The ADA was created in August 1859 by 26 dentists representing various dental societies, meeting in Niagara Falls, N.Y. The founders established the ADA as a professional society of member dentists dedicated to promoting high professional standards and scientific research.
Today, the ADA and the state and local dental societies comprise a three-level “tripartite” system that benefits dentists at all levels of membership. The ADA is comprised of 156,000 members from 53 constituent (state-territorial) and 544 component (local) dental societies. ADA members are provided with a multitude of resources including continuing education courses, practice management tools and oral health information for their patients. In addition, membership in the ADA assures that organized dentistry speaks with one unified voice on behalf of the profession.
The Association and its related entities employ more than 400 staff at headquarters in Chicago, IL; the ADA’s Washington, DC, office; and at the ADA Foundation’s Paffenbarger Research Center in Gaithersburg, Md.
The ADA will kick off a yearlong celebration of its 150th anniversary at its ADA Annual Session in San Antonio in October 2008, culminating at the annual session in Hawaii in October 2009.
ADA Seal of Acceptance
The ADA Seal of Acceptance is a symbol of a product’s safety and effectiveness. Although it is strictly voluntary, more than 100 companies participate in the Seal program. Over 400 dental products such as toothpaste, dental floss, and tooth brushes have earned the Seal of Acceptance.
ADA Mission Statement
The ADA is the professional association of dentists committed to the public's oral health, ethics, science and professional advancement; leading a unified profession through initiatives in advocacy, education, research and the development of standards.
ADA Vision Statement
The American Dental Association is the oral health authority committed to the public and the profession.
ADA Governance
The ADA’s legislative body is its House of Delegates and its administrative body is its Board of Trustees. The Association’s councils serve as policy-recommending agencies relative to their specific areas of expertise.
ADA Ethics
The professional conduct of all ADA members is guided by the Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct of the Association and the codes of ethics of its constituent and component societies.
Contact Information:
Telephone: 312-440-2806
E-mail: mediarelations@ada.org (Journalists) or Contact ADA (All Others)
About the American Dental Association
Celebrating its 150th anniversary, the not-for-profit ADA is the nation's largest dental association, representing more than 157,000 dentist members. The premier source of oral health information, the ADA has advocated for the public's health and promoted the art and science of dentistry since 1859. The ADA's state-of-the-art research facilities develop and test dental products and materials that have advanced the practice of dentistry and made the patient experience more positive. The ADA Seal of Acceptance long has been a valuable and respected guide to consumer dental care products. The monthly Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) is the best-read scientific journal in dentistry. For more information about the ADA, visit the Association's Web site at www.ada.org
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