The Western Society of Pediatric Dentistry Leadership Internship was established in 2018. The program is modeled after the CSPD Warren Brandli Leadership Internship Program, to support the concept of leadership training and mentorship for young pediatric dentists. The expectation is that the program will identify and develop future leaders who may serve in leadership roles of the WSPD and other professional organizations.

The program is designed to attract applicants who are interested in leadership development, especially those who demonstrate an interest in learning about State, WSPD and District governance with a goal to serve in volunteer leadership. Applicants must be current pediatric dental residents from one of the WSPD States/Western District regions training programs or a recently graduated pediatric dentist within their first 3 years of completing their residency who resides and practices in a WSPD state, province or Western District. All applicants must be a current member of the AAPD and WSPD. The selected intern will be assigned a mentor as well as train under their state’s Public Policy Advocate for a period of one year. They will also receive funding to attend all Board meetings and select regional and national pediatric dental conferences during that year.

Current WSPD Leadership Intern (2020-2021), Dr. John Warner, is not a West Coast native but is thankful to have found his home in Oregon where he moved to complete specialty training in Pediatric Dentistry at Oregon Health and Science University/Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. After a few years in clinical practice with Permanente Dental Associates, Dr. Warner began an assistant professor position at OHSU and currently splits time between both organizations.

Dr. Warner has this to say about his experience as WSPD’s Leadership Intern: “Finishing residency almost 4 years ago, I was interested in learning about ways to positively impact our patients and profession outside of traditional clinical dentistry. The Western Society of Pediatric Dentistry’s Leadership Internship Program has provided this experience. Over the past year, I have been exposed to many of the inner workings of organized dentistry by attending and participating in board meetings for the WSPD, meeting many members of the Board, advocating for pediatric dentistry in the legislative process, and learning more about the importance of involvement at the state, district, and national levels. I am looking forward to contributing to our profession through involvement in organized dentistry and have a goal of educating other young pediatric dentists about opportunities to become involved early in their careers as well. “To learn more about this program, or to apply as a candidate, please contact Bri Butler at bbutlerdds@gmail.com