Sigma Phi Alpha Dental Hygiene Honor Society

Sigma Phi Alpha (ΣΦΑ) is a national honor society for women in the field of dental hygiene. Founded on May 21, 1958, at the American Association of Dental Schools in Detroit, Michigan, it is dedicated to promoting, recognizing, and honoring scholarship, service, and character among dental hygiene students[1][2].

Purpose and History

The society was established by the Dental Hygiene Education section of the American Dental Hygiene Education Association (now known as the American Dental Education Association). Its inception followed a five-year period of planning initiated after the Supreme Chapter of Sigma Phi Alpha was conceived in 1952. The formal establishment in 1958 marked the beginning of its active role in the dental hygiene community. The Alpha chapter was installed at Northwestern University, and seven other chapters were established in the same year[1][2].

Chapters

Sigma Phi Alpha has a total of 139 chapters across the United States, divided into three geographical regions: central, eastern, and western. Chapters can only be chartered at schools with active dental hygiene programs. The society became international with the establishment of a chapter at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Canada[1][4].

Membership

Membership in Sigma Phi Alpha is based on scholarship, leadership, character, and service to the profession. Members must be in the upper twenty percent of their class to be considered for membership. Upon induction, members receive a certificate and a pin representing the society[1][3].

Symbols and Traditions

The official emblem of Sigma Phi Alpha is a rectangular gold keypin with the Greek letters ΣΦΑ in a diagonal arrangement. The colors of the society are deep purple and bright gold. The Greek letters represent:

• Sophia (Σ) for wisdom,
• Philanthropia (Φ) for human feelings and actions, and
• Arete (Α) for valor and virtue[1][2].

Scholarships

Sigma Phi Alpha offers several scholarships through partnerships with other organizations, such as the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) and the American Dental Hygienists' Association Institute of Oral Health. These include scholarships for certificate/associate, undergraduate, graduate, and special awards like the ADEA/Sigma Phi Alpha Linda DeVore Scholarship[1][5].

Collaborations

Sigma Phi Alpha collaborates with Omicron Kappa Upsilon, an honorary society for dentistry, to host joint symposia every other year during the American Dental Education Association's annual meetings[1].

This collaboration highlights the commitment of both organizations to fostering excellence and unity within the dental community.