Dental Student Membership
 |
The ADA and ASDA are here for you!
Members receive special benefits and resources to support you during school and help you prepare for your dental career. Through membership, students learn first-hand about the purpose of organized dentistry and how we work together to advance the profession.
"Organized Dentistry" describes the different groups working together to have a positive impact on dentistry. It includes members, supporters and staff at the local, state and national levels (those three are called the tripartite) as well as specialty organizations like ASDA. Find out more:
Pre-Dental School Membership
The ADA does not offer a pre-dental membership, but you can join the American Student Dental Association (ASDA) as a pre-dental student for $55 annually. Visit ASDA for more information. When you enroll in dental school, you can join ASDA as a member and you’ll also be a student member of the ADA.
Pre-Doctoral (enrolled in dental school) Membership
The ADA works with the American Student Dental Association (ASDA) to offer a combined membership. Students working towards a DDS or DMD degree join the ADA by joining ASDA! Your membership dues paid to ASDA also include your ADA student membership dues. Join ASDA and the ADA.
As a student member, you have access to the same benefits as member dentists, and more! Students receive the Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) and ADA News, legislative and advocacy publications and ADA Professional Product Review. Members can access to the ADA Library and student members receive $50,000 in free life insurance from Great-West Life. And you promote oral health and support dental education – plus all the benefits you see here in the student area of ADA.org!
What’s the difference between the ADA Office of Student Affairs and the American Student Dental Association (ASDA)?
We are two different organizations that work together to support you (you are currently on the ADA website. Visit ASDA at ASDAnet.org. ASDA is an independent student-run association that protects and advances the rights, interests, and welfare of students pursuing careers in dentistry. The ADA Office of Student Affairs is the service center for dental students– developing resources for students, managing student membership operations and connecting students to the ADA.
When does my membership expire?
Membership in both ADA and ASDA are calendar-year memberships that expire December 31.
Missing ADA Benefits, like JADA
If you are not receiving your ADA benefits, like JADA, the ADA may not have your mailing address. Contact the Office of Student Affairs at 800.621.8099 extension 7470, or via email at studentaffairs@ada.org to update your information. Don’t forget to update your email address!
Getting Involved
In addition to attending meetings of your ASDA chapter (where students do everything from participating in Give Kids A Smile to lobbying governmental organizations), you can reach out to your State (Constituent) and Local (Component) dental society. Established dentists enjoy meeting the next generation, and it’s a great way to find a mentor.
Want ideas for your ASDA chapter? Download the free Activities for your ASDA Chapter Infopak (PDF)
Interested in volunteering overseas? Visit internationalvolunteer.ada.org to find volunteer information, including organizations that utilize dental students, along with comprehensive information about selecting a site, preparing for a trip, and other information that will assist you to assist those in developing countries.
Post-Graduate Programs
Review a list of advanced dental education programs put together by the ADA. Using the drop-down menus, you can search for an accredited advanced specialty education or postdoctoral general dentistry education programs in the United States by state and/or discipline. The information includes mailing address, on-site evaluation years and current accreditation status.
Download the free Advanced Dental Education Infopak (PDF).
ASDA produces a Guide to Post Doctoral Programs, available for purchase online at their website.
Post Doctoral Student Membership
Graduate Student Membership is available to any dentist who is engaged full-time in a residency or advanced education program at least one academic year's duration. If you are entering a graduate program immediately following dental school graduation, graduate student membership maintains your eligibility for the ADA Reduced Dues program for recent graduates.
