History

Gulf State Dental Association, the only African American State Dental Association, was organized in 1937 and consists of seven zones encompassing the cities that comprise the state of Texas. The mission of Gulf State Dental Association is accomplished primarily through the implementation of the following strategic objectives:Health care legislation and health care policy development initiatives

  • Scholarship initiatives
  • Community service initiatives
  • Community education initiatives
  • Continuing education initiatives

Gulf State Dental Association is a component of the National Dental Association which evolved when 12 dentists gathered in Washington, DC in 1900 to form a professional organization. The NDA is the premier dental organization for ethnic minorities and represents over 10,000 dentists, students, hygienists, assistants, spouses and the communities they serve. It is the parent organization of the Student National Dental Association and umbrella to the National Dental Hygienist Association, the National Dental Assistants Association and the Auxiliary to the NDA (spouse).

The NDA is dedicated to improving the oral health care of the under-served by embracing the philosophy that health care is a right, not a privilege of every American.