Who We Are
Delta Sigma Delta is an organization of dentists and dental students brought together with the common goal of promoting excellence in the dental profession. We currently have 33 dental school chapters, and 42 alumni chapters. At the school level, members have a great study support group, social events, education opportunities and do community service projects. Fellowship continues at the alumni level in graduate chapters all around the country.
On November 15, 1882, seven dental students in Ann Arbor, Michigan met and founded the first dental fraternity in the world. For a name, they transposed the initials of the DDS degree, to
DSD and substituted the Greek letters ΔΣΔ. Delta Sigma Delta was born and this new chapter became known as Alpha Chapter. Upon graduation, these these men continued their bond by creating the Supreme (or Alumni) Chapter, from which developed the many Graduate Chapters. After 130 years, we are 75 chapters strong in the United States, Europe, Canada and Australia.
A message from our current
Supreme Grand Master
Jane A. Otto, DMD
Welcome to the Delta Sigma Delta International Dental Fraternity website. I invite members
and guests to get information about who we are and what we do for our graduate and student
members. As Supreme Grand Master, I have the honor of visiting our many chapters, including
student chapters at the universities in the U.S. and graduate chapters in the U.S., Canada,
Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
I joined the Alpha Kappa Chapter of the Delts as a first year dental student at Southern Illinois
University in Alton, IL in the fall of 1994. My father, William Otto (Eta Chapter, Northwestern U.
1963) who is also a member of the St. Louis Graduate Chapter, got me more involved with the
fraternity after graduation. I have formed many rewarding social and professional relationships
because of my involvement with Delta Sigma Delta, the most gratifying has been as Graduate
Advisor (Deputy) of my own Alpha Kappa Chapter.
If you do not currently have a graduate or student chapter in your area and would like to start
one, contact us for help.
I am looking forward to meeting all the best people in dentistry throughout the world, my
fellow members in Delta Sigma Delta.
Delta Sigma Delta Educational Foundation
The Educational Foundation grants loans of up to $10,000 to student members of the Fraternity who are in their 3rd or 4th year of dental school or those in accredited dental specialty training. The loan application and qualification info are in the PDF below and should be read carefully. Applications are accepted Jan 1st and must be received by March 31st.
Student Loan Application
Applications must be sent by mail, not electronically. Loans are approved by a vote of the Foundation Trustees.
Please mail the application to the Foundation address shown on the form. Administrator Dr. Robert Karsten can be reached at drrobertkarsten(at)gmail.com or (914) 484-4315.
Donations
Most of us remember those days in dental school when financial aid meant a great deal to us. Today's Brothers and Sisters of Delta Sigma Delta have the same problems, and this is where our Educational Foundation is able to help out. The Foundation currently has 41 loans issued to students with principle due of $305,000. In addition, $15,000 in grants are given annually to help finance student activities fraternally, professionally, and for educational purposes. It is anticipated that many more applications for loans will be received this year and thereafter. Your contributions will allow the Foundation to continue to aid our DSD students. Please send your contributions to:Delta Sigma Delta Educational Foundation
c/o Dr. Robert Karsten
P.O. Box 237
Katonah, NY 10536
drrobertkarsten(at)gmail.com
(914) 484-4315
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