Sigma Phi Alpha Dental Hygiene Honor Society

Sigma Phi Alpha (ΣΦΑ) is a national honor society in the United States, dedicated to promoting, recognizing, and honoring scholarship, service, and character among dental hygiene students. Founded in 1958, the society aims to foster excellence in the field of dental hygiene by acknowledging outstanding achievements and commitment to the profession[1][2][3].

History

Sigma Phi Alpha was conceived at the March 1958 business meeting of the Dental Hygiene Education section of the American Dental Hygiene Education Association (now American Dental Education Association). Although the Supreme Chapter was initially established in 1952, significant progress was made only after Dr. Dorothy Hard was appointed as the chairman of the Dental Hygiene section. Along with co-chairwomen Dr. Esther Wilkens and Margaret Bailey, they finalized the constitution and bylaws by 1958[2]. The first chapter, Alpha, was established at Northwestern University in 1958, followed by seven more chapters and the installation of the Supreme Chapter[1].

Purpose

The society focuses on three core values reflected in its Greek letters: Sigma (Σ), representing wisdom or scholarship; Phi (Φ), symbolizing philanthropy or service to others; and Alpha (Α), embodying the virtues of prudence, fortitude, temperance, justice, and faith[2]. Membership is based on academic achievement, leadership, character, and service to the dental hygiene profession[3].

Chapters

Sigma Phi Alpha has over 139 chapters primarily in the United States, with some international presence, such as the Delta Eta chapter at the University of Manitoba in Canada. Chapters are divided into three geographical regions: central, eastern, and western[1][4].

Scholarships

Sigma Phi Alpha offers several competitive scholarships annually through the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) and the American Dental Hygienists' Association Institute of Oral Health. These include:

• Sigma Phi Alpha Certificate/Associate Scholarship for students pursuing a certificate or associate degree.
• Sigma Phi Alpha Undergraduate Scholarship for members or potential members seeking a baccalaureate degree.
• Sigma Phi Alpha Graduate Scholarship for students enrolled in graduate dental hygiene programs.
• ADEA/Sigma Phi Alpha Linda DeVore Scholarship for students at the baccalaureate, master’s, or doctoral levels[1][5].

Symbols

The society's emblem is a rectangular gold key pin featuring the Greek letters ΣΦΑ in a diagonal arrangement. The colors of the society are deep purple and bright gold[1].