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Drg. Esti Riyanda Astuti is a dentist from West Borneo, Indonesia. She graduated from the Department of Dentistry of Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta in Indonesia in 2010 with the degree of Kedokteran Gigi, which is the Indonesian

equivalent of Doctor of Dental Surgery. Dr. Esti has been a key figure in involving Asian countries in the activities of IADS, and this is a legacy that flourishes as

each year goes by, all due to her arduous work and dedication.

To be a woman is one thing, but to be a successful

woman is a totally different thing. We are all given two eyes equally, yet we don't all see in the same way. When it comes

to paving a way for success; excellence, time management, prioritizing and charm are all a must for a triumphant

future business, and this can all be associatedwith our once-

executive board member, now

general secretary of Young Dentist Worldwide and

our precious IADS Alumna Dr. Esti Riyanda; our character for this.November issue

“You must make the choice to take a chance or your life

will never change”

Dr. Esti Riyanda

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1. Let’s start from the very beginning. What made you decide to choose a career path in Dentistry?

I would say it's just coming to my way. I love working with my hands and fixing some things. So, dentistry fit all the criteria, I went for it and I fell in love with dentistry. It is agreed that a dentist is a doctor, an engineer and an artist hence this is the perfect combination.

2. As dental students, we all struggle during our university years. What aspects of study did you find most challenging about being a dental student, and how did you overcome them?

Time management. Because I have been working with the dental association since the first year of dental school. So, the studying and organization balance was difficult at the first time but during some period of time I get used to it and it went well.

3. Considering that you were very active with IADS, how were you able to manage IADS work, along with university?

One solution for that is setting my priority everyday selecting which work is the first thing first. Both are very important to

me but selecting based on the urgency was the one

thing I always do.

4. How has IADS enriched you as a person?

IADS helped me improve my confidence and leadership

skills.

What I learned from many of my IADS colleagues was how to make a difference, how to make the best decision, fair work and how to manage my time. IADS also helped me develop my social life. I got to meet good friends from IADS that turned into big happy family. I won't forget about the amazing congresses and the people of IADS.

5. What aspect of Indonesian culture has proved advantageous to you in dealing with the international dental community?

In Indonesia, where I live, unity in diversity is very respected and honored. I have been dealing with many people coming from different places and I

understand that being open-minded is to accept all of life’s perspectives and realities. It was this notion of coexisting that helped me deal with the international community easily.

6. Dr. Esti has been described by her colleagues as soft and kind-hearted. We asked Dr. Esti how she was able to maintain these special traits of hers

amid the competition and the arguments that may have arisen within the IADS ExCo due to the differences.

“To be honest I am never a political type of person. I started to work with IADS to make a difference, to help as many people as I can. I dedicated myself only to my works and that kept my focus on why I started at the very first place. I always appreciate different thoughts and opinions because that makes life even more colorful and I always see the good in people.” – she says.

7. Is there a role model, be it a family member or a professor that you look up to or that inspired you as a young dental student?

I have to say I have many role models. I learned a lot from people around me, therefore this is a very difficult question. If I have to say, the one that inspired me and taught me a lot on how to work effectively, efficiently and the real meaning of dedication is Dr Pavel Scarlat my fellow ExCo member in IADS. Another one is Dr Magdalena Wilczak because I learned a lot from her on how to maintain the integrity.

8. Are you pursuing any specialty, or do you have any plans for entering a specialty program?

For now, I don't chase any specialty program. I plan to take a Master’s program in business school because it will help me manage my clinic and probably my dental laboratory in the future.

9. Being a lady in a very desirable executive position at a time when the IADS Executive Committee was dominated by gentlemen, what challenges did you have to face, and what have you learned from overcoming them?

Actually I didn't feel any difference. We all worked hard in IADS and this was not even an issue.

“Great leaders don’t set out to be leaders, they set out to make a difference. It’s never about the

role, it’s about the goal.”

“VOLUNTEERS DO NOT NECESSARILY HAVE THE TIME,

THEY HAVE THE HEART.” ONE OF THE MORE REMARKABLE TRAITS

OF DR. ESTI IS HER SPIRIT OF VOLUNTEERISM.

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10. What are some pieces of advice that you can offer to females in order for them to break into the male-dominated fields, and emerge successful?

We are born to be equal. Take all many chances that life can offer and make the best of it.

11. Since you are popularly known for being the one who paved the way for Asia to play a bigger role in IADS, what can you say is the biggest factor for you to have succeeded?

One of the reasons why I got involved in IADS was the full support from my University. We created an international program where every student from all around the world could come in contact with the different kinds of experience we have in Indonesia. With this program, I was able to join the international dental community.

12. Asian countries are more actively participating in IADS as the years go by, what, in your opinion, could be the greatest contribution the Asian community can bring to IADS?

Asia Pacific region is very large and there is so much potential and so many chances that it can offer. For example,

I saw some active countries hosted exchange programs and scientific programs or even voluntary programs for IADS and in 2014, Indonesia was the host of IADS and YDW dental congress. Recently, I saw good enthusiasm from Asia Pacific country members to join any IADS project. All we need to do is to give the courage and support for Asia Pacific region to get more involved in the IADS.

13. So, you were able to host the Annual Dental Congress of IADS and YDW in 2014? Please tell us a bit about how you were able to organize this huge congress, and also share with us the aspects that you found most challenging and most rewarding.

Yes, I was the Director of IADS and YDW World Dental Congress back in 2014. It was pretty cool based on the reviews from the participants. The most challenging part was to offer the same vision for all committee members. The hardest part is always working with people on something about which everyone has their own opinion, work ethic, understanding and standards. So, it took so much effort just to get every member of LOC to be on the same page as me. Also, when it comes to be put into practice, everything is challenging but if we anticipate the possible inconveniences then we can make everything run smoothly.

14. What makes voluntary work so special to you and is there a specific moment that made you realize that voluntary work is your calling?

Yes, voluntary work is my calling. It is something that I always want to do in my life, helping people in need, educating people to increase their health awareness and having a good impact on the community. It's my passion and my adventure.

15. Dental Summer Camp in Indonesia appears to be what has everyone captivated recently. Please tell us about it.

International Dental Summer School was established in 2010. It offered educational and social programs. The educational program itself contains classes, workshops, skills lab and voluntary work. For the social program, it offers city tour and cultural exchange. It

has been amazing 7 years with IDSS. We started with baby steps and now we are growing to be better with time.

16. What can students gain from participating in Dental Summer Camps like the one in Indonesia?

This program allows the participants to experience what Indonesian dentists experience in real life, in which the population and service provision are the biggest challenges.

17. Do you feel that Dental Summer Camps should be incorporated into IADS’s activity roster?

International Dental Summer School has been cooperated with IADS as the main exchange program and voluntary program, and I believe this cooperation will keep going on in the future.

18. YDW is seen like a level-up from IADS and some kind of transitional bridge between IADS and FDI. You are currently in an executive position in this organization and it’s your second year now. What was your motivation in seeking to be active in YDW after “graduating” from IADS and how did you achieve your current position?

I have been working with YDW since 2015. I worked as the Editor for 2 years and this year I was elected to be General Secretary of YDW. Somehow, I can't stop working with IADS and IADS Alumni because it’s what makes me feel alive. I want to contribute as much as I can for this good cause. Besides, working in organizations like IADS and YDW is the most awesome thing I can do for myself.

19. Do you have any ideas on how we can encourage more young dentists, IADS alumni to be active in YDW?

We have programs that fit all young dentists for example we had Young Dentists Forum and International voluntary project within the standards of young dentists every year. Those programs can fulfill what young dentists require.

20. For a 25-year-old organization, YDW is less renown compared to FDI and IADS. Speaking from the executive position you hold, what future do you see for YDW and do you have any plans to increase its popularity in the long run?

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By Silvi Domnori, Zeinab Jabeer, Angelou Corazon Carmela Honrado.

There are still many things to do to increase the popularity. We will work on more interesting programs and publications in the future. We will keep everyone updated about this plan.

21. What is your life philosophy or some wise words that you would like to share with our readers aspiring to be as admired and successful as you are?

"To whom much is given much is expected "

" 3 Cs of life, choices, chances, and changes. We must make a choice to take a chance or your life will never change"

Successful women still have their feet on the ground, they just have better shoes! As this substantial article came to an end we can't be more than astonished yet understanding on how this amazing woman came to 'have it

all' and manage to touch hearts and create a desire to achieve greater heights. We’re inspired indeed and very encouraged to follow on her footsteps. This was a 5-star-worthy interview that deserves a top spot in every dental

student, and every young dentist’s to-do-list.