Outstanding Student Chapter Awards
Each Spring, the ADHA Outstanding Student Chapter Awards recognize the hard work of our student chapters across the country in the areas of Membership, ADHA Involvement, Service to the College or University, Community Involvement, and Chapter Management.
Each winning chapter receives a cash award and a commemorative plaque.
The Outstanding Student Chapter Awards are for registered student chapters of ADHA only.
The application period closed on May 15, 2026.
2026 Winners
1st Place
Owens Community College
Congratulations to Owens Community College on earning first place! Your efforts, including traveling to the Ohio Statehouse for ODHA Advocacy Day to engage directly with legislators, delivering over 50 oral health presentations across diverse community settings, and serving more than 75 individuals at Tent City, demonstrate a strong commitment to community care and the profession. Congratulations again!
2nd Place
Virginia Commonwealth University
Coming in at 2nd place is the ADHA Student Chapter at Virginia Commonwealth University! Their students’ dedication to serving their community and uplifting their profession is incredible! From Missions of Mercy, community service, clinical care, and advocation, they are always showing up fully! VCU consistently demonstrates positive action to the dental hygiene field.
3rd Place
University of New Mexico
With a remarkable 3rd place finish let’s hear it for the ADHA Student Chapter at the University of New Mexico! NM students deliver care across school-based clinics, a pediatric hospital unit, and reduced-cost community settings – and collaborate with fellow health profession students on interprofessional education spanning geriatric care, health equity and more. Your contributions to the community and profession are appreciated!
Past Award Recipients
2025
- 1st Place – Virginia Commonwealth University
- 2nd Place – University of Texas Health Houston
- 3rd Place – Pacific University
2024
- 1st Place – Virginia Commonwealth University
- 2nd Place – University of Minnesota
- 3rd Place – Community College of Baltimore County
2023
- 1st Place – Virginia Commonwealth University
- 2nd Place – Owen’s Community College
- 3rd Place – Old Dominion University
2022
- 1st Place – Owen’s Community College
- 2nd Place – Virginia Commonwealth University
- 3rd Place – Lorain County Community College
Thank you to our sponsor:
Heartland Dental values the critical role dental hygienists play in delivering quality patient care. Employing more than 6,000 hygienists across 39 states and the District of Columbia, Heartland Dental supported practices value hygienists as secondary clinical providers with their own ambitions and growth goals. From recent grads to established pros, Heartland Dental is committed to helping dental hygienists at every stage of their career.