Early Career Dentist Committee

Committee Purpose
The Early Career Dentist Committee (henceforth referred to as “the committee”) develops ideas and resources that resonate with early career dentists and encourage them to rise into leadership positions. It supports early career dentists on their journey by identifying unique challenges, creating measurable strategies, and setting ambitious, yet achievable outcomes.

 The committee’s charges include consulting on a mentoring program, curating early career  dentist resources, enhancing outreach efforts for early career dentists, increasing event engagement for early career dentists throughout the year, and networking with early career  dentists at the annual Midwinter Meeting.

Structure and Composition
The committee is a member committee that reports to the CDS Board of Directors and advises it on matters pertaining to early career dentists. It consists of three Early Career Dentist Representatives that provide their perspectives and supply communication throughlines to the Board of Directors, and three committee members chosen for their passion and expertise as early career dentists as well as their commitments to CDS’s mission and vision.

Committee terms are for one year.

Committee Objectives

Meeting:

The committee meets quarterly either in-person at CDS headquarters in Chicago or virtually. Attendance at two meetings is mandatory, but participation at all meetings is encouraged. Members of task forces may meet additionally to work on specific projects.

Time Commitment:

A committee member can be expected to spend approximately two to three hours per month on committee-related activities.

Committee Members:

Chair 
Dr. Charlie J. Hobbs

Committee Member
Dr. Kevin W. Luan

Committee Member
Dr. Lisa Ann Rawle

Committee Member
Dr. Diellza Musmurati

Committee Member
Dr. Akanksha Baheti

Committee Member
Dr. Rafia Awais

Committee Member
Dr. James Kunzler

Committee Member
Dr. Jeyanthi Bhaheetharan

Committee Member
Dr. Rhonda Habbal

Committee Member
Dr. Nada Marei

Early Career Dentist Representative
Dr. Brittaney J. Hill

Early Career Dentist Representative
Dr. Neil Singh

Early Career Dentist Representative
Dr. Mary T. Harris

CDS Board Liaison
Dr. Lori Lightfoot

CDS Staff Liaison
Jessie Eisner-Kleyle

Goals:

Supply CDS Board of Directors with feedback and advice about matters pertaining to early career dentists upon request.

Provide notes and feedback for online Mentor Match system, including program structure and profile selections.

Collaborate with CDS staff and committees on early career dentist-related projects/events.

    • Curate a library of resources for the early career dentist web page.
    • Participate in early career dentist online community forum (TBD).
    • Consult on the planning of early career dentist events, including the August event and the Midwinter Meeting lounge.
    • Participate in and promote early career dentist events to applicable audiences.

Collaborate with CDS staff and committees on D&I-related projects.

    • Compile a library of D&I resources for D&I web page.
    • Share D&I Awareness Calendar with CDS Marketing and Communications team for social media acknowledgment.

Collect a list of measurable early career dentist initiatives for future projects.

Committee News

Upcoming Committee Events