge about diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) and provide resources for chapters to create cultures of inclusion with their members.

At the core of inclusion is the opportunity and ability to have meaningful, and sometimes difficult, conversations. During this panel discussion, you will gain tools to help you have open dialogue about DEIB topics. You will also discover what some of the existing barriers are to productive dialogue and how you may see those barriers at work for a chapter, a practice, and the industry. 

With the end of dental school comes an entirely new life experience. You have the tools to be a successful doctor, but you may still have some uncertainties about what to expect from post-graduate life. Join our panel of new dentists who will share details about their last few months of dental school and first year in practice.

Be sure to bring your questions about being a new dentist. This session is an opportunity to get those questions answered from individuals who were recently in your position.