Page 28 - Dentistry Magazine 2021

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DENTISTRY 2021
GOPHER FOR LIFE
From the moment you opened your acceptance letter until now, and for the rest of your life,
you are a member of the School of Dentistry family. You are a dentistry gopher, for life. Your connection to the school might look different as the seasons of your life change, but there are opportunities for engagement and involvement that will help you maintain your connection with your alma mater, no matter where you are.
Make your mark
Be a leader for current and prospective students by serving in a mentoring or teaching role.
If you want to be a role model in students’ lives, consider presenting on your career path at an alumni Lunch and Learn. Host a virtual discussion to help current students understand a particular area of dentistry, or teach them about the transition to postgraduate life. Host a Dinner with Dentists and welcome small groups of students into your home or a restaurant to talk about various career paths and network with young people.
Lift up a young woman in dental hygiene by serving as a mentor. Present on a panel at Discover Dental School, where prospective students get to know the School of Dentistry and learn what dental school is like.
If you are ready to take your commitment to the next level and shape the future of dentistry, volunteer to serve as an adjunct clinical instructor. You will have a first-hand impact on the next generation of dentists, dental hygienists and dental therapists, paying forward the education you received.
Give back
When you provide a monetary gift to the School of Dentistry, you are making a real difference in students’ lives and shaping the future of the profession. Donations to the school’s annual Cap and Gown fund cover the expenses of each student’s graduation regalia, helping them feel supported as they make the transition to alumni while reducing their financial burden.
Each year, Give to the Max Day supports a cause close to the School of Dentistry’s mission. This year, we prioritized scholarship giving, part of Dean Keith Mays’s commitment to making
education affordable and accessible to learners from various backgrounds and with various career interests.
The Dentistry Fund for Achievement supports faculty and student initiatives across the school, including student memberships, faculty research and travel expenses.
“I am a big fan of Lunch and Learns because in our daily school life we do not get exposed to the various career paths open to us. Most of us will just follow the private practice route which is very predictable. These Lunch and Learns allow us to learn from people who have gone into private practice, industry, corrections, etc. which I find fascinating. I am still pursuing a GPR after this year, but I know that if I ever get tired of clinical dentistry there are multiple avenues open to me.” Sachin Rao, DDS ’22
“It is so important to share your wisdom. I considered where I might have been if I had a mentor like myself at these young women’s age, and that was what inspired me to be a mentor. It has been an excellent opportunity to provide leadership and a network to the next generation of students. If everyone would take an hour or two to give back to the professional community
we might be further ahead.” Shelly Rice, Dental Hygiene ’84, dental hygiene mentor