2026 SAID’s George Blue Spruce Award for Student Excellence

SCHOLARSHIP OVERVIEW

In 1990, Dr. George Blue Spruce was instrumental in founding the Society of American Indian Dentists (SAID) to continue his life’s work in the encouragement of American Indian individuals to pursue a career in dentistry. Dr. Blue Spruce has been recognized as the first American Indian dentist in the United States, and realizes that as a trailblazer he bears the responsibility of illuminating the health professions pathway for American Indian and Alaska Native youth. Throughout his life, Dr. Blue Spruce has dared American Indian and Alaska Native individuals to recognize the importance of dentistry, and his unique leadership has left a legacy of promoting social mission in health professions education.

• Demonstrated a commitment to community outreach beyond the requirements for the dental school program; and
• Demonstrated a commitment to SAID through continued membership, as well as involvement and participation in SAID activities and/or events.

• Online application form (see below)
• An essay describing how you have demonstrated the spirit of Dr. Blue Spruce’s legacy (minimum 500 words).
• Proof of tribal enrollment
• Current transcript
• Letter of good academic standing from your dental school
• Letter of Recommendation from a community leader

• Membership in SAID. Please ensure that your SAID membership is current, i.e., 2026 dues are paid.
• Proof of school enrollment. In addition to providing a letter of good academic standing from your dental school for the current year (AY 2025-26), please note that you will also be required to provide proof that you are enrolled for the 2026-2027 Academic Year to receive the award.
• All information must be provided by April 1, 2026.

• Up to $5,000 will be awarded to one rising D4 Dental Student
  
  

Click the link below to apply for the 2026 George Blue Spruce Student Excellence Award.

2026 George Blue Spruce Student Excellence Application