1. Contact National Office
Complete the New Chapter Letter of Intent Form and reach out to the AAPHD National Office.
Bring AAPHD to your school
Students and members of the American Association of Public Health Dentistry can form local chapters. Local chapters provide venues to exchange ideas, participate in continuing education, engage in community activities, and build leadership skills.
Why a chapter?
Why establish a local chapter?
Local chapters foster direct impact on oral health outcomes — addressing community-specific needs while developing the next generation of leaders. They are venues for exchanging ideas, hosting continuing education, and engaging in community service.
Essential requirement: Starting requires significant dedication. Organizers must be committed dental professionals who align with AAPHD's mission and are willing to take active leadership roles.
10-Step process
From idea to recognized chapter
2. Identify Faculty Advisor
Recruit an AAPHD professional member in good standing to serve as advisor; submit Faculty Advisor Intention Form.
3. Recruit Founding Members
Secure at least six members. Hold elections for President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Include diverse year levels for continuity.
4. Submit Application Packet
Forward Letter of Intent, New Chapter Application, Faculty Intention Form, and Roster of Founding Members to National Office.
5. Initial Review
National Office forwards materials to Executive Director within 3 business days for the Board agenda.
6. Receive Approval
National Office notifies chapter contact of decision and provides the Student Chapter Handbook.
7. Seek Campus Recognition
Apply for official Student Organization status at your institution.
8. Establish By-Laws
Chapter approves governance documents.
9. Submit Final By-Laws
Send completed by-laws to the National Office.
10. Receive Logos
National Office distributes AAPHD branding materials.
Post-approval
What to do once approved
- ✓ Schedule organizing / recruiting meetings
- ✓ Establish banking and accounting systems
- ✓ Track membership, dues, and expenses
- ✓ Arrange meeting locations
- ✓ Publish event schedules
Suggested activities
What chapters do
- ✓ Continuing Education classes
- ✓ Community Events (health fairs, free clinics, mentoring)
- ✓ Social Events for networking
- ✓ Advocacy initiatives
- ✓ Job referral services
Sample By-Laws
Template governance for new chapters
AAPHD provides sample by-laws as a starting point (steps 8–9 of the process above). Adapt the template to fit your institution's context, then submit the final version to the National Office.
Article I — Name & Purpose
Chapter name, mission, and alignment with AAPHD's national mission.
Article II — Membership
Eligibility, dues, rights, and responsibilities of chapter members.
Article III — Officers
President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer roles, terms, and elections.
Article IV — Meetings
Frequency, quorum, and decision-making procedures.
Article V — Faculty Advisor
Role, term, and responsibilities of the chapter's faculty advisor.
Article VI — Amendments
Process for amending the chapter's by-laws over time.