ADA Institute for Diversity in Leadership opens to dental students
Program provides education, training to underrepresented groups
The ADA Institute for Diversity in Leadership is adding 10 more spots to its 2024-25 class, including five for dental students.
The institute provides education and leadership training to dentists who are members of groups that have traditionally been underrepresented in leadership roles within the dental profession and their communities.
The ADA will select 35 applicants for the free program, which includes three leadership training sessions at ADA Headquarters in Chicago from Dec. 5-6; Aug. 14-15, 2025; and Dec. 4-5, 2025.
As part of the institute, class members will put the leadership principles and training they receive to practical use by selecting an issue or challenge in their community, organization or profession and developing and executing a plan to address it.
In addition, participants will network with leaders from the ADA, nonprofit organizations and the institute’s corporate sponsors, as well as faculty, program alumni and ADA staff.
The institute is supported in part by Henry Schein Inc. and Crest + Oral-B.
“As a founding sponsor for the ADA’s Institute for Diversity in Leadership, Henry Schein is pleased to expand our long-standing support through the expansion of this program from 25 to 35 participants, which will now include five dental students,” said Carol Gomez Summerhays, D.D.S., senior adviser for global professional relations for Henry Schein Inc. and past ADA president. “Over the IDL’s 21 years, extraordinary programs have been developed and implemented nationally to expand access to care for patients from vulnerable populations, and many ADA IDL alumni have become leaders at every level within the tripartite and across the international dental community. Henry Schein is privileged to be a partner to the ADA in service of this important and impactful initiative.”
“Crest + Oral-B’s support for the Institute for Diversity in Leadership is vital for breaking barriers and promoting diversity within the dental profession,” said Stephanie Gans, D.D.S., senior scientist and North American professional and scientific relations manager at Crest + Oral-B. “We are thrilled to announce that next year we will expand the class size from 25 to 35 students. This expansion will allow for additional opportunities for networking and interaction, enhancing the overall educational experience and preparing a larger cohort for success.”
Established in 2003, the institute is focused on fostering personal leadership skills. It seeks to build a lifetime network of supportive relationships among alumni as they move on to leadership roles. To date, about 300 dentists have graduated from the institute and maintain a connection to the program. The most recent institute class graduated in December 2023.
Visit ADA.org for eligibility and application information. Applications are due April 5.
