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Dental student grows with ASDA externship by Cindy Abole Public Relations Second-year MUSC dental student Sonia Karamchandani recently discovered why Chicago, the Windy City, is her kind of town.   The 23-year-old Greenville native spent a month this summer exploring her potential in the areas of legislative affairs and dental advocacy, and contributing to her profession as an American Student Dental Association (ASDA) State Government Affairs extern.   Karamchandani was among four ASDA Chicago externs selected to work in the association’s central office. ASDA externships offer participants a chance to learn about national and state health policy legislation, research, membership and tripartite relations. The program is open to pre-doctoral dental students who show an interest in becoming leaders in organized dentistry throughout their dental school education. MUSC dental students are encouraged to join ASDA as first-year students.   CDM student Sonia Karamchandani addresses the ASDA annual session Sept. 1 - 4 in Baltimore. “Organized dentistry has always been something I find very interesting,” Karamchandani said. “I love dentistry, but wanted to combine my interests of government with dental advocacy and the dental profession.”   Karamchandani applied to the externship at the end of her first year in dental school. She knew that, as a clinical dentist, she would probably never have a better chance to explore dental advocacy and leadership opportunities on a large scale.   Her externship focused on analyzing and understanding state government and health legislation as they relate  to dentistry. She also completed assigned projects, proposed and revised policy and updated information on other plans related to dental student-constituent interests. Some of her projects required her to prepare a briefing or primer based on topics like dental anesthesia and sedation, and writing a paragraph for the state legislative report on the possibility of legislation concerning tooth jewelry.   “I wanted to be more involved in ASDA than I already was,” Karamchandani said. She never realized that the month-long experience would be a stepping stone to something so much more. “Students are interested in dental issues but many don’t have the time to get involved. They don’t realize that any time they give—even if it’s on a small level—can make a differ-ence.”   She spent a majority of her time updating ASDA records relating to state and national clinical licensing requirements. More specifically, the profession is currently considering a move away from state dental board licensure and developing a national exam that supports the American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX). States continue to flip-flop on their position regarding which regional licensing board they accept or their recognition of ADEX. Keeping state dental licensure records current is especially helpful for dental students as they consider their options of where they chose to practice.      A month later and back on campus, Karamchandani felt charged, refreshed and eager to move ahead on a grassroots level with her fellow dental students. Like a teacher, she wants to pass on what she’s learned and encourage others to share her path. Currently, she hopes to support College of Dental Medicine-ASDA activities like the department lunch-and-learn seminars and other education programs.   As part of her externship experience, Karamchandani also committed to fulfilling responsibilities that will guide her on a path toward becoming an ASDA national leader.   In early September, she attended ASDA’s annual session in Baltimore. She and her fellow externs formally presented their summer experiences and accomplishments with members. She also met with other ASDA students and joined the American Dental Political Action Committee.   “I learned so much about organized dentistry and important issues within the profession in such a short amount of time,” she said, grateful for the new friendships she’s developed among ASDA staff and co-externs. “The externship gave me a different perspective of dentistry, and I can take something away from it. I’m so grateful to ASDA for giving me the opportunity to participate in this great experience.”     Friday, Oct. 6, 2006 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 catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.