Dental Students Benefit from National Association Membership

The American Student Dental Association – the student branch of the American Dental Association – holds annual regional and national meetings for dental students across the country. Breanna Raner, a student at UNLV's School of Dental Medicine, serves as the president of the ASDA chapter at UNLV and was able to participate in these meetings through private support received through the Dean's Associates program.

"I've been fortunate to go to three of national and regional events, which has helped me to become a leader on the national level for the American Student Dental Association," says Breanna.

This private support for dental students also encourages seniors in the UNLV program to join by paying their ASDA dues for them.  The resources available through ASDA help dental students become more engaged in the profession by learning about legislation affecting the industry, engaging in community service, and becoming familiar with the dental profession.

The UNLV chapter is already making its mark in ASDA, even though the program is still fairly new.

"We were nominated for Ideal ASDA Chapter, which means we were in the top four in the country," says Breanna.  The chapter also received recognition for their community service program, and Breanna was named delegate of the year.

Karen West, dean of the UNLV School of Dental Medicine, says that it is important for the students to be aware of all of the benefits of joining the ADA while they are students so they can be active members of their professional organization when they graduate.

"This is a good thing for the profession in general as it involves the students early on and makes them knowledgeable leaders ready to make a difference and move the profession forward even while they are still in school," says West.