STUDENT NATIONAL
DENTAL ASSOCIATION

University of Michigan School of Dentistry

ABOUT

The Student National Dental Association (SNDA) has a longstanding goal for over 40 years to promote, aid, and support the academic and social environment of minority students. SNDA strives to establish opportunities for its members to serve their community, develop a support system, and create a deep sense of community as they navigate the rigorous academic journey of dental school.

MISSION

DIVERSITY

  • SNDA promotes and encourages an increase of minority enrollment and retention in dental schools.
  • Promote a viable academic and social environment for minority students, while encouraging and supporting academic excellence through community and mentorship. 

BUILD COMMUNITY

  • Contribute to the welfare of current dental students at University of Michigan School of Dentistry.
  • Educate and involve SNDA members in the social, moral, and ethical obligations of the profession of dentistry.

COMMUNITY SERVICE AND OUTREACH

  • Commit to the improvement of dental health care access for all people, with an emphasis on minorities and the underserved.
  • Provide time and skill in assisting programs within the greater community which require some measure of dental expertise.

MENTORSHIP

  • Guide those looking to pursue a career in dentistry and provide them with the resources, mentors, and network to help achieve their goals.

BACKGROUND

The Student National Dental Association (SNDA) originated from concerned dental students at Meharry Medical College in 1970. Since its creation, SNDA has played an integral part in the effort to increased and support underrepresented student populations in dental schools; as well as promote the access of dental health services to underserved communities.

The University of Michigan chapter of the SNDA is rich in tradition. Our mission is to foster a community of belonging, academic success, and professional development among students of color.

In addition, UM-SNDA thrives to remain active on a national level. This chapter plans to continue its commitment to the national organization by participating at the national conventions, providing leadership at the national level, and recruiting alumni to future conventions.

RESOURCES

UM-SNDA Instagram

Diversity Equity and Inclusion
Website for the Diversity Equity and Inclusion initiatives taken on by the University of Mich School of Dentistry

Student National Dental Association (SNDA)
The Student National Dental Association is the pre-doctoral subset of the National Dental Association (NDA). SNDA’s aim is to promote, support, and encourage a promising academic and social environment for minority dental students.

National Dental Association (NDA)
The National Dental Association has a long-standing goal to improve the delivery of oral health care in underserved communities and improve the educational opportunities of minorities underrepresented in the oral health field.


2023 SNDA Convention in New Orleans, LA

KING'S FEAST

The annual “King’s Feast” has been hosted by University of Michigan’s SNDA for the last 40 years and works to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The night consists of a formal dress code, banquet style dinner, student performances, a guest speaker, and great music. This evening connects all members of SNDA as pre-dental students, current UMSOD students, and alumni celebrate together. The “King’s Feast” gala is one of SNDA’s signature events and is held in January of each year.

King's Feast 2016

JAMAICA OUTREACH

HealthCare International originated in 1991 when Dr. Noel Brown, a graduate of New York University College of Dentistry (NYUCD), started the outreach as a community service to Jamaica, his country of birth. He realized that in rural areas of the island there were communities with little or no access to health care, because of distance to the nearest clinic or lack of finances to receive the necessary care.

Prior to starting HealthCare International (HCI), Dr. Brown had traveled to Jamaica with a volunteer group, to provide dental care to indigent communities and schools in the rural areas of Jamaica. However, this group was not able to serve his community, and he recognized the great need there. Dr. Brown contacted dentists with whom he was acquainted, including faculty at NYUCD and members of the Student National Dental Association (SNDA) to join him on a one-week volunteer mission to Jamaica.

Dr. Moses Page Snead, an Oral Surgery Faculty from NYUCD at the time, accompanied the students on the first and subsequent trips to Jamaica. The NYUCD students were the first participants in HCI's outreach. It was realized that senior dental students would be able to enhance their clinical experiences in Restorative Dentistry and Oral Surgery, while working in this environment.

The cost of the outreach was financed by the individual students at that time. Dr. Brown contacted the Rotary Club of May Pen for assistance, and they viewed this as an avenue through which they could serve and assist the community more. The Rotary club agreed to assist.

To honor Dr. Martin Luther King's legacy, HCI choose the week of his birthday to serve the Jamaican people.

As the group grew larger the logistics of workers arriving in time at the various outreach stations in Jamaica became more difficult. It was then decided that a central location for all members of the outreach team was necessary. The Versalles Hotel in Clarendon was chosen because of its location and the security provided.

Earlier groups of volunteers consisted of dental care only. As we have grown, the volunteer team now consists of various specialties, such as Dentists, Medical Doctors, Surgeons, Anesthesiologist, Nurses, OB/GYN and Optometrists.

Over the years, HCI has donated computer equipment, training and books to schools and libraries, and has been instrumental in securing medical treatment in the USA for patients who were unable to have such treatment in Jamaica.

PROFILE FOR SUCCESS
Summer Program

“Profiles for Success” is a 6-week residential program hosted every summer by the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and the Student National Dental Association. The program prepares pre-dental students from disadvantaged and underrepresented backgrounds to be successful applicants for dental school. The program is free to all participants. Profile For Success Website

Profile For Success

ADVISORY BOARD

Blake Bufford, DDS, DEI Graduate Student Staff Assistant

Blake Bufford, DDS

DEI Graduate Student Staff Assistant

[email protected]
Todd Ester, DDS, MS, Faculty Advisor

Todd Ester, DDS, MS

Faculty Advisor

[email protected]

CONTACT US

[email protected]