First Advocacy Lunch & Learn Series

By Tyler Maxwell, Class of 2017

ASDA’s Advocacy Series launched with a record setting boom this past week. This months Advocacy Lunch and Learn “The Licensure Formula: What Do You Do After Graduation?” was presented by UBSDM’s own, James Wanamaker, and brought a record attendance of 140+ students eager and ready to learn on a very hot topic both nationally and right here at Buffalo. As fortunate as we are to be dental students and aspiring professionals, we often forget that there is more to hitting the ground running than just obtaining your 4-year DDS degree. Right now, understanding and being informed about licensure is more important than ever.

This month's Lunch and Learn hit on the important residency topics of PGY-1, OSCE, ADEX and WREB. In NY we are required to complete a Post Graduate Year 1 (PGY-1) residency before we can legally practice in New York State—this is the only state where it is mandatory; but it is also offered in Minnesota, California, Washington. Besides licensure, the ethical issues associated with specific programs such as the WREB were discussed so that everyone was equally informed and aware of what is going on. By taking the WREB licensure exam one would be allowed to practice in a handful of states (32 total) outside of New York State if they so desire. However, the WREB and its ethical issues such as delaying patient treatment and students being left out to dry with disappoints, are a hot topic not only nationally, but also at our school as we decide how to proceed in the most appropriate manner for our students and their prospective patients by eliminating the ethical controversies.

To call the Advocacy Lunch and Learn kickoff series a success, would not even begin to scratch the surface. As each month and series proceeds we wish to not only continue to build our numbers and representation here at Buffalo, but most importantly we aim and desire to keep our students and colleagues informed so that they can represent themselves as educated professionals with a passion to keep and hold dentistry at the highest of levels.

Stay tuned for updates in regards to October's Lunch and Learn Series about Fluoride.