The

The University of Texas School of Dentistry - Houston, Texas

Houston

FILL
10th Issue - May 2015

UTSD HOUSTON

UT HOUSTON
President | Andrew Naeger 17
President elect | Tanya Sue Maestas 18
Immediate Past President | Graham Reed 16
Class Delegate | Andrew Naeger 17 & Tanya Sue Maestas 18
Treasurer | Francisco Nieves 16
Advocacy Chair | Glennis Katzmark 17
Legislative Liason | Kyle Hale 16, Glennis Katzmark 17, & Samin Huck Huque 18
Pre-Dental Chair | Alex Edgerly 17
Pre-Dental Coordinator | Paola Salazar 16, Chris Thorburn 16, & Anthony Tran 18
Communication & Media Chair | Michelle Boecker 17
Publications Editors | Laura Nelson 16 & Macey Cartrite 16
Social Media Chair | Kaylea Orsak 18
Website Editors | Matthew Franzen 17 & Allison Haynie 18
Events Chair | Mary Becker 17
Events Coordinator | Marisa McKee 16
Lunch and Learn Coordinator | Mariangela Arata 18
Social Chair | Bonner Morren 17
Community Service Chair | Clara Yoo 17
Community Service Coordinators | Shivani Patel 16 & Sarah Woernley 18
Leadership Development Chair | Ryan Hyde 17
Gold Crown Award Chair | Andrea Sauerwein 16 & Adrien Lewis 16
Historian | Hieu Pham 17
Golf Tournament Chair| Austin Green 17 & Larson Wayman 18

ASDA NATIONAL LEADERS

Chair, Council on Communications | Laura Nelson 16
Chair, Council on Professional Issues | Andrew Naeger 17

ASDA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

President | Christian Piers, Colorado 16
Vice-presidents | Adrien Lewis, Houston 16; Niveditha Rajagopalan, Midwestern-Illinois 16
Speaker of the House | Paula Kohen, Florida, 17
District 9 Trustee | Kyle Larsen, Colorado 17

TABLE OF

CONTENTS
04 | Letter from the President
05 | Pre-Dental
06-07 | Dental Therapy Dogs
08-09 | Update on Advocacy
10 | Preparing for you First Job
11 | Dentistry and Public Health
12-13 | National Dental Student Lobby Day
14 | Examine More Than Your Patients Teeth
15 | Caveman Comeback
16 | Corps Experience
17| Cake Recipe
18-19| Houston ASDA Recap

If you are interested in writing for the next edition of

The Houston Fill, email:
utsd.asda.newsletter@gmail.com

Welcome
As the semester comes to an end, we would like to thank all of our membership
for making this one of the most successful years for our chapter. We have
increased our amount of events with the focus of keeping the quality of those
events high. We have been recognized on the national level as one of these
strongest chapters within ASDA and look forward to maintaining that reputation.
Our leadership team has been restructured to provide more opportunities for
members to get involved as committee members and chairs. Currently, 57
students serve in an ASDA leadership role. We have sent more students to
national meetings and continue to raise money through sponsors to aid in our
ability to partly fund interested members.
Our team is already hard at work thinking of new ideas and putting them into
action for the fall. We promise to remain member-focused to ensure that this
planning aligns with our mission to serve the entire student body. We will be
welcoming in the Class of 2019 and doing everything we can to educate them on
organized dentistry and the importance of being involved. We would love your
support in that effort. As a chapter we have a lot to offer and I hope you can find
your interest and role with us. Please contact me at any time with suggestions,
questions, or concerns. We are here to serve you!

Congratulations to the graduating Class of 2015! We wish

you all of the best and thank you for all you have done
for UTSD. Good luck on the next step!

Andrew Naeger
UTSD Houston ASDA President
Issue 10

1
2
3

Oral Care for

Special Needs
Patients
Ileana Lozano

ASDA Pre-Dental Member

Finding and going to the dentist is
an easy task for the majority of people but
for some this is extremely difficult. Such is
the case with adults and children which are
categorized as having special needs. As
stated by the ADEA Special care patients
have more dental disease, missing teeth
and difficulty in obtaining dental care than
the rest of the population.(ADEA
Policy Statement on Health Care
Reform: Oral Health Care: Essential to
Health Care Reform)
Consequently, this may be
because some dentist do not feel they
have had enough exposure or training with
the special needs population so they usually
refer them to a pediatric dentist if they are
children and if they are adults they usually
ask them to find a better equipped clinic or
university. According to the UCLA Dental
School website Today, the need for
improved health services, including general
dentistry for special needs patients that
have a developmental disability couldnt be
more apparent. (Specialized Care for
Special Needs) As future oral care
practitioners setting the trend of care for
future patients it is important to be exposed
to special needs cases.
That being the case, special needs
cases vary greatly in their oral care needs
and treatments due to the fact that the term
special needs is a broad term for various
conditions and disabilities. It includes such a
broad range of conditions as those which

are acquired through trauma such as

physical disabilities to genetic
conditions such as Down syndrome.
These patients oral care needs also
vary greatly due to some needing
special diets which have a negative
impact on oral health while others not
having the required dexterity to brush
their own teeth. Although their needs
vary there are steps which can be
taken to have more efficient
appointments.
Furthermore, for the majority
of cases only small changes are
needed to be made to allow for the
comfortable and safe treatment of
special

needs
patients. Such small
changes include removing all
unnecessary equipment and tools
which can be hazardous. Making the
treatment room and all surrounding
area wheelchair accessible. Having a
pre-interview appointment with the
caregiver to address such concerns
as what condition does the patient
have, taking a medical history, and
addressing any behavioral or physical
concern. The most important thing
with special needs patients is to ask
about allergies to medications or
sedations. As well as what
medications they are currently taking
to find the possible side effects which
can attribute to oral problems. Such
as some medications are given in the

form of sugary syrups which can

contribute to oral problems.
During the pre-interview
also asking if there are any
particular things which put the
patient at ease such as listening to
certain music or the presence of
their caregiver during the
appointment. It is also wise to ask
the caregiver if there is a particular
time of day in which the patient is
more alert and cooperative. Placing
these appointment at the earliest or
latest appointments allow for the
flexibility of time which will allow for
a better appointment for both
dentist and patients.
It is important when
treating special needs patients to
remember, they are aware of what
is going on so explain to them the
procedures. For some patients the
noises which the dental instruments
make are frightening so it might be
beneficial to tell them what a few of
the tools do which are going to be
used. Remember after finishing up
with appointments to provide the
caregiver or parent resources on
how to continue caring for their
loved ones oral health.
In conclusion, while in
dental school take advantage of the
opportunity to work with special
needs patients to learn how to treat
them. It will be something which will
be useful once you have your own
clinic. Organizations such as Special
Care Dentistry Organization and
other Continuing education courses
are offered to make the transition
to working with special needs
patients easier and more efficient.
Photo taken from:
http://www.nyfamilypediatricdentistry.com

May 2015

Dental Therapy Dogs:

a doggone great idea
Patient anxiety is a long-standing
challenge that every dentist will have
to grapple with at some point in their
careers. Different tactics to combat
patient anxiety have surfaced over
the years, but today the latest trend
is that of the dental therapy animal.
These trained and certified animals,
usually dogs, are being featured at
an increasing number of dental
practices across the country,
providing a sense of ease and
comfort to the anxious dental
patient, children and adults alike.
Applewood Family Dental in
Woodbury, MN, is one such practice
that currently offers the services of a
dental therapy dog. Molly, a 5-yearold cocker spaniel, has served as
their resident dental therapy dog
since July of last year.

Issue 10

By: Alyson Ilustre

Molly completed her special training

through Pet Partners, a national
program founded in 1977, after
finding strong evidence in research
that animal companionship helped
reduce blood pressure, lower
stress and anxiety levels, and
stimulate the release of endorphins
which make people feel good. Molly
is able to do all of this for many
anxious patients at Applewood
Family Dental. Patients are invited to
pet Molly, or even have her sit in
their laps to help them feel soothed,
happy, and relaxed. She is great
with children, which is very inspiring,
says Dr. Brian Kraby. It helps
create a lifelong change about
dentistry, he says,

Photo taken from: http://www.adogsdayout.com

as kids may often develop fears

about the dentist at a very early
age.
Molly is favorited among adults, as
well, which is of even greater
importance to Dr. Kraby. As many
Retrieved From:
adults have developed deep-seated
http://applewoodfamilydental.com/2013/08/18/minneapoli
s-star-tribune-features-molly-the-dental-therapy-dog/
issues or dental phobias over
decades, Dr. Kraby believes the
Hospitals have been doing
most significant benefit that
Dental
this for years, he says. If
Molly has brought to his therapy dogs
hospitals can do it, why cant
practice is a new found
may very
dental offices?
willingness and openness in
well be
adult patients. Despite sweeping the
Dr. Kraby, along with an
whole
knowing that they are in
increasing
number
of
doggone
need of care, many patients
dentists across the country,
are often so phobic that nation in the
are on the verge of
next few
they dont see the dentist
years!
something big. With the help
for an extended period of
of therapy dogs like Molly,
time, he says. Sometimes we
more patients may potentially have a
need to think out of the box in
(cute and furry!) alternative to IV
order to give patients the treatment
sedation or nitrous oxide to
they need, Dr. Kraby explains.
relieve their anxiety in the
dental chair.
Reprinted with permission from ASDA Mouthing Off, July 25th,
2014, Alyson Ilustre Oklahoma 17, associate, chapter activities
committee

May 2015

Update on
Advocacy
Mayleen Lee 17

On April 13-14, 380 dental students around the nation converged on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. to
advocate on behalf of ASDA as a part of the 2015 National Dental Student Lobby Day. Among them, thirteen
students from UT Houston canvassed across offices of more than 30 Congressional members for two important
bills that would have significant impact on oral health and the profession of dentistry:
The Student Loan Refinancing Act
The Action for Dental Health Act
Issue #1 The Student Loan Reality
A classic post on an online dental student forum begins, I will be graduating from school in May and all I can
think of is my $200,000 debt and $75,000 interest. To many students who have accumulated loans at school,
being forced to chase big bucks in big cities seem almost inevitable. According to the American Dental
Education Association, the average dental student graduates with upwards of $241,000 of student loan debt
an increase of over 66% in the last decade and an amount vastly exceeding the national average [1]. With
debts so massive, any financial missteps or career miscalculations can induce significant or even lifelong
consequences. The reality that many graduates report of having to take the high-paid job instead of a job that
provides the best patient care further validates a need for action. The Student Loan Refinancing Act
(H.R. 649) would allow new dentists to refinance their existing federal student loans at
any time during the life of the loan.

[2]

Dentists are granted the choice to refinance their student loan

at a lower interest rate in the future, should such occasion arise. This would help tremendously by reducing the
burden of student debt, thereby permitting graduates more freedom to choose their preferred career path.

Issue 10

http://www.cqrcengage.com/asda/home
Issue #2 Access to Care
The second bill students lobbied for was the Action for
Dental Health Act (H.R. 539), which allows
organizations to qualify for oral health grants
administered by the Centers for Disease Control
(CDC).

[3]

It is estimated that between 2009 and 2011,

over one-third of Americans fell below 200 percent of the

federal poverty level and yet only 3 percent of dentists
practice in Federally Qualified Heath Centers. Access to care is an urgent and serious social issue. The Action for Dental
Health Act bill would redirect existing federal funds to oral healthcare projects that have a proven impact on dental access
disparities, such as Give Kids a Smile and Missions of Mercy. Among student, support and love for these service projects
are prevalent. GKAS and MOM break down barriers to care by providing free or discounted dental services to over
400,000 children and adults every year. As we know, early diagnosis and preventive treatments can stop the progress of
most oral diseases; by diagnosing and preventing dental disease at an early stage, these programs would also contribute
to the communities by reducing unnecessary future healthcare costs. The Action for Dental Health Act allocates funds to
extend GKAS and MOM programs, as well as other projects that aim at tackling barriers to care. Supporting it would
further our efforts in creating healthier communities.
Actions that the legislators take have lasting ramifications for our dental education as well as the practice of dentistry.
This is why student advocacy plays an essential role in securing results that directly affect the future of our profession. A
dental students narrative can be highly influential. Our personal stories and experiences honed in dental clinic are
invaluable resources that would paint the most realistic picture and elicit authentic connections with the lawmakers. As a
unified front, we have the power to enact change; this unique experience permits students the opportunity to prove this
true.
May 2015

PREPARING FOR
YOUR FIRST JOB
Dr. Jolie Relyea
The Dentists at Town and Country Village
As a new dentist, there are a few nuggets that I learned while searching for my first position that I would like to
now share with you. The first is to research the practice before stepping foot into the office. Look up the practice
website and read about the doctor/s in the office, verify that they are in good standing with the Texas Dental
Board, and read a few online patient reviews. During your interview, ask about the technology in the office. For
example, you may be interested to know if the office is using digital X-rays or film, if there is a PANO machine, and
if the practice currently owns or has future plans in purchasing a CEREC.
Take some time to really way the pros and cons of the practice. Ask yourself, would this office be a good fit for
me, is the patient schedule too light or too heavy, will I be supported by the dental team, and what could I
contribute to this particular practice? These are tough questions to answer after just one interview. In order to
get to know the practice better, I recommend spending 3-4 days observing the doctor in the office. This is a great
way to see first-hand how the office is run, whether or not the staff get along, and allow you to grasp the doctors
practice philosophies.
Once you have received an offer, I want you to go home and sleep on it for at least 24 hours. No matter how
much you love an office, I want you to take some time to discuss the offer with your spouse/family. I also highly
recommended having an attorney look over the contract prior to signing on the dotted line. There are multiple
aspects to a dental contract that you are most likely unfamiliar with and thus can truly benefit from a professional
eye.
Once you have accepted an offer and congratulations have been made, I must admit to you that transitioning from
dental school to private practice is difficult. Not only will you miss those long lab hours with your classmates, the
bur you were told you had to use, and the instrument you used to smooth a marginyou will truly miss your
faculty. No longer will they be there to answer your questions or help bail you out of a tough procedure. It is all
you. Thus, one of the best pieces of advice I can offer you is to join the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). There
is a great group, called the AGD Houston New Dentist Study Club which meets once a month to discuss various
topics. Not only does the group consist of new dentists, practicing anywhere from zero to seven years, but it also
has mentors there to guide us as we begin our career. I am not only appreciative that I have this supportive group
of individuals, whom I am able to call with questions or concerns about procedures throughout my work week, but
am also excited to have new friends with similar values in the dental profession.
Best of luck to all of you!

10

Dr. Jolie Relyea

Issue 10

3
1
2

Community Dental Health Centers:

Why They Might Be For You
Patricia M. Lopez, 16
What makes dentists stick around
for longer than their loan repayment
service term? Dr. Dent explained
that salary at a community dental
clinic is oftentimes fixed regardless
of production, and you are never
forced to take on an extremely
challenging procedure. She added
that in contrast to a private practice
setting, there is no room for selling
procedures to these patients.
Although esthetic cases such as
veneers will never be the breadand-butter in this type of clinic
model, there is still a variety of
procedure types offered.
Furthermore, the generous paid
vacation time that Dr. Dent in
particular enjoys after 8 years of
service includes up to 7 weeks
vacation plus holidays off and 1
week for CE course attendance. If
your experience is anything like Dr.
Dents, then you might enjoy it and
decide to stay there for a long time!

If you have ever volunteered at any

dental site that is considered
disadvantaged, then you have
experienced what it is like to treat
genuinely appreciative patients.
One of the volunteer clinic sites
associated with the Hispanic Student
Dental Association at UTSD is El Centro
de Corazon here in Houston. My
volunteer experiences there have
always been enriching and have raised
the idea of working with patients who
have difficulty with access to care and
whom I truly feel I am making a
difference for. Inspired by Dr. Dent, I
realized that this could be a good
starting point for some of us after
graduation. The relatively easier
work/life balance that community
health centers provide for clinicians
could potentially make it a good longterm fit for females and mothers in
particular.
The dentist in charge of the dental
clinic is Dr. Heather Dent, who has
been working there since 2007. Her
welcoming character made it easy for
me to ask questions regarding
dentistry, both in general, and
specifically about dental public health. I
was prompted to interview Dr. Dent to
find out more about the field.

I asked Dr. Dent: But what would

entice a new dentist to work in a
largely disadvantaged and often rural
site? First, she explained that there
are numerous programs available that
are willing to pay a students stipend

while they still attend school, and

following graduation will even pay for
their relocation costs and school loans
in exchange for their temporary
service at these sites.
This is one of the greatest initial
attractions about practicing at any of
these public health dental clinics
across the country. It could prove to
be a good growing opportunity due to
the fact that there is no pressure for
producing a certain number of
procedures or treating a minimum
number of patients per day.

If you are interested in finding out

more and applying to a loan
repayment program, a number of
websites offer information on the
subject including: NNOHA. org ,
NHSC (nhsc.hrsa.gov), and
TACHC.org & NACHC.com. NHSC
(nhsc.hrsa.gov), and TACHC.org &
NACHC.com.

May 2015

11

National

DENTAL
Congratulations
to our very own

Glennis Katzmark ,
for receiving ASDAs 2015
National Legislation Liason of the
year award! Glennis has made a
great impact on our local ASDA
chapter, and has re created the
position of Legislative Liason!
Go Glennis!

A couple of my favorite things about Lobby were

meeting all of the other dental students from around
the country and also getting to know a little bit about
the men and women that represent us in congress. I
met many students while I was there but what made me
so proud to be from Houston was the fact that we
brought more passionate students than any other
school in the country. The other, more humbling,
part of my trip that made it so great was learning
how many of our representatives have served
our country in their lifetimes. This was
especially true for Dr. Brian Babin who was a
military dentist. There is no greater form of
service than serving those that serve and
protect our country. It was truly an honor
meeting him.
-Justin Odette 17

1
2

STUDENT
Lobby Day

"ASDA National Dental Student Lobby Day was a

very unique experience! I had no previous
history of lobbying or meeting with
Congressman.
ASDA's
training
on
understanding Congress and "how to lobby"
was comprehensive and informative. Whether
we met with Congressman or their health aides,
the opportunity to advocate on behalf of all
dental students about issues affecting our
profession was amazing!"
- Adrien Lewis 16
I had an amazing time at National Dental
Student Lobby Day. I had seven scheduled
meetings with the representative's aids, but we
were so pumped that we continued to drop by
the offices of all those representatives that had
not replied to our meeting requests. This way
we, the students of Texas, were able to
drop by all 36 of the Texas
representatives' offices! We had a great
structure because of Glennis's
leadership; everyone came into the
meeting with a specific role. They
could do either the introduction of
the bill, provide some compelling
stats, tell their heart warming story,
or be the one to conclude and ask

the representative to co-sponsor the bills. Our

representatives on Capitol Hill can feel so far
away, but this helped us realize that they are
normal people just like us and are very
approachable.
We were there making a difference. We
conveyed the magnitude of our student debt
and urged the congressmen to pass HR 649 to
allow students to take advantage of lower
interest rates. Since taxpayers are wasting 3
billion dollars every year on unnecessary and
unfruitful visits to the emergency room, we
urged the congressmen to pass HR 539 which
would have patients diverted to a dentist and
allow programs like Give Kids a Smile and
Texas Mission of Mercy to apply for funds
already with CDC.
After those ten meetings on Tuesday I felt
emboldened. The experience impassioned me
with renewed purpose to get through dental
school and serve my patients, community, and
country. I strongly recommend that everyone
express interest about joining us for National
Dental Student Lobby Day next year. This trip
was not just about having fun, but real hard
work, and it was completely worth the
experience!"
- Huck (Samin Huque) 18
May 2015

13

EXAMINE

MORE
THAN
YOUR
PATIENTS
TEETH
Laura Nelson 16

I believe there is a very important part of the mouth that

is often forgotten in dentistry. We always check the teeth,
the gingival and mucosa, behind the tongue, but how
often does someone really look at a persons lips?
A patients lips can be a window into their attitude, dental
health and even systemic wellness. I recently came across
an article entitled What lips say about your health by
Lucy Elkins at DailyMail.com. The article discusses certain
conditions that dentists identify and possibly even treat.
When a patient sits in your dental chair, perform a
thorough medical and dental evaluation but also look for
more subtle clues. For example, cracked lips could
indicate diabetes or anemia. Chapped or red lips could be
signs of an allergy. Crohns disease is a possibility if the
patient has overly swollen lips. There are many signs to
look for and dental professionals should always be
observant for the benefit of the patient.
Dental related diseases that may be apparent outside the
mouth include burning mouth syndrome, Herpes cold
sores and cleft lip. You may need to ask your patient
other questions such as: Have you noticed any changes
in your mouth or lips? or Do you sense an altered taste
or xerostomia? to get a better idea of what is going on.
If you are unsure of how to proceed, you should obtain a
medical consult.
Not only do the lips indicate overall health but they are
also an important part of the treatment planning process.
Are they thin or thick? How high is the smile line? Do they
line up with the midline? How much of the buccal corridor
can be seen when the patient smiles? The attentive
dentist will ask many questions and include this
information in their overall plan. The lips can be an
essential element in an esthetics case or even a denture
case when phonetics are concerned.
Next time you treat a patient, try to remember the
features of the face that play a role in your treatment. The
lips, facial muscles and cheeks can considerably affect the
success of your dental care and the patients happiness.
You might also be able to change someones life by
diagnosing a disease that manifests on the lips.
Something that seems insignificant may be giving you a
clue to your patients health and well-being!

14

-Laura Nelson, Houston 16, chair, Council on

Communications
Reprinted with permission from ASDA Mouthing Off, March
23th, 2015
Issue 10

1
2

The Caveman
Comeback: A Review
of the Paleo Diet
Michelle Boecker 17
According to the Center for Disease Control, a survey of the
American public found that 69%
of Americans who are over
twenty years of age were
considered overweight or
obese in the year 20112012. As result of this
alarming statistic, fad diets,
health promotions, and miracle
weight loss pills have flooded
the American market. Key
words such as low fat, sugar
free, and diet are all terms we
have been taught to look for when browsing through the
grocery store. Appearance is usually the reason why people are
motivated to lose weight. People try to change by making
short-term goals with diets that are a temporary solution to a
life long problem.
Essentially the Paleolithic diet replicates a diet of our
caveman ancestors. Consumers are charged to think, What
would the caveman do? The premise for this diet includes
eating natural fats, vegetables, nuts, oils (coconut or olive),
and meat. This doesnt mean that going through the McDonalds
drive through line, ordering a big Mac, minus the cheese and
bun, deems you Paleo. The meat has to be high grade,
preferably from animals that live in their natural setting (i.e. in
fields with grass and vast amounts of space with no cages,
synthetic animal feed, or hormone injections). Say goodbye to
legumes, dairy products, grains, refined/processed foods,
vegetable oils, and artificial sweeteners.
At first glance this diet seems expensive, uptight, and
demanding. Yet the recent published book, Eat the Yolks by
Liz Wolfe, gives readers a detailed and biological explanation of
why this type of lifestyle is so beneficial. By using over one
hundred accredited sources, Wolfe shows how the Paleo Diet is
not so much a diet as it is a lifestyle. By mimicking the middle
age diets, one will consume nutrient dense and energy rich
foods. Eating Paleo can be seen as a movement to revert back

to the days before the agricultural revolution, which

created problems in the human diet due to the
introduction of a mass-produced crop, based
diet.
The ultimate goal of Paleo is to choose foods that optimize
your bodys internal machinery, which metabolizes, stores, and
excretes. Difficult to digest foods such as legumes are avoided
as well as foods that are mass produced, have unnatural
additives, or have little nutritional value. An article written in
August of 2009 from the European Journal of Nutrition titled
Metabolic and Physiologic Improvements from Consuming
a Paleolithic, Hunter-gatherer Type Diet written by
Frassetto, LA et al., has
demonstrated that individuals
who follow the Paleolithic
diet for only ten days have
shown to have statistically
significant reductions in blood
pressure, improved arterial
distensability, significant
reductions in cholesterol, and
a decrease in insulin spikes.
Literature published on November 2009 in the
Academic Pediatric titled The Contribution of Dietary Factors to
Dental Caries and Disparities in Caries by Connie Mobley et al.
states that the increased frequency of caries in todays society is
strongly correlated to the industrialization of agriculture, the
presence of high fructose corn syrup, processed foods, and
simple sugars. This is due to the fact that Streptococcus mutans,
the carcinogenic bacteria that is the contributor to tooth decay,
thrives in a sugary environment. Another piece of literature
published on July 2013 titled Historical and Geographical
Parallelism between the Incidence of Dental Caries,
Streptococcus mutans and Sugar Intake, by Raoult et al.
compared the dental health of skeletons using PCR amplification
between those who lived during the middle ages and present
patients. Findings were such that the middle age skeletons had
better tooth health (less S. mutans), and had a lower incidence
of caries. The article also states that England was the first
country to industrialize the production of sugar, and ironically
was also the first country to experience an increase in the
proportion of dental caries. Mimicking the dietary habits of the
middle ages, which cuts out sugar, processed food, and high
fructose corn syrup may sound rough but its worth it. The
Paleolithic diet may not only help with weight loss, energy, and
cholesterol, but it may be the answer to lowering caries risk in
dental patients.
Photo taken from wordpress.com

Reprinted with permission from

ASDA Mouth, Spring edition 2015
May 2015

15

1
2

The Corps Experience

Alex Barrera 17
The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) is a part
of the United States Department of Health and
Human Services, Bureau of Clinician Recruitment
and Service. Since 1972, the program has offered
financial support and mentorship to primary care
providers who have committed to practice in an
area of the country that is underserved in health
care. These providers are given either loan
repayment or a scholarship throughout their
medical or dental education.
The scholarship program provides complete
financial support for the students reasonable
education expenses including: tuition, books,
uniforms, and health insurance. Once the student
graduates, they are required to apply for preapproved positions in underserved areas of the
country. The loan repayment program works
similarly, however, students apply to this program
once completing their education
The NHSC has thousands of approved sites located
in urban, rural and frontier communities across the
U.S. While serving, scholars earn a competitive
salary, which is paid by the NHSC-approved site.
UTSD is currently home to three students who are
participating in the NHSC Scholarship Program.
Students include: Alex Barrera (DS2), Tanya
Maestas (DS1), and Heather Hartline (DS1).
"I have learned that the availability of affordable
clinics is many times directly related to the quality
of life experienced by those living in a particular
area, says 2nd year student, Heather Hartline. I
am thrilled to have been given this opportunity to
learn about dentistry without the staggering weight
of debt, and am anxious to see what we Scholars
will accomplish in the lives of the people in
underserved communities.

16

Issue 10

The NHSC Scholarship application process is

highly competitive. In 2014, the program
received nearly 2,000 applications from more
than 400 schools from across the country.
Only about 10% of the applicants received
the scholarship award.

The next NHSC Scholarship

Program application period
is scheduled to open in April
2015. For more information
on the NHSC, visit:
http://nhsc.hrsa.gov/.

Chocolate Peanut Butter

CAKE RECIPE
Ingredients
Dry ingredients:
1 cup white flour
6 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup granulated sugar
tsp cinnamon (optional)
Before mixing liquid ingredients, melt peanut butter for 15-20
seconds in microwave until slightly soft.

Liquid ingredients:
1/4 cup non-fat plain greek yogurt
3/4 cup water
1/4 cup peanut butter
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
Frosting ingredients:
1 Tbs of peanut butter (or butter or margarine if
desired)
3 Tbs cocoa
1/2 cup powdered sugar (or to taste)
1 tsp vanilla
tsp of mint extract (opt)
2-4 Tbs Water (to desired thickness)
Double this recipe if you like thick (or extra) frosting.

Mix liquid and dry ingredients separately, then add

the liquid mix to the dry ingredients. The mixture will
be relatively thick, but you should still be able to
pour it into the pan. Grease an 8x8 cake pan and
bake for 23-28 minutes at 350 degrees. Check the
edge of the cake with a toothpick to see if its done,
because the middle will still seem a bit undercooked.
Let it cool for around 10 or 15 minutes, then frost
and serve.
Modified by Kristen Ackerman from
chocolatecoveredkatie.com.

As dental students, sometimes its hard

to find time to eat healthily, and we all
want sweets at some point. Peanut butter
is a good source of protein and has almost
the calories of oil or butter. Yogurt also
has protein, and 1 cup of plain greek
yogurt has about the same calories as 1
Tbs of oil! Despite all of these health
benefits, I have gotten many compliments
about (and requests for) this cake. With
this recipe, you can have your cake and
eat it too!- Kristen Ackerman
May 2015

17

HOUSTON
WINNERS

18

Issue 10

UTSD HOUSTON

RECAP

A Special Thanks

Our chapter is proud to bring in

vendors on a weekly basis to
educate our members in
business models, finances, new
technology, dental supplies,
and much more! We would like
to thank the hard work of our
Events Committee (Marisa
Zitterich, Mary Becker, and
Mariangela Arata). This is a
team that operates like a
machine. It takes a lot of effort
to make a Lunch & Learn
happen - from soliciting
vendors, scheduling,
communicating with Student
Affairs, ordering food, setting
up, cleaning up, and handling
finances. These hardworking
ASDA officers give up a lot of
their time to serve our
members in this big way! We
are grateful for all that they do.

May 2015

19

UTSD HOUSTON

University of Texas School of Dentistry at Houston

7500 Cambridge Street
Houston, Tx 77054
www.houstonasda.com