GSDM Students Establish South Asian Student Dental Association Chapter

Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) students Baljeet Khaira DMD 17 and Sanjay Kataria DMD 16 recently organized the first South Asian Student Dental Association (SASDA) in an effort to create an organized form of representation for the many South Asian students at GSDM.

The student-run organization was established with the goals of promoting awareness of South Asian culture and providing opportunities for social interactions. It further aims to promote cross cultural integrity and academic and professional ethics and values while emphasizing cultural diversity. SASDA serves as a platform for students to interact with each other and have a better understanding of the student life at GSDM from a South Asian perspective.

Broad goals of the group include organizing South Asian cultural events to celebrate various occasions/festivals throughout the year, participating in cultural activism, and establishing a network between SASDA and other South Asian dental student organizations within the district.

According to Kataria, who is SASDA’s Vice President, “SASDA is really about intertwining South Asian culture with our GSDM experiences. We aspire to promote greater cultural awareness and experience the many facets involved in being part of the South Asian culture and heritage. We hope to create an environment where everyone can explore and experience South Asian culture.”

GSDM SASDA officers are: President Sanjay Kataria DMD 16; Vice President Baljeet Khaira DMD 17; Secretary Aisha Hakeem DMD 16; and Treasurer Aditya Mehta AS 16. Faculty advisors are Associate Professor in the Department of General Dentistry and Director of Oral & Maxillofacial Radiology Dr. Anita Gohel and Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Dr. Ishwar Bhatia.

Membership is open to all GSDM students.