ASDA holds meetings throughout the year to educate members on issues facing the dental profession and provide opportunities to meet students from dental schools across the country. We encourage you to attend meetings to learn more about ASDA and maximize the benefits of your membership. Click here for a schedule of ASDA meetings.
Annual Session
ASDA’s Annual Session brings together student leaders from all 62 US dental schools. Highlights of this meeting include an exhibit fair to meet vendors and make valuable contacts; prominent speakers within dentistry addressing hot topics; awards recognizing the achievements of our chapters and our members; the business meeting of the House of Delegates; and elections of our national leaders. The meeting culminates with a celebration at the themed dinner dance. This meeting is the high point of the ASDA year!
National Dental Student Lobby Day
During National Dental Student Lobby Day, students visit Capitol Hill to advocate on behalf of themselves and their patients. This unique experience gives ASDA members the opportunity to meet with lawmakers and staff to discuss the issues that will impact the education and training of dental students and future dentists.
Among other things, dental schools and their students represent innovation, scientific research, education and jobs. Additionally, a dental student’s narrative can be highly influential. Persuading decision-makers requires making a connection, and using the human touch that was honed in dental clinic could prove invaluable. Real issues, such as finding a job after graduation or paying off substantial student debt are both compelling and validate a need for action.
A portion of National Dental Student Lobby Day includes a full day of training on the issues and policies that are up for discussion with lawmakers and their staffs. ASDA works to ensure all dental students are prepared to discuss these issues at length with anyone from a legislative aide, to the chief of staff, to potentially the Congressperson themselves.
National Leadership Conference
Dental students receive in-depth training in general and specific areas of dentistry — including dental ethics, treatment options and patient care. Upon graduation, they leave with the technical skills needed to be good dentists. However, the “life skills” they need to be successful business owners, team leaders and people managers may not always be developed. The National Leadership Conference will provide leadership training to dental students across all years. Attendees can create customized schedules based on their personal knowledge, experience and interests, in order to benefit them as dental students and future practitioners, as well as leaders in organized dentistry.