Our goal is to raise $250,000 towards the RTFDS scholarship fund to support Howard University dental students to reduce their student debt burden and increase their ability to serve in communities where they are needed most.

The Robert T. Freeman Dental Society (RTFDS), the oldest chapter of the National Dental Association (NDA), has launched a massive scholarship campaign effort for dental students at Howard University College of Dentistry. Proceeds from the annual NDA Inauguration and Scholarship Gala will fund the scholarships. Consider this:

• Less than 4% of dentists in the US are African American

• Average dental student debt is $305,000; Black dentists report higher debt

• In 2018, fewer than 30% of African Americans over age 65 visited a dentist

• Poor dental health is associated with lower quality of life

• 63% percent of NDA members are active Medicaid providers compared to 30% of non-NDA members

• Only 50% of Medicaid eligible children receive dental care

• Over 60 million people live in areas with no access to dental care

• In order to eradicate underserved areas, over 10,000 more dentists need to be added to the existing workforce