WASHINGTON, Feb. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Three of the nation's premier dental organizations for ethnic minorities will join forces and cultures for the first time to host a historic joint annual convention July 20-24, 2012, in Boca Raton, Florida. The organizations are the National Dental Association (NDA), Hispanic Dental Association (HDA), and Society of American Indian Dentists (SAID). Collectively, they represent the needs and concerns of African American, Hispanic, and American Indian oral health professionals and the communities they serve. The theme of the conference, billed as the 'Multi-Cultural Oral Health Summit' is: "Collectively Meeting the Needs of a Diverse Population to Improve Oral Health."?

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"I am delighted to be a part of this historic undertaking. I look forward to this collaboration and to future collective efforts to eliminate racial and ethnic health disparities in America," stated Dr. Sheila R. Brown, President of the DC based NDA.

"American Indians continue to live in communities where there is an up to 90% tooth decay rate. This meeting will be the first of its kind to bring together the very professionals that will help to make the greatest impact on the oral health crises," stated Dr. Ruth Bol, President, SAID.

"This Summit will enable the membership of the 3 unique ethnic dental organizations to unite and focus on the similar efforts of our missions: the elimination of oral health disparities," stated Margo Y. Melchor, RDH, Med, President of the HDA.

Attendees at the convention will include dentists, hygienists, dental assistants, dental school faculty and administrators, public sector leaders, other associations, technical exhibitors, and corporations who are stakeholders in oral health.

ABOUT THE ASSOCIATIONS:

Hispanic Dental Association
The HDA is a national, non-profit organization comprised of oral health professionals and students dedicated to promoting and improving the oral health of the Hispanic community and providing advocacy for Hispanic oral health professionals across the United States. http://www.hdassoc.org/

National Dental Association
The mission of the NDA is to represent the concerns of ethnic minorities in dentistry, to elevate the global oral health concerns of underserved communities, public policy awareness, and to recruit underrepresented minorities into the profession through advocacy and mentorship. http://www.ndaonline.org/

Society of American Indian Dentists
The purpose of the SAID is to: promote dental health in the American Indian community; encourage American Indian youth to pursue a career in the profession of dentistry; and promote and support the unique concerns of American Indian dentists. The Society's membership comprises American Indian dentists representing 41 different tribes.

SOURCE National Dental Association