Education

Michelle Lee Thomas

University of Florida College of Dentistry - DMD Candidate, Graduation: May

2017
University of Florida Bachelor of Science, Graduated Cum Laude: May 2013
Major: Food Science & Human Nutrition, Nutritional Sciences Specialization
Minor: Spanish
Pine View School for the Gifted - Graduated: June 2009

Awards & Honors

Marion B. Thompson Scholarship: 2015

Deans List: 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015
University of Florida Honors Program Medallion: 2013
University of Florida Woman Leader of the Year Finalist: 2013
University of Florida RecSports Scholar Athlete of the Year: 2013
Charles S. Herron, Jr M.D. Student Healthcare Scholarship: 2013
Gulf Coast Community Foundation Scholarship: 2013
Most Valuable Crew, UF Sailing Team: 2009

Bee Ridge Womens Club Scholarship: 2009

Pediatric Externships

University of Florida, Naples: August 2015

Nicklaus Childrens Hospital: October 2015
NYU Lutheran, Tampa: December 2015
VCU: Anticipated August 2016

Pediatric Continuing Education

Management of Permanent Tooth Dental Trauma in Children 2.5 Hours
Pedo Pearls 1.5 Hours
Improving Oral Health Literacy: Teaching Primary School Students through the
Lessons in a Lunch Box Program 1 Hour

Publications & Presentations

AAWD at the University of Florida AAWD Chronicle (January 2016)
5 Things Every Predental Should Know ASDA Predental Handbook (2015)
Intro to Operative Workshop ASDA District 5 Predental Meeting (2015)
ASDA for Predentals UF ASDA Predental Conference (2015), Bi-Annually at UF
Predental Organization Meetings
Maximizing the Mentor-mentee relationship The District (Summer 2015)
Pathways of Fear and Anxiety in Dentistry ASDA News (April 2015)
UF AAWD Makes Dental Education Fun with a New Girl Scout Badge That You
Can Bring To Your Local Community AAWD Chronicle (February 2015)
5 Things Every Predental Should Know Mouthing Off ASDA Blog (August 2014)

Professional Affiliations

American Association of Women Dentists

American Dental Association
American Student Dental Association
American Academy of General Dentistry
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
Delta Epsilon Iota
Golden Key Honors Society
National Honor Society of Collegiate Scholars
Phi Eta Sigma
Psi Omega Dental Fraternity

Dental Meetings Attended

2016: AAWD National Board Meetings (monthly)
2015: ASDA National Leadership Conference, ASDA District 5 Meeting, ADA
National Convention, AAWD National Meeting, FDC Meeting
2014: ASDA District 5 Meeting, FDC Meeting
2013: AAPD National Session
2012: ADEA National Convention
2011: FDC Meeting
2010: ADA National Convention

Address: 307 Channel Lane Nokomis, Fl 34275

Phone: (941) 786-8413
Email: MThomas@dental.ufl.edu

Professional and Leadership Experience

American Association of Women Dentists National

National Student Representative January 2016 December 2016

Established a Student Presidents Council so chapter presidents have a place to communicate ideas
and concerns to be brought to the attention of national meetings

First University of Florida student to hold this National Role, thus putting UF on the map for womens
dentistry
American Association of Women Dentists University of Florida Chapter
President May 2015 May 2016

Doubled annual membership for 2015-2016 school year, thus reaching twice as many students in
years past

Created new milestone program that celebrates annual milestones reached by members

Enhanced social media presence with new facebook and Instagram pages
Treasurer May 2014 May 2015

Secured more financial support than in previous years, allow more events to be held

Developed new Girl Scout Dental Health Patch-Earning Program for the local Girl Scout community
that teaches girls about proper oral hygiene, what to expect at the dentist, proper nutrition, and basic
tooth anatomy with fun activities. A dental health patch did not exist in our county before.
Smiley Gators
Vice President, Special Needs May 2015 May 2016

Assist in finding and publicizing opportunities for members to learn more about working with special
needs patients so they can be comfortable treating this population in their practice, regardless of
specialization
UFCD Super Sealant Saturday Philanthropy
Co-Director May 2015 May 2016

Oversee all aspects of this philanthropic event which has a mission to reach out to children aged 6-17
that do not have access to dentistry and provide them with oral health instructions, nutrition
counseling, dental screenings, fluoride, and sealants.

Oversee a committee made up of UF faculty and students

Manage more than 100 UF Student and Faculty volunteers on the day of the event
Committee Member February 2015 May 2015

Contacted local schools and programs to increase parent awareness of philanthropic event
American Student Dental Association District 5
Predental Committee Chair March 2015 February 2016

Oversee a team of 3 other dental students from other dental schools in the district (LECOM and LSU)

Increase understanding of ASDA at predental level by creating mentorship opportunities including a

mentorship lunch banquet as well as organizing and presenting Predental Day
American Student Dental Association University of Florida Chapter
Predental Liaison May 2014 May 2016

Connect UF predental students with UF dental student mentors, organize mentor/mentee networking
event, and predental week events at UF

Organized first all day Predental Day Conference at UF that had the largest registration of any
predental day hosted by a school in Florida to date

Attend UF predental meetings and answer questions in person and remotely

Surfers for Autism
Volunteer Surf Instructor August 2011 - Present

Teach children and young adults with autism and other developmental delays how to surf at grand
scale beach festivals that are free to the children and their families
Lessons in a Lunchbox
Class Leader October 2015 Present

Lead local elementary classes in learning about oral hygiene and proper nutrition
Predental American Student Dental Association
President May 2012 April 2013

Started new mentor program so younger members could receive mentorship from older members
Vice President May 2011 April 2012

Organized UF student volunteer assistants for 3rd Grade Dental Screenings

Captained Predental ASDA March for Babies team, raising over $1400
Service Board of Directors Member January 2011 April 2011

Organized Youth Tooth Community Service Event at J.J. Finley elementary school

Contacted schools in Gainesville area as well as dentists to increase participation and donations for
Cheers for Smiles Dental drive
Sisters of the Sea
Community Service Coordinator 2011-2012 School Year

Found and organized diverse community service activities for club members including many Surfers
for Autism events as well as a Holiday Toy Drive
University of Florida Sailing Team
Race Captain 2012-2013, 2011-2012, 2010-2011 School Years

Captained a first ever nationally ranked team, created a new regatta registration system and a team
facebook page. Responsible for running home regattas, organizing teams for away regattas, and
creating all travel plans for the team.
Fundraising Chair 2009-2010 School Year

Created a new system for team sponsorship and raised over $5,000
Venice Youth Boating Association/Ocean Gate Yacht Club
Sailing Coach May 2007 August 2013

Coach children ages 9-15 with skills needed to sail and race a boat independently

Clinical and Research Experience

UF College of Dentistry Bahamas Mission Trip
Head of Donations, Student Dentist Trip Participant August 2015 March 2016
Created new donor letter and tiered donation system that generated more donations than previous years trip
Traveled to Andros, Bahamas, the largest island in the Bahamas, to provide free access to dental care and education with a focus on preventative care and teaching oral hygiene
while treating those in need of care. Worked with a team of dentists and dental students to provide fillings, cleanings, fluoride, extractions, sealants, and oral health education to over
400 children. There is currently no residing dentist on the island.
Janoff & Khatri Pediatric Dentistry
Intern May 2013 June 2013, May 2012 July 2012

Responsible for clinical assisting, sterilization, clerical duties, making appointments, and being a marketing assistant to the professional relations coordinator
Dr. Wallets Research Lab, University of Florida
Research Assistant October 2011 May 2012

Ran human cytokine and human neuropeptide assays to assess levels of specific peptides and neurotransmitters in order to evaluate pain modulation and inflammation of healing
root canals in chilren.
Mission of Mercy, ADA National Meeting, Washington D.C.
Oral Hygiene Instruction Administrator - November 2015

Represented University of Florida while provided patients with oral hygiene instructions at our Nations Capital
Alachua County Elementary School Dental Screenings & Sealants
Volunteer

Provide dental screenings, oral hygiene instructions, sealants, and fluoride to 2nd and 3rd grade elementary students in Alachua County public schools
Special Olympics State Summer Games
Special Smiles Volunteer May 2014

Escorted athletes and assisted with their dental screenings and oral hygiene instructions
University of Florida Shands Hospital General and Pediatric Dental Clinics
Volunteer Dental Assistant August 2010 April 2012

Assisted UF dental students with various procedures

Shadowed pediatric residents and faculty