National Dental Association to celebrate centennial

WASHINGTON, D.C.--The National Dental Association will celebrate its 100th anniversary July 26-30, 2013, at its annual convention at the Gaylord National Resort in National Harbor, Md.

Dr. Joe Blaes, editor of Dental Economics^®, will be speaking as part of the convention's program. The organization was officially organized in 1913 to address the needs and issues of African American dentists, who because of segregated practices and racial discrimination were not allowed to join white organizations.

The organization held annual conventions in private homes, churches, and schools because the "Negro" dentists were not allowed to patronize hotels and restaurants until the passage of the Civil Rights legislation and integration.

Today, the organization is an organization for underrepresented minorities and a voice for the underserved. It is committed to
strengthening the organization, and securing the success and impact of future generations of African American dentists and other underrepresented communities.

In 2012, the NDA convened the historic, the first joint Oral Health Summit of the three major ethnic dental organizations in America. Those organizations are the NDA, the Hispanic Dental Association, and the Society of American Indian Dentists.

The $1 million Centennial Campaign focuses on an endowed student scholarship fund, community outreach support for local NDA chapters, and NDA-HEALTH NOW-a grassroots, community-based mobile health project.

For more information, visit www.ndaonline.org.

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