A national professional association founded in 1859 that unites more than 154,000 members to advance dentistry through research, standards, publications, and oral health policy advocacy.
The American Dental Association (ADA) is a national professional association founded in 1859 in Niagara Falls, New York, and headquartered at 401 North Michigan Avenue in Chicago, Illinois. It reports more than 154,000 members and describes itself as the world's largest and oldest national dental association. Its stated purpose is to unite dentists to advance the dental profession, promote oral health, and advocate for oral health policy across the United States.
The organisation's work spans dental science, oral health research, health policy research, professional standards development, advocacy, and dental education and publications. Employees and contributors operate across these domains within a professional association setting, alongside the broader fields of dentistry, oral health care, healthcare, and health policy.
Several named bodies carry out this work. The Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) is a peer-reviewed publication disseminating dental science and research. The Health Policy Institute produces research and policy analysis on the U.S. dental care system, while the ADA Forsyth Institute functions as a research centre focused on oral health innovation. The ADA Foundation, the association's charitable arm, works to improve access to oral health care and supports dentists and their families in need.
With more than 160 years of continuous operation, the ADA describes its culture as mission-driven, oriented towards helping dentists succeed while advancing public health, and grounded in advocacy, education, professional standards, and scientific research.
