May/June 2021

MAY/JUNE 2021 E-Cigarettes: Friends or Foes? The Role of the Expanded Functions Dental Assistant ADAA Honors Dental Assisting Students

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MAY/JUNE 2021 Volume 90, No. 3 ADAA President Betty Fox, AS, CDA, RDA, FADAA Executive Director John E. Kasper, Jr. Associate Executive Director Amy Luckado Managing Editor Judith A. Jones 877-874-3785 X220 Sales Development Manager Cathy Vick 410-940-6354 Editorial Review Board Sharon Dickinson, CDA, CDPMA, RDA, CRFDA CPFDA Kristy Eddleman MaLea Flynn, CDA, CDPMA Dianne Gwaltney Veyann Henry, CDPMA, RDA, FADAA Darrin Wan, CDA, EDDA The Dental Assistant Journal 180 Admiral Cochrane Drive, Suite 370, Annapolis, MD 21401 General inquiries 877-874-3785 • Fax 630-351-8490 Email: [email protected] • www.adaausa.org To obtain a copy of our Writer’s Submission Guidelines or the Editorial Calendar, please go to the ADAA website, www.adaausa.org. Copyright 2021 by the American Dental Assistants Association. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. DISCLAIMER: “Authors and advertisers are solely responsible for the accuracy of any and all material provided to The Dental Assistant. Authors and advertisers are also solely responsible for checking that any and all material relevant to dental care in a clinical setting meets OSAP standards. The information and opinions expressed or implied in articles and advertisements that appear in The Dental Assistant are strictly those of the authors and advertisers. They do not necessarily represent the opinion, position or official policies of the American Dental Assistants Association.” May/June 2021 The Dental Assistant PG 3

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FEATURES 9 The Role of the Expanded Functions Dental Assistant By Tija Hunter, CDA, EFDA, CDIA, CDSH, CDSH, MADAA With the emergence of the role of the expanded functions dental assistant, dentistry has been able to give patients better access to care, improve the efficiency and productivity of the dental practice, and allow dental assistants to be more involved in patient care. 10 E-cigarettes: Friends or Foes? By Victoria Patrounova RDH, MHA Many adult smokers turn to e-cigarettes as a tobacco cessation product. An increasing number of young people who have never smoked tobacco use e-cigarettes, drawn by the novelty of the prod- uct—including a variety of flavors—and its relative accessibility through online sales. Despite the product’s popularity, there are a lot of common misconceptions about e-cigarettes. 14 Setting Yourself Up for Success in Your New Career By Natalie Kaweckyj, LDA, RF, CDA, CDPMA, COA, COMSA, CPFDA, CRFDA, MADAA, BA, ADAA Past President Are you a new graduate in dental assisting? Follow these principles and you will be on your way to success before you know it. 16 ADAA Honors Dental Assisting Students Meet the 2021 recipients of the Juliette A Southard Scholarship, the ADAA Merit Scholar Award, and the Student Achievement Award. DEPARTMENTS 6 Editor’s Desk 19 News Briefs 7 President’s Page 27 District News 18 Students Corner 31 Member Spotlight The Dental Assistant (lSSN-1088-3886) is published bi-monthly (every other month). Non-member subscriptions are $30. Allow 6-8 weeks for subscription entry. Publisher is the American Dental Assistants Association, 180 Admiral Cochrane Drive, Suite 370, Annapolis, MD 21401 May/June 2021 The Dental Assistant PG 5

Editor’s Desk Judith Jones Managing Editor The Dental Assistant Anticipating a Summer of New Beginnings Happy Summer! This summer promises to be a miss the invaluable career advice in “Setting Yourself Up much better one than the last, as vaccinations for Success in Your New Career” by Natalie Kaweckyj, become readily available and restrictions are LDA, RF, CDA, CDPMA, COA, COMSA, CPFDA, CRFDA, lifted on business and travel. MADAA, BA. It’s a chance to learn from an expert. This issue of The Dental Assistant offers a bit of a Each year ADAA is proud to honor the recipients of smorgasbord; isn’t that appropriate as we all venture the Juliette A Southard Scholarship, the ADAA Merit out of our pandemic-imposed seclusion? Scholar Award, and the Student Achievement Award. You’ll meet this year’s honorees and see their testimoni- This is also the time of year when many dental as- als in this issue. sisting programs send their new graduates out into the world. If you are a recent graduate, congratulations and Dental assisting students are much more than mere welcome! You’ll find plenty here to help you navigate the students. They are also vital members of our association first steps in your new career. with plenty to say and share. So in this issue you’ll find a new feature, our Students Corner. Students, we Take a look at the President’s Page, where ADAA want to hear from you! And educators, we want you to President Betty Fox, AS, CDA, RDA, FADAA, describes encourage your students to share their experiences and just a few of the exciting initiatives taking place in your questions! professional association. There has never been a better time to get involved in ADAA locally and nationally. Be sure to check out other regular features, like News Working with the new management team, the ADAA Briefs, Member Spotlight, and Trustee News. Is there board and staff have big plans to enhance every aspect something exciting happening among dental assistants of ADAA membership, and you can be a part of that. in your part of the country? Be sure to contact your district trustee to share your news with fellow dental Dental assisting as a profession offers a wide variety assistants nationwide in upcoming issues of The Dental of opportunities and career paths. Many states have Assistant. opened up avenues for dental assistants to advance by qualifying to perform expanded functions or duties. In And if there is a topic you would like to see addressed “The Role of the Expanded Functions Dental Assistant,” in The Dental Assistant, please let me know. Remember, Tija Hunter, CDA, EFDA, CDIA, CDSH, CDSH, MADAA, this is your publication. Do you have a story you would shares some critical pointers for those looking to ex- like to share or an article you would like to publish? I’m pand their professional expertise. always happy to help! Send your queries and comments to me at [email protected]. Oral health professionals have long opposed the use of cigarettes and other tobacco products. And Interested in writing an article for the journal? cigarette smoking has decreased significantly over the past couple of decades. According to the CDC, cigarette Email the Managing Editor at smoking in the US is at an all-time low. But while the [email protected] use of regular cigarettes has declined, the popularity of e-cigarettes and vaping has increased, especially among young people. In “E-cigarettes: Friends or Foes?,” Victoria Patrounova RDH, MHA discusses this phenomenon and debunks some of the most common misperceptions about e-cigarettes. If you are a new grad—or an experienced dental assistant looking for a refresher—you won’t want to PG 6 The Dental Assistant May/June 2021

President’s Page Betty Fox, AS, CDA, RDA, FADAA President 2020-2021 American Dental Assistants Association ADAA: Working for You in New Ways Every Day As the oldest professional organization for members to become active and grow membership representing dental assistants, the American on a grassroots level. I know with the COVID-19 pan- Dental Assistants Association has had many demic, most local and state organizations put meetings dental assisting members throughout the 96 years of on hold. With the availability of the vaccine, many existence. It would be interesting to know just how groups are choosing to reactivate and hold meetings many dental assistants that would equate to. We have again, so now would be a good time to get involved in spent many years advocating and promoting for dental a new local or state dental assisting group. Each local assisting education, credentialing, legislation, and and state would have committee and officer positions advancement of the professional dental assistant to a that you could serve in to help you become involved. If higher level. there is not a local group close to you, consider starting a local in your area. Many of the older generation of Many of us started our dental assisting career in dental assistants are looking for new and younger our younger years as students and have chosen to dental assistants to mentor and train because they are maintain continuous membership due to our strong reaching retirement age. We need youth to carry on our desire to belong and be a part of moving the profession organization and move it forward to the next level. forward. Some members join later in their careers after their children are grown and they have more time and Get involved and invite others to freedom. The same goes for education; some choose to continue their education and go to college immediately join you. ADAA is a great way to upon graduation from high school, while others begin college at mid-life. We all are at different points in our meet and become friends with lives when we have availability to become involved and active in activities and events outside of our work and other dental assistants across family. the country.. ADAA offers many opportunities for everyone to become involved. We are always looking for future ADAA was fortunate to have had excellent leadership officers, district trustees and committee members. If you and staff in the past with our management under would like to become involved and are not sure how, Solutions for Associations. With our new management reach out to your district trustee with an email, text, or company, SEVEN12 Management, we are exploring the phone call. We currently have a great group of trustees many opportunities and resources they offer that can who would be willing to mentor you through the process carry us to that next level and grow our organization. of getting involved on a national level. We have trustee As the ADAA Board of Trustees has become familiar positions and officer positions open this year, but there with these resources, we look forward to implementing are qualifications to meet as an applicant. If you would some additional benefits from SEVEN12. We have like to be an officer and wonder whether you are qual- approached them with several improvements we would ified, go to the website and look at the qualifications. If like to implement for our members and progress has you are not currently qualified, work toward applying for begun on those projects. We want to make things an officer or trustee position next year. If you don’t know who your state president or trustee is, please contact us and we will introduce you. If you think that’s more than you want to start with, there are state and local organizations that are looking May/June 2021 The Dental Assistant PG 7

ADAA: Working for You in New Ways Every Day continued more user friendly for our members, whether it be the membership promotion and a drawing for members education process, scholarship applications, awards or and non-members. We look forward to a successful the Fellowship and Mastership forms that need to be collaboration with them at the meeting. completed. We have also suggested some additional • The Florida Dental Association invited us to have a benefits we would like to offer our members; those are booth at their meeting and we will staff that meeting now being researched. June 24-26 in Orlando. We hope to be able to greet some local dental assistants there in hopes of getting It’s an exciting time to be part of ADAA; so much is more assistants involved in serving as state and local happening! Here are just a few highlights. officers in Florida. The seasoned officers are looking to find new assistants they can mentor into serving • We have been involved in the Public-Private and carrying on the business of the association. Partnership Dental Group with Rear Admiral Timothy If you are attending any of these meetings, please Ricks, who serves as the Assistant Surgeon General stop by our booth and say hello. We would love to see and is the Chief Dental Officer with the US Public you there. It will be such a welcome sight to see our Health Services, as well as many other titles he holds. members in our booth and bring their dental assistant RADM Ricks brought this group together initially as co-workers by to meet with us. a result of COVID-19. The group has communicated Going into summer, we have turned the page on through monthly Zoom meetings and email updates. the first half of 2021, and it has gone by too quickly! I I have asked RADM Ricks to write an article detailing encourage you to get on board with your state or local how and why he began the group; I look forward to association and see how you can help grow your asso- hearing from him soon. ciation as well as fellow dental assistants. Get involved and invite others to join you. ADAA is a great way to • The International Federation of Dental Assistants and meet and become friends with other dental assistants Dental Nurses (IFDAN) is also progressing with the across the country to network and share ideas. ADAA Board of Trustee approval. This group meets Please let us know how we can help you get involved periodically to review and discuss the next phase of and how we can encourage you to grow professionally the progression of incorporation. The website has in your dental assisting career. We have many resources been created and can be found here: http://www. and a great support group. Reach out to us and become ifdan.org. There are other groups in the UK interest- involved. We would love to hear from you! ed in joining and there will be more information as it becomes available. COVID-19 continues to affect all of us in different ways. • The American Dental Hygiene Association has invited For ongoing COVID-19 updates and resources, us to collaborate with them this year in a couple of different projects and we appreciate them allowing see www.adaausa.org/Education/Coronavirus-COVID-19 us to join them. I accepted their invitation to attend the annual ADHA meeting held in Phoenix, AZ in June. On Sunday, June 20, 2021 they are planning on hosting a joint session from 10:30am-11:30am MT with ADHA and ADAA. It will be an opportunity to share the joint COVID-19 statement we collaborated on with them. The plan is to have Phoenix area dental assistants and dental hygienists who work together to discuss how the team has been impacted during the pandemic since good communication among the team has been so important during the pandemic. • The ADAA will staff a complimentary membership booth at the Academy of General Dentistry 2021 Meeting June 10-12, 2021 and we will be offering a PG 8 The Dental Assistant May/June 2021

The Role of the Expanded Functions Dental Assistant By Tija Hunter, CDA, EFDA, CDIA, CDSH, CDSH, MADAA The role of the expanded functions dental experience you have, where you have practiced or how assistant has continued to evolve over the last many certificates you have, those certificates are only several years. Our profession as a whole has good in that state, unless your current state grants you evolved over time from the days when our association reciprocity, and that is up to the dental board. Each state was formed and a professional organization created to is so very different on what is allowed; never assume enhance and educate dental assistants. your skills will be “all you need.” And if asked to perform a function you know is not legally allowed, you should With the emergence of the role of the expanded protect yourself by refusing to perform such a function. functions dental assistant, dentistry has been able to give Perhaps your doctor does not know it is illegal, it’s best patients better access to care, improve the efficiency and to be informed before you need to know. productivity of the dental practice, and allow a dental assistant to be more involved in patient care, giving them Speaking of the Dental Board, they are the ones who better job satisfaction and helping them to stay in the create the laws regarding all aspects of dentistry. When profession longer. It creates a better profession for us all. it comes to knowing the laws in each state, do not rely Expanded functions in some states include, but are not only on your doctor or your co-workers or your office limited to: Nitrous Oxide Monitoring or Administering, manager. As an oral healthcare professional, that is your Coronal Polish, Sealants, placement of orthodontic bands job! Your state Dental Practice Act can be found on each and brackets, final impressions and more. state’s website and is downloadable. I recommend you do that and keep it for reference. The Dental Assistant While many states recognize the distinction of National Board also has a reference on their site, www. an EFDA (Expanded Functions Dental Assistant, also danb.org, where you can look up your state or a state referred to in some states as EDDA-Expanded Duties you may be interested in moving to, so you can see Dental Assistant), many states do not yet have criteria for allowable functions in that state. the duties of an EFDA. These are the special duties states will offer to allow their assistants to perform certain When it comes to growth, we are seeing states procedures. Each of these are extra courses one must emerge with more opportunities for dental assistants; take and pass to be eligible to perform the procedure. Minnesota has passed a law allowing dental assistants to give local anesthesia and is currently developing These special duties or functions, no matter what you curriculum for that. Kansas was the first state to allow call them, are very state specific. Being able to do special Supra-gingival Scaling (above the gum line with proper duties in one state does not permit you to perform training) and more states are climbing on board to allow those same duties in another state. I like to always say extended training for dental assistants to expand their your duties stop at the state line; just because you cross reach to the dental community. that line, your duties do not! For instance, Missouri offers six expanded functions: Fixed Prosthodontics, While not all doctors are on board allowing their Removable Prosthodontics, Restorative I and Restorative assistants to perform these extra task, many of them II, Orthodontics and Nitrous Oxide Monitoring. While are. Some doctors are simply not aware of the opportu- Coronal Polishing is an expanded function in Oklahoma, nities for their assistants and the room for growth within requiring a permit after successful completion of a their practice. I always advise that you look up what course, in Missouri it is not and no special permit is opportunities are allowed in your state so that you can required to perform that task. create both professional and personal satisfaction. Keep in mind, just because you used to perform a I invite all of you to visit your state’s dental practice function in one state, you do not automatically have act, or DANB’s website resource to find out what the right to execute that procedure in another state. your state allows. It can help advance you in a career As a matter of fact, that can be considered “practicing you already love. And for more information, be sure dentistry without a license” and charged as a felony. You to check out Tyler Winter’s webinar, The Role of the see, when you do something that is out of your scope Expanded Functions Dental Assistant, brought to you of practice, and fits into a dentist or hygienist scope of by the American Dental Assistants Association and the practice, that is exactly what you are doing, practicing Professional Dental Assistant Education Foundation and dentistry without a license! It does not matter how much available on the ADAA website, free to existing members. May/June 2021 The Dental Assistant PG 9

E-cigarettes: Friends or Foes? By Victoria Patrounova RDH, MHA Electronic cigarettes appeared on the American Picture 2 market around 2007. While traditional cigarette use had declined in the last 15 years, e-cigarettes They had a pre-filled cartridge, low-capacity batteries and were gaining popularity quickly (1). By 2018, according were disposable. The next generation included refillable to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), 14.9% of cartridges and adjustable voltage, while third-generation American adults had tried electronic cigarettes—more devices were even more sophisticated with larger-ca- than the 14% that are traditional cigarettes smokers— pacity batteries and the ability to be programmed via and 3.2% (8.1 million) were regular users. (Villarroel, connection to a personal computer. Despite the variabil- 2020). Non-Hispanic young adults ages 18-24 made ity in device designs, there are three key components in up the largest number of users, and adults who used each ENDD—a rechargeable, battery-operated heating traditional tobacco products were more likely to use or element, a cartridge with e-liquid that may contain try e-cigarettes. Despite the high number of users and nicotine or other chemicals, and an atomizer that, when increased awareness of the broader population, there heated, converts the contents of the e-liquid into a vapor are still a lot of misconceptions about e-cigarettes, the (picture 2). While some e-cigarettes have a switch, most components of e-liquid, the dangers and potential of are activated by a simple act of inhalation. e-cigarettes to help with tobacco cessation. With traditional combustible tobacco products, There is tremendous consumer support for e-cig- smoke and tar are the byproducts most detrimental to arettes, also known as vapors, vape pens, e-hookahs, the health of users, while nicotine makes these products electronic nicotine delivery devices (ENDD) or systems addictive. E-cigarettes are not tobacco products and (ENDS). One quick internet search reveals millions of e-liquids vary in chemical and nicotine content. An blogs, websites, and YouTube videos devoted to ENDD e-liquid is a simple solution that usually contains water, and vaping. One of the reasons that e-cigarettes gained propylene glycol, glycerin, and flavorings. A study from popularity is because they are relatively inexpensive and 2013 showed significant differences in the e-liquid allow former smokers to retain their smokers’ identity. nicotine content of 16 e-cigarette cartridges (3). Many The ritual of vaping is similar to smoking, with hand-to- mouth motion. The first generation of e-cigarettes even looked very similar to traditional cigarettes (picture 1). Picture 1 PG 10 The Dental Assistant May/June 2021

E-cigarettes: Friends or Foes? continued cartridges were mislabeled and nicotine concentrations 51 types of flavored e-cigarettes and liquids for the in 9 out of 20 of the analyzed cartridges differed presence of diacetyl, acetoin, and 2,3-pentanedione. by more than 20 percent from the labeled amount. Diacetyl, known for its association with “popcorn lung Nicotine was even found in “nicotine-free” e-cigarettes. disease,” was found in more than 75% of flavored Varlet et al (2015) investigated the refill liquids of 42 electronic cigarettes. According to the latest studies, models of e-cigs from 14 brands for presence of toxins, e-cigarettes, especially those with flavoring and menthol, microorganisms and nitrosamines (4). None of the may contribute to periodontal disease development and products were completely free of toxic substances and negatively affect peri-implant structures (9, 10). flavored liquids showed higher levels of chemicals. Toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde and acrolein were There are a few public health concerns associated found in some products. However, while e-cigarettes with e-cigarette use, such as explosions and increased contain some toxins, even their opponents agree that number of poisonings among young children. Explosions they may not be as detrimental to health as traditional of ENDDs happen when the lithium battery is overheated tobacco products and that e-cigarette vapor seems to and the device malfunctions. While explosions are not have fewer nitrosamines than tobacco smoke. very common, FEMA and the US Fire Administration reported 195 separate incidents of explosion and fire in- The majority of adult users turn to e-cigarettes as volving an electronic cigarette in 2009-16, some resulting a tobacco cessation product in hopes to quit smoking in severe injuries (11). If the battery explodes and the acid tobacco products. However, there is an increasing is sprayed, it ignites and can cause burns to the face, lips, number of middle and high school students who have mouth, throat and other parts of the body. “The shape never smoked but use e-cigarettes. The novelty of the and construction of electronic cigarettes can make them technology and relative accessibility through online sales … behave like “flaming rockets” resulting in severed lips, make ENDDs popular among students. Increase in vap- shattered and avulsed teeth, perforated palate, partial ing/e-cigarette use among adolescents is also associated amputation of fingers and even injuries to the eyes and with the availability of different flavors such as menthol, blindness” (11). There is also an increased risk of nicotine strawberry, apple, chocolate, vanilla, and thousands of poisoning from e-cigarette liquid due to the high nicotine others. According to research conducted by the University concentrations in cartridges and refill bottles (12). Young of Texas School of Public Health in 2017, almost 99 children can ingest, inhale or absorb nicotine-containing percent of youth and 95 percent of young adults in Texas liquid through the skin or eyes which can cause nicotine said that their first e-cigarette was flavored. Almost 78 poisoning and lead to nausea, vomiting, fatigue and eye percent of adolescents and 73.5 percent of young adults irritation. After the poisoning, children can experience who used e-cigarettes said they would not use them if nicotine withdrawal. Wang and his colleagues studied flavors were not available (5). A study by Leventhal A., & et. followed 2530 9th graders for a year and established that young people who had never smoked but used e-cigarettes were more likely to be smoking cigarettes a year later (6). This was the first study confirming that vaping e-cigarettes can lead to smoking other tobacco products, thus prolonging the tobacco epidemic. Research into oral and systemic effects of e-cigarettes is ongoing. More studies are reporting adverse effects of ENDDs on respiratory and lung function. Fetterman and others reported in a 2014 article that e-cigarettes can have damaging effects to endothelial cells, located in the lining of blood vessels in healthy individuals (7). Another study by MacDonald and Middlekauffm in 2019 linked e-cigarette use with adverse vascular effects and platelet aggregation (8). Allen and colleagues examined May/June 2021 The Dental Assistant PG 11

E-cigarettes: Friends or Foes? continued e-cigarette exposure cases from the National Poison Data implementing FDA regulations on ENDDs (15). System (NPDS) in 2010-18 (13). The majority of exposures While adult smokers turn to e-cigarettes as a tobacco (64.8%) to liquid nicotine from e-cigarettes was among children younger than 5, but there were also cases cessation product, the FDA has not approved e-ciga- among adolescents and young adults. The number of rettes as an aid to quit smoking and continues to instead cases were increased from 2010 to 2014 (3742 exposure recommend behavioral therapy and medications (16). cases); then after a decrease in 2015-17, the overall Young non-smokers should not be experimenting with number of e-cigarette exposures increased again in 2018. vaping as prolonged use can lead to nicotine addiction The authors called to continue monitoring the cases and and the use of other tobacco products. Further studies strengthen efforts to prevent poisonings. should provide more information on the long-term effects of e-cigarette use but dental professionals can In 2019-20, another health concern associated with already educate patients on harms associated with ENDD arose—an increased number of vaping-related e-cigarettes use, including oral and systemic effects of lung illness. The CDC reported in 2019 an increase in vaping, as well as the dangers of misusing e-cigarettes. cases of patients admitted to hospitals complaining of Stronger regulations of their manufacturing, advertising coughing, shortness of breath, and chest pain with no and labeling will be implemented to assure public safety infection, malignancy or any evidence of an alternative in the near future. plausible diagnosis (14). Some patients experienced gastrointestinal problems such as nausea, vomiting or Victoria V. Patrounova RDH, MHA is diarrhea, and high white blood cell count. Severe cases an Associate Professor and Interim required intubation. By February of 2020, there were Program Director at the University 2807 hospitalized patients in 50 states with what is now of Texas in Houston, School of called e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung Dentistry in the Department of injury (EVALI). Data from patient records showed that Periodontics and Dental Hygiene. most EVALI cases are linked with the use of tetrahydro- Victoria published several articles in cannabinol (THC)-containing e-cigarettes, and Vitamin dental and dental hygiene journals. E acetate was found in patient lung fluid samples She presents continuing education tested by the CDC in different geographical areas (14). courses on nitrous oxide conscious Fortunately, due to law enforcement actions related to sedation, smoking trends/tobacco illicit products, the removal of vitamin E acetate from cessation and other topics on local, vaping products, and increased public awareness of state and national levels. THC-containing e-cigarettes as a primary source of EVALI, the number of cases has decreased since 2020. Until 2014 when the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed strict regulations of e-cigarettes, they were not regulated as tobacco products and were sold in the malls (picture 3). Proposed rules would ban the sale of e-cigarettes to anyone under 18, vending machines sales and the distribution of free samples. It would also call for health warnings about the potential for addiction to nicotine and require manufactures to register all their products and ingredients. The FDA finalized the rules on August 8, 2016 to regulate tobacco and nicotine products including all ENDDs (e-cigarettes, vapes, e-liquids, e-ci- gars, e-pipes, and e-hookahs) and established a deadline of August 8, 2022 for applications for non-combustible products such as electronic cigarettes. The American Dental Association has formally opposed delays in PG 12 The Dental Assistant May/June 2021

E-cigarettes: Friends or Foes? continued References cigarette, e-cigarette, and waterpipe. Clin Implant Dent 1. https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/ Relat Res. 2018 Dec;20(6):1016-1021. doi: 10.1111/ cid.12664. Epub 2018 Sep 12. PMID: 30209875. resources/data/cigarette-smoking-in-united-states. html#age_group 10. Sundar, I. K., Javed, F., Romanos, G. E., & Rahman, I. (2016). E-cigarettes and flavorings induce 2. Villarroel MA, Cha AE, Vahratian A. Electronic cigarette inflammatory and pro-senescence responses in oral use among U.S. adults, 2018. NCHS Data Brief, no 365. epithelial cells and periodontal fibroblasts. Oncotarget, Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 7(47), 77196–77204. https://doi.org/10.18632/ 2020. oncotarget.12857 3. Goniewicz ML., Kuma T, Gawron, M., Knysak J, 11. Electronic Cigarette Fires and Explosions in the Kosmider L. Nicotine Levels in Electronic Cigarettes, United States 2009-2016 (fema.gov) Nicotine & Tobacco Research, Volume 15, Issue 1, January 2013, Pages 158–166, https://doi.org/10.1093/ 12. http://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2014/p0403-e- ntr/nts103 cigarette-poison.html 4. Varlet V, Farsalinos K, Augsburger M, Thomas A, Etter 13. Wang B, Liu S, Persoskie A. Poisoning exposure JF. Toxicity assessment of refill liquids for electronic cases involving e-cigarettes and e-liquid in the United cigarettes. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2015 Apr States, 2010-2018. Clinical toxicology (Philadelphia, 30;12(5):4796-815. doi: 10.3390/ijerph120504796. Pa). 2020;58(6):488-494. doi:10.1080/15563650.2019.1 PMID: 25941845; PMCID: PMC4454939. 661426 5. Harrell MB, Loukas A, Jackson CD, Marti CN, Perry CL. 14. https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e- Flavored tobacco product use among youth and young cigarettes/severe-lung-disease.html adults: What if flavors didn’t exist? Tobacco regulatory science. 2017;3(2):168-173. 15. http://www.dentistrytoday.com/news/industrynews/ item/2234-fda-launches-new-strategy-for-fighting- 6. Leventhal AM, Strong DR, Kirkpatrick MG, et al. nicotine-addiction Association of Electronic Cigarette Use With Initiation of Combustible Tobacco Product Smoking in Early 16. https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/ Adolescence. JAMA. 2015;314(7):700–707. doi:10.1001/ sgr/2020-smoking-cessation/fact-sheets/adult- jama.2015.8950 smoking-cessation-e-cigarettes-use/index.html 7. Fetterman JL, Keith RJ, Palmisano JN, McGlasson KL, Weisbrod RM, Majid S, Bastin R, Stathos MM, Stokes AC, Robertson RM, Bhatnagar A, Hamburg NM. Alterations in Vascular Function Associated With the Use of Combustible and Electronic Cigarettes. J Am Heart Assoc. 2020 May 5;9(9):e014570. doi: 10.1161/ JAHA.119.014570. Epub 2020 Apr 29. PMID: 32345096; PMCID: PMC7428567. https://www.ahajournals.org/ doi/abs/10.1161/JAHA.119.014570 8. MacDonald A, Middlekauff HR. Electronic cigarettes and cardiovascular health: what do we know so far? Vascular Health Risk Management. 2019 Jun 21;15:159- 174. doi: 10.2147/VHRM.S175970. PMID: 31417268; PMCID: PMC6592370 9. AlQahtani MA, Alayad AS, Alshihri A, Correa FOB, Akram Z. Clinical peri-implant parameters and inflammatory cytokine profile among smokers of May/June 2021 The Dental Assistant PG 13

Setting Yourself Up for Success in Your New Career By Natalie Kaweckyj, LDA, RF, CDA, CDPMA, COA, COMSA, CPFDA, CRFDA, MADAA, BA ADAA Past President As we slide into summer and graduation is upon grow from it and learn to give it as well. It is all in the us, many dental assistants are setting forth on approach. Some key tips about constructive criticism their new careers. After graduation, a lot of include: people try to tell you what you can’t do. It can be scary • Resist the temptation to criticize back; accept it to try jumping into a new career. But you shouldn’t graciously. let these doubts weigh you down. Never be afraid of aiming high. Change of routine is difficult for many and • Avoid projecting your insecurities onto the criticism; it those who embrace it with passion, succeed beyond is very easy to get into the habit of doing so. their wildest dreams! • Try to understand where the criticism is coming from. Discover Yourself and Be Open to Change. Sometimes it is not all bad. Consider your first position a journey to learn about yourself with the purpose to grow as a dental • Ask whether there's truth to the criticism; sometimes it is perception on behalf of the criticizer. professional; to discover what you’re good at, what you • Resolve destructive criticism in constructive ways; be love to do, and what you dislike. Discover your why, and creative in finding solutions—this is where your four you’ll become happier and more passionate in life and P-words come into play. in your career. Be patient and don’t get discouraged when a position you really want does not work out for you. It just opens up doors to other opportunities that may be bigger and better for you. I always told my Discover your why ... you’ll become students that it takes a good six months before you fully feel comfortable in a new position. And you will be very happier and more passionate in tired those first few months. Remember to take care of yourself and your basic needs: remember to eat, sleep, life and in your career exercise and relax. When you are deficient in one of the four areas, you will affect the other three areas as well. Remember These Four P-Words: Learn from Everything. Don't Hide from Mistakes. Positive, Principled, Proactive, Productive. Remember every moment is an opportunity to learn Many places of employment look for these attributes from everyone around you, no matter their position on in a team member. Be positive—it can be difficult when the team. Pay attention when things go well; but pay surrounded in a world that thrives on negativity. By extra attention when they don’t, and watch how team starting each day out positively, you set the stage on members react to it. Building relationships with the how your day will play out. Others will pick up on your people who face problems by being their solution. Be positivity and be drawn to you. Be principled—you honest when you have difficulty with something. Not are being judged on your words and actions early on sure about something - ask questions. Screwed up? Own so trust your instincts, and ethical judgement. Know up! We all have had those “oops moments” throughout what duties you are legally able to do and cannot do our careers. I still have mine on occasion…. I’ve always to protect yourself. Be proactive—don’t wait to be told valued someone willing to learn, and we learn in or asked to do something; and lastly, be productive. If different ways, styles and rates. I’ll always highly regard you find yourself with downtime, look for something to someone willing to be honest about their mistakes do. There is always something that needs stocking or because we learn from those just as much as learning cleaning in a dental practice. from our successes! When you have the opportunity to become cross-trained in the work setting, embrace it! Keep Moving Forward You will just be adding to your ever-increasing skill set. Take every opportunity that presents itself. Learn to Well-rounded team members are a hot commodity! hear feedback and never let it fester. Instead consider it, take what works, and move on. Constructive criticism is difficult for many at any stage of a career. Learn to PG 14 The Dental Assistant May/June 2021

Setting Yourself Up for Success in Your New Career continued Network and Make Connections. hacks learned through years of a successful career. Get Your largest asset is your network. It’s truly about who involved with American Dental Assistants Association you know in the job world. Opportunities can appear (ADAA) your professional association on a local, state seemingly out of nowhere, just because someone knows or national level; it’s a great way of networking and you or your strengths. At each stage of your life, you increasing your brand. Pursue ADAA’s Fellowship and will have to deal with greater network spreading. The Mastership programs—another great way to meet your shift from high school to your dental assisting training personal and professional goals through continuing program may have felt dramatic, but in reality, most education. Explore social media and all dentistry has to people kept the same home base. After graduation, the offer—not only will you gain valuable insight; you will dispersion of your network will become exponentially build your network. And lastly, find hobbies outside of greater. Not only do you have family and childhood dentistry to be passionate about—you will thank me in friends to keep up with, but also new friends from the long run. college. You may also find that your career lands you in a different time zone than most of your friends and Congratulations to all who are starting out in their family. Despite having cutting edge technology at our new careers; you have chosen wisely and may you enjoy finger tips, it’s surprisingly easy to never reach out to your career with an ounce of as much passion and love some of our friends in distant places. Don’t fall victim as I have enjoyed mine. Best of luck! to this trend. Get in the habit of regularly picking up the phone and calling people. I’d even recommend taking Natalie Kaweckyj, a two-time ADAA it one step further and using video chat if you can. President, is a licensed dental assistant Seeing an individual’s face makes a huge difference in practicing in Minneapolis, MN holding maintaining connections over time and distance. all six of DANB’s certifications. She is very active in the expansion of the Manage Your Time. dental assisting profession through Time management is a skill many of us need to leadership, education and regulation, work at throughout our careers. Develop good time both nationally and internationally. management habits early on as your workload will only She enjoys giving back to dentistry the increase with time, and so will your responsibilities. Be passion she has through mentoring. ready when they do. Find your career-life balance early [email protected] on. Career-life balance is the state of equilibrium where an individual equally prioritizes the demands of one's career and the demands of one's personal life. Some of the common reasons that lead to a poor work-life balance include: • Increased responsibilities in professional life • Increased responsibilities in personal life • Lack of focus on career • Lack of time management skills Create Your Own Personal Brand. You may wonder why it is needed…it sets you apart from others. Continue your education as dentistry is ever- changing. Consider becoming a certified dental assistant (CDA) through the Dental Assistant National Board (DANB), or one of their other certification pathways. Find a mentor who is still practicing as a dental assistant and build your skills with a variety of professional May/June 2021 The Dental Assistant PG 15

STUDENTS CORNER ADAA Honors Dental Assisting Scholars The Juliette A. Southard Scholarship Program is named for the founder of the American Dental Assistants Association. Established in 1929, the program awards scholarships to dental assisting students and dental assistants interested in furthering their education in the field of dental assisting. ADAA congratulates all of this year’s winners. The 2021 Juliette A Southard Scholarship Recipients are: Natasa Savkic Yvianna Rodarte Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Rapids, MI El Paso Community College, El Paso, TX Becoming a dental assistant has I want to express great gratitude to all who have selected been a long-awaited dream of mine. me as a Juliette A. Southard Scholarship recipient! I can I’m so grateful to be chosen as one assure you that I will be putting the award to great use of the recipients of this scholarship. I in helping me pay for my board exam, which will allow love learning all that I can about my me to begin my career in the dental field. Thank you for chosen profession. I look forward to your willingness to support other ADAA student members helping my community “one smile at and me in achieving our educational and professional a time”! goals. This scholarship will undoubtedly go a long way in allowing me to obtain my license to gain clinical Kate Bennett experience and help save smiles! With appreciation, Indiana University Fort Wayne, Fort Wayne, IN Yvianna Rodarte I am honored to have received the Juliette A. Southard Mollie McClelland Scholarship. This scholarship has greatly assisted me in Chattanooga State Community College, achieving my amazing education; an education which Chattanooga, TN will equip me with knowledge and skills to better serve my future patients. Receiving this scholarship will also Nicole McRee-Wilson continue to benefit me in my professional life, as I will be Washtenaw Community College, Washtenaw, MI able to continue my education and make an impact on the dental assisting community. ~ Kate Bennett The Student Achievement Award is presented to a student who has demonstrated leadership ability through some activity related to dentistry through participation in class activities, student organization(s), and local/state dental assisting organization, where available. The 2021 Student Achievement Award recipient is: Olivia Polep NHTI Concord’s Community College, Concord, NH I am honored to be this year’s sole recipient of the 2021 Student Achievement Award! Attending school during the pandemic has been tough for both students and educators everywhere, but to be among the leaders who have persevered through every obstacle this year has taught me so much. I have learned how to be creative in ways others before us have not had to, to continue searching for a better answer, and to motivate my team when we needed it through leadership and accountability. As a dental assistant, these qualities are valuable to possess and I am grateful to carry them with me while I continue to pursue my career in the field. I will continue to lead others by motivating them through creativity, by continuing my own education and by reminding others there is always more than one solution to a problem when things get tough. ~ Olivia Polep Congratulations to all of our 2021 honorees! PG 16 The Dental Assistant May/June 2021

STUDENTS CORNER The ADAA Merit Scholar Award is to honor those dental assisting students who exhibit proficiency in four-handed dentistry and exemplify the critical contribution an educated dental assistant makes to the success of clinical outcomes, patient satisfaction and improved office efficiency. Recipients of this award also embody the qualities represented by Juliette A. Southard that include loyalty, courtesy and professionalism. The 2021 ADAA Merit Scholar Award Recipients are: Morgan Erpelding Kao Na Vang Hawkeye Community College, Waterloo, IA Century College, White Bear Lake, MN I am very honored and excited to be I am honored to receive this award chosen as one of the recipients of and will continue to sharpen my skills this Merit Scholar Award and would because I believe in education. I will not have been able to do any of it take part in community opportunities without my amazing instructors and and will lead to set an example support system outside of school. for other women and mothers like A special thank you goes out to my me who wish to pursue the dental instructors, Mrs. Danielle Luhring, industry. ~ Kao Na Vang Mrs. Judy Poland, and Mrs. Emily Boge. Mikayla Rooper Joanna Souza Germanna Community College, Locust Grove, VA Southeastern Technical Institute, South Easton, MA As a current student of the dental I would like to say how grateful I am assisting program at Southeastern for the opportunity to be presented Technical Institute I am honored to with this award. Throughout my be awarded the ADAA Merit Scholar life, I have held a strong passion for Award. This program has given helping others, and by working as me the opportunity to expand my a dental assistant I am given ample knowledge in the classroom and my opportunity to do so. I will continue hands on skills at clinical externship. to use my skills in leadership, Thank you, Joanna Souza creativity, organization, and integrity throughout my career in order to Jady Harris help give back to my community. Central Piedmont Community College, Charlotte, NC Hannah Allen I am honored to be awarded the Athens Technical College, Athens, GA ADAA Merit Scholar Award. Central Piedmont’s dental program has Macy Collier proven to be rewarding and has Indiana University Fort Wayne, Fort Wayne, IN developed me into a successful CDA. I am excited to help others improve Jessica Ibarra their smiles and continue to do what Arkansas Northeastern College, Blytheville, AR I love. Thank you again for choosing me as a recipient, I will uphold this Jacie Marcotte honor. Salina Area Technical College, Salina, KS Mollie McClelland Chattanooga State Community College, Chattanooga, TN Sylvan Weber, Portland Community College, Portland, OR May/June 2021 The Dental Assistant PG 17

STUDENTS CORNER Ida Gray Nelson Rollins, DDS: Pioneer and Inspiration By Janinne Burnett Ida Gray Nelson Rollins, DDS (1867-1953) inspires University of Michigan School of Dentistry and earn me due to her resilience. She taught me that no a D.D.S degree. Following her schooling, Dr. Rollins matter your circumstances and/or situation you opened her own practice in Chicago. Her practice was can overcome and be successful. In the late 18th and very popular, large, and lucrative. This also made her early 19th centuries, any woman would be frowned the first African American women to practice dentistry in upon for being a dentist, and Dr. Rollins was, in Chicago. addition, a black woman. She prevailed over her circumstances. She did not have parents and Dr. Rollins’ practice was in the heart of a predomi- had to live with an aunt who could not read nantly African American neighborhood. Despite her or write; most would have either given up location, Dr. Rollins had very diverse clientele or used that as an excuse not to want including men and women from all races and better for themselves. Instead, she used age groups. Treating children was a joy for her situation as motivation to prosper Dr. Rollins who served as a role model for and succeed. She graduated from high many of those children. Aside from being a school and proved to be exceptional in a mentor, Dr. Rollins was active in women’s field where we, as black women, are not organizations in Chicago and served as the even wanted. The charisma, endurance, vice president of the Professional Women’s strength, knowledge, and perseverance Club of Chicago. Dr. Rollins practiced in she demonstrated are very inspirational Chicago until she retired in 1928. The re- to me. In my eyes, Dr. Ida is iconic. She mainder of her life was spent in Chicago but paved the way for many to strive no matter every summer she would stay at her second what their situation/circumstances may be. home in Idlewild, Michigan. In 1954, Dr Rollins passed away at the age of 86. Dr. Ida Gray Nelson Rollins was America’s first Dr. Ida Gray Nelson Rollins was a pioneer African American female dentist. Although little has been written about her and her upbringing, we do know of dentistry. Not only do we celebrate her life and that she was born in Clarksville, Tennessee on March 4, achievements, but we honor her as a role model. Her 1867. She was conceived by her black mother and white courageous accomplishments in the field of dentistry father. During Ida’s early teen years, she experienced have inspired many professional women. the unfortunate death of her mother. Following her mother’s death, Ida relocated to her aunt Caroline Gray’s Janinne Burnett is a recent gradu- house. The house was occupied by her aunt and her ate of COYS Dental Academy. Along three children. Like many women of that time, Ida’s aunt with her work at Access Dental, she was not able to read or write. has started Dental Educators LLC, which goes into the community All her youth, Ida attended segregated schools. To educating children on the impor- earn money for herself and her family, Ida decided to tance and proper technique of get a part time job while in high school. She had two brushing and flossing, providing jobs; she worked as a seamstress and as an office not only education but supplies assistant at a dental office. In 1887, at the age of 20, Ida such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, graduated from high school and decided to further her mouthwash and floss, along with education in the field of dentistry. Holding the position crayons and coloring books. Find Dental Edcucators LLC on as an office assistant had helped to fuel her interest in Instagram, @officialdentaleducatorsllc. dentistry. Ida passed her entrance exam to dentistry school on the first try. She maintained excellent marks throughout dental school. Three years later, she became the first African American woman to graduate from the PG 18 The Dental Assistant May/June 2021

STUDENTS CORNER NEW STUDENT MEMBER Introducing Medina Medic (FL) ADAA: What motivated you, as a student, to become a member of ADAA? Medic: I was motivated by the many benefits that come with ADAA membership. Being a member of the ADAA allows me to not only add on to my resume but allows me to be an active member in the dental community and be aware of the rapidly changing and advancing field. ADAA: How did you find out about the Association? Medic I initially found out about the ADAA through my instructor at the El Paso Community College. ADAA: What are your expectations of ADAA once you graduate? Medic: My expectations of the ADAA are to provide me with resources necessary to be a successful and knowledgeable dental assistant! ADAA: What benefits will you take advantage of as a member of ADAA? Medic: The benefits I will take advantage of as a member are continuing education courses, seminars, insurances and discounts. ADAA: What inspires or motivates you about dentistry? Medic: Dentistry, being such a rewarding field to go into, is what motivates me to pursue a career in dentistry. Dentistry provides an abundance of opportunities and is fast paced and always changing. For me, dentistry allows me to socialize and meet new people each day from all walks of life. Dentistry allows me to make others feel better about themselves and also allows me to build everlasting relationships. As long as I have a career in dentistry, I know I won’t work a day in my life! May/June 2021 The Dental Assistant PG 19

NEWS BRIEFS Buehler Family Dental in New Holland, Pennsylvania celebrated their dental assistants (business and clinical) during DARW by recognizing their value and contribution with orchids and locally made gourmet chocolate bars. The Dental Assisting class at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, New York proudly celebrated DARW 2021 by acknowledging the Dental Assistants on their dental health care teams. Each student presented a DARW Certificate to the Dental Assistant who is mentoring them during their student internship, to truly embody the DARW 2021 theme, \"Dental Assistants-Our Heart Goes into Every Smile.\" Pictured is student Nada J with her mentor, Adrian Dunn. PG 20 The Dental Assistant May/June 2021

NEWS BRIEFS The Dental Assisting Class of 2021 at Camden County College in Blackwood, New Jersey refused to let COVID-19 distancing requirements keep them from celebrating DARW. The Dental Assisting Program at Dona Ana Community College in Las Cruces, New Mexico took a creative approach to DARW. Since they couldn't be together in person, they celebrated DARW by having each student pick up a pizza of their choice at a local pizza place one day after clinical practicums. On Friday of DA Week, they held a college movie night with giveaway prizes and more free pizzas for participants. May/June 2021 The Dental Assistant PG 21

NEWS BRIEFS Dental Assisting students at Santa Fe Community College in Santa Fe, New Mexico demonstrate how well they communicate even without words! For DARW, their SMILES Club created an inspirational video montage, proclaiming their students \"Sweet enough to make the mouth smile and skilled enough to protect oral health.\" PG 22 The Dental Assistant May/June 2021

NEWS BRIEFS Relieving Dental Anxiety continued ADA providing guidance on updated mask Sciences in the University of Pennsylvania School of recommendations from CDC Dental Medicine, decided to target the interaction be- tween the bacteria and the yeast using specific enzymes The ADA has issued guidance to help dentists answer that work on the bonds between the two microbial questions about new recommendations from the compoments. They found that the enzyme treatment Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding weakened the biofilm and made it easier to remove. mask use for fully vaccinated people. Atomic-force microscopy showed that the treatment The ADA guidance lists steps to ensure that everyone produced a 15-fold reduction in the binding force adheres to source control measures and hand hygiene between the microbes. practices while in a health care facility, including: The researchers also wanted to see how well their • Posting visual alerts (e.g., signs, posters) at the enzyme treatment would be tolerated in the oral cavity, entrance and in strategic places (e.g., waiting areas, so they examined the effect of the treatment on human elevators, cafeterias) to provide instructions (in gingival cells in culture and found no harmful impact. appropriate languages) about wearing a well-fitting form of source control and how and when to perform Hwang says they may consider a non-alcohol-based hand hygiene. mouthwash with these enzymes added that could be used by children as a preventive measure against ECC. • Providing supplies for respiratory hygiene and cough With follow-up research, the team aims to add another etiquette, including alcohol-based hand sanitizer with tool for fighting the public health threat of ECC. 60-95% alcohol, tissues and no-touch receptacles for disposal at health care facility entrances, waiting Delta Dental launches nationwide effort to rooms, and patient check-ins. advance patient-centered care • Limiting and monitoring points of entry to the facility. Delta Dental Plans Association announced the nationwide deployment of the Consumer Assessment of • Establishing a process to ensure everyone entering Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) Dental Plan the facility is assessed for symptoms of COVID-19 Survey by its member companies covering all 50 states, or exposure to others with suspected or confirmed D.C., and Puerto Rico in 2021. SARS-CoV-2 infection, and that they are practicing source control. The CAHPS Dental Plan Survey is an anonymous standardized questionnaire that asks adult patients The guidance is posted at ADA.org. about their oral healthcare experiences. The questions asked within the survey are designed to provide a view New Therapuetic Approach for Avoiding into the overall patient experience and satisfaction from Childhood Dental Decay every aspect of their oral healthcare interactions. This includes questions relating to their dental plan and the A recent study from a team at the University of care and services received from their dental office. Pennsylvania suggests a new strategy for preventing dental decay in children. The survey is a validated patient experience survey tool developed by the Agency for Healthcare Research Dental decay, or early childhood caries (ECC)—often and Quality. Inaugurated in 1995, the CAHPS survey caused by poor nutrition and poor oral hygiene—can is used by the U.S. Department of Health & Human have a lasting effect not only on children’s oral health Services, the National Committee for Quality Assurance, but also on their overall health. and Veterans Affairs. The CAHPS Dental Plan Survey was first administered in 2006 by the U.S. military for The UPenn researchers had previously found that the TriCare dental services program. Delta Dental will that the dental plaque that gives rise to ECC is com- be the first commercial health insurer to deploy the posed of both a bacterial species and a fungus, which CAHPS Dental Plan Survey nationally to advance the combine to form the sticky biofilm that is so difficult to patient-centered approach to delivering oral healthcare. remove from the tooth surface. The team, led by Geelsu Hwang, an assistant profes- sor in the Department of Preventive and Restorative May/June 2021 The Dental Assistant PG 23

NEWS BRIEFS USPSTF advises applying fluoride dental 27% of these patients filled a prescription for an opioid varnish for young children such as hydrocodone or oxycodone. Based on research conducted by the Pacific Northwest The researchers looked at overdoses that occurred Evidence-Based Practice Center in Portland, Oregon, in the 90 days after an extraction or other dental pro- the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) cedure. Among those who filled an opioid prescription recommends that primary care physicians apply fluoride within three days of their procedure, the rate was 5.8 varnish for children younger than 5 years and prescribe overdoses per 10,000 patients, compared with 2.2 per fluoride supplementation when indicated, but the 10,000 among those who didn’t. evidence is inadequate for recommending screening for cavities in young children. These recommendations The researchers note that other data have shown are contained in a draft recommendation statement that in 2016 alone, dentists wrote 11.4 million prescrip- published online May 11 and open for public comment tions for opioids. The new study’s findings suggest that until June 7, 2021. 1,700 overdoses a year could be happening because of dental opioid prescriptions. The researchers conducted a systematic review on primary care screening for and prevention of dental The study also examined overdoses within 90 days in caries in children younger than 5 years. They found patients’ family members. The rate of overdose was 1.7 topical fluoride application was associated with a per 10,000 procedures in family members of privately in- decreased caries increment and reduced likelihood of sured patients who filled opioid prescriptions, compared incident caries compared with placebo or no varnish; with 1 per 10,000 procedures among those who didn’t. no increase was seen in the risk for fluorosis or other adverse events. Kao-Ping Chua, M.D., Ph.D., led the analysis. “Our paper shows that when patients fill dental opioid Based on these findings, the USPSTF recommends prescriptions, the risk of opioid overdose increases both that primary care clinicians prescribe oral fluoride for themselves and their family members,” he says. “This supplementation starting at age 6 months for children underscores the importance of avoiding dental opioid whose water supply is fluoride-deficient, and prescribe prescribing when non-opioids like ibuprofen and acet- fluoride varnish application to primary teeth. aminophen are effective options for pain control, as is the case for the majority of dental procedures. Our finding Treating Dental Pain with Opioids Linked of increased overdose risk in family members also shows to Higher Risk of Overdose in Patients and the importance of emphasizing safe storage and disposal Family Members when prescribing opioids to dental patients.” This knowledge could help dentists and oral surgeons A new study shows that overdose rates were two choose the pain treatment for their patients more and a half times higher among patients who filled a carefully, and include a prescription for the overdose prescription for an opioid medication after a dental treatment naloxone if they prescribe opioids to some- procedure, compared with those who didn’t fill such a one with a higher risk of overdose. prescription. Scientists find evidence that novel Overdose rates were also higher among the family coronavirus infects the mouth’s cells members of such patients—possibly from misuse of the leftover pills. An international team of scientists has found evidence that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, infects The study, published in the American Journal of cells in the mouth. While it’s well known that the upper Preventive Medicine by a team from the University of airways and lungs are primary sites of SARS-CoV-2 Michigan Medical School and School of Dentistry, used infection, there are clues the virus can infect cells in data from 8.5 million dental procedures in teen and other parts of the body. The potential of the virus to adult patients between 2011 and 2018 whose care was infect multiple areas of the body might help explain covered by Medicaid or private dental insurance. Nearly the wide-ranging symptoms experienced by COVID-19 PG 24 The Dental Assistant May/June 2021

NEWS BRIEFS patients, including oral symptoms such as taste loss, SARS-CoV-2, particularly if they were present in the dry mouth and blistering. Moreover, the findings room during an aerosol-generating procedure and point to the possibility that the mouth plays a role in not wearing the appropriate personal protective transmitting SARS-CoV-2 to the lungs or digestive system equipment. People with SARS-CoV-2 infection in the via saliva laden with virus from infected oral cells. A last 90 days do not need to be tested if they remain better understanding of the mouth’s involvement could asymptomatic, even if they have a known contact. inform strategies to reduce viral transmission within and • Recommendations for use of personal protective outside the body. equipment by health care personnel remain unchanged. The team was led by researchers at the National • Fully vaccinated individuals can be excluded from Institutes of Health and the University of North Carolina expanded screening SARS-CoV-2 testing performed at Chapel Hill; the study was published online March 25, by health care facilities for asymptomatic personnel 2021 in Nature Medicine. who do not have a known exposure. The CDC will continue to update its recommendations CDC updates guidance for for health care settings as new information becomes fully vaccinated individuals available. While the CDC continues to update its guidance YTOOUPRROPASPRETRNER for those fully vaccinated against COVID-19, most recommended precautions, such as the use of personal Propel your practice with Patterson. protective equipment, remain the same for health care We’re here to help you find the products, settings, including dental offices. technologies and services you need to modernize, grow and run smoothly. Whether Individuals are considered fully vaccinated when it you’re exploring a purchase, implementing a has been at least two weeks since they received the new technology or optimizing it for improvement, second dose in a two-dose vaccine series or one dose of our experts will offer you unmatched support. a single-dose vaccine. As of late April, the CDC’s updated health care infection prevention and control recommen- VISIT OUR VIRTUAL BOOTH TO dations in response to COVID-19 vaccination included TALK WITH A REPRESENTATIVE the following guidelines for fully vaccinated health care personnel: TRUSTED EXPERTISE. UNRIVALED SUPPORT.™ • Personnel with higher-risk exposures who are asymp- tomatic do not need to be restricted from work for 14 21PD103459 (1/20) days following their exposure. • Personnel who have traveled should continue to fol- low CDC travel recommendations and requirements, including restriction from work, when recommended for any traveler. • Personnel with symptoms of COVID-19, regardless of their vaccination status, should receive a viral test immediately. • Asymptomatic personnel with a higher-risk exposure, regardless of their vaccination status, should have a series of two viral tests for SARS-CoV-2 infection. In these situations, testing is recommended immediate- ly and five to seven days after exposure. Higher-risk exposures generally involve exposure of their eyes, nose or mouth to material potentially containing May/June 2021 The Dental Assistant PG 25

NEWS BRIEFS Capitol Dental Care telehealth innovation positioning for the patient and the dental assistant. The addresses disruption of preventive care guidelines provide oral health professionals with advice on how to strike a balance between maintaining a good Capitol Dental Care of Oregon is launching an innovative posture and providing efficient treatment. technology solution to provide quality dental care to Medicaid enrollees in Oregon under the age of 14, According to the FDI document, ergonomics in expectant mothers, adults over age 65, and members dentistry should strike a balance between keeping who live more than 45 miles from a Capitol provider. the dentist healthy and providing efficient treatment. This means enabling a more natural and comfortable The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an enormous posture, achieving patient-friendly treatment, improving disruption to the delivery of dental services that have treatment efficiency, and achieving treatment accuracy. served as the safety net for those who cannot access quality care through other means. For children on The next phase of the Health & Safety project will Medicaid who have depended on school-based oral focus on mental health and well-being. The World Day health services to receive preventive dental care, for Safety & Health at Work focuses on strategies to distance learning has created a greater challenge for strengthen national occupational safety and health preventive care. systems to build resilience to face crises now and in the future, drawing on lessons learned and experiences In order to address these and other dental care from the world of work. challenges, Capitol Dental Care is expanding their teledentistry visits to include at-home fluoride varnish CDT codes related to COVID-19 vaccine application to the underserved communities in Oregon. approved for use in 2021 The program works as follows: once the patient sched- ules their teledentistry appointment an oral hygiene In their virtual session in March, the ADA’s Code kit containing a fluoride varnish packet, a toothbrush, Maintenance Committee approved eight pandemic- toothpaste, floss, disclosing tablet, tongue cleaner, and related CDT codes for 2021. Dentists and dental an oral health brochure is mailed to their home. During practices are playing an important role in vaccine their appointment, an Oregon licensed dental practi- administration in many states, but guidelines have not tioner (Dentist or Expanded Practice Dental Hygienist) yet been established by dental insurance companies as will evaluate for dental concerns, provide disease far as what is and isn’t covered. assessment, collect oral health information, provide step-by-step application directions to safely apply the The new vaccination (and molecular testing) codes fluoride varnish, and deliver oral hygiene instruction. are: FDI Guidelines Address Ergonomics and D1701 Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine administra- Posture for Dental Professionals tion – first dose To mark the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, D1702 Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine administra- the FDI World Dental Federation published practical tion – second dose guidelines on ergonomics and posture for oral health professionals as part of the first phase of its Health & D1703 Moderna COVID-19 vaccine administration – Safety in the Dental Workplace project. first dose Oral health professionals face numerous risks at D1704 Moderna COVID-19 vaccine administration – work such as infection by pathogenic bacteria, exposure second dose to chemical substances or radiation, and musculoskele- tal disorders from inappropriate working posture. D1705 AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine administration – first dose The new guidelines highlight the importance of ergonomics in the dental workplace, suggesting not only D1706 AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine administration the ideal posture for the dentist but also the optimal – second dose D1707 Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccine administration D0606 Molecular testing for a public health related pathogen, including coronavirus. PG 26 The Dental Assistant May/June 2021

NEWS BRIEFS Have You Received Your COVID-19 Vaccine? During Phase 1 of the COVID-19 vaccination rollout, not all states considered dentists and dental hygienists essential health care workers. Therefore, in some states, these individuals were not eligible for priority vaccination. Now that administration of the vaccine is underway and open to all, have you received yours? ADAA invites you to take our short anonymous survey. If you have not been vaccinated against the novel coronavirus, Take the Survey we want to know what challenges and constraints stand in your way. Do You Know an ADAA Member Who Should Be Recognized? The American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA) presents various awards to deserving ADAA members, recognizing their achievements and contributions made to shape the future of dentistry. With five member awards to be chosen, applica- tions are now being accepted through June 30 in the following categories: • ADAA President’s Award of Excellence: Presented to the member who has shown the most outstanding achievements in promoting the objectives of the association. • ADAA Pride Awards: Presented to a member who believes in loyalty to self as well as the profession of dental assisting. • Loyal Assistant Award: Presented to the mem- ber who has demonstrated loyalty and longevity in service to their employer. • Membership Award: Presented to the state or local association that has developed and implemented the most creative membership recruitment campaign resulting in an increase in its membership. • New Member Involvement Award: Presented to a member of not more than five years’ standing who has shown the most outstanding achievement in promoting the objectives of the association. For more information and eligibility criteria, click here. Deadline to apply or nominate an award candidate is June 30, 2021. May/June 2021 The Dental Assistant PG 27

DISTRICT NEWS 3rd District North Carolina Trustee: Erin Hendricks, RDA, NCDS/NCDAA held virtual Education Sessions May 19– CHW May 21. Maryland NCDAA was scheduled to hold a Virtual Annual Maryland had a great turnout Session for General Assembly on Saturday, May 22, 2021 for the chapter’s virtual meeting at 10:00 am EDT. (www.ncdentalassistant.org) in March. Hosted by Ben from Patterson Dental on the subject South Carolina of efficient inventory systems, the meeting was part of South Carolina Dental Assistants Association (SCDAA) Maryland’s DARW observance. has no report. Maryland Dental Assistants Association is helping the Maryland State Dental Association (MSDA) with a project Tennessee to try to help bring the profession more recognition by Tennessee Dental Assistants Association (TNDAA) has no including dental assistants from the state of Maryland in report for this period. (www.TNDAA.net) the conversation when it comes to legislation, curricu- lum, and such. The 4th District includes Kentucky, North Carolina, South There were no reports for this period from Delaware, Carolina, and Tennessee. Ohio, Viriginia, West Virginia or the District of Columbia. The 3rd District includes Delaware, District of Columbia, 6th District Maryland, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia. Trustee: Jacob Rexing, RDH, EFDA 4th District Trustee: Van P. Henry, CDPMA, Michigan RDA, FADAA The Michigan Dental Assistants Association House of Delegates Kentucky was held on May 1, 2021. All but The Kentucky Dental Assistants two locals were represented. Grand Rapids has disbanded, and Mid-Michigan had no officers Association (KDAA) business meeting for their roster. There were 24 delegates attending the was scheduled for Wednesday, May virtual webinar. A forum focused on membership and 26, 2021 at 8:30 am at the Cracker ideas presented to “get in your face” for students and Barrel in Georgetown, Kentucky. The assistants who are not members and know nothing KDAA Newsletter is scheduled for about the ADAA/MDAA, and what venues / organizations mailing June 1, 2021.A KDAA business meeting will be can help was presented. We are hoping for a face-to- held Friday, Aug. 20, 2021, 7:00–8:30 pm. face HOD in Novi, Michigan in 2022. Our new President, KDAA Continuing Education is scheduled for Theresa Liddell CDA, and President-Elect, Kim Hoppes Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021, 8:00 am–5:00 pm (time CDA, RDA, were installed. tentative) On April 26 the board of dentistry rules passed. The Northern Kentucky Dental Assistants Society, Included in them was a new process for CE. They are no local component, will hold its Continuing Education longer approving sponsors of CE, but just doing individ- Program on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. The program will ual courses instead. If you read the new rules entirely, offer 4 CEUs; speakers and topics to be announced. it looks like courses given by MDAA, MDA and MDHA (www.nkdas.org) as well as the national organizations are automatically The KDA/KDAA Annual Session will be held Friday, approved, but locals would still have to submit a form. Aug. 19–22 at Galt House in Louisville. So, no long application to fill out anymore. Please note they want the courses submitted 70 days ahead! PG 28 The Dental Assistant May/June 2021

DISTRICT NEWS Indiana The local society and area dental associations offer The 100th Indiana Dental Assistants Association Annual scholarships to the dental assistant students from Session was held May 14-15, 2021, in Indianapolis. The Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, Green Bay and new officers were installed, and Courtney Stabler has the students are acknowledged at that time. It is also an started her role as president. We were all so happy to be opportunity for dental offices from area counties come meeting in person this year. We held our annual auction together to enjoy each other’s company and network to raise funds for the state association and the ways- with their colleagues. and-means committee sold commemorative items for the 100th year of IDAA. There was discussion on what I have no reports for this period from Minnesota, to do for the less active locals across the state, but no North Dakota or South Dakota. locals are disbanding at this time. We celebrated the growth that IDAA has seen the past few months, largely I wish you all a Happy Spring. due to our radiology program. We aim to continue to The 7th District includes Minnesota, North Dakota, South reach new members as we had two new members in Dakota, and Wisconsin. attendance this annual session! We look forward to our annual session next year in Fort Wayne, Indiana. 8th District Trustee: Cindy Cronick, CDA, Illinois LDA, BS The Illinois Dental Assistants Association had no news to report for this issue as everything is still fairly calm with Here are the highlights of activities COVID regulations. in the 8th district: The 6th District includes Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. Iowa Iowa is led by President Kristee 7th District Malmberg CDA, EFDA, COMSA, RDA, BS. Kristee reports Trustee: MaLea Flynn, CDA, that Iowa just completed their first Web Live IDAA CDPMA Annual Session on Saturday, April 17, 2021. This was Iowa’s 103 Annual Session and 100 people attended Hello to all of the 7th District ADAA the meeting, a fantastic turnout for a first-time live web Members, event. They offered sessions on Infection Control and I hope this finds you all in good Iowa Jurisprudence. Students from the dental assisting health. Our world is finding some programs (Kirkwood Community College, Indian Hills normalcy with the latest CDC Community College and Iowa Western Community recommendations that people who College) gave competitive presentations on Current are fully vaccinated can remove their masks indoors/ Trends in Dentistry. The student winners were: outdoors, excluding public transportation, hospitals and First Place: Iowa Western Tech Community College on nursing homes. I hope our future holds positive results “Natural Products Used in Dentistry” moving forward so one day, once again we can all be Second Place: Indian Hills Community College on together! “What is New With Toothbrushes?” Third Place: Indian Hills Community College on Wisconsin “Dental Influencer Marketing” Northeast Wisconsin Dental Assistant Society local Iowa had a winner of the ADAA Merit Scholar Award, is excited this year to be hosting “Dental Team Morgan Epelding from Hawkeye College. Appreciation Night” in Green Bay, Wisconsin on Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021. They are happy to say that Kansas after taking last year off due to the pandemic, the Kansas is led by President Brooke Horner MS, RDH, CDA. event is back on this year. This annual appreciation Brooke reports that Kansas had an ADAA Merit Scholar dinner has been taking place for the last 40-plus years. award winner, Jacie Marcotte from Salina Area Technical College. May/June 2021 The Dental Assistant PG 29

DISTRICT NEWS Missouri Taylor is very active in promoting ADAA and encourages Missouri is led by President Wendy Frye-Agers, CDA, students to remain members of their professional RDA, MADAA. Wendy reports that at this point in time, organization. Congratulations, Taylor! the 8th District has decided to not hold a face-to-face regional meeting this year, hoping to be back face-to- face next year. Nebraska Pictured are the members of the Arkansas Northeastern Nebraska is led by President Shannon Tschirren CDA, Graduating Class of Dental Assistants. All are ADAA members. LDA. Shannon reports that Nebraska held a successful one-day in-person and half-day online annual session Oklahoma in April, their 103rd. Shelly Steinkruger won the Dr. Cecil ODAA Annual Business meeting, installation and awards Muller Loyalty Trophy which is presented each year to were held through a Zoom meeting. We are all learning the member in attendance with verification of a long to embrace technology. Colleen Schmitt is the returning period of employment with one dentist/employer. Shelly president. Colleen has been a dental assistant since has worked for over 23 years as an instructor at Central 1994. She was encouraged to become a part of the Community College. Becky Husted won the Aloise ADAA by none other than Kay Gailey Mosley. Colleen B. Clements Trophy for Achievement. This award is decided to become an ADAA member in 2007 and presented to a member who has provided outstanding acquired her CDA in 2009 as a personal goal. Currently, service to the Association. Becky has contributed her Colleen is ODAA State President and is active in the photography skills to NDAA on numerous occasions. dental community serving as the sterilization lead of the OK Mission of Mercy. In a statement to the membership, The 8th District includes Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Colleen said: “We—myself and the executive officers, Nebraska. board members, and committee members—do our best to keep our membership informed, staying up to 9th District date with the latest changes for OK dental assistants. Trustee: Lisa Childers, CDA, We continuously strive to recruit new members with RDA, BA the numerous benefits that the ADAA offers. We reach out to members to continue their support and to DA Hello and congratulations to all the program students to let them know the importance of a Dental Assisting graduates. As the professional organization that has their best interest at time for your initial education comes heart.” Congratulations, Colleen! to a close and you begin your career as a dental assistant, remember Texas that ADAA is there for you. We are the professional TDAA held their annual meeting virtual and in- organization representing the dental assistant and I person meeting on Friday, May 7, and Saturday, May encourage each of you to become an active participant 8 in beautiful San Antonio. Alyssa Russell is the new in ADAA. Have a great summer! Arkansas Arkansas State Dental Assistants Association did not have a meeting this year. Taylor Leal will continue as ASDAA President. Taylor became a member as a student in September 2018. She became ASDAA President when the former President was selected to serve as the District Trustee. Taylor currently works for Arkansas Northeastern College as a dental assisting instructor and at Hodge Dental part-time keeping her skills current. PG 30 The Dental Assistant May/June 2021

DISTRICT NEWS President of TDAA. She has been an assistant since 12th District graduating from Community College in 1986 in San Trustee: Claudia Pohl, CDA, Antonio, Texas. She moved to Austin and worked RDA, FADAA, BVEd in the field off and on while raising children. Alyssa joined ADAA in 2007. She started her journey to the If there is anything that you would presidency as social director for the local chapter. like me or the ADAA to know about Her next accomplishment was State Director and how we can better serve and then Vice President for three terms before being support you, contact me! selected as President-Elect. She had to postpone her presidency due to COVID-19 but has now been installed. California Congratulations, Alyssa! President Kelly Lennier-Thomas The 9th District includes Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, • CDAA and CADAT held their joint Annual Conference and Texas. virtually April 16-17, 2021 using a virtual platform. They had a great lineup of speakers including a 10th District variety of topics like endodontics, distance learning, Trustee: Bonnie Marshall, equity literacy, professionalism, 50 shades of inflam- CDA, EFDA, EFODA, RDA, mation and regulatory inspections—truly something MADAA for everyone! This provided 12.5 hours of continuing education over the two days. They also enjoyed lunch Oregon sessions with round tables for networking, a lesson Oregon is looking for people who by CDAA’s Kristy Borquez on Tapping, and tons of want to join a group of people who door prizes. CDAA also awarded a Teacher of the are committed to making our association stronger. Year award for this first time—congratulations to Oregon Dental Assistants need a stronger voice: We Suzie Dault! need you! Oregon also wants Washington and Alaska dental assistants to reach out and stand together. • CDAA held their Annual General Assembly. There Together we are stronger. were a total of 42 people in attendance, including The ODAA was approached by Catholic Charities four non-members. explaining their need for dental supplies to those in Congratulations to the 2021-2022 officers: need. This endeavor and project was turned over to our President: Kelly Lennier-Thomas Community Involvement Committee: 1st Vice-President: Zeña Delling 2nd Vice-President: Wendy Pio • ODAA provided 144 toothbrushes and 72 tubes of Secretary: Jennifer Bierschbach toothpaste (cost: $144). • The Board of Directors will continue to hold their • Chemeketa donated ~200 child toothbrushes. board meetings virtually for the near future, incorpo- rating workshops to support the locals. • OIT donated ~150 tubes of adult toothpaste. The Dental Assisting students at Chemeketa • CDAA’s local societies continue to offer CE courses virtually. Attendance at these events has been strong, Community College gave us a helping hand and were with 50 to 75 participants at each, drawing assistants able to put together 72 child and 72 adult baggies. from across the state. Thank you everyone! • At the request of the CDAA and CADAT, the Dental There were no reports for this period from Alaska, Assisting Council (DAC) discussed the current stan- Idaho, Montana, or Washington. dards relative to infection control and the on-the-job trained dental assistant. CA law currently allows up The 10th District includes Alaska, Idaho, Montana, to 12 months for a dental assistant to receive the Oregon, and Washington. May/June 2021 The Dental Assistant PG 31

DISTRICT NEWS required 8 hours of a board-approved infection con- trol course. The dental assisting community is asking the Board to re-evaluate this and are asking that the required course be completed prior to exposure to blood, saliva or OPIM. The DAC approved this and it will be sent to the Dental Board for discussion and possible action at a future meeting (August?). • After being postponed since May 2020 due to COVID, CDAA will be participating in the CDA Presents Anaheim 2021, which will be held virtually. Shari Becker and Claudia Pohl will be providing the 1 CE presentation, Feeling Stuck? Get Out of Your Rut: Strategies to Enhance your Dental Assisting Career. Nevada: There has been no activity in NDAA. Hawaii: There has been no activity in HDAA. The 12th District represents California, Hawaii, Nevada, and Guam. Calling all Social Media Mavens! The ADAA Committee on Social Media has developed a social media campaign. Our plan is to have a weekly “shout-out” for each state in every district. Our goal is to get across meaningful and informational messages to the dental audience on the ADAA Facebook Group. With each post, we would like to recognize the hard work and achievements of each state within our 12 districts. We hope to see all states involved and actively participating in the campaign! *If you would like to find out how to participate or have any questions please email all correspondence to [email protected] PG 32 The Dental Assistant May/June 2021

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT OFFICER: Cindy Cronick, CDA, LDA, ADAA: How do you promote ADAA when representing BS (NE), ADAA 8th District Trustee the organization? ADAA: How long have you been a Cronick: I am proud to be a member and I hope that member? always comes through. The ability to network with Cronick: I have been a member others in my profession on the local, state and national since 1973. level is invaluable. Being a member says something about me and my commitment to Dental Assisting. ADAA: Why is ADAA important to ADAA is a great resource for Dental Assistants, providing you? continuing education, liability insurance and many other Cronick: ADAA is important to me because dental benefits. assisting has been my life long career and ADAA represents my profession. I want to “belong” to my LIFE PROFESSIONAL MEMBER: profession and I want to give back to my profession. Claudia Gauthier, RDA, CDA, BS ADAA allows me to do both of these. (MA) ADAA: As a member of the ADAA: What motivated you to become actively involved American Dental Assistants in ADAA as an officer? Association, what changes have Cronick: While attending local association meetings I you seen over the span of your got to know the officers and they encouraged me to get career as a dental assistant? involved. So, peer pressure was my initial motivation. Gauthier: The dental assistant After being involved in the local association, I then had varied duties in the 1970s. There were still many became involved in the state association and am now dentists who worked without any assistant; there was involved at the national level. the “one-girl” office who answered the phone and mixed material when necessary; and the progressive dentist ADAA: What inspires or motivates you about dentistry? who practiced “four-handed-dentistry.” Dental schools Cronick: Dental health is an important part of overall were starting to train students to work with an assistant health and wellbeing. Dental Assistants help patients and those students wanted an experienced second pair and also help their employer. Dental Assistants make a of hands upon graduation. Those dentists encouraged difference! education and supported the Certified Assistant. Many assistants took evening courses offered by the ADAA to ADAA: What advice or insight would you give an ADAA prepare them to challenge the Certifying Board exam member who is contemplating running for office on the and many dentists volunteered to teach the modules. local, state or national level? I always believed dental assistants should have a Cronick: My advice would be to get involved, it will help credential and I spent my career working to that end. you grow personally and professionally and you will be Many years, many meetings, and many testimonies helping the profession, also. finally brought Massachusetts mandatory licensing for all dental assistants in 2009. The first license was issued ADAA: Do you feel as an officer you were able to in 2014 and I was honored to be offered the third license achieve the changes you envisioned when you originally issued after the Board of Registration in Dentistry Dental ran for office? Assistant Advisory Member and our MA DAA President. Cronick: As an officer, representing members, I feel that The Rules and Regulations also were changed that year I have a voice and am able to help change and guide the to change the non-voting advisor to a voting member of profession. the Board. May/June 2021 The Dental Assistant PG 33

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT From a clinical point of view, dental assistants have local ADA component. Professional organizations were become the heart and soul of the dental office. They very active in the 1970s and they shared common goals. have the important responsibility of infection control, Every dentist I worked for valued my participation in the occupational safety, changing technology and of course ADAA and encouraged me to attend meetings, become patient care. These roles require critical thinking, prod- active on committees and ultimately take on leadership uct knowledge, and applied science. The assistant must roles. One of my proudest moments was being elected have a basic education in dentistry but a willingness President of Massachusetts in 1979; in the audience to continue learning on the job and on personal time. were my employers, both past and present. Dentistry is not a stagnant profession and an assistant must be a lifelong learner. ADAA: Did you find another dental family when you chose to become a member? Are you in touch with ADAA: What can you tell a new member to encourage those members? Would you consider them lifelong them to become a member of their national organization? friends? Why is ADAA membership important to you? Gauthier: Where do I begin? My friendships in dentistry Gauthier: One needs to join ADAA for themselves to span 50 years and reach from one US coast to the other. understand how it will benefit their life. It can only make My closest friends are in my state but since I am a New them a better assistant which provides the patient Englander, our geographic area makes it easy to connect with a better experience, the dentist with a better with other state associations. As a past ADAA Trustee, I employee, the team with a better colleague. I was now have a network of leaders across the country. These always appreciated as an employee and my professional remarkable assistants are a constant resource as well as colleagues supported my decision to find another friends. I’m pretty sure I can visit any state and have a position that made me happy. ADAA membership dinner partner ready to talk dentistry! offered me growth, generated confidence, shaped friendships. It produced a professional. All worthy ADAA: What aspect of patient care do you enjoy, and attributes that provided me with a fulfilling career. why? Gauthier: I’m a retired clinical instructor, but was I do enjoy social media but I am concerned about the employed in all aspects of clinical dentistry before attitude of those who say, “what’s in it for me”? Many entering the classroom. Orthodontics, however, offered assistants want the benefits of a professional organi- me responsibility and skills that provided me with zation without paying the price of membership. There personal and professional growth. Teaching, however is strength in numbers. Assistants outnumber other was the most rewarding of all positions. Teaching what dental professionals by 2 or 3 to 1, yet they do not have you love is the greatest treasure; watching the success of the respect of other health professionals. We cannot others is the greatest joy. compare apples to oranges. To be compared to another health professional, we must have the same education ADAA: What would you say to dental assistants who and regulatory position. And in this country, it means state that their doctor does not believe that ADAA gaining that recognition through legislation, which takes membership is important? a very loud voice. ADAA has a potentially louder voice Gauthier: I’ve had to answer this question over the than other organizations, but that can only be achieved years and my first response is usually flip …”Does by membership. Lend ADAA your voice and you will be your employer belong to ADA?” or “So What?”… but heard. seriously, I believe an assistant should be proactive and a life learner within their career. To me that means ADAA: When did you choose to become a member of taking every opportunity to challenge oneself and your professional dental assistants association? What mentor others. The best place to find current, factual inspires or motivates you about dentistry? information for dental assisting is the ADAA. You want to Gauthier: I became a student member of ADAA because be the best, right? it was required, BUT I continued as an ADAA member because my first employer was an active member in the

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT NEW MEMBER: Gerardo ADAA: What has the ADAA done for you professionally? Delgado, RDA (CA) Delgado: It has given me aspiration to continue ADAA: Why did you choose to achieving knowledge. Hopefully a potential position become a member of the ADAA? as an associate member for the board or occupy a Delgado: I decided to become a legislative position in their sector. member of the American Dental Assistant Association thanks to ADAA: What inspires or motivates you about dentistry? Suzie Dault who is my school Delgado: I am a current student who is about to Director at Dental Specialties in graduate in July 2021 as a Registered Dental Assistant in Cupertino California. From that point on I realized how Expanded Functions Level-2. amazing being a member of ADAA is. I did not only find a broader connection to peers who Patients are my sole purpose who inspire me be- share the same love of dentistry as me, but also, the cause most have made dental choices that unfortunately integrity and values that ADAA reflects towards anyone are not the best. Being human means to have made a who aspires to these goals. Being a member focuses my choice that you regret but also have the capability to mind and heart towards achieving higher education to reflect. educate and inform my patients as to what dentistry is all about. When I see someone who really wants to change I am passionate about the dentistry world because his/her life and in order to do that will be required there is so much to learn and questions to find about to transform his/her dental condition to make them why things work in a certain way or why things can be who they really want to be. Instances can vary such as manipulated to some extent to make things function. coming out from drug abuse, accident, health choices. Human anatomy and physiology are complex. I work However, some unfortunate reasons sometimes are in a Biological Dental office that focuses on how teeth money or insurance. are related to our nervous system and how things are incorporated together. ADAA has the resources and Lastly, Dr. Maryam Horiyat, Dr. Nguyen and Dr. knowledge to help me understand beyond the capabili- Rofael are co-inspirers of the skilled dental assistant I ties of dentistry. The only thing I regret is not knowing of am today. Some inspiration comes from them for their it till now. knowledge and love of dentistry. ADAA: Is there anyone who influenced you to become a ADAA: Where do you see yourself in five years? member? Delgado: I see myself serving as a Director or Legislative Delgado: Yes, Suzie Dault, my school Director at Dental member of the Dental Board. I want to change lives and Specialties. Also, my family and friends, especially my what better way of doing it by doing it from somewhere father, Salvador Delgado, who recently passed away, but where you can make an instant change? Meanwhile I will happy that he always kept me motivated to have ADAA continue to give it my best to be the best for my patient show me the way. and myself. I love dentistry and that is something that will always give me enthusiasm for my day to look forward to. ADAA: How long were you a dental assistant before We’d like to get to know you better! Want joining your national organization? to be part of a future Member Spotlight? Delgado: I have been an assistant since 2006, and I just found out about ADAA in 2020. I wish I would have Contact Membership Director known the existence of it before. One of my goals is Jennifer Porter at to inform people who might not know who ADAA is, to educate them and make life decision choices because [email protected] ADAA is a life-changer. May/June 2021 The Dental Assistant PG 35

NEW MEMBERS ADAA welcomes the following new members, who joined ADAA in March and April 2021 Tiffany Alexander SC Solansh Gomez IN Yolanda Ramirez TX Lizbeth Amezcua IN Roberto Gonzales WA TeriLynn Rao TX Ana Amor-Cepeda NY Kimberly Hall IN Hillary Reed CA Deborah Anderson IN Kalani Harrison SC Catherine Rexroad FL Magerritte Andriano WA Susan Henness CA Dawn Robillard MN Yasmin Aref IN Cinthia Herrera Sosa IN Ana Rosas IN Lillibeth Artificio CA Katrina Herrick CT Nicole Roth IN Margita Baricevic WI Jodi Hoyt IN Agustina Sardi OK Jean Barlow MI Carlos Irizarry PR Robert Schneider II NY Cassandra Benson-Abrams FL Karen Jenkins PA Lori Secor WA Kristen Berg IN Erica Karmolinski MI Belaun Segroves TX Kati Blanton OH Grayce Kirkner PA Rajesh Shah IN Tiana Bombard VT Ashley Kmitta OR Caitlynn Sikyta NE Coletta Bradbury MA Alyssa Kobylinsky OR Preeti Singh IN Sarah Brady AZ Stephanie Kolios NH Latoya Smith SC Jennifer Brawner IN Rehnaz Kumar CA Sydney Spiegel IN Esther Brown GA Kelly Kunsman IN Ruth Stanton NY Stacy Caron NH Linda Kwak CA Secret Stevens IN Alexis Chattin TX Maiya Leslie IN Jolene Stevenson MN Dawn Chick ME Christian Lugo IN Amy Steward IN Emily Clarahan IA Zainab Mahmood TX Loree Rose Tabigne CA Yanin Claros Flores MA Silvia Martinez IN Gabriela Torres TX Charlene Copeland NC Leciane Martins MA Kristin Trenholm NH Amanda Dangelo MA Jessica Maschino IN Mary Troutman SC Courtney Dennis PA Kaitlin Middleton TX Destiny Turner TX Gina Dikoff ND Morgan Miller IN Leslie Villalobos CO Sabra Ekins UT Amy Morrison IN Kelsey Woehler IN Mikayla Elkins IN Amanda Odom IN Gabrielle Woods-San Roman TX Kiara Engelhard CA Paiton Oldham IN Josie Wright IN Priscilla Garcia TX Haley Parnosky MO Wendy Yockey IN David Garner MI Pamela Parra AZ Faye Young OR Bonifacia Ghichlian TX Edward Peralta AZ Crystal Zavitz MI Kaley Gill IN Jennifer Pike NH Allyson Gladden VA Katherine Prestin IN PG 36 The Dental Assistant May/June 2021

May/June 2021 The Dental Assistant PG 37