The American Dental Education Association
(ADEA) marks its Centennial this year, a milestone that represents 100 years of
advancing dental education and signals a renewed commitment to leading and
supporting the health professions community in preparing future-ready oral
health professionals.
ADEA
President and CEO Karen P. West, D.M.D., M.P.H., described the Centennial as a
bridge moment for the association, noting that it honors a rich legacy of
achievement while also serving as a springboard to further innovation and
excellence in oral health education.
“We
are standing on the shoulders of giants as we mark ADEA’s 100th year, reveling
in a moment made possible by visionaries who saw the crucial role dental
education plays in supporting both oral health and overall well-being,” Dr.
West said. “Because of them, and the extraordinary contributions of our
members, ADEA is well-positioned to serve as The Voice of Dental Education for
another 100 years and beyond.”
ADEA
was founded in 1923 as the American Association of Dental Schools, changing its
name in 2000 to reflect and embrace the many facets of dental education. Early
in its history, ADEA led the way to ensure that dental education was recognized
as a university-based scholarly endeavor. Today, ADEA is the sole national
organization representing dental education, which includes hundreds of allied
and advanced dental education programs as well as all accredited dental schools
in the United States and Canada. A fierce advocate of improving the public’s
oral health, ADEA is a champion of intraprofessional education to foster a
team-based approach to treat oral diseases.
ADEA’s
portfolio of work covers considerable ground, including advocacy on
Capitol Hill on behalf of the dental education community; surveys and research that shed light on
the changing demographics of dental education; publications, such as the
peer-reviewed Journal of Dental Education that
highlight innovation and best practices; expert guidance and toolkits to
advance access, diversity,
inclusion and belonging (DEIB); a raft of professional development and
leadership programs; and robust outreach to promote the oral health professions
to prospective dental and
allied dental students. Additionally, ADEA’s four centralized
application services provide applicants and dental schools and programs
a straight-forward and convenient process to manage applications.
Recent
initiatives include a climate assessment survey that
collected baseline date on DEIB at U.S. and Canadian dental schools and allied
dental education programs. That data will serve as a vital tool to guide new
and enhanced DEIB strategic initiatives in dental education.
Additionally,
the New Thinking for the New Century initiative provides a framework for how
all stakeholders in dental education could tackle today’s most pressing
challenges. Spearheaded by Chair of the ADEA Board of Directors Nader
Nadershahi, D.D.S., M.B.A., Ed.D., the initiative is initially focused on
developing and showcasing strategies for faculty and staff recruitment;
leadership development and succession planning; and preparing student for the
future of collaborative practice.
“These
two initiatives and others embody ADEA’s unwavering commitment to shape the
future of dental education by squarely addressing our biggest challenges and
advancing a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all,” said Dr. West.
ADEA
will mark its Centennial throughout 2023 in multiple ways, including the
following:
- An
#IamADEA social media campaign in
which members are invited to share what ADEA means to them in short video and
print testimonials.
- A
series of interviews with leading ADEA figures that will be published and
shared throughout the year.
- Guest
editorials in each issue of the Journal
of Dental Education throughout 2023 in which invited subject matter
experts will share their insights on ADEA’s impact and the future of dental
education.
- The
2023 ADEA Annual Session & Exhibition,
set for March 11-14 in Portland, OR, which will include a special Centennial
reception, micro-exhibits highlighting ADEA’s history and two one-time Centennial
awards to honor exemplary mid-career faculty in dental schools and allied
dental programs.
Dr.
West said she wants the Centennial to be marked by a sense of both gratitude
and celebration.
“ADEA’s
members are the soul and backbone of this organization. They inspire us to
reach higher every day,” Dr. West said. “This year is a celebration of their
contributions and of those who came before us. Our Centennial is a significant
milestone, but I know ADEA will be marking many more milestones in the years to
come.”
About
ADEA:
The American Dental Education Association (ADEA) is The Voice of Dental
Education. Our mission is to lead and support the health professions community
in preparing future-ready oral health professionals. Our members include all 80
accredited U.S. and Canadian dental schools, more than 800 allied and advanced
dental education programs, more than 55 corporations and approximately 15,000
individuals. Our activities encompass a wide range of research, advocacy, faculty
development, meetings and communications, including the esteemed Journal of
Dental Education®, as well as the dental school application services ADEA
AADSAS®, ADEA PASS®, ADEA DHCAS® and ADEA CAAPID®.
Published on January
11, 2023