From student to professional: Soon-to-be WVU dental school grads join ADA

As the Class of 2025 is preparing for graduation – sending announcements, ordering gowns, decorating caps – students in the West Virginia University School of Dentistry have taken an additional step looking beyond the excitement of their upcoming commencement.

On March 14, fourth-year students in the Doctor of Dental Surgery program participated in the American Dental Association’s National Signing Day initiative. Already members of the American Student Dental Association as students, National Signing Day encourages students to continue their engagement with the professional association as they ‘Level Up’ from student to dentist. This year, WVU achieved a greater than 95% participation rate, earning $1,000 for the school’s ASDA Chapter.

To welcome the new graduates, ADA provides 18 months of national membership for free. Members have access to a multitude of resources at the national, state and local level, including financial support, career services, continuing education courses, mentor programs, well-being resources and networking events.

The event at WVU included a “Managing Debt and Wealth” seminar provided by the ADA and breakfast and an “Ask Me Anything” session hosted by the West Virginia Dental Association. The half-day event provided the opportunity for students to speak with local dentists about their experiences and ask questions relating to practicing dentistry, running a business and more.

The American Dental Association includes more than 159,000 dentist members and 22,000 student members representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The organization strives to support the dental professional and to assist members in advancing the overall oral health of their patients.

Photo at Top: Dalal Ali, along with her classmates, participated in ADA National Signing Day on March 14 at Erickson Alumni Center.

-WVU-

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CONTACT: Jessica Wilmoth
Director of Marketing and Communications
WVU School of Dentistry | WVU Dental