Student Organizations

A number of student organizations and student chapters of professional organizations help to foster the social interaction and professional development of Penn Dental Medicine students. The following are a few of the organizations active at the School, in alphabetical order:

Alpha Omega Beta Chapter
A coeducational student chapter of Alpha Omega, the Alpha Omega Beta Chapter is the oldest international dental organization. Originally founded in 1907 to fight discrimination in dental schools, it is now primarily an educational and philanthropic organization.

American Dental Education Association (ADEA) Chapter
The American Dental Education Association is a national dental organization focused on issues concerning dental school faculty and dental school curriculum, as well as the changing landscape of dental education. UPSDM ADEA Chapter shares similar goals and objectives as the national organization as they pertain to our institution.

American Student Dental Association (ASDA)
ASDA is a national student-run organization that advances and protects the rights, interests, and welfare of students pursuing dental education. It introduces students to lifelong involvement in organized dentistry and provides services, education, representation, and advocacy.

Christian Dental Society
The Christian Dental Society helps students who choose to participate integrate their faith into their studies and in the practice of dental medicine. Members meet on a regular basis to provide support as well as to discuss how the Christian faith impacts on their profesional careers. Members are encouraged to participate in community outreach programs.

Community Health and Service Organization (CHASO)
CHASO works to organize service projects across all classes that allow students to volunteer with community agencies and disciplines.

Graduate and Professional Student Assembly (GAPSA)
GAPSA is a University-wide governing body, which provides professional and other graduate students at Penn with a voice on the campus, in addition to sponsoring social events, that brings all members of the graduate community together.

Hispanic Dental Association (HDA)
The mission of Penn's HDA chapter is to expand the presence of Hispanics in the dental workforce and bridge the gap in access to care for Hispanics in the local area. Additionally, the chapter is committed to increasing cultural awareness of the Hispanic Community with the School and dental profession.

Indian Student Dental Association (ISDA)
ISDA aspires to be a social and professional club open to all students. It promotes cultural awareness and values by hosting various events and functions. The organization also provides students with an opportunity to network with practicing Indian dentists.

Oral Cancer Walk
The purpose of this club is to organize the first Oral Cancer Walk in Philadelphia. Club members are organizing the event, contacting sponsors, raising funds, and awareness for the event.

Ortho Society
The Ortho Society helps prospective orthodontists build valuable relationships with practicing orthodontists in both academics and the surrounding community. The Society helps prospective orthodontists build valuable relationships with practicing specialists, assists students in understanding the application process for post-doctroral study in orthodontics, and acts as a resource to provide students with information about different ortho programs and techniques.

Penn Dental Medicine Cooking Club
The Penn Dental Medicine Cooking Club meets on a monthly basis to provide students with an informal, fun way for dental students across all four classes to get together and share some 'tricks of the kitchen'. Recipes used will be available for all those who attend and a Q & A session will be held.

Penn Dental Medicine Predoctoral Endodontics Society
The goal and function of the Penn Dental Medicine Predoctoral Endodontics Society web site is to create an interactive environment where students can learn and appreciate the significance and practice of Endodontics in Dentistry.

Schoenleber Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Society
The Schoenleber Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Society seeks to encourage pre-doctoral students interested in the specialty, and to raise the interest in the profession among all students. A lecture series is provided each year with presentations by Penn Dental Medicine faculty, private oral surgeons, and industry representatives. Each year graduating seniors give a presentation dealing with the application process, interviews, and the various OMFS programs.

Student Council
Student Council provides a forum for students to express their opinions, communicate with the administration, and become involved in planning school activities. Each class elects a full board of officers as well as school-wide representatives.

Student Hispanic Dental Association
The Student Hispanic Dental Association was established to provide leadership and a voice for members of the Hispanic oral profession and to represent students and professionals who share a common commitment to improve the oral health of the Hispanic community. The SHDA has designed specific outreach and patient education programs for the local Hispanic community.

Student National Dental Association (SNDA)
The SNDA promotes the advancement of minority students in dentistry. The Penn Dental Medicine chapter works closely with the Office of Admissions in the recruitment of minority candidates. Additionally, the organization works with the School's Office of Minority Affairs and Student Affairs on projects exposing youth to the opportunities in dental medicine. Members attend the annual National Dental Association meeting to network with students and faculty and act as liaisons with other national dental groups. Additionally, the SNDA represents the school in community service projects.

Society of Pediatric Medicine
University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine Society of Pediatric Medicine is dedicated to the advancement of pediatric dentistry by expanding the knowledge and appreciation of the unique skills required to work with children and adolescents. A lecture series will introduce members to pediatric dentistry, post-doctoral programs in pediatrics, and opportunities for community involvement. The Society will also provide members with the opportunity to gain firsthand experience by observing both a private practice and inpatient surgery at Children's Hospital, as well as participation in the Special Olympics.

South Asian Student Dental Association (SASDA)
South Asian Student Dental Association (SASDA) is a student run group founded in 1999. The group plans on sponsoring community activities, cultural, and social events. Also they supply academic support for school work and aid in networking with the South Asian Dentists nationwide.

Vernon J. Brightman Research Society is a student-run organization that promotes the interest and participation of Penn Dental Medicine predoctoral students in basic and clinical oral health research. The Society is responsible for organizing the annual Research Fair at the School.

A wide variety of other student organizations are active on the University of Pennsylvania campus with areas of interest ranging from political and national issues to the arts and community service. As members of the larger Penn community, Penn Dental Medicine students are welcome to take part in these groups - see the University's faculty, staff, and student organizations web page for additional information.