Dental

ASDA Pre-dental Political Advocacy (APPA) The ASDA Pre-dental Political Advocacy Club (APPA) at UCLA is a student organization committed to engaging pre-dental students in legislative advocacy and dental healthcare policy reform. Through hands-on involvement in the legislative process, members advocate for critical issues such as student loan reform and increased access to dental care for low-income populations. Our organization aims to work closely with District 11 ASDA and UCLA ASDA Pre-dental to coordinate advocacy initiatives, including organized visits to Capitol Hill where students directly engage with lawmakers and their staff. Members participate in various ASDA conferences, including District 11 ASDA conferences, Western Regional ASDA conference, and Pre-dental D11 conference, to network with dental professionals and fellow advocates. Through bill analysis, policy discussions, and advocacy planning, APPA provides members with valuable experience in healthcare legislation while contributing to meaningful change in dental education and healthcare accessibility.
ASDA ASDA, the American Student Dental Association, is a national, student-run organization that protects and advances the rights, interests, and welfare of dental students. It introduces students to lifelong involvement in organized dentistry and provides services, information, education, representation, and advocacy.
Basic Dental Principles at UCLA Basic Dental Principles (BDP) is a program created to provide undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students the opportunity to gain more knowledge into the field of dentistry. The program consists of a lecture series and a lab series and is taught by students at the UCLA School of Dentistry. The lecture series consists of 24 sessions split throughout 2 academic quarters. The lectures topics range from getting into dental school to the different specialities within dentistry. The lab series consists of 4 hands-on sessions where students are able to complete projects such as drilling and filling tooth preparations and taking impressions.
Basic Dental Principles Basic Dental Principles (BDP) is a program created to provide undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students the opportunity to gain more knowledge into the field of dentistry. The program consists of a lecture series and a lab series and is taught by students at the UCLA School of Dentistry. The lecture series consists of 24 sessions split throughout 2 academic quarters. The lecture topics range from getting into dental school to the different specialties within dentistry. The lab series consists of 4 hands-on sessions where students are able to complete projects such as drilling and filling tooth preparations and taking impressions.
Bruins Healing California Bruins Healing California is a student-led chapter at UCLA that partners with Healing California to address critical dental care needs in our community. Our organization mobilizes student volunteers to support free dental clinics, providing essential services to underserved populations throughout California. Through regular clinic volunteerships, community outreach programs, and educational initiatives, we work to break down barriers to dental care access.
Clinical Dental Outreach Clinical Dental Outreach (CDO) is a student-run organization at UCLA. We are dedicated to providing accessible dental care to underserved communities in the Greater Los Angeles area. Through our program, CDO members are trained and qualified to assist in dental procedures. We provide professional development for our members through educational opportunities, community service, and clinical exposure to the field of dentistry. Importantly, members are inducted into an extensive network of members, dental students, and faculty advisors.
DAT Prep Club The DAT Prep Club offers undergraduate students a comprehensive approach to DAT preparation, providing structured study sessions, practice tests, and mentorship assistance. Our study sessions cover all DAT sections and employ interactive workshops, practice exams and peer tutoring to ensure effective learning. Furthermore, we intend to connect members with experienced graduate students for personalized guidance and support in preparing for the DAT, as well as gain insight on dental school experiences. By joining the DAT Prep Club, you'll gain access to valuable resources, a supportive community, and the tools you need to succeed on the DAT and achieve your dental school aspirations.
Dental Brigades Global Dental Brigades is an international movement of students and healthcare professionals working alongside local communities and staff to implement sustainable health systems. We work in remote, rural, and under resourced communities in Panama and Belize, which would otherwise have limited to no access to health care.
Dental Community Health Student Organization (DCHSO) The Dental Community Health Organization focuses on advancing knowledge and involvement in dental public health. Through interactive case studies, social events, and hands-on experiences, we provide students with opportunities to explore the practical and community-centered aspects of dentistry. Our goal is to inspire future dental professionals to view the field in a new light, emphasizing the importance of public health and its role in improving community well-being.
First-Gen Dentists @ UCLA First-Gen Dentists @ UCLA is dedicated to supporting and empowering pre-dental students who are first in their family to become dentists. We are a close-knit community that recognizes the unique challenges and opportunities faced by first-generation pre-dental students, and we are committed to providing the resources, mentorship, and network necessary to excel in this demanding profession.
Healthy Dentist Initiative To raise awareness regarding mental and physical well-being of healthcare providers. Through guest lectures, hosting after hour activities, etc. the Healthy Doctors Initiative will be a resource for students seeking to learn more about ways to stay on top of self-care while managing the busy life of a dentist in training.
Hispanic Student Dental Association The Hispanic Student Dental Association is a group of dental students committed to promoting cultural values, traditions, and morals while creating a welcome space for student of hispanic backgrounds. Our goal is to encourage all student involvement and to promote activities and events intended to educate other community members on Hispanic traditions and culture.
Korean American Pre-Dental Association (KAPDA)) Korean American Pre-Dental Association (KAPDA) is a club founded to support and empower Korean American pre-dental students at UCLA by providing academic resources, professional development opportunities, cultural connection, and mentorship through collaboration with the UCLA School of Dentistry's Korean Dental Student Association (KDSA) & KADA (Korean American Dental Association).
Latinx Pre-Dental Society at UCLA As only 9% of dentists are of the Hispanic/Latinx ethnicity, Latinx Pre-Dental Society aims at increasing retention rates of pre-dental students from these underrepresented backgrounds. By providing Hispanic/Latinx pre-dental students with exposure to resources, mentorship, and networking, we aim to create a supportive community, and draw attention to the lack of oral care and oral education in underserved communities.
Manual Dexterity for Charity Manual dexterity is an important component in preparing for dental school and a contributing factor to dental school applications. However, many pre-dental students tend to overlook its importance or they simply have difficulties finding resources that allow them to develop manual dexterity skills in an enjoyable yet meaningful way. Thus, the purpose of this club is to allow more pre-dental students to come together to have fun while gaining manual dexterity skills through workshops involving activities such as crocheting, knitting, painting, etc. Arts and crafts made by members will be sold during fundraisers and all funds raised will go towards charitable causes.
Oral Cancer Foundation Club An entity to learn more about oral cancers, the causes, discovery, treatments and post treatment issues; and engage in public service efforts in the community, such as educational events and free public screenings.
Pre-Dental Society The Pre-Dental Society will work towards preparing students interested in the dentistry profession by providing a variety of dental outlets such as guest speakers, community service opportunities, and other program activities. Along with this, the society will allow students to connect with others in their same field of study at social events and help gain a larger network.
Pre-Dental Student Outreach Program The Pre-Dental Student Outreach Program (PDSOP) is an undergraduate organization at UCLA committed to providing its members with all of the resources required to become prime dental school applicants. PDSOP aims to broaden pre-dental students' knowledge about careers in dental care, provide networking opportunities with dental and academic professionals, and participate in community services and activities to foster public responsibility and harbor valuable relationships.
Pre-Health Empowerment Society The Pre-Health Empowerment Society at UCLA is a student-led organization dedicated to empowering and supporting students pursuing careers in healthcare, including medicine, dentistry, and other pre-health fields. Our mission is to build a strong community grounded in mentorship, professional development, and networking opportunities. Through educational events, service initiatives, and collaborative programming, we aim to enhance our members' understanding of healthcare, promote health equity, and foster a space where students can thrive academically, socially, and professionally.
Smiles Beyond Boundaries At Smiles Beyond Boundaries, we recognize the disparities in dental health faced by underserved communities and are committed to addressing them. We plan to do this by empowering undergraduate pre-dental students in order to contribute to the reduction of these disparities and the promotion of oral health equity for all. Our mission is to equip undergraduate pre-dental students with the tools and knowledge needed to make a difference and to address the oral healthcare disparities that are prevalent in underserved communities through education and volunteerism. We are dedicated to providing undergraduate pre-dental students with hands-on experience and comprehensive education. Through volunteer work and educational initiatives, we wish to empower them in order make a meaningful impact on the oral health of underserved areas.
Student National Dentist Association To promote the objectives of SNDA and membership therein among local dental students. To educate, inform and involve members in the activities of SNDA at all levels To execute and organize national programs and events at local levels. To provide local members with representation by at least one delegate to SNDA’s House of Delegates. To function as a form of local student government. The nature of each pre-doctoral chapter shall be determined only by its member constituency
Students for Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity at UCLA (SIDE) SIDE stands for Students for Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity at UCLA. This student-initiated organization was created in 2020 to broaden the student awareness and understanding of systemic racism's role in health disparities and healthcare. We aim to provide education to the graduate and School of Dentistry communities so that we are not only aware of these issues but to challenge our own implicit biases. Our mission is twofold in that it also aims to create a safe space where students are heard, valued, respected and protected. This includes developing inclusive events, community service/mission trips to serve underrepresented groups, educational workshops via lunch and learns and promoting multicultural awareness, stewardship and celebration.
Students United for America's Toothfairy at UCLA SUAT at UCLA promotes and engages in activities that further the National Children’s Oral Health Foundation’s (NCOHF) mission of preventing pediatric oral disease, and promoting overall health and well being for millions of children from vulnerable populations. SUAT members volunteer at local elementary and middle schools to teach interactive lessons on oral hygiene, while gaining a tight-knit community to aid in their pre-dental journey.