American Student Dental Association

The American Student Dental Association (ASDA) is a national student-run organization that is concerned with the rights, interests, and welfare of dental students. It has the aim of introducing students to lifelong involvement in organized dentistry and provides services, information, education, representation, and advocacy.

American Student Dental Association
Formation1971
TypeProfessional association
HeadquartersChicago, Illinois
Location
  • United States
Membership
Dental Students
Official language
English
President
Craig McKenzie
Staff
17
WebsiteASDAnet.org

ASDA was established to connect, support and advance the needs of dental students. ASDA represents 92 percent of all students from 66 U.S. dental schools. In 2018, the association had over 24,000 members, including 22,000 dental students and almost 2,000 predental students. The association also has a membership category for international dental students.

History

In February 1970, the Student American Dental Association (SADA) was formed.[1]

Eventually many dental schools in the United States would automatically enroll their dental students in the association, resulting in a high proportion of dental students being members of the association.

Governance

The association is structured as a network of chapters based at each of the 66 dental schools in the United States and Puerto Rico, ASDA is uniquely geared to respond to its members at the local, regional and national levels.[2] In 1999, ASDA and the American Dental Education Association hosted the first National Dental Student Lobby Day. This involves students gathering in Washington, D.C. to actively lobby members of Congress.

ASDA is governed by 132 delegates (two students from each of its 66 dental school chapters). Chapters are grouped into 11 districts, each guided by an elected trustee. Each year, the delegates elect a president, two vice presidents and a Speaker of the House of Delegates. ASDA also has councils that guide the organization's work in a number of key areas.

A resolution is a formal request or action that is presented to the House of Delegates for consideration. Delegates present discussion for or against a specific resolution, then the house votes to determine the outcome.

See also
  • List of dental schools in the United States

References
  1. "Student Organisations > American Student Dental Association (ASDA) > History". Bu.edu. Boston University. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
  2. "History of ASDA". www.asdanet.org. American Student Dental Association. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
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