Childhood Caries and Supernumerary Tooth Removal: A Clinical Evaluation of Pediatric Patients in a School-Based Dental Program

A fourth year dental student at New York University College of Dentistry, Vanessa Mancuso Cortinas has been involved in serving and providing dental care for underserved and underrepresented minorities. As the President of Hispanic Student Dental Society, Vanessa advocates for her patients she treats at the University. In addition, she organizes outreaches for members to attend and provide free oral health screenings, she also organizes fundraisers to provide food and clothing for children in third world countries one including the Dominican Republic. As a leader for Saturday Academy a program built to help High School Students with the college application process while introducing them to a career in dentistry; Mrs. Cortinas is able to connect with minority students, help them apply to college, prepare personal statements, prepare for interviews, understand the financials of undergraduate loans. As a dental student she serves as a peer mentor for new incoming students living far away from home, helping them get situated into the program and serve as a mentor for their four years at the College of Dentistry. Mrs. Cortinas also serves as a mentor for the interns of The Bringing Smiles Dental Enrichment Program at the College of Dentistry. A program for pre dental students pursuing a career in dentistry. She educates the interns as they shadow her through clinic and observe her working with her patients. She is a leader at the University and a role model to many. She was one of only two recipients of the 2019 Colgate-Palmolive/NMF Dental Leadership Program Scholarship, which recognizes underrepresented minority dental students who have demonstrated commitment to leadership and serving medically underserved communities. This coming July 20’ she will be beginning her Periodontology residency at Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine.

Stephanie Aya is a fourth year dental student at the NYU College of Dentistry. She was born in Miami, Fl and is of Colombian ethnicity. After graduating from the University of Florida with a Bachelor’s degree in BIology and a minor in Anthropologie and Latin American studies she decided to pursue dentistry. As a dental student at NYU she has been an active member of the HIspanic Student Dental Association as their Vice President. She is passionate about her roots and about diversifying her community by engaging others in the Latino culture through her own lens and her experience as a Latina in the US and in the field of dentistry. This past October 19’ she recently received first place in the Colgate-Palmolive Nuestros Niños Competition from the Hispanic Dental Association. The winning case study, Mesiodens: A Clinical Comprehensive Evaluation of Pediatric Patients in a School-based Dental Program, was based on the dental treatment provided at PS 188 as part of the Bringing Smiles Dental Education Program which creates access to care for the pediatric patient population. She has also been part of the class of 2020 student council for two years as their historian. On her free time Stephanie loves to work on her artistic endeavors such as drawing, painting and playing music. She also enjoys traveling and visiting museums. She loves serving the community especially by mentoring the youth. Her passion lies in the field of pediatric dentistry. This coming July 20’ Stephanie will begin her Pediatric Dentistry residency at the Bronx Care hospital.