The Colgate/National Dental Association Foundation Audacity to Dream Scholar program was created to recognized some our most talented rising dental students and help alleviate the cost burden of their education.  This program is a direct commitment by Colgate to increase the awareness of the challenges faced in Black America as it pertains to education and beyond. The rigorous application process will help highlight the amazing talent that lies within the Student National Dental Association. This award will be given at the Annual SNDA Rights of Passage Gala, held during the Annual National Dental Association Convention.

The Colgate/National Dental Association Foundation Audacity to Dream Community Service Award was created to recognize a dental student dreaming to make a difference through service, and help alleviate the cost burden of their education.  This award in the amount of $5,000 will be given at the Annual SNDA Rights of Passage Gala, held during the Annual National Dental Association Convention.

The Colgate/National Dental Association Foundation Audacity to Dream Leadership Award was created to recognize a dental student dreaming to make a difference through leadership, and help alleviate the cost burden of their education.  This award in the amount of $5,000 will be given at the Annual SNDA Rights of Passage Gala, held during the Annual National Dental Association Convention.

NDA state/local chapters and NDA’s family organizations are invited to participate in the National Dental Association Foundation (NDAF) matching program. The NDAF will match your scholarship efforts up to $5,000 on a yearly basis. Individual students shall not be able to receive more than $1,000 in matching funds.

The intent of the matching program is to touch as many students as possible. All matching funds donated through the Foundation are dollar for dollar donations and are not subjected to any administrative fees.

The Dr. Bessie Delaney Scholarship is named in honor of Dr. Annie Elizabeth “Bessie” Delaney, (September 3, 1891 – September 25, 1995). Dr. Bessie Delaney earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) dental degree in 1923 from Columbia University. The only Black female in her class, she was the second Black woman licensed to practice dentistry in New York State. Dr. Delaney treated many of Harlem’s poor, and in 27 years of practice never raised her fees.

Widely known throughout the community as “Dr. Bessie,” she treated the rich and poor equally, and performed thousands of free children’s dental exams. During the depression, she continued providing care for those who could not afford to pay. She was active in civil rights and participated in many protests and marches, and encouraged civil rights organizers to meet at her dental office. She believed in equality for all people and openly defied the segregation laws of the time.

She became famous at the age of 101, with the publication of the book, “Having Our Say” by Amy Hill Hearth. In 1994, Columbia’s School of Dental and Oral Surgery awarded her its Distinguished Alumna Award for “her pioneering work as a minority woman in dentistry.”

The Dr. Clifton & Lois Dummett Scholarship is named in honor of Dr. Clifton O. Dummett, (May 20, 1919 – September 7, 2011). Dr. Clifton O. Dummett, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of the University of Southern California, studied at Howard and Roosevelt Universities before earning his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) from Northwestern University in 1941. He earned master’s degrees in periodontics and public health from Northwestern and the University of Michigan, respectively.

In 1947, Dummett was named dean of the School of Dentistry at Meharry Medical College, where he was the youngest dean in the United States at 28. An advocate for social justice and equality for all people, it was Dummett’s resolution in the American Dental Association (ADA) House of Delegates that led to the lifting of restrictive membership within the organization. He served the National Dental Association (NDA) for 22 years as editor in chief.

He and his wife, Lois Doyle Dummett wrote “NDA II: The Story of America’s Second National Dental Association”, published by the NDA Foundation, in 2000. An internationally acclaimed author and researcher, and humanitarian, Dr. Dummett wrote hundreds of articles on dental history, public health issues, and social and community issues.

The Dr. Joseph L. Henry Scholarship is named after Dr. Joseph L. Henry (May 2, 1924 - October 11, 2011. Dr. Henry served as Dean of both Howard University College of Dentistry and Harvard School of Dental Medicine. He earned his undergraduate degree at Xavier University, his dental degree at Howard and a PhD from the University of Illinois, all by age 26. He was the valedictorian of his class at all levels of his studies.
Dr. Henry rose quickly to prominence upon joining the faculty at Howard. After being named Dean in 1966, he was appointed to various White House Conferences, including: Conference on Food, Nutrition and Health; Conference on Employment of the Handicapped, and Conference on International Relations. Dr. Henry served as a mentor to many. He embodied the words, “make the best of it” and to “pull yourself together, focus and apply your skills.”
This award in the honor of Dr. Joseph L. Henry is given to up to five incoming freshman dental students that show promise in embodying the values and work ethic of Dr. Henry. It is a $2000 renewable award for the four years of matriculation.The Dr. Joseph L. Henry Scholarship is named after Dr. Joseph L. Henry (May 2, 1924 - October 11, 2011. Dr. Henry served as Dean of both Howard University College of Dentistry and Harvard School of Dental Medicine. He earned his undergraduate degree at Xavier University, his dental degree at Howard and a PhD from the University of Illinois, all by age 26. He was the valedictorian of his class at all levels of his studies.

Dr. Henry rose quickly to prominence upon joining the faculty at Howard. After being named Dean in 1966, he was appointed to various White House Conferences, including: Conference on Food, Nutrition and Health; Conference on Employment of the Handicapped, and Conference on International Relations. Dr. Henry served as a mentor to many. He embodied the words, “make the best of it” and to “pull yourself together, focus and apply your skills.”

This award in the honor of Dr. Joseph L. Henry is given to up to five incoming freshman dental students that show promise in embodying the values and work ethic of Dr. Henry. It is a $2000 renewable award for the four years of matriculation.

2nd / 3rd / 4th Year Dental Students $1,000