ASDA is excited to celebrate the 2026 Access, Opportunity and Diversity in Dentistry (AOD) Week, Oct. 5-9. In conjunction with Disability Awareness Month, AOD Week offers education and resources on the barriers patients face in oral health care with a spotlight on special care dentistry.
Monday:
Visit ASDA's Instagram page (@dentalstudents) as the week kicks off with an opportunity to hear from practicing dentists with their tips on successfully treating patients with special needs.
Tuesday:
Join the conversation on DEI in dental school throughout the day on Instagram. ASDA will post questions on Instagram stories for members to anonymously share their knowledge with each other.
Wednesday:
Challenges to community water fluoridation and fluoride in general are increasing. Dental students should know about the most socially equitable, effective, and cost-efficient form of decay prevention for their patients and community.
Attend this webinar to review the basics of fluoride and fluoridation, learn how to address common misconceptions around fluoridation, and how to be effective advocates in their states and communities, including speaking with patients and local decision-makers.
Time: 7 p.m. CDT
Guest Speaker: Elizabeth Lense, DDS, MSHA, FAAOMP
Senior Scientist for Population Health at the American Dental Association
Register Now
Thursday
Take Action! Take two minutes to join ASDA in supporting the Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act, which would require health insurance companies to cover medically necessary services for birth defects including cleft lip or palate and maxillofacial deformities. Use ASDA Action to send pre-written, customizable letters to your local government officials.
Support ASDA Action
Friday:
ASDA will wrap up the week with a bonus video highlighting Disability Awareness Month on Instagram. Engage with the video by liking and commenting for a chance to win one of three $50 Amazon gift cards.
AOD Week is hosted by the Council on Professional Issues.
Questions? Contact membership@asdanet.org.