International member information

Explore all the benefits and resources of international ADA membership.

ADA Membership Delivers with image of a female member dentists

As a dentist practicing or licensed outside the U.S., you are invited to join the American Dental Association as an International Member. Membership offers the opportunity to connect with more than 159,000 colleagues and access to the ADA's leading scientific information, professional products and practice management tools:

EN ESPAÑOL

The Journal of the American Dental Association – Published monthly, JADA is the number one source for news and information that directly affects the dental profession. Affiliate Members can access full-text articles online, as well as the international, translated editions of JADA.

Scientific positions, policies and statements – The Council on Scientific Affairs publishes recommendations and guidelines on issues affecting dentists and their patients. Affiliate members can access full reports and recommendations from 2000 to the present on the ADA’s website.

Oral health and medical journals – Through the ADA Library & Archives, read full-text studies and reviews in 280 leading oral health and medical journals. affiliate members receive free access to these journals.

Practice management resources – An expertly curated collection of tools, resources and information to help you grow and manage a successful dental practice.

ADA Science & Research Institute – Conducts cutting-edge studies that advance dental technology and care. Members enjoy free access to clinical resources.

E-publications - Receive regular updates from the ADA delivered directly to your inbox. Emails from the ADA include dental industry news from The Morning Huddle, the latest technology, science and practice management news.These emails are automatically sent to affiliate members who provide an email address when joining.

To view other international member benefits, visit our membership benefits page.

Visa information for SmileCon®

Meet up with dental colleagues from across the U.S. and the globe by attending SmileCon, the ADA's annual meeting, or meet with the ADA at other select international dental trade shows. If you need a letter of invitation to assist you with the visa process, please email your name and postal address to international@ada.org.

Please note that it is necessary to complete the online registration and pay the registration costs in order to create the letter. Should the visa be denied for any purpose, the ADA will refund the full SmileCon registration cost.

Other international oral health organizations

The ADA is a member of the FDI World Dental Federation, which facilitates the exchange of oral health information among its 200 member associations representing 1 million dentists worldwide.

The FDI World Dental Federation has the following membership types:

  • Regular Members are national dental associations recognized by FDI as the principal associations and significant representatives of the legal and certified dental profession in their own countries. (*The American Dental Association is the Regular Member for the United States.)
  • Associate Members are national dental associations recognized by FDI as significant representatives of the legal and certified dental profession in their own countries. They have fulfilled the requirements of membership but, for reasons acceptable to FDI, do not wish to hold regular membership.
  • Affiliate Members are not-for-profit international dental associations or organizations with missions in line with those of FDI.
  • Supporting Members are not-for-profit international organizations and national organizations with an international role and objectives in or related to the field of dentistry.

International Collaborating Organizations

Health Volunteers Overseas (HVO): The ADA sponsors the dentistry programs of HVO.

The American Dental Society of Europe (ADSE): Members of the society are all dentists who live and work in Europe and who have completed a full time course of study at a recognized dental school in the United States or Canada. Application for membership can be made following attendance of one annual scientific meeting.

Other International Organizations

Contact information

Contact the American Dental Association to learn more about international programs and services offered. Association staff members are here to assist you with any question or need. The ADA looks forward to hearing from you.

International Relations

For general international information and inquiries related to the ADA’s participation in the FDI World Dental Federation please contact us on +1.312.440.2726 or international@ada.org.

Mailing Address

American Dental Association
211 E. Chicago Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60611-2678
United States of America

For other contacts at the ADA, please visit the online directory or contact the Member Service Center at +1.312.440.2500. Please note that the ADA’s offices are located in Chicago, Illinois, USA, and are open from 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. central standard time.