The Student National Dental Association (SNDA) originated from concerned dental students at
Meharry Medical College in 1970. Over fifty years after the inception and creation of the National
Dental Association, these students at Meharry organized and put together the foundation of what
would become the largest minority student organization in the United States.
The lack of a structured mechanism to promote contact between minority dentists and students of
dentistry was the major impetus to form the SNDA. In letter from Reuben Warren, student
government Vice President at the Meharry, to Dr. James W. Holley, III, President of NDA, the
desire to start a "student chapter of the NDA" was communicated. At the NDA Mid-Winter meeting
March 7-8, 1970, the Student National Dental Association was voted into existence.
Since this humble beginning, the SNDA has grown to approximately 1,100 minority dental
student''; members who are from African-American, Hispanic, and Native backgrounds from
among the approximately 21,000 dental students enrolled at the 56 US dental schools. Since
1970, SNDA has become an integral minority students and minority dental health practioners,
withh the ultimate goal of improving the health manpower distribution among the minority
population as defined by the Department of Health and Human Services. SNDA Regional and
National meetings are held annually to advance and refine the collective efforts of the
organization.
Meharry Medical College in 1970. Over fifty years after the inception and creation of the National
Dental Association, these students at Meharry organized and put together the foundation of what
would become the largest minority student organization in the United States.
The lack of a structured mechanism to promote contact between minority dentists and students of
dentistry was the major impetus to form the SNDA. In letter from Reuben Warren, student
government Vice President at the Meharry, to Dr. James W. Holley, III, President of NDA, the
desire to start a "student chapter of the NDA" was communicated. At the NDA Mid-Winter meeting
March 7-8, 1970, the Student National Dental Association was voted into existence.
Since this humble beginning, the SNDA has grown to approximately 1,100 minority dental
student''; members who are from African-American, Hispanic, and Native backgrounds from
among the approximately 21,000 dental students enrolled at the 56 US dental schools. Since
1970, SNDA has become an integral minority students and minority dental health practioners,
withh the ultimate goal of improving the health manpower distribution among the minority
population as defined by the Department of Health and Human Services. SNDA Regional and
National meetings are held annually to advance and refine the collective efforts of the
organization.
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