About 220 students, speakers and sponsors enjoyed a weekend of education and networking Oct. 18-20 in Kansas City at the District 8 Conference of the American Student Dental Association.

Students from the UMKC School of Dentistry and around the region, led by Dylan Weber (DDS Class of 2020), ASDA District 8 trustee, organized the event. Distinguished faculty members Dr. Connie White and Dr. Brett Ferguson provided the keynote addresses, and the conference also heard from UMKC alumna Dr. Emily Mattingly (DDS ’12). One panel discussion brought together eight leaders in dentistry from across the country. And Continuing Education workshops and a variety of breakout sessions covered everything from implants and sutures to inclusivity, emotional intelligence and better writing.

Dean Marsha A. Pyle greeted participants in her opening remarks, and after the meeting she said, “I am proud of our students who are engaged in ASDA activities. Their leadership as advocates for the profession of dentistry and issues important to students sets the stage for life-long successes in our profession. Their passion and hard work are remarkable!”

Weber said he was pleased with the turnout from several chapters in the region: UMKC, Creighton, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and the Missouri School of Dentistry and Oral Health in Kirksville.

“I think we highlighted the best of Kansas City and, with the help of our 17 sponsors and visiting national leaders, gave a larger perspective on organized dentistry,” Weber said. “And it’s great having national leaders on our faculty like Dr. White, the president-elect of the Academy of General Dentistry, and Dr. Ferguson, a past president of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, and among our young alumni, like Dr. Mattingly, who is chair of the ADA New Dentist Committee.

“Now,” Weber said, “we are gearing up for the ASDA National Leadership Conference in Chicago Oct. 31 through Nov. 3.”

Photos from the conference here.