SNDA

In 1970 a dental student named Rueben Warren wrote a letter to Dr. James Holly, III (President of NDA) expressing his desire to start a "student chapter of the NDA". In his letter, Dr. Warren expressed concern for the welfare of African American dental students who he felt were voiceless and had no support, guidance, or connection to anyone. He asked permission to form a student chapter of the NDA at Meharry Medical College. Meharry was one of two historically black institutions that educated African American dentists. Dr. Holley approved the concept for the formation of a student group at Meharry. The foundations that Dr. Warren established for SNDA were further continued by Lewis Proffitt, an African-American dental student from the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Proffitt, compiled, edited, and presented the first SNDA constitution. Dr. Proffitt was elected the first national president of the SNDA, and the first constitution was ratified under his leadership... At that time, it was..