The ADA In Crisis

In August of 1859, twentysix dentists representing various dental societies in the United States gathered in Niagara Falls, New York, to form a national professional association. They saw a need to promote good oral health to the public while developing and representing a national dental profession. William Henry Atkinson, DDS, was elected as the first president. That meeting resulted in what is now the AMERICAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION. The efforts of that Association have resulted in what we have today--a profession that is highly respected by all health care organizations, the legislature, and the public. We are part of a profession that provides and promotes the highest quality dental care in the world.

The need to promote good oral health and maintain our profession is equally important today. We need an association that cares about the public, and promotes and protects our profession and us in the following among other areas: • To provide certification of training programs and licensure • To foster scientific research and continuing education • To advocate for dentistry on the national stage with legislation concerning Medicare or Medicaid reform, OSHA, HIPAA, and EPA regulation • To negotiate health crises and medical care/dental care integration efforts • To validate dental products for the public and to promote good oral care • To represent us locally with burdensome regulation, taxes, and other issues

The strength of our association has always been our membership. Historically, the ADA had more than 75% of our nation’s dentists who were members. The ADA endeavors to represent all dentists with policies that promote equity among all races, creeds, and genders. It continues to address major issues facing private practice general dentists, specialists, employee dentists and dental educators. Over the past few years, our membership has declined dramatically, especially among younger dentists. If the current trend continues, by 2027 the ADA will represent fewer than 50% of our nation’s dentists. This trend could have catastrophic impact in two major ways: dues revenue we can generate. Our sponsorship will have less impact and our products, less validity.

2020 was financially catastrophic, but because of prudent, conservative financial planning (good reserves), we efficiently weathered the black swan events caused by the pandemic. During that time, our association represented us like never before. The events of that year did point out some weaknesses in how quickly our association can respond to urgent needs of our members. In response to that challenge, significant changes are being implemented to improve reaction time. The ADA’s ability to understand and react to the urgent the needs of its members will be even better.

Secure Financial footing remains a top priority. Dues paying members allow the ADA and the UDA to represent and protect us-- individually and collectively. Having that representation is a cost of doing business. In the past, dues paying members have supported the free riders who take advantage of the ADA/UDA efforts but do not contribute to the cost. Since 2006, the decline in membership has accounted for 10 million per year in lost dues revenues. As a profession, we can only endure these losses for a short time if we are to maintain the respect we now enjoy.

As you look at your professional association and think about membership, look down the road and think about what tomorrow will bring. The future looks bright if we participate in the process of oversight and change. For me, belonging to our professional association is not optional because I have seen what the ADA/UDA has done in the past. I know how vital its role will be in the future.

1. Loss of membership diminishes our collective voice. We will no longer have the influence that the ADA voice has enjoyed in the past. Without members, we lose our representation. For a list of direct local benefits, please see our UDA webpage or just ask one of your UDA leaders.

Thank you for your membership: Every individual matters,