Lasting Impressions | Summer 2016

NSU COLLEGE OF DENTAL MEDICINE x 43 “You see everything from people needing full mouth extractions and dentures placed immediately to people who never flossed a day in their lives, and yet their teeth are perfect; they just need a cleaning,” she said. Her professors have been invaluable in helping her through it, and Cundy cites Rashondia Gaines, D.D.S., M.S., as her most influential teacher. “Dr. Gaines really has helped me to become the best I can be in clinic,” Cundy said. “I’m a feeler, and she’s teaching me to get over that. You’re there to provide the best service possible, and you can’t always let your emotions dictate your treatment. You have to give them what is necessary for them. You can’t put treatment on hold.” Gaines, who serves as director of faculty practice and as an assistant professor with the Department of Cariology and Restorative Dentistry, sees a bright future for Cundy. “Kelly is passionate and is a hard worker. She has such an animated personality, and she is extremely dedicated to whatever she puts her mind to,” said Gaines. For Cundy, who admits that “I don’t sit well,” this dedication has manifested itself in her extracurricular work with children. She is the Broward County program director for Acing Autism, which provides tennis instruction for children affected by autism. As president of the college’s Pediatric Dental Club, she helps oversee the CDM’s Give Kids A Smile program—an annual, daylong, free clinic sponsored nationally by the American Dental Association. (See story on page 10.) During 2015’s Gives Kids A Smile event, for the first time, Cundy helped bring special-needs children to the clinic. “It hit us that it’s such a need,” she said. “We have the resources, so we should help everybody.” As usual, the atmosphere during the Give Kids A Smile event felt more like a carnival than a dentist’s office. Costumed characters from Frozen joined Miami Dolphins and Florida Panthers players, NSU’s mascot Razor the Shark, the Florida Panthers’ mascot Stanley C. Panther, and Timmy the Tooth. Face painters, balloon artists, and music were also featured. “For some of these children, this is their first time coming to the dentist,’ Cundy said. “You want it to be such a memorable experience. You want to get them excited about brushing their teeth and having good oral hygiene.” With this kind of résumé, it’s no surprise that when she graduates in spring 2016 with a D.M.D. degree, Cundy plans to pursue pediatric dentistry. She’ll be more than prepared, even if—as she knows better than most— kids can bite. ◆