ASDA alumni on the benefits of attending NLC

Every year, ASDA’s National Leadership Conference brings together students who are eager to set their foundation as successful dental practitioners, health care leaders and future business owners. With educational programming on career planning, leadership fundamentals, personal development and wellness, chapter management and advocacy, students at every level of their dental school career are sure to leave the event with action items as well as long-term goals for success. ASDA alumni help plan the event through participation on the NLC Planning Committee. Here’s what 2018 alumni committee members are looking forward to most this year.

What do you do after NLC?

This year was my second time attending ASDA’s National Leadership Conference (NLC), which was held this past November. Each year, the event gets bigger and better. Now that we’re back to the dental school grind after the conference, it can be easy to return to our routines. But there are a lot of things we learned in Chicago that we can implement now in order to prepare for our careers.

Five reasons to attend NLC

My first NLC was in 2012 – yes that one, the first one ever! And I am also lucky enough to remember why we created the ASDA National Leadership Conference. The conversation went like this, “what if we pooled all our resources together into one giant conference to create a like-no-other program for our members?” Abracadabra (and a lot of hard work) – the NLC experience was born!

Since then ASDA has presented five dynamic NLC’s to deliver, in my opinion, the highest leadership and personal development available for the dental student.

I am going to give you five more reasons to attend ASDA NLC 2017

Attending ASDA’s National Leadership Conference? Plan ahead

NLC promoWhen I attended the first ever NLC in 2012, I was a third-year dental student. The quality of programming, the engaging speakers, the dedication of the alumni and close interaction with national leaders were something I had not yet experienced in the ASDA universe. There are benefits available at this conference that are not available in our other meetings. It focuses exclusively on leadership, and makes our chapters better by making our individual members better. It is about empowering YOU with the skills you will need as you move forward in ASDA, education, organized dentistry and life.

Read on for tips on planning your attendance to NLC this year…

How owning a practice is like being a renaissance (wo)man

renaissance-wo-manThe “Renaissance Men” were sublime combinations of artist, engineer, and scientist.  They were masters of each discipline, and are considered the most well-rounded talents to ever draw breath.  Truth be told, owning a practice is more like being a “Renaissance (Wo)Man” than you might think. In contrast to the masters, though, we receive highly specialized training in treating dental disease and very little about the “other stuff.” Every dental office is full of protocols and contraptions that are not covered in school. That is not a reason to exclude owning from the menu of options open to you after graduation! Here are five keys to unlocking the mysteries of the non-clinical aspects of private practice.

4 tips for making an important decision

ASDA BOTWe are constantly faced with making important decisions in our day-to-day lives, from deciding what material to recommend for your patient’s next restoration, to which organizations to commit to amidst a busy schedule. There are no shortage of opportunities for professional development within dental school and with so many options and so little time, you might be wondering where to start. I’m here today to share my journey and a few lessons I learned about the decision-making process.

6 chapter management lessons I learned at NLC

NLC 2015I was very fortunate to be selected by my chapter to attend ASDA’s National Leadership Conference last year. It was an amazing experience that I highly recommend for anyone who wishes to grow as both a leader and a professional. During my time at the Conference, I attended various sessions that were focused on ways to improve ASDA chapters, and I also learned from other ASDA chapters that were in attendance.

My time at the ASDA National Leadership Conference opened my eyes to the importance of involving dental students from all different classes in our local chapter, brainstorming ideas and organizing events. I hope we can spread the ASDA fever and work to make our local ASDA chapter more collaborative and innovative.