Intangible Benefits:
What do you gain from being an ASDA member?
ASDA is the voice of students on may important issues. Your membership strengthens this voice and supports the nationwide network of dental students working to protect your rights and further your interest in legislative, academic, and professional arenas.
What are the advantages of belonging to ASDA?
ADVOCACY: ASDA’s Legislative Grassroots Network (LGN) directs and coordinates grassroots lobbying efforts and works to increase dental student understanding and involvement in legislative issues. The LGN works to inform members of Congress about how proposed legislation will affect dental students, dentists, patients, and provides ASDA chapters with guidelines for letter-writing campaigns, advice on when and how to contact legislators, and ideas for effective verbal communication with policy makers. The LGN sends out a monthly e-newsletter The Legislative Ledger to keep members up-to-date on issues affecting dental education and the field of dentistry. ASDA coordinates the annual National Dental Student Lobby Day in Washington D.C. in conjunction with ADEA, where students have the opportunity to lobby members of Congress on important issues affecting the dental profession. Leadership Development: ASDA introduces students to organized dentistry and provides opportunities to develop leadership skills. ASDA offers leadership positions at the national and local levels with varying responsibilities and time commitments so there is something for everyone. ASDA also provides leadership training and skill development at our national events to prepare you to be a future leader. ADA Student Membership: The ADA is America’s leading advocate for oral health. It helps dentist succeed and advances the oral health of the public. ADA is dedicated to helping you protect and maximize the investment you are making in your career. ADA offers resources to help you throughout dental school, such as financial planning guide, the Success Program and the dental examinations and licensure guide. ADA can also assist you as you transition to practice or post-graduate program with listings of post-graduate programs and jobs, practice tips and loan repayment information.