The American Dental Association (ADA) exists to power the profession of dentistry and to assist our members in advancing the overall oral health of their patients.
We are strong advocates for our members – promoting the art and science of dentistry. Our mission is to ensure all member dentists have what they need to provide the best possible patient care.
We are also strong advocates for public health – fighting oral cancer and combating the opioid crisis – and we’re teaming up with industry partners to help you stay healthy from the dental chair to daily care at home.
We will continue working toward our vision – working side by side with our 163,000+ member dentists – to achieve optimal health for all.
We use our Action Center to send out alerts, inform dentists about critical public policy issues that impact the dental profession, and empower our members to use their voices to contact their legislators.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at adpac@ada.org.
Thank you for joining us in being an advocate for oral health and dentistry!
The Dentist’s Role
Dentists are doctors who specialize in oral health. They diagnose oral diseases, promote oral health and disease prevention, and create treatment plans to maintain or restore the oral health of their patients. Dentists’ oversight of the clinical team is critical to ensuring safe and effective oral care.
Education and Clinical Training
The level of education and clinical training required to earn a dental degree, and the high academic standards of dental schools, are on par with those of medical schools and are essential to preparing dentists for the safe and effective practice of modern oral health care.
Why Oral Health Matters
Numerous recent scientific studies indicate associations between oral health and a variety of general health conditions — including diabetes and heart disease. In response, the World Health Organization has integrated oral health into its chronic disease prevention efforts “as the risks to health are linked
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In Your State
The ADA Department of State Government Affairs supports state dental associations and ADA members by identifying and addressing legislative and regulatory trends that may impact the dental profession. The advocacy map includes current or trending issues.
Click on your state to learn more about ADA in your community.
The ADA Impact
From coast to coast, dentists are making a lasting difference in their communities. As both medical professionals and community leaders, our members provide the dental care needed to keep people healthy and smiling while working with elected leaders to help shape the policies that influence health care across the United States.
Speaking with one voice united, dentists can shape the future of the dental profession and protect oral health care for millions of fellow Americans.
163000
Members
62000
Advocates
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Voice United
I am involved in the ADA's advocacy efforts because I believe that it is an effort worth making for my profession. I want to know that I have been responsible and diligent in my professional life, and being a part of the advocacy efforts of the ADA is how I do that.
Dentistry is a noble profession. We have an obligation to promote our members’ beliefs and also those of our patients who entrust their oral health to us by advocating through the ADA.
Although serving patients is my top priority, so much more goes into the practice of dentistry. The ADA is there to serve as our advocate to ensure dentists and dental students like me can focus on our patients, practices and communities. I am proud to stand with them and make my voice heard as a student advocate for our profession.