ODDS & ADA

Understanding Organized Dentistry

The Mission of the American Dental Association:

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,

Public health, sound science, ethical professional behavior and continuous improvement in dental care are what the ADA stands for. Through the ADA, we stand together as a profession, working to represent dentistry and the public in our advocacy initiative, to foster excellence in dental education, to promote dental research and to facilitate the development of standards.

As a professional association, the ADA is unique. More than seven out of ten dentists in the United States are ADA members. Other national associations (for example, those serving health care providers, physicians, attorneys, etc.) have membership participation rates that are much lower than the ADA.

Facts at a glance:

  • More than 149,000 members
  • 51 constituent (state) dental societies
  • 545 component (local) dental societies
  • Largest and oldest national dental association in the world

Governed by

  • Board of Trustees

  • ADA Administrative body
    - Includes officers President, President-Elect, two Vice-Presidents and 17 Trustees from each of the 17 trustee districts across the US. The ADA Board Treasurer and Executive Director serve as ex-officio (non-voting) members of the Board.

  • House of Delegates
    - 460 delegates representing 51 constituent societies, five federal dental services and the American Student Dental Association
    - House of Delegates meets once a year during the ADA's Annual Session

  • ADA Councils and Commissions
    - Standing committees of the House of Delegates
    - Responsible for policy recommendations and to complete assignments of the Board
    - Most councils are composed of one member from each of the 17 trustee districts of the ADA
    - Most councils meet twice a year at the ADA Headquarters in Chicago or at the Washington DC office
    - Councils & Commissions

Understanding the Tripartite Structure:

The American Dental Association has an unusual structure. For more than 90 years, the American Dental Association, together with state and local dental societies, has functioned as a three-tiered system called the tripartite.

While retaining the autonomy as dental associations, the national, state (constituent) and local (component) organizations work together for members. With only a few exceptions, ADA members hold memberships at all three levels.

For those dentists practicing in the greater Omaha area, here is how it works:

  • When you join ODDS, you become a member of both the ADA and the NDA.
  • Your annual dues are paid to the Nebraska Dental Association
  • ODDS, NDA and ADA are mutually supportive. Each society provides complimentary membership services that reduce duplication and redundancy.

The tripartite structure

  • Provides a consistent voice in lobbying activities;
  • Supports uniform educational standards
  • Promotes ethical dental practices
  • Allows for coordination of activities.

Benefits of membership:

  • Continuing Education
  • Social activities
  • State Meetings
  • Legislative voice
  • Peer Review
  • Patient referral services
  • Health Insurance
  • Journals, newsletters and other publications

For more information, visit the ADA website.