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Hello Everyone!

Welcome to James Cook University Dental Students’ Association’s first newsletter of the

year, ‘The Grind’. In this edition you’ll find a summary of Semester One – and wow, how jam

packed it has all been! Firstly, we welcomed our new intake of first years. Some second year

students have been Dentistry Mentors for the newbies, and many new friendships have

formed. Being a Dentistry Mentor myself, it really is invaluable in helping the first and

second years bond together. Highlights of this semester have included the “epic” O week

(with that party bus!), Crystal Cascades and laser skirmish, North Queensland Oral Health

Convention, having Kevin Rudd visit the School of Dentistry, RHINO functions and the

Australian Dental Student’s Convention.

With a much needed mid year break for all, Semester Two commenced July26th. Future

events to look forward to include the JCUDSA Blood Drive on August 7th; JCU Amateurs

Race Day Tent and the Dental Masquerade Ball on September 18th. All in all Semester One

has been nothing short of amazing and Semester Two will be very much the same, if not

better.

If you have any suggestions, issues or would like to contribute to ‘The Grind’, please email

me at sarah.bosnic@jcu.edu.au.

USTRALIAN DENTAL STUDENT ASSOCIATION (ADSA)

The North Queensland Oral Health Convention was held in Cairns at the Cairns Convention

Centre on April 29th to May 1st. JCUDSA sponsored select students to attend. Ariana Mccoll,

Sarah Bosnic, Noy Gliksman, Monika Behrens, Jacquilyn Torrisi, Raje Manickam, Mark

Archer, Maleta Seiler, Richard Choi and Anton Sklavos were selected to attend Saturday’s

day of events. Andrea James, Sarah Geisel, Kristy Savvas, Anna McBean and Michael

Soleiman also attended. I speak for all of those who attended in saying that the Convention

was nothing short of superb and was such an eye-opening event into just of how wide of a

profession dentistry is.

With over 200 delegates in attendance, we were treated to a wealth of knowledge about a

variety of dental topics from well-known local and interstate speakers. We were very

privileged to be given a special mention from the lecturers, which is testimonial to JCU

Dentistry already having a positive profile. Many people were expressing their delight that a

regional dental school had finally opened, and will hopefully one day benefit rural and

Indigenous oral health. It was an honour to attend, and in the future JCUDSA will look to

sponsor this great event again.

Oral Health Convention (ADA)

North Queensland

It was a cold morning in Brisbane and the time had come to depart to the centre of

Australia, Alice Springs. The National Rural Health Students Network was to be holding the

yearly conference for all health students around Australia. After a day of travel we had

reached Alice Springs, and my first thoughts were "bush", when it’s the only thing visible

you wonder what you have got yourself in for.

The day went fast and already I was meeting and greeting fellow dental students from

around Australia while also gaining an understanding into what rural and remote dentistry

really involved, and how difficult it was to attract dentists to work in these remote areas of

Australia.

The conference was a huge success both in giving students an understanding of what was

involved in rural and indigenous health as well as for networking with other health students

and medical professionals. It was a memorable experience and there was a lot learnt and a

lot of new friendships made. Days were interesting and nights even more so, but you'll have

to attend next year’s conference to find out why. The National University Rural Health

Conference is a must do for any dental student looking to work in a rural setting.

Corbin Barry

1st Year Dentistry

After the success of the Perth Convention last year, the excitement about this convention

was unmistakable. The annual Australian Dental Students Association (ADSA) convention

has chosen the beautiful city of Melbourne as its backdrop this winter. Nevertheless, the

chilly conditions were no match to the friendly atmosphere the convention brings every

year. As always, the convention presented a high caliber of lectures and workshops with

social events and networking opportunities woven into the mix – after all, it’s during the

holidays! Emma Basaglia and Caroline Oddy travelled south and braved the conditions in

order to take part in the event.

Next year the convention will visit the sunshine state! Whilst not yet touring the Far North,

JCUDA is proud to have the event in its home state for the first time since the association’s

establishment. JCUDSA will look to sponsor attendance to the convention next year and

display strong support and presence.

National Rural Health Students Network

Alice Springs

Australian Dental Students Association Convention

Melbourne

The epic O-week was enjoyed by many, topped by the Ultimate Party Bus through the

nightclubs of Cairns. I think pictures speak for themselves!

Social

Events

As part of its community involvement goals JCUDSA has organised a Blood Drive at the

Australian Red Cross Blood Donor Centre on the Esplanade, next to the Cairns Base Hospital,

on August 7th. So far, there are 16 donors. Some donors are first time blood donors, whilst

others can do plasma donations. Hopefully The Cairns Post will be involved and can do a

small article for the paper. However more importantly, donating blood and plasma is

important as transfusions save lives and can create needed blood products. A big thank you

to everyone who has volunteered.

On September 18th, JCUDSA will hold its annual Dental Ball at the Cairns Reef Hotel Casino.

Last year’s event was a smashing success. Great food, DJ, free drinks, a dancefloor and

personalized joke certificates to certain individuals made the night probably the best of the

year. This year the ball has a masquerade theme. So ladies and gentlemen, please find a

mask!

The Amateurs Race Day in September will also have JCU Dentistry Tent. A highlight on the

Cairns social calendar, the amateurs weekend is a big one for fun, fashion and a few drinks.

Many thanks to Tamara Coulson for organising the tent and arranging finances. I am sure

the day will be awesome!

Future

Events

POWithout sponsorship, JCUDSA would not be able to host events and sponsorship

convention for students. JCUDSA would like to warmly thank MIPS (Medical Indemnity

Protection Society) for its generous donations to JCUDSA and the James Cook University

School of Dentistry for its ongoing support. We greatly appreciate your support.

Above: Executive Members of JCUDSA

Remember if you have any suggestions or improvements for ‘The Grind’, or you would like

to contribute yourself, please email me. Thanks!

Sarah Bosnic

Publicity Representative JCUDSA

Summary &

Thankyous