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Wofford partnership helps explore dentistry  by Cindy Abole Public Relations In January, eight Wofford College students sampled life and academics with MUSC dental students as part of a longstanding program meant to introduce students to dentistry. MUSC Enrollment Services' Jill Stevens, center, joins Wofford students Kimberly Smith, Lindsay Grosso, Josh Kerr, Ryan Richardson, Sheldon Bates and Stephanie Johnson. The program demonstrates a successful partnership between MUSC College of Dental Medicine and Wofford College’s Department of Biology and Organic Chemistry as a recruitment program for potential dental students. The program is directed by chemistry professor Jack Bass, Ph.D. “It is extremely exciting for us to host bright and dedicated undergraduate students from Wofford who are interested in dentistry and the MUSC College of Dental Medicine,” said Tariq Javed, DMD, associate dean for academic and student affairs, College of Dental Medicine. “Dr. Bass deserves tremendous credit for his hard work in nurturing this exemplary program for the past several years.” The eight students, a mix of undergraduate sophomores, juniors and seniors, were on campus from Jan. 24 through 27 and followed a schedule that allowed them to observe classes and clinics, visit labs, and meet with dental faculty and students. “Everyone was friendly and hospitable,” said Ryan Richardson, a junior from Latta. “The experience gave me a sampling of what it was like to be a full-time dental student.” A welcoming comfort for the visitors was the presence of a strong contingent of Wofford alumni—dental students currently studying within the college. This so-called “Wofford bubble,” is composed of Wofford College graduates who previously participated in the same orientation program and went on to become MUSC dental students. “It was helpful for us to see other Wofford alumni enrolled as dental students,” Richardson said. “They helped create a comfort zone for us to ask questions and share their experiences. It provided more community between ourselves.” Participants also met with admissions staff and dental faculty to learn more about the profession beyond academics, labs and testing.  “I learned that dentists actually have more freedom than other health professionals,” said Sheldon Bates, a senior from Lugoff. “They seem to have a little bit more time to devote to their families as well as provide good patient care.” “I learned that dentistry is more than just science and patient care,” saidBates. “It is also a craft. I enjoyed learning about the artistic aspect like working with veneers. Dentistry is also a puzzle. Each case is different and that offers dentists an exciting challenge that allow them to construct, put things together or move things around.”     Friday, Feb. 25, 2005 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.