Connect with new dentists at SmileCon!

Oct. 13–15 in Houston
Register today
before prices increase Sept. 30, 5 p.m. CT.
The New Dentist Committee can’t wait to see you there!

SmileCon.org
A photograph of the New Dentist Committee.

Representing dentists in the early stages of their careers

We are a national committee of the ADA Board of Trustees, representing the ADA’s 17 regional districts across the country. Our members review and advise the board on member benefits and the member experience from the new dentist perspective, review and recommend policies that may affect new dentists, open doors for newcomers to get involved in national, state and local dental societies and much more. As a national body, we also coordinate with state and local dental societies to connect and support new dentists. 
Learn more about New Dentist Committee (flyer PDF)
About the New Dentist Committee

Comprised of 17 members representing each of the ADA’s regional districts, the New Dentist Committee is a national committee of the ADA Board of Trustees. Its primary purpose is to advise the Board of Trustees on matters relating to new dentists.

WHAT WE DO

  1. Identify the needs of new dentists*.
    We advise the Board on what new dentists want and need and help the ADA to develop these resources — for example — new parents and employee dentists.

    *A new dentist is a dentist who graduated from dental school less than 10 years ago.
  2. Give our peers a voice.
    We encourage new dentists to be active in the dental profession and recognize their contributions such as through the 10 Under 10 Award each year. Visit ADA.org/10Under10 to learn more.

    Check out the winners stories at the award-wining ADA New Dentist News at ADA.org/newdentistnews.
  3. Connect with students.
    We reach out to ASDA leadership and support students as they transition into practice. We also oversee ADA Success, a series of programs offered to dental students and post-doctoral residents at no charge (available virtually and in person). Visit ADA.org/successprogram for additional information.
  4. Support diversity and inclusion efforts.
    We work collaboratively with the ADA Diversity & Inclusion Committee to welcome all new dentists into the ADA. For more information on the ADA’s diversity and inclusion efforts, please visit ADA.org/diversityandinclusion.
  5. Build the leadership pipeline.
    New dentist representation in leadership is growing! We lead efforts to grow the leadership pipeline and encourage involvement at the local, state and national levels. There is a voting new dentist member on the ADA Board and each ADA Council, ADPAC and the Advisory Committee on Annual Meetings.

HOW WE DO IT

We meet throughout the year to strategize, plan and organize.

But we need input on what matters to you!

Contact the New Dentist Committee office at newdentist@ada.org to get in touch with your New Dentist Committee representative.

Meet our members 

Walbridge, Seth A., D.M.D. | Chair | District 3 (PA)

Lee, James E., D.M.D. | Vice Chair | District 1 (CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT)

Aiken, Sean, D.M.D. | District 6 (KY, MO, TN, WV)

Feldman, Steven G., D.D.S. | District 4 (DE, DC, DS, MD, NJ, PR, VI)

Fukuoka, Brooke M., D.M.D. | District 11 (AK, ID, MT, MT, OR, WA)

Holdwick, Gabriel B., D.D.S. | District 9 (MI, WI)

Johnson, Jarod W., D.D.S., | District 10 (IA, MN, NE, ND, SD)

Kai, Kevin Y., D.D.S. | District 13 (CA)

Kramer, Kara, D.M.D. - | District 5 (AL, GA, MS)

Larson, Bryce A., D.M.D. | District 8 (IL)

Lu, Daryn, D.D.S. | District 12 (AR, KS, LA, OK)

Mellion, Alex T., D.M.D., M.S.D. | District 7 (IN, OH)

McGinley, Kellie, D.D.S. | District 14 (AZ, CO, HI, NV, NM, UT, WY)

Purvis, James T., D.D.S. | District 16 (NC, SC, VA)

Vogel, Jonathan C., D.D.S. | District 15 (TX)

Wanamaker, James A., D.D.S. | District 2 (NY)

Wright, ArNelle R., D.M.D. | District 17 (FL)

Lavick, Tera | Director
211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60611

State and local new dentist committees 

Your state or local dental society may have its own new dentist committee or equivalent group. To find out more about leadership opportunities in your area, contact your state or local dental society or reach out to the New Dentist Committee representative for your region. Don’t have a committee in your area? Start one! 

Find your state or local group

7 ways to get involved in organized dentistry
As a new dentist, do you have ideas or concerns that you’d like to convey to ADA leaders? Are there stories and experiences you can share that may help other new dentists? 
Your voice matters. Here are 7 ways you can play a role in organized dentistry. 
  1. Get in touch with our national New Dentist Committee to make your views known and find out about volunteer opportunities.
  2. Keep up with trends via New Dentist News and follow the ADA News Instagram feed.
    Read the latest news.
  3. Share experiences and lessons learned in the New Dentist Now blog. Email newdentist@ada.org with your ideas to get started. Explore the blog
  4. Ask about micro-volunteering opportunities with your state or local dental society. Getting involved doesn’t always mean making a big commitment! Often, a few hours can make a real difference.
  5. Volunteer for charitable dentistry events. Help bridge the access to care gap through programs such as Mission of Mercy and Give Kids A Smile.
    View opportunities
  6. Take a stand in Washington, D.C. Help the ADA advocate for things that matter to dentists and the patients they serve. Visit the ADA Advocacy Center
  7. Let us know how you’d like to help by completing the form below. We will recommend opportunities that may interest you. 
    Raise your hand 
Contact us

Do you have an idea or concern? Reach out to your New Dentist Committee representative today or contact the New Dentist Committee office at newdentist@ada.org.