Sigma Phi Alpha

Sigma Phi Alpha (ΣΦΑ) is a national honorary society for the field of dental hygiene.

Sigma Phi Alpha
ΣΦΑ
Sigma Phi Alpha keypin
FoundedMay 21, 1958 (May 21, 1958)
American Association of Dental Schools, Detroit, Michigan
TypeHonorary
AffiliationIndependent
EmphasisDental Hygiene
ScopeInternational
Colors  Deep purple   Bright gold
Chapters139
HeadquartersJackson, Mississippi
United States
WebsiteOfficial website

History

Sigma Phi Alpha originated at the March 1958 business meeting of the Dental Hygiene Education section of the American Dental Education Association (now American Dental Education Association). Its constitution and bylaws were accepted and supreme chapter officers were elected and empowered to form chapters in schools with dental or oral hygiene programs.[1]

Sigma Phi Alpha and Omicron Kappa Upsilon, an honorary society for dentistry, organize a joint symposium every other year at the American Dental Education Association annual meetings.[2]

Symbols

The society's emblem is a rectangular gold keypin with the Greek letters ΣΦΑ in a diagonal arrangement from the upper left corner to the lower right corner.[3] Its colors are deep purple and bright gold.

The Greek letters ΣΦΑ represent Sophia meaning wisdom, Philanthropia meaning human feeling and action, and Arete meaning valor and virtue.[4]

Chapters

Most of the society's 139 chapters are in the United States, divided into three geographical regions: Central, Eastern, and Western. One chapter has been installed in Canada at the University of Manitoba.

See also

References
  1. "Welcome to Sigma Phi Alpha".
  2. Suzuki, Jon (Spring 2011). "Omicron Kappa Upsilon: a historical and current perspective". Journal of the American College of Dentists. Gaithersburg, MD: American College of Dentists. 78 (1): 19–23.
  3. Anson, Jack L.; Marchenasi, Robert F., eds. (1991) [1879]. Baird's Manual of American Fraternities (20th ed.). Indianapolis, IN: Baird's Manual Foundation, Inc. p. VII-52. ISBN 978-0963715906.
  4. "Welcome To Sigma Phi Alpha". Sigma Phi Alpha - National Dental Hygiene Honor Society. Retrieved 2023-04-08.
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