The UW’s Student National Dental Association (SNDA) chapter has been hard at work since its inception just over two years ago.
Part of the greater SNDA organization, the UW SNDA promotes, supports and aids the academic and social environment of minority dental students. They do so through community-building events and by providing a cohort of classmates who share many of the same lived experiences.
“We provide our members with a sense of community by welcoming everyone to our meetings, including our potlucks, and getting to know every individual as a whole,” said Kejdra Williams (‘26), the UW SNDA president. “We also try to participate in quarterly social outings and help each other with studying habits and guidance.”
On Saturday, April 26, members of the SNDA helped out at the UW’s Minority Association of Pre-Med Students (MAPS) Pre-Health Conference at the Husky Union Building. During the two event workshops, SNDA members taught high school, community college and undergraduate students how to take impressions and use composites. They also talked to students about career opportunities within dentistry and the realities of dental school before answering questions.
Although they’re currently smaller than the majority of SNDA chapters across the country, the group still participates in the annual SNDA National Convention. Thanks to sponsorship from Delta Dental of Washington, they can cover a portion of the expenses involved with travel so that all members can make the trip.
The National Convention features a plethora of networking and community-building activities staggered around poster competitions, career fairs and even a ‘Dental Shark Tank’ competition for young entrepreneurs.
“We love the exposure [the convention] gives us to meet other dental students and dentists who look like us,” said Chiamaka Odoh (‘27), the UW SNDA treasurer. “I loved meeting new people, along with attending interesting panels and participating in outreach during the conferences.”
During their first two winters as a group, the UW SNDA helped out at the University District Food Bank holiday food drive. This past winter, they volunteered at the Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church Toy Drive.
The members of the UW SNDA are using their collective power for good, and because of that, their sense of community and inclusivity are burgeoning. Now, they’re just hoping they can continue to bring on more eager, supportive members.
“We hope to continue to promote diversity, equity and belonging in the School [of Dentistry],” said Odoh. “We want more students of diverse backgrounds interested in dentistry to attend our school. We want to encourage them to join to feel that sense of community while learning from one another on how to succeed inside and outside of dental school.”