Student Chapters

The SCDA Student Chapters are comprised of SCDA-affiliated groups of students from various dental schools who have a specific interest in special care dentistry. Any group of students with official recognition from their dental school may apply to be an official SCDA Student Chapter.

Student Chapter Benefits

  • Provides a forum for questions and answers

  • Mentorship opportunities with SCDA members

  • Connect with SCDA Student Chapters at different dental schools

  • Participate in SCDA Student Chapter activities (webinars, town hall, grant competitions, etc.)

  • The right to use the Special Care Dentistry Association Logo (with granted permission)

  • Opportunity to be featured on the SCDA social media platform

  • Discounted price on SCDA annual meetings

  • Access to the SCDA Journal

  • Certificate of involvement from SCDA

Requirements

  • Provision of school group charter or documentation of official school status

  • All members of the school group must join SCDA to start an SCDA Student Chapter (minimum 5 members)

  • Annually the group will pay the Student Chapter Membership Fee, provide a roster of all school group members to SCDA for membership verification, and send in information about Student Chapter involvement and activities. 

What’s next?

Are you ready to submit an application to start a Student Chapter? Click here to download and review the SCDA Student Chapter Start-Up Kit! Once you've completed the necessary paperwork, please email it to the student liaison's email listed below. 

Student Liaisons

Ms. Anna Cheong

Email Me

Ms. Riggan Ayscue

Email Me

Current Student Chapters

  1. Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health

  2. Texas Tech University Health Center - El Paso Woody L. Hunt School of Dental Medicine

  3. University of Tennessee Health Center College of Dentistry

  4. Case Western University School of Dental Medicine

  5. University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill Adams School of Dentistry

  6. The Ohio State University College of Dentistry

  7. East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine

  8. University of Maryland School of Dentistry

  9. University of Michigan School of Dentistry

  10. Marquette University School of Dentistry

  11. University of Utah School of Dentistry 

Student Chapter Start-Up Kits

Congratulations to our 2025 Student Graduates!

A.T. Still University

Alina Jafferbhoy
Ana Taboada
Anna Nguyen
Carmelo Sabato
Courtney Hepola
Emma Barner
Gladsy George
Kaitlyn Carpenter
Kajal Desai
Keely Skidmore
Kendra Phan
Lydia Rykard
Madison Schurb
Marina
Marissa Gardner
Nita H
Rosann Marattil
Sarah Conover

Roseman University of Health Sciences

Tejasvi Singh

Texas Tech University

Kelsey Akin
Cheyanne Winckler
Brandon Zadeh
Betsaida Delgado
Sana Khan
Michelle A Ortiz
Joshua Tankel
Dat Le
Paulette Ramirez
Jeremy Masten
Anna Ceniceros
Maya Nair
Vanessa Chang
Samantha H Lee
Michaela Nguyen
Rebecca Harper
Michelle McAden

Congratulations to former Student Liaison Lydia Hartung!

“Serving as the Student Liaison for the Special Care Dentistry Association has been an incredibly rewarding experience. It allowed me to help bridge the gap between dental students and the broader goals of the SCDA, while amplifying the student voice across the country. From the start, I aimed to support and connect student groups—ensuring they felt heard and involved in the association’s mission. By organizing events, attending meetings, and fostering communication, I worked to highlight student contributions and promote collaboration with SCDA leadership.

It’s been inspiring to see growing student interest in webinars, outreach programs, and conferences. At my own school, East Carolina University, there’s been a noticeable shift in embracing special care dentistry, both in education and clinical practice. I’m proud to see our community and profession moving toward greater inclusion and compassion.

While there’s still much work ahead, I’m hopeful. I encourage student leaders to keep pushing for the inclusion of special care dentistry in curriculums and to champion patient-centered care for individuals with special healthcare needs. The momentum we’ve built is just the beginning. I leave this role with pride and optimism, knowing the next generation will continue to advance the field and ensure every patient receives the care they deserve.”