New This Year! ASDA will celebrate Access, Opportunity and Diversity in Dentistry (AOD) Week. In conjunction with Disability Awareness Month, AOD Week will offer education and resources on the barriers patients face in oral health care with a spotlight on special care dentistry. Join us October 6-10, 2025.
Monday:
Kick off the week on an Instagram Live at 7:30 p.m. CST with a student-led panel that highlights identity, resilience and leadership. Moderated by Dominique Vickers, Council on Professional Issues Chair.
Panelists:
- Colby Dean, District 1 Trustee, Tufts ‘26
- Payal Patel, ASDA President, Arizona ‘26
- Miriam Villa, Council on Advocacy Chair, Midwestern-Arizona ‘27
Tuesday:
Participate in ASDA’s Disability Awareness Month Video Contest. Just follow @dentalstudents and like and comment on the video posted on Disability Awareness Month. The video will offer information, tips and resources on treating patients with special needs. Three lucky followers who like and comment on the video will be eligible to win one of three $50 gift cards.
Wednesday:
Join ASDA at 7 p.m. CST for a virtual interactive workshop focused on bias, empathy and providing culturally aware care.
Speaker: Dr. Dylan Weber
Register Now (link:
Thursday:
It’s time for ASDA Action! ASDA supports 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. Participate in an ASDA Action campaign to support Disability Awareness Month and AOD Week.
Friday:
We’ll wrap up AOD Week by announcing the recipients of the Disability Awareness Month Video Contest on Instagram.
AOD Week is hosted by the Council on Professional Issues.
Questions? Contact membership@asdanet.org.