Awards

IU Indianapolis Spirit of Philanthropy Award - 2009

IU Indianapolis Spirit of Philanthropy Award - 1997

About Indiana Dental Association

The Indiana Dental Association (IDA) serves over 83 percent of Indiana’s practicing dentists, more than 2,800 members. The IDA is comprised of 15 component societies, which serve each of Indiana’s 92 counties, and is a constituent society of the American Dental Association. The mission of the IDA is to support dentists, to promote professionalism, and to improve oral health in the state of Indiana.

In 1979, the IDA vowed to establish an endowment program to benefit IU School of Dentistry. The IDA leadership was particularly interested in contributing to the school’s efforts to acquire, retain, and nurture an outstanding roster of faculty. By 1980, the IDA had created an endowment fund which became known as the Pursuit of Excellence Endowment Program. Over the years, the program has contributed to IUSD in many ways, including the establishment of the Indiana Dental Association Chair in Restorative Dentistry, the first-ever endowed chair at IUSD. Additionally, Pursuit of Excellence funds have enabled the annual recognition of outstanding teaching at the school, as well as numerous capital improvement projects.