Building Something Bigger Than Dentistry

Inside the founding of the American Student Dental Association at NEOMED

By Julia Colecchi

When the inaugural class of the Bitonte College of Dentistry at Northeast Ohio Medical University arrived on campus, they weren’t just stepping into classrooms—they were making history. As the first public dental school in Northeast Ohio, the College offered a rare opportunity to shape the community, traditions and student experience of an entirely new program. For a group of highly motivated students, that meant building something that didn’t yet exist: a chapter of the American Student Dental Association (ASDA).

While this national organization supports dental students through advocacy, leadership development, networking and professional education, launching a chapter from scratch while navigating the demanding first year of dental school came with significant challenges.“Our class is full of students who love being involved, and we knew ASDA was a great place to start that,” explained student leaders Abigail Goshow and Rebekka Hall. They noted that the process required navigating numerous steps at both the University and national levels. Even so, they made rapid progress, including electing officials within just five months.

That momentum has become one of the chapter’s proudest accomplishments. Despite limited funding and heavy coursework, the leaders quickly organized roles, developed a framework for future students and began planning programming. Classmates are already eagerly anticipating upcoming initiatives, including vendor partnerships, lunch-and-learn events and the chapter’s first formal event.

“There is a huge need for dental care in our area. We are working to get students involved to make our impact even greater.”

Meeting Local Needs

While the NEOMED chapter aligns closely with ASDA’s national mission, its leaders believe their program has a unique responsibility to the surrounding region—especially rural Ohio communities facing severe shortages in oral healthcare access.

“There is a huge need for dental care in our area,” the students explained. “We are working to get students involved to make our impact even greater.”

This mission reflects the broader purpose behind the creation of the Bitonte College of Dentistry itself: increasing access to dental professionals in underserved regions. By establishing Ohio’s third ASDA chapter, students hope to strengthen both education and long-term healthcare access across the state.

Volunteer work, networking and outreach help students discover their career paths while developing a deeper understanding of patient care and practice management, leading many to already envision careers dedicated to public service.

For instance, Rebekka Hall plans to pursue family or pediatric dentistry in a rural area. She noted that children who are comfortable with dentistry and are educated on oral health become adults who pass those vital lessons on to the next generation. Meanwhile, Abby Goshow hopes to open a practice serving underserved Ohio communities and is considering working with veterans through the VA healthcare system. She shared that she would be honored to help those who selflessly dedicated their lives in service.Even amid the rigor of dental school, the founding ASDA leaders say the extra work feels entirely worthwhile. They credit their peer group’s inherent strengths, noting the defining characteristic of the inaugural class that students describe as determined, hardworking and collaborative.

Ultimately, a blend of precision, creativity and service is exactly what these students hope will define the future of ASDA at NEOMED. As the organization grows, they envision a supportive network that evolves with each incoming class, building on the solid foundation being laid today for future students and patients alike.