Mentorship can keep you afloat in rough waters

JANUARY 2017

Mentorship can keep you afloat in rough waters

Do you have a mentor? Maybe you're a first-year student and you've been too overwhelmed to connect with a faculty member. Or maybe you've just discovered the right specialty for you and now you want to speak with someone who gets it.

ASDA is a natural network for mentoring. From the chapter level to the national level, ASDA creates opportunities ripe for peer-to-peer mentoring. But we're also interested in giving you resources to find mentors (and perhaps become a mentor) outside of ASDA. Access tips on finding a mentor, articles about mentorship and even sample emails to communicate with a mentor on ASDAnet.org.

January is National Mentoring Month. And while the month is drawing to a close, it's not too late to make a difference. If you've benefitted from mentorship and want to give back, you can sign up to be a mentor to a young person. Visit mentoring.org and fill out a brief form to get started. According to Mentoring.org, "Research confirms that quality mentoring relationships have powerful positive effects on young people in a variety of personal, academic, and professional situations." Seeking or becoming a mentor is one of the best changes you can make for the new year.

From ASDA

Submit your resolutions by Feb. 23. Every member of ASDA is permitted to submit a resolution to the House of Delegates. A resolution is a formal request or action that is presented to the HOD for consideration. Delegates present discussion for or against a specific resolution, then the House votes to determine the outcome. Adopted resolutions become ASDA policy. Learn how to submit a resolution. All resolutions are due by Feb. 23.

How to be the best dentist you know. Long hours in clinic and lab will make you a better clinician. But becoming a dentist is more than being, well, a good dentist. Most dentists, whether owners or not, will rub up against the business side of dentistry sooner or later. These situations can be sticky, chock-full of people management and can make you feel like this isn't what you signed up for. ASDA understands and has a column called Management Monday on Mouthing Off. Management Monday deals with everything from holding your staff accountable to hiring a dental team to insuring yourself. Read Management Monday and subscribe to Mouthing Off for blog posts three times each week.

Wellness impact of pets - February wellness challenge. Did you know owning a pet can actually improve your health? They are stress-relieving, mood-boosting, disease-fighting bundles of fur (or scales!). Their impact on our well-being is immeasurable. February's wellness challenge is about how pets impact our everyday wellness. Use #ASDApets to share the impact your pet has had on your wellness. Learn more and #BeWellASDA.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Kelli Riddle, Virginia '17

What's the bravest thing you've ever done? The bravest thing I have done and continue to do is conquer my dream of becoming a dentist. I will be the very first person in my family to achieve a doctorate degree and also the only person in my family to work in the dental field.

Kelli serves on her chapter's predental committee, and she's originally from Virginia Beach, Va. Read more about her inspiration to pursue dentistry and her favorite place she's ever traveled.

Noteworthy

5 ways to stop multitasking and learn to love focus. Do you want to get more done? Do you want to have more meaningful relationships? Put down your phone and you might see a change in how you're able to focus on tasks and people. Multitasking has become somewhat of an addiction in our digital culture. Check out this article on five ways to stop multitasking in order to achieve focus.

ADEA Student Legislative Internship. Interested in public policy as it relates to oral health, research and dental education? You could spend six weeks in Washington, D.C., as the ADEA/Sunstar Americas, Inc./Jack Bresch Student Legislative Intern. This stipend-supported position is open to any full-time dental student. Explore the world of health care legislation, and lay the foundation for a lifetime of dental advocacy. Learn more.

A.T. Still magazine features dental student mentors. Still Magazine, from A.T. Still University, features a story on mentorship for the January issue. In honor of National Mentoring Month, the magazine interviewed several mentors and mentees at the university. Former ASDA member Dr. Sarah Usher and current ASDA member Rebecca Anderson were both featured. Read about their mentorship experiences here.

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