The University of Maryland School of Dentistry’s (UMSOD) chapter of the American Student Dental Association (ASDA) won three awards at the ASDA District 3 annual meeting held in Washington, DC, in January.

Hnin Hlaing, president of UMSOD's ASDA chapter (front row, center), and the members of the ASDA general board and executive committee

The awards are:

• Outstanding Pre-Dental Initiative Award, which recognizes the ASDA chapter with the most successful pre-dental outreach initiative to predental students through in-person or virtual information sessions, predental days, or mentoring programs.
• Outstanding Community Service Event Award, which recognizes the chapter that has hosted the most successful community service event.
• Best Social Media Award, which recognizes the most successful, creative campaigns for upcoming events and chapter accomplishments.

Last summer and fall, among several other programs or events, the UMSOD chapter engaged and informed pre-dental students about dental professions and UMSOD. It additionally provided pre-dental students with information about applying to dental school, the Dental Admission Test, and the ASDA through interactive Instagram story posts. The chapter also held a virtual panel discussion about the application process at UMSOD that was attended by about 30 University of Maryland, Baltimore County Pre-dental Club students.

During Halloween, the group shared healthy snacking practices and proper oral hygiene facts while building connections with more than 200 children from the neighborhood at a “Trick or Treat with UMSOD” outdoor booth. And, in collaboration with UMSOD’s Student National Dental Association, it created and delivered 150 “Kits for Kids” that included toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, and fun stickers.

In addition to UMSOD, the ASDA’s District 3 encompasses Temple University, Howard University, University of Pennsylvania, and University of Pittsburgh.