A MESSAGE FROM OUR BOARD CHAIRMAN
NDA
Supporters,
On behalf of the Board of Trustees of the National Dental Association, it is my great honor and privilege to invite you to join us for the 2026 Inaugural and Scholarship Gala—a signature moment in the life of our organization and a powerful celebration of our shared mission.
This year, we gather in Newark, New Jersey, to commemorate the close of another remarkable and impactful year for the NDA. Together, we have advanced oral health equity, strengthened our professional community, and expanded opportunities for the next generation of leaders. Now, we come together to celebrate these accomplishments—and to usher in a new era of leadership as we proudly welcome Dr. Dorita Newsome-Dobbins as the 103rd President of the National Dental Association.
I strongly encourage every member of the NDA family—our members, partners, supporters, and friends—to be part of this special occasion. This is more than a gala; it is a moment of connection, reflection, and renewed commitment to the future of our profession and the communities we serve.
As you make your plans, I encourage you to:
• Purchase your tickets early and secure your place at this unforgettable evening
• Join us for a full day of continuing education on Saturday, December 5th, leading into the installation of our 2027 officers
• Support the Souvenir Journal by purchasing an ad that highlights your practice, organization, or message of support
• Sponsor a dental student’s attendance, helping to inspire and uplift the next generation of leaders
• Invite your colleagues, friends, and supporters to join your table and share in this celebration
• Explore sponsorship opportunities to further elevate your impact and visibility within the NDA community
Over the past two years, this event has raised more than $100,000 in support of NDA programs and initiatives that directly advance our mission. This year, we call on each of you to help us build on that success—let’s do it again, and go even further.
Your presence, your support, and your continued engagement are what make the NDA strong. I look forward to celebrating with you in Newark as we honor our progress and step boldly into the future together.
With appreciation and anticipation,
Reginald Salter, DDS, MBA, PhD, FICD Chairman, Board of Trustees National Dental Association
MISSION
The National Dental Association promotes oral health equity among people of color by harnessing the collective power of its members, advocating for the needs of and mentoring dental students of color, and raising the profile of the profession in our communities.
GOALS
The goals of the National Dental Association are to:
Improve the delivery of oral health care in underserved communities and improve the educational opportunities of minorities underrepresented in the oral health field.
The specific objectives of the NDA are to:
Establish the NDA as the vanguard of oral health in communities of color
Perpetuate the tradition and upgrade the stature of African American dentists in service to the minority community
Increase the number of minorities in dentistry in areas of private practice, academia, administration, research, health policy, media advocacy and the armed services
Provide members with opportunities for continued education, collaborative research, leadership training, and business networking
Inform health policy, interface with legislators, and influence legislation that affects minority consumers and providers
Support members in transition from dental student to dental professionals to retirees
Strengthen alliances with other health organizations, community groups, national coalitions, and corporations committed to the NDA ideals.
ABOUT
The National Dental Association (NDA) had its earliest beginnings in 1900 when a small group formed the Washington Society of Colored Dentists. The name was changed in 1907 to the Robert T. Freeman Dental Society in honor of the first Black Dental college graduate. By 1913, the seeds for a national organization were planted. Today, the NDA represents over 10,000 African American oral health professionals and the communities they serve. It includes a network of organizations- the Student National Dental Association, National Dental Hygienists’ Association, National Dental Assistants’ Association, Auxiliary to the National Dental Association, National Dental Association Foundation and the Undergraduate Student National Dental Association.
THE NDA IS DEDICATED TO:
REPRESENTING THE CONCERNS OF ETHNIC MINORITIES IN DENTISTRY; INCREASING ACCESS AND IMPROVING HEALTH OUTCOMES IN MARGINALIZED POPULATIONS; ACHIEVING HEALTH EQUITY IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES; PROMOTING PREVENTION AND ADVOCATING FOR INTERPROFESSIONAL COMPREHENSIVE COLLABORATIVE CARE.
MAJOR PROGRAM AREAS ARE MEMBER SERVICES (CONTINUING EDUCATION, ANNUAL CONVENTION, PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL GROWTH), STUDENT SUPPORT (SCHOLARSHIPS, MENTORSHIP AND ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS), LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY SERVICE.
STRATEGIC PRIORITIES ARE ADVOCACY FOR HEALTH EQUITY, INCREASING ACCESS TO CARE, INCREASING THE NUMBER OF UNDERREPRESENTED ORAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, AND INTERPROFESSIONAL COLLABORATION. www.NDAOnline.org
ABOUT Dr. Dorita Newsome-Dobbins
DMD, FACD, FICD, FPFA, CDC
The National Dental Association’s 103rd President Elect
Dr. Dorita Newsome-Dobbins is a proven leader with over two decades of service to the National Dental Association (NDA). A graduate of the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, she currently serves on the NDA Board of Trustees and as President of the Commonwealth Dental Society.
Throughout her career, Dr. Newsome-Dobbins has been a staunch advocate for equitable healthcare. Her recent appointment to the New Jersey ADA Council on Dental Benefits allows her to address the ongoing threats to Medicaid and insurance reform.
Her extensive leadership portfolio includes:
Organizational Leadership: NDA Board of Trustees, Past President of North Jersey Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and Board Member for Bethany Cares, Inc.
: NDA “On the Hill” participant and member of the NJ Oral Health Coalition.
Community & Mentorship: SNDA mentor, Literacy NJ volunteer, and Deacon at Bethany Baptist
A Diamond Life member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Dr. Newsome-Dobbins lives by the philosophy that service is a fundamental responsibility, continuously sharing her expertise to uplift the dental profession and her community
THE VENUE
DoubleTree By Hilton Hotel
Newark Airport, 128 Frontage Rd. Newark, NJ 07114 Sat. December 5th, 2025
SPONSORSHIP LEVELS
PREMIER LEVEL
$30,000
• Main Stage Message from Corporate Representative
• Prominent recognition on all Gala promotional materials, press releases, e-blasts and social media
• Premium seating and ten (10) VIP Gala tickets
• Centerfold ad in print/digital souvenir program
• Prominent display of corporate logo and corporate produced signage at the Gala
• Placement of your company logo at the gala’s bar areas
• Social media post of scholarship recipient testimonial
• Recognition on promotional materials for local community outreach event
• 12 months recognition as a 2025 102nd Gala sponsor with logo on the NDA Website
PLATINUM LEVEL
$20,000
Prominent recognition on Gala promotional materials, press releases, e-blasts and social media
Premium seating and eight (8) VIP Gala tickets
Inside front or inside back cover in the print/digital souvenir program
Prominent display of corporate logo and two (2) standing pop-up banners (provided by the corporation)
10 months recognition as a 2025 102nd Gala sponsor with logo on the NDA Website
GOLD LEVEL
$10,000
• Recognition on Gala promotional materials, press releases and e-blasts
• Premium seating and six (6) VIP Gala tickets
• Full page color ad in the print/digital souvenir program
• Prominent display of corporate logo and two (2) standing pop-up banners (provided by the corporation)
• 6 months recognition as a 2025 102nd Gala sponsor with logo on the NDA Website
SILVER LEVEL $5,000
• Recognition on Gala promotional materials
• Premium seating and four (4) VIP Gala tickets
• Full page color ad in the print/digital souvenir program
• 6 months recognition as a 2025 102nd Gala sponsor with logo on the NDA Website
BRONZE LEVEL $2,500
• Recognition on Gala materials
• Premium seating and two (2) VIP Gala tickets
• 1/2 page color ad in the print/digital souvenir program
• 3 months recognition as a 2025 102nd Gala sponsor with logo on the NDA Website
