The American Student Dental Association was founded in the year 1970. The Student American Medical Association (SAMA) had just received a million-dollar grant from the federal government to facilitate student participation and collaboration in the American Indian Health Program and Appalachia Project. The only healthcare industry without a national student organization at that time was Dentistry. To receive the grant, the association needed the dental students to organize.
Students from different dental schools came together to form the Student American Dental Association, which later gave birth to the formation of the American Student Dental Association (ASDA). Today, this dental organization is the largest in the U.S. and working as a channel to address concerns by students in the dental industry. Aside from being the voice of its members and lobbying for issues concerning dental students, the ASDA is also responsible for publishing policy statements on different issues and is a leading proponent of removing barriers to care in dentistry.
As a member of the American Student Dental Association, you become part of a well-respected organization that strives hard to uphold the dental profession. Benefits of membership include the following:
1. Life and Disability Insurance
Student members of the ADA (American Dental Association) can avail of the disability and no-cost term life insurance plans by Great West Financial; all you need to do is request them. After completing your dental education, you can continue to receive both at no cost until the 31st of December in the year you graduated.
After that date, you can keep your insurance plans by simply paying the premiums. The disability insurance coverage provides $2000 for every month of disability up to a period of seven years to cover living expenses. $2,000 per month for a total of $150,000 is also provided to help you repay student loans in case you are disabled and can no longer perform any of your dental student duties. A term life insurance of $50,000 and accidental death insurance of $50,000 is covered by the no-cost term life insurance plan.
2. Dental School Loans
American Student Dental Association members are provided dental school loans via Common Bond’s Dental Loan. These loans provide a better rate than a federal loan. Members who avail will get a $100 bonus with flexible payment and protection terms in place.
3. Access to Resources
Student members can have unlimited access to the health and wellness resources offered by the ADA. This includes support and information on prescription abuse prevention, ergonomics in the dental practice, mental health, and more. The ADA also provides referral information on specialized treatment facilities and wellbeing committees run by the state.
4. Travel Benefits
Being a member of ASDA means that you get significant savings on accommodation and luggage shipping whenever you travel to the ADA office in Chicago. Just consult with your ADA meeting coordinator for details on these benefits.
5. Children’s Oral Health Promotion through ADA’s Dental Initiatives
You can make a difference in your community by volunteering for ADA’s programs such as the Give Kids a Smile. Help underserved children receive oral health services for free and teach kids how to properly care for their teeth and oral cavity.
6. Access to the ADA Center for Professional Services
The ADA Center for Professional Services offers several resources and information on career, practice management, dental benefits, wellness, and legal facts. Information is plentiful and covers topics such as how to start or close a practice, dental health financing, HIPAA and Medicare facts, continuing education, and work-life balance.
7. Discounts on Insurance and Office Supplies
ASDA students receive considerable discounts on GEICO’s automobile insurance and MedProGroup’s malpractice insurance for externships and board exams; there are significant savings on office supplies at Office Depot as well.
~
“Success is the sum of small efforts
repeated day in and day out.”
- Robert Collier