Student Organizations

American Student Dental Association

Even with the impact of COVID-19, the college’s American Student Dental Association remained active with many virtual events. They hosted a bingo night for ASDA members to log on, hang out and win some prizes! Treyon Grant also led the organization in a virtual paint night. The organization had students sign up, pick up their individually portioned paint supplies, then log on to paint together and interact from home.

The ASDA Miles for Smiles 5K event went virtual and is an annual fundraiser to raise money and awareness for Good Shepherd Ministries. Good Shepherd Ministries serves the Oklahoma City community by providing medical and dental care for those in need. For this virtual event, participants signed up, laced up, and ran a 5K on their favorite track or trail.

The ASDA National Leadership Conference was virtual and ASDA members could sign up for the three-day conference for educational offerings and networking opportunities. Throughout the conference there were three general sessions, six sponsored symposium sessions, and 20 breakout sessions.

The student organization was able to have their annual Loupes Fair in person for dental students and dental hygiene. This in an event that allows students an opportunity to try different loupes and lights from the different vendors, and purchase those products they like for clinic. The event was held in one of the clinics for students to experience loupes in a clinical setting.

The Pre-Dental Prep Day was held virtually. Students were able to log in and talk with current ASDA members about what dental school is like as well as getting tips and insights about the application process. It is a great opportunity for those pre-dental students who are wanting to get more information and make sure they are on the right career path. Once restrictions began to lift, ASDA partnered with student council for an end-of-the-year bash. They invited various vendors, and had food provided at Scissortail Park. They were able to donate $800 to Good Shepherd Ministries from their fundraising events.

ASDA have already been active in recruiting new members from the first-year dental class and have held their annual Leadership Summit, which was very successful. At the Leadership Summit, participants heard from seven leading professionals about the importance of leadership in dentistry and how to better prepare themselves as leaders in the future.

Diversity Council

The Diversity Council is committed to promoting events and opportunities that will further the academic advancement and success of minority and underrepresented students at the college while weaving and enhancing cultural and diversity acceptance in the student body and breaking down stereotypes including, but not limited to, those those associated with race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, religion, etc. The main purpose of Diversity Council is to foster social justice and advocate for minority and underrepresented students, all while educating and learning to celebrate and accept each other for our differences. In this past year, the Diversity Council held multiple lunch and learns to celebrate cultural heritage months and holidays, including Native American Heritage Month, Lunar New Year, Dia De Los Muertos, Diwali, Black History Month, and Women's History Month. They

emphasize the importance of being able to communicate with minority patients and have taught our student members ASL (American Sign Language) to celebrate International Persons with Disabilities Day and Spanish for Hispanic Heritage Month. The Diversity Council gathered donation items for hundreds of Afghanistan refugees in Oklahoma and participated in oral health community service events.

Diversity Council members and advisor (Professor Marsha Beatty) upon receiving the Outstanding Registered Student Organization award at the April 2021 Campus Awards Ceremony

National Student Research Group

The aim of the National Student Research Group: Oklahoma Chapter is to increase awareness of the opportunities to participate in research at the college. They hold lunch and learns as well as virtual events to discuss research projects, expectations and time commitments of performing research, and possible outcomes of research projects at the college. Specifically, the National Student Research Group encourages student researchers to participate in research events like Scientific Day, which can better educate the dental community on current research areas. The above picture is the NSRG-OK Chapter event with incoming firstyear students, which aimed at increasing participation in research in order to facilitate growth and professional development in the coming years of school.

Rural Dentistry Interest Group

In July 2021, the Rural Dentistry Interest Group organized and hosted the first Rural Dentistry Resource Fair for dental students. This event involved 10 different clinics and organizations throughout the state with connections to rural communities, along with three private practice rural dentists. The goal of this event was to connect organizations with an opportunity to network with students, possibly being able to connect them with dental offices and clinics searching for associates, or to educate students about loan repayment programs. The hope was that by gathering so many organizations and resources together in one place, any student could receive education about why rural dentistry is important and how they can give back to rural communities with their profession.

Staples Society

Although there were limitations as to what they could accomplish throughout spring 2021 due to the pandemic, the students of Albert F. Staples Society were still able contribute to local communities throughout the semester. They kicked off with a full day of volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, building a new home for a family in need. At the end of the semester, they hosted a school supply drive as well as a drive for feminine hygiene products to support a movement called the Period Packs Project. Staples Society hopes to continue hosting in-person service events during this next academic year! Student Council

Over the past year, Student Council had to get creative with how to engage students because of COVID-19 restrictions. In the beginning of 2021, they were able to provide Patagonia pullovers to every student at a heavily discounted price. In April 2021, Student Council was able to partner with ASDA to host the first in-person event since March of 2020. They hosted all students at Scissortail Park for a Spring Fair. Their were vendors, food from Fuzzy's Taco Shop and an open bar. The turnout was great and it was exciting to get everyone together again. Summer 2021 Student Council was also able to host the annual volleyball tournament, where the fourth-year dental student team took away the victory.