In partnership with Colgate, the four-day event will bring together over 1200 dental professionals, students, and community members to harness opportunities in oral health equity for communities of color.
Kansas City, MO – The National Dental Association (NDA) will host its annual convention from July 10-13th at the Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center in Kansas City. The four day event will bring together more than 1,200 dental professionals, students, and community leaders for keynote presentations, continuing education sessions, exhibitor showcases, and cultural programming. Attendees will engage in workshops, panel discussions, community screenings, and symposiums focused on advancing oral health and promoting diversity in dentistry.
In commitment to its mission to foster lasting community impact, NDA- HEALTH NOW® – a community engagement and outreach program – will commence the convention with a community event in partnership with the UMKC School of Dentistry and Colgate’s Bright Smiles, providing oral health education and screenings to over 150 Kansas City youth.
“The goal of the National Dental Association has always been to encourage and empower the faces that look like us in Kansas City and across the country,” said Dr. Cheryle Baptiste Hill, 101st President of the National Dental Association. “Through education and service, we aim to inspire the next generation of young leaders. At the same time, we remain rooted in the needs of our communities – working to expand access, improve affordable, health solutions, and ensure that there is a bridge between oral care and well-being.”
“The University of Missouri Kansas City School of Dentistry is honored to welcome the National Dental Association’s 2025 Annual Convention to Kansas City and to UMKC’s campus. As a leading institution in dental education and research and as a school with clear goals to improve the diversity of our school and oral health, we champion NDA’s mission for diversity and representation,” said Makini L. King, Ph.D., Assistant Dean in Engagement and Wellbeing at UMKC’s School of Dentistry.
Since its founding in 1913, the NDA has championed diversity and representation in the dental profession – advocating for students, practitioners, and the communities underserved by the healthcare system. This year, Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II (MO-5), a longtime leader in civil rights and healthcare reform, will join attendees for a Social Justice Luncheon as a keynote speaker focused on strengthening community driven policy approaches to healthcare access and inclusion.
“As a proud Kansas City native and product of NDA mentorship, it’s an honor to welcome our national organization to my hometown. This convention is more than a gathering, it’s a reflection of our purpose and progress. The NDA continues to lead with intention, and together, we light the path for the next generation to lead, serve, and dream bigger,” said Dr. Shonté Reed, DDS a local dental practitioner.
As the National Dental Association proudly celebrates its 112th anniversary, its stands at the forefront of a movement dedicated to advancing oral health and fostering community engagement.
“As we commemorate this significant milestone here in Kansas City, MO, we invite all stakeholders—dental professionals, community leaders, and advocates for oral health equity—to join us in our mission. Together, we can continue to make strides toward eliminating health disparities, and as I always state: “we will find a need and fill it,” said Dr. Antjuan D. Hampton, DMD,MPH the NDA National Convention Co-Chair.
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About the National Dental Association
The NDA is the largest dental organization representing dentists, dental students, dental hygienists, and dental assistants of African descent, both nationally and internationally. Founded in 1913, the NDA is committed to promoting diversity within the dental profession and addressing health disparities through education, advocacy, and service.
