Dental Students

We are committed to the development and success of our dental student members. As an ASDA student member, you become part of a family of professionals that are dedicated to the preservation and advancement of the dental profession.

Our role is to assist student members and dentists alike, being the voice and advocate of organized dentistry in Mississippi. We offer valuable resources for your profession from dental school into retirement.

For more information call 601-664-9691 or send an email to office@msdental.org.

D4 Students - Your student membership expires when you graduate.

At that point you will need to apply for a Mississippi Dental Association membership. The Mississippi Dental Association holds a Signing Day event usually around the middle of April of your fourth year. At that event you will fill out and sign your application for membership as a dental professional.

Why should you sign up at Signing Day?

We need your support of organized dentistry and if you sign up during the year you graduate, you are enrolled in our Reduced Dues Program for recent dental school graduates. Plus you help your local ASDA chapter at the school of dentistry to earn funds when 95% of the class complete a member application.

Looking for a Job

The Mississippi Dental Association has created a student member career opportunities service titled ConnectU where we offer assistance in connecting dentists and dental students who are looking to buy a practice or enter into an associateship after graduation.

If you would like to take advantage of this free service please complete our ConnectU form. Your information will be posted on the MDA website for viewing on our member’s only area. And will be available to attendees at all MDA District Meetings held in January/Februay.

Please note that the MDA will not be performing job placement services, only providing information to assist with connecting dentists and dental students regarding employment opportunities.

Growing Our Own Dentists - Mississippi Rural Scholarship Program

In 2013, the Mississippi Legislature authorized the Mississippi Rural Dentists Scholarship Program (MRDSP), creating a unique longitudinal program that identifies rural college students who aspire to return to their roots to practice general dentistry. Academic enrichment, faculty and dentist mentoring plus solid dental school financial support through the Mississippi Rural Dentists Scholarship Program will enable capable young Mississippians to provide adequate dental care in rural areas of Mississippi.

MRDSP's three phases include: Initial (prior to matriculation to dental school); dental school training; and actual practice. Maintaining a high level of awareness and involvement in Mississippi's rural health care is a constant in every phase of training. Channeling scholars into general dentistry or pediatric dentistry will target the current rural dental shortage.

To jump start the flow of general dentists in the pipeline in 2013, three UMMC School of Dentistry students were awarded state-funded scholarships valued at $35,000. Currently, MRDSP has 5 undergraduates, 6 scholars, and 1 practicing dentist. Each scholar embraces his or her small town values and culture, sharing a common passion for making a difference in rural communities.

For more information, visit the MRDSP website www.umc.edu/mrdsp.