Home Dental Students PDA and ADA Programs

Statewide Mentoring Program

In an effort to assist new dentists and dental students in locating a mentor, the PDA New Dentist Committee has created a Statewide Mentoring Program.  The program is designed to match each mentee with a mentor that have similar criteria including location, specialty, personal interests, and preferred methods of communication.

Lunch and Learn

PDA-member new dentists present information on topics proposed by students over pizza. Previous topics suggested by students included:

• Pennsylvania Loan Repayment Program
• tools for successful dental practice start-up
• the importance of disability insurance for the new dentist

Student Outreach

PDA arranges events that provide students with an opportunity to network with PDA member dentists in informal settings. Past events include NHL and AHL hockey games, comedy clubs, and gatherings at Dave & Buster's Restaurant. This programs are funded through the ADA student activities grant and supplemented by the PDA.

ADA's Getting off to a $mart $tart

This program, designed for first-year dental students, focuses on financial planning, student debt issues and the resources available to students throughout their education.

New Dentist Transition

This ADA program assists dental school seniors in making the transition from dental school to practice or graduate training. Attendees receive first-hand information on the benefits of organized dentistry, such as practice management resources, marketplace issues, insurance programs and the support of other member dentists.

ADA SUCCESS Program

This full-day seminar focuses on the business needs and concerns that dental students face when approaching graduation. This practice management seminar is presented to junior and senior dental students.

Student Q and A

The PDA New Dentist Committee answers questions submitted by dental students.  Topics range from the pros and cons of pursuing a specialty, to dealing with a dental vendor when you open your own practice.