Student Organizations

The American Dental Education Association is a national and local organization, in which students and faculty at the University of Kentucky participate. Our goal as a student organization is to provide additional educational opportunities to students throughout the year, including information on dental specialties and research.

The American Association of Women Dentists (AAWD) is an organization of students, faculty, and staff who support the interests of women in dentistry and advocate for women in the community. We participate in many volunteer opportunities and have a special partnership with Greenhouse 17, an advocacy agency committed to ending intimate partner abuse. Each year, AAWD hosts Strut Your Smile, a fashion show and silent auction to benefit Greenhouse 17. We have raised over $100,000 for free dental care for women and children who reside at the shelter. Our organization provides the opportunity for students to give back to their community and also exists as a means of support for women in the profession. 
www.aawd.org

The University of Kentucky chapter of the American Association of Public Health Dentistry (AAPHD) is a student-run organization which aims to create an environment that enhances public health dentistry.
www.aaphd.org

The American Student Dental Association (ASDA) was established in 1971 to represent, serve, and support the needs and interests of all student dentists as they prepare to enter the dental profession. ASDA is the affiliate student organization of the American Dental Association (ADA). Structured as a network of local chapters, ASDA is uniquely geared to respond to the concerns and issues of its members at the local, regional, and national level. The University of Kentucky chapter has a history of being active at all levels. The local chapter sponsors an annual student convention with dental related vendors. The chapter also serves the community through its Saturday Morning Clinics, a program that provides dental care to children from low-income families. Additionally, the chapter sponsors a number of professional and social activities for its members, including an annual Halloween gathering, various "lunch and learns," and a wine tasting event that raises money for a non-profit dental clinic. Additional information can be found on https://ukasda.net/

DSD is a group of dental students associated with the national dental fraternity Delta Sigma Delta. We participate and raise money for dental charities, run exceptional educational programs for dental students, and organize social events like our Trivia Night, which benefits Mission Lexington (free clinic).

Founded in 1990, the Hispanic Dental Association (HDA) is the national organization dedicated to provide leadership and represent professionals who share a common commitment to improve the oral health of the Hispanic community.
www.hdassoc.org

Omicron Kappa Upsilon is a national dental honor society founded in 1914. Every dental school in the United States has an active chapter. The Delta Epsilon Chapter of OKU is the chapter at the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry. Each year, the chapters elect alumni members from the graduating class. Only students in the top 20% of their class are eligible. From the top 20%, a number equal to no more than 12% of the entire class, who, in addition to scholarship, have demonstrated exemplary traits of character and potential qualities of future professional growth and attainment, may be elected by the active members of the chapter. Our chapter also recognizes the scholastic achievement of students through the Basic Science Award (awarded to a second year student) and the Kramer Award (awarded to a third year student).
www.oku.org

Each College of Dentistry class has a president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, social chair, ASDA representative, alumni representative, two representatives to the College Code Committee, two representatives to the College Curriculum Committee, and the third- and fourth-year classes will also have two representatives to the College Admission Committee.

The Mission of the Student Dental Business Organization is to create the next generation of dental practice owners. A generation who graduates equipped with a knowledge of dental business and who emerge well-connected with professionals who help make their dream of ownership a reality.

The purpose of this organization is to increase the overall level of ethics and professionalism at the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry.
www.speadental.org

The Student Advisory Council (SAC) serves in an advisory capacity to the Dean by providing information and making recommendations to improve the quality of students' educational experience. SAC also serves as a forum through which students may exchange information, develop ideas, express concerns, and identify problems related to College educational or administrative policies. SAC membership consists of the president and vice-president of each class of each student organization (e.g. ASDA, ADEA, SNDA, AAWD, HDA, and SRG), the UK Student Government senator, the first delegate of the ADEA Council of Students Association and a postdoctoral student dentist. The College’s Dean and Assistant Dean of Academic and Student Affairs also attend SAC meetings.

The purpose of the University of Kentucky Student Government Association (SGA) is to increase student influence over academic policy; to provide necessary student services; to protect and expand student substantive and procedural rights; and to better represent the student body in relations with the faculty, administration, Board of Trustees, and the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Annually, students of each College in the University elect an SGA senator who serves as a member of the Student Senate.
www.uksg.org

The Student National Dental Association (SNDA) is the national organization that addresses the specific needs and interests of minority students. SNDA is the affiliate student organization to the National Dental Association (NDA). Information is provided annually by the Chapter’s officers on membership and its many activities. The SNDA Chapter engages in several community service programs throughout the year.

The Student Research Group (SRG) is affiliated with the American Association of Dental Research (AADR). Its primary purpose is to foster student involvement in research at the College. Student research is promoted by: Informing students about College research opportunities and support (i.e. elective courses, work-study, fellowships, acquainting students with on-going research projects, providing students with information on how to do research, write abstracts and present the results of research studies through table clinics, posers and oral presentations, providing a forum for students to present and discuss research results, informing students about post-graduate dental research opportunities. www.aadronline.com

The Asian Dental Society promotes dental health among the underprivileged Asian population in the greater Lexington area as well as the state of Kentucky. It also serves as a resource to the dental community in promoting cultural sensitivity and understanding. Members value diversity awareness as well as community outreach. Organization activities include: culture awareness events, such as lunar New Year, Asian potluck and "taste of the world", and community outreach programs, such as Asian night at Mission Lexington.

MDA was founded in 1931 to provide Christian healthcare professionals and students with resources, networking, and educational opportunities. UK’s CMDA chapter is open to any student or faculty in the medical or dental schools. They conduct Bible studies, hold social gatherings, and invite speakers to their monthly meetings.

Tau Sigma Military Dental Club is a new student dental organization that seeks to promote oral health in the Lexington Community, to welcome new military-sponsored students into UKCD, provide information to current and potential dental officer candidates about serving in the military, and to participate in fund raising initiatives for Lexington area homeless vets.