Connect. Support. Advance.

Founded in 1972, it is our longstanding goal to promote, aid, and support the academic and social environment of minority dental students nationwide.

Join SNDA

Are you looking for collaboration, networking and community outreach opportunities with other minority dental students? Join today for access to invaluable resources, financial assistance through scholarships, and lifelong friendships.

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SNDA By the Numbers

1,276

Members

172

Mentors

3,208

Successful Graduates

Welcome Home, SNDA.

SNDA means celebration, excellence, collaboration, and a place you can always call yours.

As an organization, we have exhibited spectacular growth over the past decade and I will keep building on this momentum with diligent and intentional leadership. As I look toward this next year, I am excited to operate under a spirit and vision entitled, “SNDA Homecoming”. As a Spelman College graduate, that’s definitely an HBCU reference. But as your leader, it’s a reminder that when we get together…we are home.
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In this next year, keep an eye out for continued excellence and a few exciting changes.
Initiatives for the 2025-2026 year:

SNDA “MIND OVER MOLAR”: We’ve all spent countless hours testing the vitality of teeth, treatment planning for others, and doing what we can to keep our patients well. This initiative focuses on the continued planning and building of events that center the body, mind, and spirit of SNDA students nationwide.

SNDA “STUDY CLUB”: With incredible feedback and participation from SNDA students last year, we’re keeping this program going! We’ll be maintaining our spring seminar series with continued interprofessional collaboration events, case discussions, skill-sharpening workshops, and experience-sharing events.

SNDA “THE APEX PROJECT”: Remodeling our brand’s visibility with an updated and modernized logo and more robust digital footprint.

SNDA54: And of course…I’ll be working tirelessly with the executive team to bring you another unforgettable 54th Annual Convention experience in July 2026.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you again for this incredible honor. Looking forward to supporting you all over the next year and welcoming you home for the 54th National SNDA Convention in Richmond, Virginia!

Brhan Eskinder

SNDA National President
University of Michigan School of Dentistry DDS
Class of 2026

Get Involved with SNDA

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Apply for SNDA Scholarships

We have several scholarships available to assist our members with their educational expenses.

Apply Today

Find an SNDA
Chapter

Looking for a local chapter at your college or university? View our database of websites.

Find a Chapter

We are looking for creative, dedicated and hard-working students to join our executive board.

Learn More

Serve on the SNDA Executive Board

Apply for SNDA Scholarships

We have several scholarships available to assist our members with their educational expenses.

Apply Today

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Find an SNDA  Chapter

Looking for a local chapter at your college or university? View our database of websites.

Find a Chapter

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Serve on the SNDA Executive Board

We are looking for creative, dedicated and hard-working students to join our executive board.

Learn More

Our Values

We strive to establish opportunities for our members to develop stronger alliances amongst one another while developing a sense of community, aiding in the advancement of minority students within the field of dentistry.

Diversity

We support tackling health disparities in underserved populations by advocating for a diverse health force.

Outreach

As an organization, we task ourselves with programs that are aimed to decrease oral health disparities nation wide.

Mentorship

Our aim is to maintain our relationship with NDA, while also fostering mentorship within our organization as well.

Excellence

We hope that through networking and mentorship that our students and graduates will attain excellence in all areas.

Membership benefits and exclusive features

Active SNDA members are able to connect with each other using our online forums, attend our annual conventions, apply for scholarships through the National Dental Association (NDA), and liaison with other national dental groups such as the American Dental Association (ADA).

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Stay in the loop with the latest updates by checking out our Instagram feed.

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Member Testimonials

After being accepted to dental school, uncertainty clouded my thoughts about the experiences, connections, and opportunities awaiting me among 140 classmates. Learning about Midwestern CDMI's inaugural SNDA chapter in my first year brought profound reassurance. SNDA represents a sanctuary, a platform for service, an advocacy realm, and a networking hub, among other things. This organization has catalyzed significant positive change for individuals with backgrounds like mine, and I'm immensely grateful for the chance to contribute to its enduring legacy. Through SNDA, I've found not only a supportive community but also opportunities for personal and professional growth. Its emphasis on diversity and inclusion has fostered an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered. SNDA has truly enriched my dental school experience, providing me with lifelong connections and a sense of belonging that I cherish deeply. I am excited to continue my journey with SNDA and see the impact we can make together in the future.

Sydnie Taylor

Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine Illinois - Class of 2026

It is hard to encapsulate what SNDA exactly means to me by using only a few words. During my dental school journey, SNDA has not only helped to make me a better scholar, but it has provided me with the resources and opportunities to make all my dreams into a reality. Through the support of SNDA, I was able to establish the first USNDA chapter on the campus of Michigan State University that provided social, leadership, academic, and volunteer opportunities to its members. I was able to attend the SNDA national conference where I got to make connections, meet fellow colleagues who look like me, and become more enthralled with this career path that I have chosen. SNDA to me is about building lifelong relationships with individuals who become like family. It is about supporting one another to achieve any goals you may have. It is about a community built on the principles of diversity, equality, and inclusion. Lastly, SNDA has helped mold me into the thought-provoking student clinician that I try to be today. I have been able to see first-hand where SNDA has taken me so far and I can only imagine where it will take me during the pursuit of my future aspirations.

James Bennett III

University of Michigan School of Dentistry - Class of 2026

Being a part of SNDA has undoubtedly been a pivotal aspect of my dental school journey. As I embarked on my first year, nerves tingled about starting this adventure miles away from home, but SNDA swiftly transformed into my comforting home away from home. Within SNDA, I discovered more than just a group; I found a close-knit community, unwavering support, invaluable mentorship, opportunities for personal growth through leadership roles, and the foundation for lifelong friendships. Moreover, the inclusiveness and well-versed members of SNDA played an integral role in shaping my dental school experience. Their openness and diverse perspectives helped foster an environment where everyone felt valued and supported, contributing to the richness of our collective journey. These experiences have deeply enriched my time in dental school, shaping me in ways I never imagined. For these reasons, and countless more, I will forever be grateful for SNDA and the remarkable family it has bestowed upon me.

Heywan Gessesse

University of Maryland School of Dentistry - Class of 2024

SNDA has been a guiding light throughout my dental career, offering invaluable support and opportunities that have shaped my journey in profound ways. Amidst the rigorous demands of dental school, SNDA serves as my anchor, keeping me rooted and connected to fellow individuals who share similar backgrounds and experiences in dentistry. Through SNDA, I've found a space where I can authentically be myself, surrounded by a welcoming community that embraces diversity and inclusion. The mentorship programs offered by SNDA have provided me with guidance, encouragement, and invaluable insights from seasoned professionals who have walked similar paths. As a young African American man navigating the field of dentistry, SNDA has provided me with an immeasurable network of support and camaraderie. SNDA has been instrumental in shaping my identity as a dental professional and has equipped me with the skills, knowledge, and support network needed to succeed in this challenging yet rewarding field.