The National Dental Association congratulates Dr. James E. K. Hildreth, on his investiture as the 12th President of Meharry Medical College. Pictured left to right are four Meharry Presidents: John E. Maupin, D.D.S. ’72, 9th President; President James E. K. Hildreth, M.D.; Richard G. Lester, M.D., 7th President; and David Satcher, M.D., 8th President. Dr. Maupin served as the 60th President of the National Dental Association. photo: National Dental Association/ndaonline.org
The National Dental Association is holding its 103rd Annual Convention in Atlanta, Georgia with the theme of “Informed, Engaged and Focused on Our Future” that will infuse every aspect of this year’s convention. Information on emerging topics will be presented by top-notch speakers such as salivary diagnostics, caring for medically compromised /special needs patients, and new age pharmacology as patients more and more come in with lists of medications, to topics on every day specialties such as endodontics, pedodontics, periodontics, restorative dentistry and more.
The National Dental Association (NDA) and Meharry Medical College (MMC) School of Dentistry (MSOD) have a great shared history. The NDA dating back to its founding was mainly comprised of Meharry and Howard graduates, evolving mid 20thcentury forward to include graduates from dental schools across the country and abroad. Meharry School of Dentistry and Howard University School of Dentistry train annually 30% of the African American dentists who serve our nation.
Meharry School of Dentistry for years has sent a large delegation to the NDA Annual Meeting, including the MMC President, the MSOD Dean, along with faculty and student leaders representing the Student National Dental Association (SNDA). This year will be no different.
The Meharry delegation will be led by Dr. James E. K. Hildreth, President MMC; Dr. Cherae Farmer-Dixon, Dean MSOD; and Dr. Henry Moses, Director of The Meharry Office of Alumni Affairs. They will host a Reception and a Banquet for Meharry alumni, friends and their family members on Saturday July 23, from 5:30 until 9:00 pm at the Marriott Marquis in Atlanta, GA. At the reception Dr. Hildreth will give the state of the College and Dean Dixon will give the State of the School of Dentistry.
Since 1976, five Meharry faculty members have served as President of the NDA. MMC does not currently have any faculty serving as NDA national officers. Faculty will participate and present in continuing education events, seminars, and programs at the convention.
SNDA representatives from MSOD will participate in research poster presentations, the SNDA Chapter of the Year contest, and will compete for elective national offices in the SNDA.
The NDA is focused on the future, with a lively dialogue planned with a distinguished panel of experts, special invited guests and an intergenerational audience perspective on issues facing the profession and its future. This informative program is entitled President’s Symposium: Countdown to 2020, Shaping America’s Oral Health Care Future: Multi-generational Perspectives.
The Civil Rights luncheon will embrace the past by honoring trailblazers while still focusing on the future with an inspiring presentation by National Urban League President and CEO Marc Morial, with special honorees and guest host Lamman Rucker. And there will be a dynamic Women’s Health Symposium with special guest Judge Penny Brown Reynolds. The Convention ends Tuesday, July 26th, with a Grand Finale celebration and presentation by the 2017 convention host city.
