Volume 8 • 2021 • Issue 5

will always be more effective and efficient if we collaborate in a respectful, collegial manner. A recent example of our work was when the class of 2020 had COVID-related disruptions to their education, we advocated for graduation requirements to be modified. During the pandemic, we realized that it made more sense for graduation to be based on demonstrable competencies rather than fulfilling strict class hour requirements. This year, students had lower pass rates for the National Dental Examining Board of Canada (NDEB) licensing exam than in previous iterations. We worked with NDEB to answer questions and provide support for students who needed to take the exam again. DEBI provides a forum for discussion, which allows students to share knowledge. We also bring speakers from across the country to talk on various topics with students to assist in preparing them for the professional lives they will lead after graduation. Q How has your dental school experience been so far? SM: I’m entering my fourth year of dental school and I’m really excited. Every step so far has been so rewarding and I’ve learned so much each year. Moving from learning clinical skills in simulations to working with patients has been so enriching. I feel that some of the people skills that I’m learning during my work with the FCDSA are very relevant to working with patients: listening and communicating with empathy and respect. Q Do you think you’ll stay involved with organized dentistry once you graduate? SM: My number one focus will be my patients and their oral health. I’m also passionate about being involved in organized dentistry. I have a feeling that I’ll always want to contribute to the profession. Watch the full conversation with Saif Matti on CDA Oasis: bit.ly/3BmDNT5 Q How has your FCDSA presidency been so far? SM: A lot of what I’m doing is listening. Learning from other students, starting conversations. I’ve had the pleasure of working with national organizations, deans, researchers and regulators. I appreciate that they treat us like colleagues. They listen to us, take our concerns seriously and give us their time and consideration. In this profession, there is genuine respect for students and our needs. Q Can you tell us about DEBI, starting with what this acronym stands for? SM: DEBI stands for Dental Entrepreneurship, Business and Innovation. It’s an organization we started at Western University to help students develop business skills to better manage a practice after they graduate. Dental curricula focus on teaching clinical skills, the very heart of dentistry. But often students have a lot of questions and a strong desire to learn more about entrepreneurship as well. DEBI is meant to help fill that need. A recent example of our work was when the class of 2020 had COVID-related disruptions to their education, we advocated for graduation requirements to be modified. DEBI stands for Dental Entrepreneurship, Business and Innovation. It’s an organization we started at Western University to help students develop business skills to better manage a practiceafter theygraduate. 36 | 2021 | Issue 5