About the Hispanic Dental Association Foundation
What Are We?
The HDAF is a non-profit organization created for the purpose of awarding grants, scholarships, and leadership opportunities to Hispanic Dental Professionals who align with our mission of advancing Hispanic Dental Health in their local communities.
Our Mission:
To advance healthier Hispanic communities through oral health.
Our Vision:
We improve Hispanic health through scholarship and leadership opportunities.
Meet Our 2022-2023 Board of Directors
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President
Sarita Arteaga, DMD, MA, MAGD
Associate Dean for Students, U Conn School of Dental Medicine -
Vice President
Paula Vogel
Retired Corporate Dental Professional -
Secretary
Maritza Morell, DMD, MS, MPH
Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital Pediatric Dentistry Attending -
Treasurer
Victor Rodriguez, DDS, MEd
Private Practice Clear Lake Dental Associates -
Director
Mario Ramos, DMD
Private Practice, Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics of Midland Park -
Director
Matilde Hernandez, DDS, MS, MBA
Colgate – Clinical Research Manager -
Director
Alina O'Brien, DDS
Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry, Assistant Director of the Postdoctoral Pediatric Dentistry Program, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine -
Director
Margo Melchor, RDH, MEd, EdD
Faculty and Leadership in Community Outreach at UTHealth School of Dentistry at Houston, HSDA Faculty Advisor, Member of TX State Board of Dental Examiners, WREB Examiner -
Director
Ricardo Mendoza, DDS, MS, FICD
Private Practice Pediatric Dentist & Pediatric Dentist Attending at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center -
Director
Jorge Rojas DDS, MDS
R & D Global Clinical Research, Scientific Affairs & Professional Relations -
HDAF Staff
Jen Blake
Development Officer
“Why Am I On the Board?”
Board Members explain in their own words why they joined the board at Hispanic Dental Association Foundation.
“To help recruit historically marginalized students into a career in dentistry and allow them to recognize they can achieve their goals while providing care and service to the community.”
— Sarita Arteaga - President
“I was welcomed to the HDA almost 14 years ago, participated in the origination of the SEAL (Service, Education, Advocacy and Leadership) logo, and the formation of today’s HDAFoundation. Finding high performance partners ensures my energies create the greatest impact. The HDAF is a pack of leaders seeking and rewarding future leaders, serving future leaders in the underserved Hispanic communities. I’m all in.”
— Paula Vogel – Vice President
“I am a member of the HDA Foundation Board because I truly enjoy helping promote an environment of change. At HDAF we continue to help our Society to foster a pool of Hispanic leaders that contribute to a welcoming diverse environment in organized dentistry. As an educator for over 21 years, I witness the efforts and struggles of our students and residents, who look to find a mentor for career guidance and empathy. At HDAF we provide the mentorship that is so pivotal to our leadership’s pipeline success. HDAF’s scholarship program helps to make a positive impact in the world, and I know that very few things have as much positive impact on our Hispanic students and their families as funding to help achieve a higher education degree.”
— Maritza Morell – Secretary
“I am on the HDA Foundation board to help inspire, and motivate the next generation of Hispanic Dentists.”
— Victor Rodriguez – Treasurer
I believe that my experience and knowledge in the foundation space can bring additional ideas and support to the existing HDA Foundation Board of Directors as it strives to improve Hispanic health through scholarship and leadership opportunities.
— Mario Ramos - Director
“To generate a positive change in the dental profession... towards being more diverse, inclusive in benefit for the Hispanic communities.”
— Matilde Hernandez - Director
“The HDA Foundation is the platform which allows me to reach my personal fulfilment of helping Hispanics complete their academic goals. Our Hispanic communities are large in number but lacking the leaders to showcase the future generations of oral care providers which improves their own future.”
— Jorge Rojas - Director
As a former leader in a successful student chapter, a student member of the HDA Board, and a past scholarship recipient. I can attest to the meaningful support, mentorship, and influence the Foundation offers. I understand— on a truly personal level— the Foundation’s unique goals and the importance it has on improving Hispanic health through scholarship and leadership opportunities.
— Alina O'Brien - Director
“I am very honored to serve on the HDAF with such talented individuals but mostly, dear friends. The privilege we have of providing scholarships to assist future dentists, dental hygiene students and residents with their academic programs is an investment that will have a profound impact on providing quality patient care to our Hispanic population. In addition, we hope to provide mentorship to these individuals as they will be our future leaders in eliminating oral health disparities.”
— Margo Melchor – Director
“It is simple, I believe that to be a good leader in oral health to our Hispanic community we must work as a team and pay it forward, and one beautiful way to do this is helping future oral health providers and planting that seed in them to continue this mission for future generations to come.”
— Ricardo Y. Mendoza - Director
Board Members in Action
Board of Directors of the Hispanic Dental Association Foundation Gathered during a Student Regional meeting.
Hispanic Dental Association Foundation Board of Directors Pausing For a Picture during a Student Regional meeting.
Hispanic Dental Association Foundation President, Sarita Arteaga, examining a patient.
Hispanic Dental Association Foundation Secretary, Maritza Morell, posing with a Patient.
Foundation History and Highlights
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Formation 1990
The Hispanic Dental Association Foundation (HDAF) was established when the Hispanic Dental Association was formed in 1990.
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Non-Profit Designation
The HDAF is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization created for the purpose of awarding grants and scholarships to individuals.
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HDA Approval
The HDA Board of Trustees reviewed the work of the HDAF in 2007 and gave its full support to its Board of Directors to continue to advance the goals of the Foundation.
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Scholarships
In the last four years, HDAF has awarded over $100,000 to deserving students pursuing dental education. In 2012 alone, the HDAF awarded over $37,000 in these scholarships.
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Donor Partners
The HDAF has enjoyed strong support from corporations such as Colgate-Palmolive (a founding donor) and Procter & Gamble, as well as individuals like Dr. Juan Villarreal, the HDA’s first member to create a scholarship fund.
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Research
Initiated the first Hispanics Open Up About Oral Health Care Survey in collaboration with Crest and Oral-B to better understand the impact and relevance of Hispanic specific oral health issues in the US.
