About The Greater Bay Area Dental Society
The Greater Bay Area Dental Society (GBADS) is a component of the National Dental Association (NDA), the largest and oldest national organization of minority health professionals. (To learn more about the NDA, click on the National Dental Association tab or visit their website: http://ndaonline.org/)
GBADS mission is to:
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continually enhance the skills of our members
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recruit underrepresented minorities into the profession
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create opportunities for research among members
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elevate the health status of the underserved by serving as role models in the community and as advocate in the academic, legislative and private sector
The Executive Committee of the Greater Bay Area Dental Society is responsible for the administration, planning and daily decision making of the Society. The Executive Committee consists of eight members that meet at least once a month throughout the year. All Executive Committee and General members are volunteers and do not receive any compensation.
The Society is committed to serving the needs of the community and to the dental profession. Dental students are provided learning opportunities, scholarships and mentoring while the community, at large, is educated about oral health and, when possible, are provided with free dental care. The Society, through its lectures, seminars and activities, supports and provides learning experiences for our oral health care providers.
In order to do this, the Society has fundraisers where one hundred percent of the funds are used for oral health-focused programs, lectures and scholarships. Being part of a national organization, the National Dental Association, the Society also supports Association’s activities which are often "in sink" with local priorities and activities.
In a combined effort with churches, schools, professional and philantropic organizations, members also volunteer at health fairs which may include screenngs, presentations, dissemination of oral health materials and, when possible, basic dental care. Oral health screenings and presentations are a key part of GBADS outreach efforts in underserved communities. (Dental students are encouraged to volunteer at community health fairs and to attend dental meetings and activities sponsored by the Society.)
Outreach activities may be scheduled on any day of the week but are usually held on weekends when the community is more likely to be able to participate and dental volunteers are more likely to be available. We sincerely appreciate the charitable contributions of dental supplies and hand outs used at community outreach events which are donated by dental supply companies and individuals.
Our efforts to mentor and nurture dental students and to sensitize students to the needs of underserved community is a critcal investment in the future of our profession and to the health of our country.