APPLICATIONS OPEN OCTOBER 1, 2024 FOR 2025-2026

We are excited to welcome the next class of leaders into the TDA Leadership Institute (TLI). Modeled after the ADA’s Institute for Diversity in Leadership, the TLI will focus on dentists identified as emerging leaders and influencers within their communities, who could serve as mentors for future minority dentist leaders and role models for potential dental students. This exclusive member-only program is designed to develop a growing network of leaders to help advance diversity and inclusion across Texas and advance oral health in their respective communities.

Building personal leadership skills and confidence on key professional issues to support emerging leaders in facilitating, managing, and influencing professional issues within their communities. The curriculum will have practical applicability for the participants’ professional growth. Each class will be limited to ten (10) selected participants.

Each leadership class would attend two in-person sessions. All other sessions will be held in a virtual format. Each participant must complete a project during the program year that directly ties to the TDA’s strategic plan. The first year and subsequent classes will share project outcomes, program experiences and serve as mentors and facilitators to the incoming class to build continuity and professional networks.

Individual personal and professional leadership growth including development of communication, team-building, and negotiation skills; how to build relationships with dental organizations and industry leaders; how to work with the media; understanding of key issues and policies facing the dental profession and the patient communities; orientation to key professional resources from ADA/TDA, understanding of roles of governance and organizational systems to advance ideas; high-level project management; priority setting and decision making; and mentorship skills.

Priority will be given to dentists who exhibit leadership potential but who have not held significant leadership positions in organized dentistry. Click here to download the 2025 TLI Candidate Application Form and 2025 TLI Reference Form. All applications are due by January 2, 2025. Candidates will be notified of acceptance no later than February 1, 2025. Please see the application for further details regarding program date commitments.