Senior dental students may apply for mission externships and Coast Guard assignments during the academic recess between the junior and senior years. Freshmen, sophomores, and juniors are also encouraged to participate in the various mission trips provided during the year. Students are required to be in good and regular standing to be eligible to participate in elective service learning externships. The student association provides opportunities for service within the School, which include student-sponsored free clinics to underserved populations. The annual Alumni-Student Convention, sponsored jointly since 1960 by the Alumni Association and the Dental Students Association, gives opportunity for students to meet alumni and hear presentations by prominent guest lecturers in dentistry.
Students have the opportunity to make research presentations in the form of table clinics.
The winners are then invited to present their table clinics at state and national dental conventions. Loma Linda University.