SAID is a grassroots organization that was founded in 1990 by George Blue Spruce Jr., DDS, MPH along with five other American Indian Dentists. The first organizational meeting was held at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. Their original reason for organizing was to work as a group to meet the needs of American Indian dentists, dental students, and dental auxiliaries. Over the years, the organization has grown to establish its visibility for improving both the status for American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) dentists within the overall profession of dentistry, and as an educational pathway for AI/AN students.

The primary source of support for the SAID comes from donations and annual dues.

The Society of American Indian Dentists holds annual meetings each summer. These meetings are usually held in association with a dental school and American Indian Tribes located in the vicinity of the institution.