SUDA works to support the academic and social lives of its members, while building a sense of community within the School of Dentistry, the University of Sydney, and the dental profession. We try to ensure that our students graduate not only as competent dental professionals, but informed, connected, reliable, and compassionate members of the community.

The student body consists of all enrolled students in the School of Dentistry and includes approximately 370 students studying a Bachelor of Dentistry or a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree, and approximately 90 students studying a Bachelor of Oral Health degree.

The study of the oral health clinical sciences in any capacity is challenging. Our members strive
for the highest quality of academic and clinical performance to achieve the high results expected of them by the university and the community they are treating. The University of Sydney student body provides a large bulk of the treatment in the public oral health sector at Westmead Hospital, as well as providing treatment at Sydney Dental Hospital and many rural dental centers around NSW.

The elements of the logo to note are:

• A diamond molar: The diamond represents the crown of the tooth, as both are exceptionally hard materials. We also use diamond dust on burs to cut teeth. The tooth is at the centre of the logo as it is the basis of our profession.
• The University of Sydney Lion: This is included as we are students of the University. The diamond crown forms the lion’s mane.
• Rod of Asclepius: This serpent-entwined rod was wielded by the Greek God, Asclepius, a deity associated with healing and medicine. This idea was introduced to recognise the changing face of dentistry that incorporates medicine in its teaching and practice.
• Latin Quote ‘per ardua ad alta’ was originally introduced in 2011 when Dr Farhad Avini, as SUDA president, changed the SUDA logo to the logo we are replacing. The translation is ‘through hardship, great heights are reached’ which is very fitting for dental studies.
• Est. 1920: The first meeting of the Faculty of Dentistry was on Aug 8, 1920. The exact date of the foundation of the Sydney University Dentistry Undergraduate Association (SUDUA) is not documented, however it formed sometime between 1920 and 1930.
• The Wreath: The surrounding wreath is comprised of eight four-leaved stems (32 leaves) to represent the full adult dentition, and ten two-leaved stems (20 leaves) to represent the full deciduous dentition.