Dental Student Chapters help you:

• Build meaningful connections with women dentists and fellow students
• Gain leadership experience that strengthens your CV and residency applications
• Bring mentorship, networking, and educational programming to your school
• Foster an uplifting community for women in dentistry
• Create a lasting impact that supports future students long after you graduate

Starting a chapter means shaping the future of women in dentistry – beginning with your campus.

Become an AAWD Member

AAWD offers several dental student membership types – Student Annual, Student Bulk – 3-year, and Student Bulk- 4-year. Interested members can join through membership application.

Gauge Interest at Your School

Identify classmates who may want to join or serve in leadership roles. Reach out personally, introduce the idea, and gather an initial list of interested students.

Host an Interest Meeting

A short, informal gathering helps you share AAWD’s mission, explain the chapter structure, and begin forming your core leadership team.

Step 1: Review the Start-Up Requirements

Make sure you understand the eligibility criteria, required documents, and leadership structure. Gather any questions to discuss with your Faculty Advisor.

Step 2: Elect Your Officers

Elect at least four officers: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and formally appoint your faculty advisor(s). All officers and advisors must be active national AAWD members

Step 3: Develop Your Chapter Bylaws

Use AAWD’s AAWD Dental Student Chapter Bylaws Template to outline your chapter’s structure, officer roles, elections, membership expectations, and meeting schedule.

Step 4: Create Your Activity Plan

Outline your chapter’s goals and plan for meetings, events, and community engagement. Use AAWD’s AAWD Dental Student Chapter Activity Plan Template to guide your planning.

Step 5: Ensure All Members Join AAWD National

All Dental Student Chapter members must join AAWD National to participate.

• Join AAWD: Membership Application
• Bulk Enrollment Option: Invoice Request Form, which allows your chapter to enroll members as a group with a single payment

Step 6: Submit Your Application

Send your final roster, officer list, and bylaws to AAWD through the AAWD Dental Student Chapter Application Form.

Once your application is submitted:

• You’ll receive a confirmation email
• AAWD reviews your roster, officers, and bylaws
• If anything needs clarification, the Membership Team will reach out
• When approved, your chapter becomes an official AAWD Student Chapter and is added to the directory

Do all members need to join AAWD National?

Yes. Every student who participates in the chapter must be an active AAWD member.

Do we need a Faculty Advisor?

Yes. A Faculty Advisor is required for all Student Chapters and must be an active AAWD member.

How much does it cost to run a chapter?

Only national student and advisor membership dues are required. Local dues are optional and determined by your chapter.

Where can I find more FAQs?

For the full FAQ list, download the Dental Student Chapter Starter Guide.