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Service Month 2024 Web Banner (4)

Every January, ASDA celebrates its commitment to community service and dental outreach.

Service Month is supported by

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Challenge Accepted

Our Incisor, Canine, and Molar- level challenges involve students on the individual, chapter, and community level.

Challenge - Incisor badge

The Incisor-Level Challenge: Sign up for information

This is an opportunity to get involved as an individual. Email us a screenshot of your confirmation page signing up to receive information from a local or national volunteer organization, and you will be entered to win one of 10 Amazon gift cards. Consider national organizations like Volunteer Match or AmeriCorps, or any local volunteer organization. Email membership@asdanet.org to enter

Challenge - Canine badge

The Canine-Level Challenge: Coats & Cans

For the fifth year in a row, the chapter that collects and donates the most clothing and non-perishable food items wins a custom award. Chapter leaders will be sent a link to submit total donations at the end of the month.

Challenge - Molar badge

The Molar-Level Challenge: In the Community

Any activity that gets your chapter into the community qualifies for this challenge. This could include serving food at a homeless shelter, volunteering with a local refugee program, educating underserved children about oral health, and more. Tag @dentalstudents and use #ASDAServiceMonth to be entered to win one of 5 Amazon gift cards. 1 event post = 1 entry. Tag us in multiple events throughout the month for multiple entries.

Webinars: Hear from the Experts

On Thursday, January 18 at 7pm Central Time, explore the groundbreaking work that Dr. Alex Otto, 2012-13 National ASDA Vice President, has done to build bridges and “Serve the Underserved” through her development of a nonprofit that utilizes a mobile dental unit to serve as a pediatric dental home to at-risk and in-need elementary school students. This session will explore the importance and role that dentistry plays in improving local communities, discuss opportunities for students to get involved in dental outreach, and inspire students to bridge the gap between public and private dental healthcare sectors.

Register Now

Week of Service photo collage

Ways to participate in community service:  

Using your hands
  • Create oral health instruction materials and/or oral hygiene bags for homeless shelters or local schools.
  • Knit or crochet panels that will be sewn together to create blankets for babies and adults through Warm Up America.
  • Make hats for senior citizens, premature babies or the homeless.
  • Make birthday cards for kids in homeless shelters.
  • Sew masks for high-risk individuals.
  • Foster a pet.
Using your smarts
  • Serve as a tutor for middle or high school students.
  • Transcribe historical documents for the Smithsonian.
  • Proofread e-books through Project Gutenberg.
  • Help Harvard researchers learn the best ways to breakdown stereotypes by taking tests with Project Implicit.
In the local community
  • Help build or clean your community park or garden.
  • Deliver a hot meal to someone in need.
  • Volunteer at a local animal shelter.
  • Collect or organize books for a local library.
  • Write letters to seniors in local care facilities.
Online
Refer to the Community Service how-to guide for even more event ideas.

Resources