Dental students represent School of Dentistry at SPEA Annual Session

From left: Dental students Ellie Truong and Sana Usman stand with alumnus Wayne Radwanski, DDS ’82, and two others attendees at the SPEA Annual Session.

Two UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry students attended the 2025 Student Professionalism and Ethics Association in Dentistry Annual Session in Washington, D.C., joining student leaders from across the country to advance ethics, leadership, and professionalism in the dental profession.

Third-year dental students Sana Usman and Ellie Truong represented the School of Dentistry at the event, held Oct. 24–25 at the JW Marriott near Pennsylvania Avenue. The students were also joined by alumnus Wayne Radwanski, DDS ’82, who served as a sponsor and section representative.

The SPEA Annual Session brings together student representatives from each of SPEA’s seven national regencies. UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry belongs to Regency 6, which includes dental schools from across the southern region.

SPEA was founded in 2010 to support a culture of integrity and ethical leadership among dental students. Chapters operate nationwide with collaboration and support from the American College of Dentists, the oldest major honorary organization for dentists in the United States. Since its founding, the organization has grown into a national network supporting chapters at dental schools across the country.

A longstanding collaboration between SPEA and the American College of Dentists supports shared goals of fostering lifelong ethical leadership, promoting professionalism, and advocating for patients and the dental community. Participation in the SPEA Annual Session provides future dentists with the ethical foundation and leadership experience needed to carry these values into their careers.