A Former U-M School of Dentistry Patient

Ann Arbor, MI — September 26, 2012 — The President of the American Student Dental Association told more than 100 University of Michigan School of Dentistry dental students that she was inspired to go to college and later study dentistry because of “the great care” she received in the School’s clinics when she was in grade school.

Now a fourth-year dental student at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Colleen Greene, who grew up in Brighton, Michigan, told dental students, “even though I had decay and my sisters got their braces here, my experiences with the student dentists and others here at Michigan were so positive that I probably would not have considered dentistry as a career had I not been a patient.”  Greene was a patient as an elementary school student beginning in the second grade in the early 1990s.

Greene said she got involved in ASDA at the chapter level during her first year in dental school when she helped develop the Give Kids a Smile program.  She also enjoyed writing for the chapter newsletter, which received a national award from ASDA.  “That was my first realization that I could participate at a higher level and make a difference,” she said.

ASDA “A Great Network”

Building on those successes, Greene said she ran for ASDA president to help improve the experiences members have.  She also wanted to be a stronger advocate for patients and enhance the association’s mission.  In retrospect, she said, “Each experience with the association has been more meaningful and fun than the one before.”

Being actively involved with ASDA, she told dental students, “gives each of you a great opportunity and a great network to begin your dental career.”  She urged them not only to participate in activities, but also to get involved in leadership roles both with the university chapter and nationally.

“When you’re in a leadership role, you have a front-row seat in the discussion of important issues facing organized dentistry.  Even better is that you then have an opportunity to do something about those issues,” she said. 

Greene said ASDA is actively working to help raise levels of scholarship funding for dental students, locally and nationally.  “Student debt continues to rise,” she said.  “We want to work with foundations and other organizations to raise the scholarship funding so you and future dental students don’t have to take out as many loans.”

Greene spoke as a part of the School's Lunch & Learn program.  Launched in the summer of 2004, the program gives dental students opportunities to hear oral health care professionals talk about their “real world” experiences prior to graduation.