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Today!
5
Welcome to the American
Student Dental Association
newsletter. We hope you
join us for all of the exciting
activities that will be
happening during ASDA
Week. Mark your calendar
for Sept. 9
th
13
th
!
The Houston Fill
The Houston Fill, Issue #3 September 2013
4
ASDA Week
2013
Have you ever wondered
how Dean Valenza would
respond to some of your
most burning questions?
Well now we have the
answers documented.
Keep reading to see what
hes thinking!

6
Questions For
The Dean

Help give power to those
advocating for our
profession! Continue
reading to learn how you
can help give a voice to
individuals in dentistry!
Welcome Back!
UT Houstons ASDA chapter would like to welcome each of you
back for this exciting new semester, and would like to offer a
special welcome to the new DS1s to the UTSD family! We look
forward to an exciting new year in ASDA advocating for our
profession and networking with dental professionals
nationwide! Please browse through The Houston Fill for more
information on how you can become more involved in your
ASDA chapter at both a local and national level!
Editors: Laura Nelson and Macey Cartrite


2
The Houston Fill, Issue #3 September 2013

Letter from the President
By: Katie Sowa, 15
During orientation, I had the chance to meet
a number of the first year class through our
annual ASDA presentation. I learned that
people really dont like donuts, but love
dunkin donuts coffee. I also learned that no
matter how awesome your prezzi
presentation is, first years still dont really
understand what ASDA is all about.
Thats where ASDA week comes in. Our goal for ASDA week is to
introduce students to all aspects of our organization. From
community service to political events to social events, we really do
have something for everybody. This is an aspect of our
organization that has grown since my first year. Since we are an
auto-enroll school, we feel the need to accommodate the interests of
all students.
Late in the summer, we conducted an online survey. We asked you
what events you like to see more of and what tangible benefits you
want. Were pleased with the feedback we received. Some of you
would really like more of a chance to network with dentists or have
round-table discussions. This is something we will work hard to
implement in the coming year. Others of you just want free lunch
and a free t-shirt, which is also something we will work on.
The latest addition to our ASDA Chapter is the ASDA Points system.
At the ASDA General Assembly, you will learn all about the system
and how you can earn a paid trip to Anaheim for ASDA Annual
Session. Last year, we brought 11 UTSD officers to ASDA Annual
Session. Every student came away from the meeting with a new
appreciation for organized dentistry and definitely caught ASDA
Fever. We want to spread this fever with those who care enough to
be involved on the local level, even without holding an officer
position.
Were proud of our ASDA chapter here at UTSD and want to
continue to be one of the best in the country. In order to do that, we
need YOUR feedback. Feel free to suggest events and ideas to any of
the officers in your class and those in other classes.
After all, we have to make that guy hanging on the wall outside of
4310 proud.



The University of Texas School
of Dentistry
American Student Dental
Association
Officers

President: Katie Sowa 15
President-elect: Graham Reed 16
Immediate Past President: Sam Carrell
14
Treasurer: Hunter Owen 15
Historian: Khushbu Patel 14
Outreach Coordinators: Tim Woernley
14, Kelsey Edmonson 15, Shivani
Patel 16
Legislative Liason: Bryce Gates 14,
Kyle Hale 16
Events/Meetings Coordinator: Aaron
Menchaca 14 & Andrew Smith 15,
Marisa McKee 16
Pre-Dental Coordinators: Iliana
Saavedra 15, Paola Salazar 16, Chris
Thorburn 16
Publication Editors: Laura Nelson 16
& Macey Cartrite 16
Website Manager: Andre Ngyuen 15






American Student Dental Association
Executive Committee
President: Jiwon Lee, Columbia 14
Vice Presdient: Martin Smallidge,
Pittsburgh 14
Vice President: Tyler Rumple,
Washington 14
District 9 Trustee: Daryn Lu, Oklahoma
15


All views in this newsletter are those of the
authors and not necessarily of the American
Student Dental Association or The
University of Texas School of Dentistry.



3
The Houston Fill, Issue #3 September 2013
Uncomfortable with his own lack of business
experience and an absence of good legal advice
available to dentists, Dr. Boyd Shepherd took
matters into his own hands. With two years of
dental practice under his belt after graduating from
the University of Texas Dental Branch in Houston
in 1988, he returned to school for a law degree at
the South Texas College of Law.

Since graduating from law school in 1994, Dr.
Shepherd has practiced law exclusively, providing
legal services and counsel to Texas dentists on a
wide range of issues and needs. He has found that
many dentists lose sight of the law when they are
primarily focused on accomplishing their business
goals: building a practice and attracting a patient
pool. Dentists have little to no legal training and
many unintentionally end up breaking rules in
advertising, patient communication and record
keeping. Dr. Shepherd also offers his vast legal
knowledge when he helps dentists with contract
reviews, sale of practice issues and state board
matters. Outside of the dental legal issues, he also
assists his clients with wills, family law and
criminal law matters.

Dr. Shepherd is trying to help the next generation of
dentists be more informed prior to obtaining their
license. He directs five courses at the University of
Texas School of Dentistry in Houston, including
Ethics, Communications, Law & Regulations and
two courses in Practice Management. When asked
what is his best advice to dental students and new
dentists, he provided a two-part answer. First, stay
current on the laws and legal information presented
to you in dental school. And second, create a strong
relationship with an attorney whom you trust. All
dentists should have a lawyer they can turn to at any
time for a constant relay of information. Dr.
Shepherd says this is just as important as having a
knowledgeable accountant, but that most dentists
lack a go-to lawyer. While it is not essential to have
a lawyer that is also a dentist, like Dr. Shepherd, he
said that most large cities have a handful of such
specialists, with 10-15 in the Houston area alone.
Working with someone who understands the
stresses of practicing dentistry and issues facing
dentists may help to increase communication and
positive legal outcomes.

In addition to directing coursework, Dr. Shepherd
co-directs the Professional Resource Center (PRC)
at the University of Texas School of Dentistry. The
PRC provides student counseling and career
planning resources to all dental, dental hygiene,
graduate students and alumni of UTSD at no charge
throughout their careers. Few other dental schools
throughout the country provide similar services to
their students, but Dr. Shepherd strongly encourages
students to take advantage of these resources if they
are available.

Dr. Shepherd has taken great steps in providing
easy-to-understand accessible legal counsel. His
website, legaldental.com, features short YouTube
videos and podcasts on common issues that dentists
face, ranging from titles such as Patient
Abandonment to Why Informed Consent in
Texas. He also maintains an app for iPhone and
iPad that contains essential day-to-day legal
information needed in dental practices.

Although he no longer practices dentistry, Dr.
Shepherd maintains his Texas dental license. In
dental school, he was a four-year member of
ASDA. After graduation, he continued his
involvement in organized dentistry, transitioning to
membership in the ADA and Texas Dental
Association. He is also a member of the Greater
Houston Dental Society, within which he serves as
legal counsel to its board of directors.

While dentists and dental students tend to be driven
and independent people, these attributes can get
them into trouble when faced with issues about
which they are inadequately educated. Dont go it
alone. Make a lawyer part of your dental team.
From dentist to lawyer: an expert in both fields
Christine Lucachick, Minnesota 16
This article has been reprinted from summer 2013 Mouth with permission from the American Student Dental Association.


4
The Houston Fill, Issue #3 September 2013
Join ASDA for many fun activities throughout the week. From
bar tabs, to arm wrestling, to supporting the troops, there will
be something for everyone!
Monday, Sept. 9
th

ASDA General Assembly
4310, 12 noon
Lunch will be provided.
Tuesday, Sept. 10
th

Toothpaste/Toothbrush Drive for the Troops
4320, 12 noon
Dessert provided, with a donation.
All donations will go to the Red Cross.
Wednesday, Sept. 11
th

Lunch and Learn with TDA Financial
4310, 12 noon
Lunch will be provided.
Thursday , Sept. 12
th

Girls Arm Wrestling
o 4330, 12 noon
Thirsty Thursday
o Cooley patio, 5pm
Friday, Sept 13
th

ADPAC Lunch and Learn
4330, 12 noon
Lunch will be provided.
ASDA Week 2013
My first ASDA Week came at a time when I was
still trying to become accustomed to life as a
dental student. The pressure to be a professional
student and the rigors associated, such as
memorizing every word every professor uttered
and making sure my scrubs were always tucked
in (the latter of which can be much more
difficult than the former at times), were
beginning to build up already. At this time I felt
pressured to present myself a certain way and I
had yet to let my hair down as some people
might say. That is to say at this point as a DS1 I
didnt yet feel like UTSD was my home and
then I was invited to the event Girls Arm
Wrestling and Thirsty Thursday.
ASDA Week serves as an introduction to
organized dentistry for student dentists and pre-
dental students. This phrase is often used by the
ADA, ASDA, and administrators and might have
little meaning to a newly matriculated DS1
trying to keep their shirt tucked in but over time
it becomes apparent just how important
cohesion is for our profession. US News ranked
dentistry the #1 profession in America for 2012
putting us in the spotlight and bringing
notoriety to the newly implemented industry
differences between medicine and dentistry
following the Affordable Care Act. Needless to
say, the dentists that came before us students
have worked hard to organize themselves, build,
and then protect what is now being called the
best profession in the entire country.
So how do we, the students, fit into political
machine? For new first years the answer is to
begin building relationships with your
colleagues. Attend lunch and learns, go to
DENPAC/ADPAC happy hours, and begin to
forge relationships with the people you will work
alongside the rest of your lives.
The beginning of a school year is a busy time but
the rest of our lives will be busy from here on
out. While not everyone is going to get involved
in lobbying or awareness campaigns for ASDA it
is important to be cognizant of industry news
and trends while showing a unified front to the
outside world. We are all in a great situation and
now its our turn to begin protecting what others
have built.
The Houston Fill, Issue #3 September 2013
By: Chris Thorburn 16


5
The Houston Fill, Issue #3 September 2013
Upcoming Events

September
ASDA Week
o Sept. 9 13th, 2013
o UTSD

October
ASDA Golf Tournament
o Oct. 5
th
, 2013
o Herman Park Golf
Course
o 2155 N. MacGregor,
Houston, TX 77030
o Tee Time 8am
o Registration:
http://houstonasda.
com/player-
registration/

November
National Leadership
Conference
o Nov. 15 - 17
th
, 2013
o Holiday Inn Chicago
Mart Plaza
o Chicago, Ill.
Loupes Fair
o Nov. 14
th
, 2013
o 4:30 7:30pm
Movember
o TBD

February
ASDA Annual Session
o Feb. 26 - March 1
st
,
2014
o Anaheim, Calif.

March
Pre-dental Day
o March 8
th
, 2014
o UTSD

April
National Dental Student
Lobby Day
o April 7 - 8
th
, 2014
o LEnfant Plaza Hotel
o Washington, D.C.
ADPAC: American Dental Political
Action Committee

Do you have a voice for your
profession?
Become a member of ADPAC (for only
$5) and YOU can represent dentists all
over the country.

What is ADPAC?
The American Dental Political Action Committee is the
voice of dentistry on Capitol Hill. ADPAC works to elect
congressional candidates who understand the importance
of dentistry and the link between oral health and overall
health. Regardless of party affiliation, ADPAC supports
candidates who will be strong advocates for dentists and
the patients they serve.


Why join ADPAC?
When friends of ADPAC are defending dentistry on Capitol
Hill they are often asked how many dentist and/or dental
student they represent. The only way a dental student can
be counted is by making a $5 donation to ADPAC. That $5
is barely enough to cover the administration cost to
process your information but ADPAC knows that
representation equals power on Capitol Hill.
FACT: Most politicians do not know dental school is a
four-year program!


How to join ADPAC?
If you know your ASDA Member ID you can go to the
ADPAC website (www.ada.org/2037.aspx).

If you do not know your ASDA Member ID or if you have
questions you can email kyle.l.hale@uth.tmc.edu.

Why Join ADPAC?
The Houston Fill, Issue #3 September 2013


The Houston Fill, Issue #3 September 2013

Dean Valenza is an outstanding leader who has already brought
much success to the Dental Branch - including the implementation of
an innovative new curriculum and expansion of the schools clinical
enterprise, said Giuseppe N. Colasurdo, M.D.
1) Whats the #1 most played song on your iPod?
It changes from month-to-month. Right now its Rock This Town
by Stray Cats
2) What is one of your favorite quotes?
A good man always knows his limitations, by the character
Harry Callahan (played by Clint Eastwood in the Dirty Harry
movies)
3) Whats your favorite indoor/outdoor activity?
Outdoor is golf and walking/jogging. Indoor is watching a good
movie.
4) What is your favorite time of day/day of the week/month of the
year?
Im definitely an early morning person! Sunday is probably my
favorite day of the week (outside, of course, from weekdays at the
SOD). My favorite month is probably April when we have some
glorious spring weather in Houston.
5) What is your favorite vacation spot?
Could be a toss-up between Colorado in the summer, or Niagara-
on-the-Lake in Ontario, Canada where I visited this summer for
an annual US Deans meeting.
Question For
The Dean
UT Houston School of Dentistry
7500 Cambridge St.
Houston, TX 77054
The Houston Fill, Issue #3 September 2013
6) What is your favorite place to eat in Houston?
I have several, ranging from several hamburger joints to
the Black Walnut in the Village (love their Creole Bowl,
which is now off the menu but still available!).
7) If you could paint a picture of any scenery youve seen
before, what would you paint?
Oh gosh, thats tough. I think the Grand Canyon would have
to be high on the list, or perhaps Lake Tahoe or San
Francisco Bay
8) If you could choose to stay a certain age forever, what age
would it be?
HmmmI think it might be my dental school years, which
were four great ones, so about 25.
9) If you could choose anyone (past or present), who would you
pick as your mentor?
Hands down, that would be my dad. He was definitely my
hero, and the nicest, kindhearted person anyone could ever
meet.
10) If you could witness any event past, present or future, what
would it be?
U.S. history intrigues me, so I think it would be the writing of
the U.S. Constitution, to hear all the discussions about the
vision for our country before it was put down on paper.
11) If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
Ive always wanted to play the piano! I did briefly take
accordion lessons as a young kid, but never stayed with it.
12) If you had to work on only one project for the next year, what
would it be?
As many know, Im keenly interested in clinical simulation, and I
have a concept for a new high tech virtual simulator that Id love to
collaborate with other experts on to try to develop.
13) If you were immortal for a day, what would you do?
Fly a helicopter! In general Im not a big fan of flying, but
have always wanted to fly one of those whirlybirds!
14) If you had to change your first name, what would you change
it to?
Giovanni, of course!
15) If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you
meet?
I think Thomas Edison was amazing as an inventor, and
would love to meet him. But if I did, would want to be sure I
bring my iPad, iPhone and a few other 21
st
century items to
share with him!
16) If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?
Take a vacation, probably to Europe where Ive only been
once and would especially visit Italy, where there is a town
named Valenza!
17) If you could be any fictional character, who would you
choose?
Thats easy, it would have to be Superman (as many know I
am a huge fan of)!
18) What would you name the autobiography of your life?
How about, Bark Before You Bite?
19) What songs are included on the soundtrack to your life?
In no particular order, a few I would choose include Spirit of
the Season (Alan Silvestri), Piano Man (Billy Joel), Thats
Amore (Dean Martin), Relay (The Who), You Raise Me Up
(Secret Garden/Josh Groban), Even in the Quietest Moments
(Supertramp), Linus and Lucy (Vice Guarldi), Keep Your
Hands to Yourself (Georgia Satellites), Traffic Jam (James
Taylor), Theme to Superman, and of course, Texas Fight (UT
Band)