Our mission

The Asian Pacific Dental Alumni Society is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, whose mission is to improve the dental care for the under-served population in Central Ohio.

how we serve

The Asian Pacific Dental Alumni Society hosts numerous community initiatives to serve the needs of the community. We feel this approach effectively helps people in need, spreads awareness, and provides dental professionals with opportunities to give back. We are a proud partner of CareSource Foundation.

After a pause due to COVID-19, we are now rebuilding our programs and community.

how we started

In 2013, six of us started a student organization at the Ohio State University, College of Dentistry. We dreamed of extending the service provided at the Ohio State Dental School, to under-served Asians in our community, by promoting greater awareness, better communication, and cultural awareness.

The genesis of our group emerged from the guidance, support, and mission of the Ohio State University student-run Asian Pacific Student Dental Association.

Now, it became two organizations, 69 members at the student group of the Ohio State University, College of Dentistry, called Asian Pacific Student Dental Association, and 77 members at the alumni group called Asian Pacific Dental Alumni Society.

Most of our members received the training from the public dental school in Ohio. We would like to give back to the community in Ohio, where the mission of the Alma mater is designed.

Our organization proudly collaborates with APSDA (Asian Pacific Student Dental Association) and other supporting groups.

Founding members of the Asian Pacific Student Dental Association (APSDA) include Sung Jin Min, Yuchan Son, Hyejin Cheong, Jae Yoon, Joseph Yong, and Paul Kim.

Founding members of the Asian Pacific Dental Alumni Society (APDAS) include Dong-il Kim, Hee-Jin Yang, Andy Gilbert, Steven Kim, Thu Lephan, Feng Chieh Chang, Sung Jin Min, Yuchan Son, Hyejin Cheong, Paul Kim, Diana Park, Tao Zhang, and Rachel Lin.

Our History

2011

OSU dental students begin recruiting Korean and Chinese-speaking patients for board screenings — the seed of APDAS.

2013

Asian Pacific Dental Alumni Society officially founded. First initiation dinner held with OSU dental alumni.

2014–2015

First free dental extraction clinic for under-served Asians. Partnered with Physicians CareConnection and Asian Health Initiative.

2015

Incorporated as an Ohio non-profit corporation and registered as a 501(c)(3) organization with the IRS.

2017

First annual symposium held with CE-accredited lectures by OSU faculty and dental specialists.

2019

Full programming year — Find Your Dental Home, Asian Festival screening, and annual symposium all held in one year.

2020

Second annual symposium held successfully — our last major event before an unexpected pause.

2020–2024

Community programs paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2025 — Now

APDAS is back. We are rebuilding our programs and community to continue serving those in need.