ADEA Chapters

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ADEA Chapters: Leading Locally, Impacting Nationally

ADEA Chapters for Students, Residents and Fellows are the foundation of student engagement within dental education. Across institutions, chapters promote leadership, service, innovation and connection, building strong communities on campus while contributing to ADEA’s national mission.

All recognized chapters are part of the ADEA Council of Students, Residents, and Fellows (COSRF), the national student governing body that supports and represents chapter leaders and members across the country.

Through a structured network of District Commissioners and the COSRF Administrative Board, COSRF provides leadership development, guidance and a unified voice for students within ADEA.

Whether you’re looking to get involved, start a chapter or connect with leaders in your district, this page is your gateway to the ADEA Chapters’ network.

ADEA Chapters and Student Leadership

All ADEA Chapters are part of COSRF and serve as local hubs for engagement, service and leadership development. Chapters function under the guidance of COSRF and their district representatives, helping to implement national initiatives and support student interests at the institutional level.

COSRF national leadership is structured into two main boards:

COSRF Administrative Board
These are nationally elected officers who oversee council operations, shape student programming and represent student interests at the highest levels of ADEA.
COSRF Executive Board
These are comprised of District Commissioners and Liaisons who provide direct support to local chapters, facilitate communication across institutions and lead key COSRF initiatives in programming, communications and advocacy.

Together, ADEA Chapters and COSRF leaders ensure that student perspectives are not only heard—but amplified—across the field of dental education.

Explore the ADEA Chapters Network

District Map

Discover the 12 ADEA districts and find your school’s chapter. Learn how districts connect students across institutions and support local initiatives with national impact.

View ADEA Chapter District Map

Chapter Leadership Directory

Meet the current chapter leaders who are driving change and representing student voices in their schools and regions.

(Coming Soon)

Chapter Awards

Recognizing the diverse stages of development and engagement across ADEA Chapters, the Chapter Awards program honors exceptional achievements at the local level.

Awards are presented annually at the ADEA Annual Session & Exhibition:.

Chapter-level Designations (Bronze, Silver, and Gold) recognize chapters for their foundational work in promoting awareness of and interest in academic dental careers.
Distinguished Chapter Awards (Vision, Innovation, Chapter Growth, Achievement, and Best Overall) celebrate chapters demonstrating outstanding leadership, creativity, and impact in advancing oral health education and student involvement.

Get Involved

Discover how you can make an impact—whether it’s running for a national office, joining a committee or leading change within your chapter.

Chapter Registration

Chapter registration is open annually and is a critical step for maintaining active status within the ADEA network. Registering your chapter ensures access to exclusive resources, funding opportunities, leadership development programs, and national events.

Be sure to complete the Annual Chapter Registration by Sept. 30 to stay connected and eligible for chapter awards and initiatives.

2025-26 Annual Chapter Registration

Start a Chapter

Is your institution ready to become part of the ADEA Chapters network?

Starting a chapter is an opportunity to empower students, build a sense of community and connect with national efforts in dental education. Once established, chapters gain access to exclusive resources, programming andfunding opportunities and have the ability to participate in ADEA’s national leadership structure.

For full details, download the ADEA Chapters Toolkit (PDF) or contact Dr. Antanious White at WhiteA@adea.org, ADEA COSRF Staff Liaison, to begin the application process.