Key takeaways
- Organizations connect you with dental students, dentists, information and leadership roles.
- ASDA, HSDA and SNDA are student organizations centered in dental schools that also welcome or support pre-dental students.
- ADEA represents dental education and runs the ADEA AADSAS application service.
- Starting or growing a pre-dental club is real leadership with real impact on your peers.
- Check each organization's own website for current membership options and costs.
The organizations
| Organization | What it is | For pre-dental students |
|---|---|---|
| ASDA (American Student Dental Association) | A national organization run by and for dental students | Offers a pre-dental membership with resources about dental school and the profession; many campus pre-dental clubs connect with it |
| HSDA (Hispanic Student Dental Association) | The student organization connected with the Hispanic Dental Association, with chapters at dental schools | Chapters often support pre-dental students through mentoring and outreach; some colleges have pre-dental chapters |
| SNDA (Student National Dental Association) | The student organization connected with the National Dental Association, focused on supporting students of color and improving access to care | Chapters at dental schools often run pipeline and mentoring programs for pre-dental students; some colleges have pre-dental chapters |
| ADEA (American Dental Education Association) | The association representing dental schools, programs, faculty and students | Publishes guidance for applicants and advisors and runs the ADEA AADSAS application service |
| ADEA AADSAS | The centralized application service used by most U.S. dental schools | Where you submit your application, coursework, experiences, statement and letters |
Membership options, costs and programs change, so check each organization's own website. ADEA's site is at adea.org and the ADA's (which runs the DAT) at ada.org.
Local and campus community
- Your college's pre-dental club or pre-health society: workshops, speakers, shadowing contacts.
- Dental school open houses and pre-dental days: many schools host them each year.
- Local dental societies: some welcome students to events.
- Online communities: useful for questions, but verify advice against official sources.
- Our mentors: verified dental students and residents you can follow and learn from.
How to start a pre-dental club
- Check what existsAsk student activities and your health professions advisor. Joining or reviving an existing club may be faster than starting fresh.
- Find co-founders and an advisorMost campuses require a minimum number of students and a faculty or staff advisor. A pre-health advisor or science professor is ideal.
- Write a simple constitutionPurpose, membership, officer roles, elections and meeting frequency. Your student activities office usually has a template.
- Register and plan a first semesterThree or four events are enough to start: an advisor Q&A, a dental student panel, a hands-on activity, a service event.
- Build relationshipsInvite local dentists, nearby dental school admissions offices and student organizations such as ASDA, HSDA or SNDA chapters.
- Plan for continuityRecruit younger members into officer roles, keep shared documents and contacts, and hand over carefully.
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Next steps
General guidance written by Dental School Map, not official policy. Schools set their own requirements, and rules change each cycle: confirm details with ADEA, the ADA, Acuity Insights and each school. Spot something out of date? Tell us.