National Organizations
- American Association for Community Dental Programs
AACDP supports the efforts of those serving the oral health needs of vulnerable populations at the community level. Members include staff of city, county, and community-based health programs with an interest in oral health issues and access to care.
- American Association for Dental Research
The American Association for Dental Research (AADR) is headquartered in Alexandria, Va., is a non-profit organization with over 3,600 members in the United States. Its mission is (1) to advance research and increase knowledge for the improvement of oral health; (2) to support and represent the oral health research community; and (3) to facilitate the communication and application of research findings. AADR is the largest Division of the International Association for Dental Research (IADR).
- American Association of Public Health Dentistry
Founded in 1937, the American Association of Public Health Dentistry (AAPHD) provides a focus for meeting the challenge to improve oral health. AAPHD membership is open to all individuals concerned with improving the oral health of the public.
AAPHD accepts the challenge to improve total health for all citizens through the development and support of effective programs of oral health promotion and disease prevention.
- American Dental Association (ADA)Founded in 1859, the not-for-profit American Dental Association is the nation's largest dental association, representing more than 157,000 dentist members. Since then, the ADA has grown to become the leading source of oral health related information for dentists and their patients. The ADA is committed to its members and to the improvement of oral health for the public. The ADA's vision is to be the recognized leader on oral health with its mission to help all members succeed.
- American Dental Education Association
As the sole national organization representing academic dentistry, the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) is the voice of dental education.
ADEA members are more than 21,000 students, faculty, staff, and administrators from all of the U.S. and Canadian dental schools, many allied and advanced dental education programs, and numerous corporations working in oral health education.
- American Public Health Association - Oral Health SectionOur members promote oral health to a large multidisciplinary audience, partner with other human service providers, integrate oral health with overall health, have input into environmental and health care delivery issues and disseminate research findings to the largest possible audience.
- Association of State & Territorial Dental DirectorsThe Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors (ASTDD) is a national non-profit organization representing the directors and staff of state public health agency programs for oral health. It was organized in 1948 and is one of 17 affiliates of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO). ASTDD formulates and promotes the establishment of national dental public health policy, assists state dental programs in the development and implementation of programs and policies for the prevention of oral diseases; builds awareness and strengthens dental public health professionals' knowledge and skills by developing position papers and policy statements; provides information on oral health to health officials and policy makers, and conducts conferences for the dental public health community.
- National Dental AssociationThe National Dental Association promotes oral health equity among people of color by harnessing the collective power of its members, advocating for the needs of and mentoring dental students of color, and raising the profile of the profession in our communities.
- National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research: Oral HealthThe mission of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) is to improve dental, oral, and craniofacial health through research, research training, and the dissemination of health information.
- National Interprofessional Initiative on Oral Health
The National Interprofessional Initiative on Oral Health is a consortium of funders and health professionals whose vision is that dental disease can be eradicated.
The mission of the NIIOH is to engage primary care clinicians to be: alert to their patients’ oral health needs, ready and willing to deliver oral health preventive services to patients of all ages,
effective at partnering with dental specialists, and
able to learn from, with and about each other.
- National Network for Oral Health Access
To improve the oral health of underserved populations and contribute to overall health through leadership, advocacy, and support to oral health providers in safety-net systems. NNOHA was founded in 1991 by a group of Dental Directors from Federally Qualified Community Health Centers who identified a need for peer-to-peer networking, collaboration, research and support in running effective oral health program.
- Oral Health AmericaOral Health America’s mission is to change lives by connecting communities with resources to drive access to care, increase health literacy and advocate for policies that improve overall health through better oral health for all Americans, especially those most vulnerable.
- Institute for Oral Health
The Institute for Oral Health collaborates with America's leading experts in health care to gather data, insights, and potential solutions for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of dental care treatment, delivery, and policies. IOH helps raise awareness on key oral health issues through this website, our quarterly newsletter, and by hosting focus groups and our annual national conference. This knowledge resource is designed to benefit dental professionals, universities, employers, benefits companies, government agencies, and the public.
Local Organizations
- Illinois State Dental SocietyThe Mission of the Illinois State Dental Society (ISDS) is to represent the members of the Society and the public we serve through communication, education and legislation. Since 1865, ISDS members have proudly represented
organized dentistry and ensured that the highest quality dental care is provided to the public. ISDS represents more than 6,500 dentists, 1,100-plus dental hygienists, dental lab technicians and dental students.
- IFLOSS Coalition
The IFLOSS Coalition is a public-private partnership that was founded in November of 1998. Our mission is to improve the oral health of all Illinois residents through advocacy and education. Periodically, the Coalition offers continuing education opportunities and resources developed for providers of oral health care/education. The Coalition meets quarterly to report on statewide efforts and new developments regarding oral health.
- Chicago Dental SocietyThe Chicago Dental Society is an association for dentists in the metropolitan Chicago area; organizer of the Midwinter Meeting, the leading scientific dental meeting and tradeshow; and an advocate for improving oral health for all.