Anders Announced as 2015 Dental Student Legislative Intern

At the recent American Dental Education Association (ADEA) meeting in Boston, third-year dental student Ben Anders was announced as the 2015 ADEA/Sunstar Americas, Inc./Jack Bresch Student Legislative Intern. During this internship, Anders will spend six weeks as a member of the ADEA Advocacy and Governmental Relations team in Washington, D.C. He is the only recipient of this honor nationwide.

“I am thrilled for the opportunity to explore my interests in oral health policy this spring,” said Anders. “The ADEA/Sunstar Americas, Inc./Jack Bresch Student Legislative Internship will provide me with a unique skill set and knowledge base for a lifetime of advocacy to enhance dental education and oral health in a way that benefits our professional community and the patients we serve.”

During his time in the internship program, Anders will participate in Capitol Hill congressional meetings, policy discussions and coalition meetings. Designed to encourage students to learn about the federal legislative process, how public policy is made and how all of it impacts academic dentistry, the program allows interns to become immersed in the intricacies of policymaking in Washington.

“Ben already has been involved in local organized dentistry as co-president of the UNC chapter of ASDA,” said Dr. Edward Swift, associate dean for education. “The Student Legislative Internship will allow him to participate at the national level. It is a real honor for him to have received this internship and he will represent UNC very well.”

Anders, a native of Asheville, N.C., is scheduled to graduate in May 2016. Upon graduation, he will pursue an Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) certification in the U.S. Air Force, followed by three years of active duty service as an Air Force dentist.