SPEA Speaks National SPEA

Interview with Dr. Leo Rouse; alumni of Howard University, Colonel & Chief Operating Officer, Dean of HU, ADEA President, and currently the ACD President. Dr. Rouse is an excellent motivational speaker amongst a decorated Dentist, Dean, and Leader. In this discussion, Dr. Rouse encourages young dental students to focus on all the tasks at hand (including the necessity of basic sciences courses) and to take all the learning experiences in stride. Dr. Rouse discusses his dental experience from his dental education at Howard University, to his role in the Army and his military career, and experience as a Dean at Howard University. We then transition into Inter-Professional Education (IPE) and the need to work with other medical fields. Dr. Rouse is very passionate about Health Inequality & Inequity and the need for access of care, especially to children in America.

2000 General Surgeon Report on Oral Health in America

https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/research/data-statistics/surgeon-general

Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC)

https://www.ipecollaborative.org

THE STORY OF DEAMONTE DRIVER

https://oneill.law.georgetown.edu/death-from-a-toothache-the-story-of-deamonte-driver-and-where-we-stand-today-in-ensuring-access-to-dental-health-care-for-children-in-the-district/

In this episode of SPEA SPEAKS, Dr. Mike Meru a practicing Orthodontist and the current Director of SPEA discusses the pros and cons of clear aligners used for straightening teeth in the dental practice. While technology is always evolving, Dr. Meru believes if it can benefit the practice of dentistry and further help the patient, then clear aligners should be used. But is that the case occurring now? 

This episode we are joined by SPEA founder (Dr. Mike Meru), Co-directors (Dr. Erik Klintmalm & Dr. Andrea Fenton), Immediate past chair (Aileen Jong) and current Executive chair (Rebecca Long) to discuss all things SPEA. This includes the background story by Dr. Mike Meru about why SPEA was founded and the catalyst for developing this club back in his dental school era; the path that each of the individuals took to become apart of SPEA; and ultimately the future of SPEA. This episode is a genuine conversation (held via zoom) about the history of the organization and the individuals spearheading it. Enjoy and share with peers and friends!

Welcome to SPEA Speaks Podcasts, where dental students bring a voice for ethics in dentistry! In our first installment of SPEA Speaks Podcasts, dental students start the conversation about the events surrounding COVID-19, and how we are navigating these uncertain times. This conversation is not intended to paint institutions in a negative way, but to examine different approaches schools are taking to adjust to the pandemic.