Student Organizations & Services
Associations & Societies
American Student Dental Association
The local chapter of the American Student Dental Association (ASDA) is fully recognized by the American Dental Association (ADA), and membership is required of all IUSD dental students. Membership dues are included with other fees assessed by the school during the fall semester billing process. Associate membership also is available to predental students. ASDA protects and advances the rights, interests, and welfare of students pursuing careers in dentistry. Life insurance and other benefits are available to ASDA members.
Student American Dental Hygienists’ Association
Dental hygiene students may join the Student American Dental Hygienists’ Association, which offers experiences similar to those of ASDA.
Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU)
The national honor dental society, Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU), is represented by the component chapter of Theta Theta. Candidates are nominated from the upper one-fifth of each graduating class, with faculty voting into membership 12 percent of the class. The key, which is symbolic of the society, is awarded to each newly elected member. OKU awards several scholarships each year to students of high character who demonstrate academic proficiency as well as potential in advancing the profession of dentistry. Modest, interest-free loans are also available to second-, third-, and fourth-year students with a documented need.
Sigma Phi Alpha
The national honor dental hygiene society, Sigma Phi Alpha, is represented by the component Theta chapter. Candidates are nominated from the upper one-fifth of each graduating class, with faculty voting into membership up to 10 percent of the class. Elected members rank highest in scholarship, service, and leadership. The key, which is symbolic of the society, is awarded to each newly elected member. Sigma Phi Alpha awards several scholarships to outstanding students each year.
American Dental Education Association
The American Dental Education Association (ADEA) is the voice of dental education. ADEA's mission is to lead institutions and individuals in the dental education community to address contemporary issues influencing education, research, and the delivery of oral health care for the overall health and safety of the public. Members include 76 U.S. and Canadian dental schools, more than 1,000 allied and advanced dental education programs, 60 corporations and more than 20,000 individuals.
Student Professionalism and Ethics Association
The Student Professionalism and Ethics Association (SPEA) in dentistry is a national, student-driven association established to promote and support students’ lifelong commitment to ethical behavior in order to benefit the patients they serve and to further the dental profession.
The objectives of the association are to collaborate with leadership of the dental profession to effectively advocate for our members and act as a support system for students in strengthening their personal and professional ethics values by providing a resource for ethics education and professional development; fostering a non-punitive, open-forum environment for ethics communication; and promoting awareness of ethics standards and related issues within dentistry.
National Dental Association (NDA)
Dental students may also join the student branch of the National Dental Association (NDA), the nation’s largest and oldest organization for minority oral health professionals. The NDA is dedicated to providing affordable dental care, education, and guidance to underserved members of the community, including racial and ethnic minorities, children, the indigent, the elderly, and the disabled. The Student National Dental Association promotes fellowship and cooperation among its members and aids in the advancement of minority students in dentistry. It has furthered these purposes through publication of a newsletter, annual conventions, and collaborations with other national dental groups such as the American Student Dental Association. More information is available at the following Web site: www.ndaonline.org.
Hispanic Dental Association
The Hispanic Dental Association provides leadership and represents professionals who share a common commitment to improving the oral health of persons in the Hispanic community through better prevention, treatment, and education. The association’s objectives include fostering research and knowledge of Hispanic oral health problems, providing a worldwide source of continuing education for oral health professionals serving the Hispanic community, stimulating interest of Hispanics in oral health, and encouraging their entry into the oral health professions. The association is open to dental professionals, dental students, and students enrolled in the allied dental programs. More information is available at the following Web site: www.hdassoc.org.