Contour® is the only news source dedicated to sharing the dental-student narrative and addressing their holistic needs as they prepare to enter the workforce as dental professionals. ASDA members receive Contour 10 times a year, with combined issues in June/July and November/December.
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October 2026 — Reducing Fear in the Clinic
This spooky season, the October issue of Contour® explores ways dental providers can ease fear and anxiety in patients, from incorporating music in the clinic to letting patients look at dental tools before treatment. “For many patients, the hardest part of a dental appointment isn’t the procedure itself,” explains Editor in Chief Esther Yu (Columbia ’27). “It’s making the appointment and walking through the front door.”
Jillian Lim (University of Utah ’28) highlights the connection between personal wellness and patient care — patients notice when their provider is stressed, distracted or nervous. Read Fuyuto Shigihara’s (UCLA ’27) article for predator vs. prey action as she evaluates the relationship between rabbits and dental disease.
Tanvi Gupta (Houston ’29) examines why body horror in movies often draw upon dental fear (are we all creeped out by self-extraction?), while Andrew Mancao (Georgia ’27) plans out an exciting weekend in Atlanta featuring local eats and iconic attractions.
Check out this issue of Contour® to discover tools dental students can use to help patients overcome fear and anxiety.